Development At Former Lakewood Hospital Site Takes Step Forward

LAKEWOOD, OH — Development at the former Lakewood Hospital site took a step forward on Monday. Lakewood City Council approved a term sheet with Carnegie Management and Development Corporation, which will move construction at the site along. The term sheet was approved by a vote of 5-2.

The former Lakewood Hospital site is being targeted for a mixed-use development that would include residential housing and shopping. "The term sheet explains the business terms and structure of the project, the roles and responsibilities of the parties, and the minimum requirements for each party to deliver," the city said on its website.

Comments from the audience on the project were split at Monday's meeting. Some voiced strong concern that the project was a step backward for the city and could have grave, disastrous consequences. Some felt the term sheet wasn't properly constructed. Others felt the project needed to move forward to create new revenue for Lakewood and that the hospital site might otherwise become a vacant, long-term eyesore.

Ward 3 Councilman John Litten said "the notion the land is being away for a $1 is troubling. The land is the city's investment in a $75 million project." He said he prefers a $75 million project versus a $50 million project, which the city would get by selling the land at a higher cost.

Councilman-at-Large Tristan Rader voted against the term sheet. He said he was "unconvinced this type of development will thrive in this particular area." He suggested a senior living complex, or a purely residential development may be a better fit. Rader also said the way the deal came together in an efficient, professional way.

Several councilpersons also had concerns that the proposed term sheet stripped power away from the legislative body and gifted it to the mayor. Both Rader and Councilwoman-at-Large Meghan George, who both voted against the term sheet,said they would prefer to have input on the final contract.

View the Powerpoint presentations that were presented to City Council.

Another key note is that razing of the hospital building cannot take place until pending litigation involving Lakewood Hospital is resolved. The Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the city of Lakewood, on that issue, on April 30.

That TRO did not prohibit City Council from moving forward with the term sheet agreement, it merely blocked substantial changes to the hospital site prior to the resolution of a lawsuit accusing the city of misdeeds.

The debate and legal maneuvers involving Lakewood Hospital have been taking place for years. In November 2017, for instance, voters were asked to affirm or reject an ordinance from city council that authorized the signing of new contracts involving the demolition and construction of the former hospital property. If voters rejected the ordinance, it would not have re-opened the hospital but made null the ordinance.

Issue 64 went to the "For" side by a count of 11,489 to 10,804, a fact frequently trumpeted by the city.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch