It's Time....The Case for Lakefront Development

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF POSTS ON EUCLID'S LAKEFRONT
DEVELOPMENT PLAN.  PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR FUTURE POSTS ON THIS TOPIC.  FIRST, A LOOK BACK


I CAME ACROSS A "POSITION" PAPER ON LAKEFRONT DEVELOPMENT, FROM THE YEAR 2000.  EXCERPTS ARE BELOW.  

At the dawn of a new century, Euclid faces significant challenges.  City vision and leadership is essential for seeing these challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities for renewal.  A significant portion of that renewal rests upon these twin pillars:  Conversion of the Americana Apartments into condominiums and the construction of a marina.

Euclid's Challenges

 

According to Euclid's Master Plan Update of 1996, only 142 homes are valued over 150K.  Market studies show that potential demand for upscale housing at a minimum of 700 homes.  The exodus of wealthier residents rests primarily on this critical shortage of high value housing.  Today, only 55% of Euclid dwellings are owner occupied.  The City Master Plan update of 1996 describes high density apartment complexes as "have{ing} little remaining long term viability."  In other words, they are obsolete.  It is no surprise that reducing rental units is a clear goal of the Update.

 

Marina Project Interest

 

A Marina constructed at the Americana will spur the conversation of the Americana.  Marina interest stretches back to 1966.  Then spokesman for the Ohio Natural Resources Department explained that "{George} Voinovich has been one of the leading proponents of a marina for the City."  Mayor Kenneth Sims and Ohio Natural Resource Director Fred Moor and Ohio Division of Watercraft Chief Paul Sarossy "are impressed with Euclid's sincerity to have this recreational facility due to the interest exhibited in the project by Mayor Sims and Recreation Director Red Orr."

 

Regarding the Americana the minority owner, the Simon family is on record favoring the conversion of the American into condominiums as being good for Euclid.  Even more critically, there is a market for conversion according to the 1998 Danter Company report.

 

The Wealth Effect

 

The Americana/marina project significantly increases both City and School revenues without tax rate increases.  Conversation of the Americana means higher valued residential units, meaning that folks with a higher income would purchase them.  This leads to higher taxes, and, more disposable income

that can then be spent in downtown Euclid.

 

The  Keystone: Marina Development

 

Back in 1966, Mayor Sims and ONRD Director Morr discussed Mr Voinovich's marina concept.  Mr. Morr dismissed it: without a breakwater, no marina was possible.   At that time, no local money was available to pay for breakwater construction.

 

But, today, money is available through Tax Increment Financing (TIF).  Under TIF, private investment in the Americana Creates the additional property tax revenues for the breakwater/marina.

 

Making It Happen: Steps for City Leaders

 

Americana conversion and marina development provides the (partial) answer for Euclid's challenges.  No other plan proposed is as comprehensive in scope and dramatic in impact.  Yet, the first step for City leaders is one of attitude.  It seems our public leadership sees every Americana/marina challenge as an insurmountable obstacle.  No developer will ever step forward; no developer will take a risk in

Euclid's future with City Hall believing in that future.  It is time for City leadership to step out of the shadow of doubt and negativity and into the sunlight of conviction and possibility.  By doing so, they will ensure a renaissance on the lake shore, and, secure the promise of Euclid's future

 

 

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Today, the Americana is known as Harborcrest, and, the Horizon House is now Waters Edge.  Both are owned by the K&D Group which still has interest in our lakefront project.   The challenges Euclid faced when I wrote this paper still exist today.  And, the benefits of real lakefront development holds the same potential for Euclid today, as it did back in 2000.   More in coming posts.

 





 



 





Words from Dr. King

Non Violence and Non Existence

 

In our hyper partisan world, politics, race, ethnicity and religion far to often are used to divide us.

Such labels are used to smear, attack and, even negate the other person, the other idea, the very nature of those we do not agree with.

 

Dr. King eloquently spoke to universal truths that are applicable now, as when first spoken

50 years ago.  They are really timeless truths that stretch back to the dawn of time.



 

The following quotes were in a wonderful article in the News-Herald,
Saturday, January 19, 2013.

 

Bernice King, Dr. King's daughter recalls her fathering telling her, "The choice is no longer between violence and nonviolence, but, nonviolence and nonexistence."

 

And, from a 1960 audio interview, Dr. King had this to say about non-violence:  "I would...say that it is a method which seeks to secure a moral end through  moral means, and it grows out of the whole concept of love, because if one is truly nonviolent that person has a loving spirit, he refuses to inflict  injury upon the opponent because he loves the opponent."

