The former Lakewood Hospital, now the Cleveland Clinic, in Lakewood (Joshua Gunter, Cleveland.com)
LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Lakewood announced Monday that the city is seeking proposals to redevelop the old Lakewood Hospital site downtown.
The city wants to create “Lakewood’s finest multi-functional outdoor community gathering space,” according to a news release. This could mean a mixed-use development, combining housing and commercial opportunities.
Previous coverage: Mixed-use development planned for Lakewood Hospital site
But, what does that actually mean for the site, on 5.7 prime acres, and what can residents expect? City planning and development Director Bryce Sylvester answered some questions about the project.
(If you still want more answers, the city is hosting a meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at Lakewood City Hall.)
Q: So what’s the timeline on the project?
A: Sylvester said nothing can happen physically with the redevelopment of the site until the new Cleveland Clinic family center and emergency department is in its new location. The best case scenario is to break ground on the redevelopment in fall 2019.
Q: Why now?
A: City council members debated for nearly a year on whether to close the facility and open a new $34 million Cleveland Clinic family health center and 24-hour emergency department. The ordinance passed in December of 2015, and was extremely extremely controversial.
It was only when the voters gave the go ahead in November, Sylvester said, that plans for a new use of the site could move forward.
Q: Why a mixed-use development?
A: A community meeting in August 2015 showed residents favored employment opportunities, diverse housing options, shopping and services, Sylvester said. The idea of forming a community gathering space there also came from that meeting.
No, this doesn’t mean a smaller Crocker Park.
Developers must consider parking options, Sylvester said.
Q: How will the redevelopment respect the historic aspects of the site?
A: Developers will have to think creatively. The Curtis Block building, on the corner of Marlowe and Detroit Avenues, will be rehabbed as part of the project. The city also wants to recognize the site’s history as the former site of Lakewood Hospital.
“We want to always remember that a hospital was there, and we can do that creatively on site,” Sylvester said.
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