Projects would advance Lorain

Another Viewpoint is a column The Morning Journal makes available so all sides of an issue may be aired. Kevin Riley, a land use analyst/real property consultant, lives in Lorain.

The city of Lorain’s population is approximately 64,000 people. I urge the immediate evaluation of these recommendations. Lorain would become advanced.

Ultra-Primary

1.) Sell or lease {divest or reapply} Lorain City Hall assets/ parcels at open market rate subject to planned exit to location below. The City Hall assets are functionally obsolete as intended. Parcels are an operational cost burden.

Super-Primary

1-A. Consideration) Presently, Falbo Park on Meister Road centrally is juxtaposed to two parcels of land adjoining. If enjoined, a 10-acre +/- tract may enlarge the Falbo Park acreage of 3.8 acres accomplishing 13.84 +/- acres as a new Lorain City Government Campus.

This site would service the city of Lorain for decades. A new facility could be planned and erected. This land assembly is accessible by no fewer than three to five publicly dedicated streets for ingress/egress. The Lorain city government would be re-disposed here except the jail facility. A few prime alternate sites in the city of Lorain exist for re-constructing a Lorain City Government Campus, but none as accessible, as doable, as centrally located and as permanently upgrading.

2.) Relocate jail facility to a 2- to 10-acre land split of former Southview High School site at southern portion along Fairless Drive and state Route 57. This offers premier access to Route 57, state Route 2, Interstate 90, the Ohio Turnpike and optimizes access to the city of Elyria, the Lorain County seat, courts and county jail facilities.

Urgent

3.) Undertake the widening of Cooper Foster Park Road from Broadway to state Route 58 to two lanes plus turning lane. This requires signalization and other city/township participation.

4.) Undertake the reconstruction to two lanes plus turning lane of Pearl Avenue north from state Route 254 to East 36th Street. Install related drainage, sanitary sewer and storm sewer.

Community spirit: Super priorities

5.) Waterfall Park: The community of Lorain needs an additional community-spirit/public convening landmark waterfront venue. I envision a waterfall park. Fountains are too common. A waterfall is artistic, moving, energetic and calming. It’s simple to plan. The core use is open grounds for visitors upon seven to 10 acres with generous vehicle parking ease and patron use.

Location A: Assemble by donation from Ohio Edison {First Energy Corp.} parcels and Lorain city-owned parcels: 10-acre land tract at northwest sector of Oberlin Avenue, Lake Place and West Second Street. There are incredible views of Lake Erie from this vantage. This is scenic, remarkable and becomes a superstar draw. This path also would eliminate the fatal impact of an ill-decided cell tower as a land abuse detriment. Ingress/egress is readily install-able.

Location B: Utilize a 7- to 9-acre mounded southern or northern portion of the Lorain Port Boat Launch at East 14th and Broadway. Access is present via East 14th Street. This is easily do-able and achieves Black River vantages. This decision energizes Broadway in this vicinity also as a benefit. The waterfall can be constructed on mounded southern portion or upon a 7- to 9-acre northern portion or twin waterfalls.

6.) Meet Me in Central Park: In an earlier article, I urged the Urban Historic Districts of Lorain to invigorate bicycle hub energies. In the Meet Me in Central Park initiative, the central location of Central Park is the optimal convening hub due to proximity to residents.

7.) Residential sidewalk install or repair Invest Lorain initiative: Solidify a 50/50 costsharing residential install or repair sidewalk improvement fund. Property owners can easily use and benefit via Invest Lorain for safety and property appearance.

8.) Comprehensive Citywide Signage: The city of Lorain is large and has multiple assets. Underestimating the power of comprehensive signage, from municipal signages to all essential signage, public, private or quasi-governmental, keeps Lorain in the Dark Ages. Pursue a consistent, inclusive border display theme such as “The International City.”

Optimally, ultra-beauty signage at gate-ways such as Colorado and Root Road and Baumhart and West Erie and routes 57 and 58 are recommended. Ask Meijer Corporation for a signage program donation.

9.) Thirty-minute beautification through Lorain Proud: I ask every resident of Lorain, owner or tenant, to spend 30 minutes per month removing debris, trash, or any other efforts such as cleaning street curbs in and or near their residence or apartment. Lorain Proud also asks that your residence and its premises are tidy and presentable for your neighbors and those visiting Lorain neighborhoods.

Please have your street house number painted on curb or clearly noted in your yard. Place any Lorain Proud flag or banner in your yard.

In summary, Lorain’s government is charged with leadership and planning. Along with civic and community leaders, deploying these action dynamics aid a re-birth and resurgence of Lorain. Impact projects require bold action plans.

Without bold actions and planning, Lorain will fall short on its International City persona and its appearance.

Community spirit should be a very special emphasis of city government.

Kevin Riley