 

Words to, think about.  It is up to each and, every generation to breathe life into these ancient truths, just like Dr. King did all those years ago.

 

Be well.

 

Daryl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



2013 Updates

Happy New Year!

 

Here is a brief update on some issues from 2012, and a look ahead to things I hope to work on for 2013. 

 

Green infrastructure:   As you might recall from the Feb, 17, 2012 post, the City of Euclid is under an EPA Consent Decree to improve our Waste Water Treatment System.  I believe that green infrastructure can help reduce the total costs of the improvements.  These costs are estimated at about 150 million dollars. Last year City Council passed a series of rate increases to fund the improvements.  Strand and Associates have begun the system evaluation for possible green infrastructure applications that can possibly save the rate payers millions of dollars.

 

Tax Review Committee:  From that 3/26/2011 post, I believe that a thorough review of our tax structure is badly needed.  I am happy to say that the Resolution sponsored by myself, Council President Gail and the Mayor, to establish a review committee should be implemented this coming spring.

Old Highland Neighborhood Connector:  I love hiking in the Euclid Creek Reservation.  As mentioned in "Euclid Watershed Update, Spring 2012, one day, I hiked up Old Highland Road and,thought "fixed up and made safer, this would make a great park connector for the folks in the Georgetown Neigbhorhood.  Working with Ward 1 Councilperson Caviness, our goal is to secure Metro Park/State funding for this project

Shore/City LED Lighting Initiative:  Last spring, I set up a tour for Administration members of Nela Park, the home of GE Lighting.  I wanted the Administration to see the improvements in LED technology and, how that can be applied to City building and lighting.   This past December, the GE Team came out for a tour of Shore.  The result is a proposal for LED lighting upgrades to the exterior and auditorium lights.   Payback for the investment in the Shore LED lighting proposal is about 2-4 years.   I had the pleasure of discussing the GE proposal to the Shore Board, and, they are excited about the opportunity.   This certainly can be a part of Shore's capital plan.   I am working with Service Director Bock to evaluate other City buildings.

Marina Project/I-90 Project:  The marina is critical to Euclid's Future.  Breakwalls are expensive to build.  Reducing the costs of the breakwall can save significant money.  Breakwalls are basically stone pyramids designed to block wave action.  Waves are bad for boats docked in marinas.   In my discussions with marine engineers over many years, they suggested that concrete rubble from road reconstruction projects could be used for our breakwall.  Back in 2008, Council passed a resolution asking ODOT to support the donation of concrete rubble to help build the breakwater.  The City missed out on the demolition of the old Chase Brass plant, and, the old Cleveland Convention Center

Ward 5 Councilman Pat McLaughlin is attempting to secure the concrete bridge deck of the 50 year old I-90 innerbelt bridge.  This is a wonderful and complicated initiative that if successful will bring the marina one step closer.  I wholeheartedly support Pat's initiative with advise, support and advocacy with our County and Port Authority officials.

Euclid Hens:  My guess is that this will draw the most comment! Urban agriculture is a growing trend throughout the country.  This also includes the raising of livestock and chickens.  I have discussed this concept with the City Law Department for the past several years now.  Communities like Beachwood, Cleveland, Cleveland Hts, Richmond Hts. allows the practice.  Councilman O'Hare and McLaughlin also are interested in this trend.  We had legislation drafted to allow the practice.  The main points of the legislation was to set the number of hens by home lot size, control the size of the coops, and, address concerns about noise and smell.



But, after a committee meeting, clearly the idea of allowing the raising of hens (no roosters) in the City is a passionate one.  I suggested that instead of simply passing the proposed legislation, the the City first embark on a pilot project:  allow 4-5 residents to raise hens based on the proposed law to see exactly what the impact might be.   This is under review as we speak.

Urban Forestry:  Over the years, I have had the honer of working on the Euclid Shade Tree Commsion.  It has been a personal goal to make Euclid a greener City.  Many years ago now, with the help of former State Representative Kenny Yuko, we ended mowing in the I90/Euclid Spur area.
Eventualy, an urban forest will replace what was simply mowed grass.  I also convinced the City Administration to end mowing along the Marginal, from 260th to Babbit.  This spring, I will be planting a mixture of maple, beach and oak trees in this area to speed along the reforestation.  If they "take" I will continue the initiative in the Spur area.

Of course there are always neighborhood issues that are just as important that require attention.  So, let me know what you are seeing in your neighborhood!

 

And, let me know what you think.