Lakewood, Ohio
| Lakewood, Ohio | |
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| — City — | |
| Nickname(s): "City of Beautiful Homes" | |
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  Lakewood, Ohio
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Cuyahoga |
| Government | |
| - Type | Mayor-council |
| - Mayor | Edward FitzGerald |
| Area | |
| - Total | 6.7 sq mi (17.3 km2) |
| - Land | 5.5 sq mi (14.4 km2) |
| - Water | 1.1 sq mi (3.0 km2) |
| Elevation[1] | 705 ft (215 m) |
| Population (2007)[2] | |
| - Total | 54,765 |
| - Density | 9,957.3/sq mi (3,803.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 44107 |
| Area code(s) | 216 |
| FIPS code | 39-41664[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1064966 |
| Website | http://www.onelakewood.com/ |
Lakewood is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area, and borders the city of Cleveland. The population was 54,765 at the United States Census American Community Survey in 2007, making it the third largest city in Cuyahoga County, behind Cleveland (478,403) and Parma (85,655).
Lakewood, while technically one of Cleveland's inner-ring suburbs, has an urban character, bordering the city of Cleveland to the east and south. Lakewood's population density is the highest of any city in Ohio and is roughly comparable to that of Washington, DC.
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History
Lakewood was incorporated as a village on August 31, 1889.[4]
A complete history of Lakewood is available through the Lakewood Public Library [1].
Geography
Lakewood is located at (41.480881, -81.800360),[5] about 6 miles west of downtown Cleveland.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²), of which, 5.6 square miles (14.4 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (3.0 km²) of it (17.16%) is water.
Demographics
As of the 2007 American Community Survey, there were 54,765 people, 24,898 households, and 12,212 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,803.2/km² (9,957.3/sq mi), making it more densely populated than Los Angeles, California. There were 27,806 housing units at an average density of 1,931.0/km² (5,055.6/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 92.9% White, 5.2% Black, 0.1% American Indian, 1.3% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population. Ethnic groups include Germans (28.2%), Irish (23.5%), English (11.6%), Italians (10.2%), Poles (9.5%), Slovaks (4.3%), and Arab (4.3%).
There were 24,898 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.0% were non-families. 42.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.9 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,602, and the median income for a family was $59,201. Males had a median income of $42,599 versus $35,497 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,939. About 10.9% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.3% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public Schools
The City of Lakewood boasts brand new elementary schools and middle schools. The high school is under renovation. Two more elementary schools are slated to be rebuilt or renovated in the next two years. The investment is the first major school building program in Lakewood since 1920. The Lakewood school system is one of the largest employers in the city of Lakewood.
- Lakewood High School - One of the largest high schools in the state of Ohio, with over 2000 students attending. Has outstanding athletic facilities which regularly host regional competitions, as well as a successful music department.
- Lincoln Elementary 15615 Clifton Boulevard, Lakewood, Ohio 44107 .
- Harding Middle School - A new building replaced the original facility in 2007.
- Garfield Middle School - A new building that has the original front of the oldest school in Lakewood.
- Taft Elementary - Closed June 2008.
- Two new middle schools—Harding and Garfield—and two new elementary buildings—Harrison and Hayes—opened in August, 2007. Emerson and Horace Mann were converted from middle schools to elementary schools and re-opened in August, 2008. A major renovation of Lakewood High School will begin in early 2008 and is expected to take four years to complete.
- The renovation projects on Emerson and Horace Mann have cost the city $36 million. The rebuilding projects on Hayes and Harrison cost the city $13 million. This difference in price can be attributed to the desire of Board of Education leaders wanting to keep the schools (Emerson and Horace Mann) as "twin" schools.
Private Schools
- Lakewood Catholic Academy - a private Catholic K-8 school offering academic and religious education through a challenging curriculum. Lakewood Catholic Academy was established in 2005 when three separate Catholic grade schools (St. James, St. Clement and St. Luke) combined into one academy located at the former St. Augustine Academy campus.
Lakewood Lutheran School- 1-8 integrated elementary education featuring the best teachers and student to teacher ratios in the area.
- Padre Pio Academy - a K-8 elementary school founded by lay Catholics striving to be loyal to the Magisterium of the Church. It offers a classical curriculum and is a member of NAPCIS, the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools.
- St. Edward High School - Private Roman Catholic High School for boys which attracts students from around Northeast Ohio.
- The Virginia Marti College of Design - Offers degrees in Digital Media, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Graphic Design and Interior Design.
Economic Development
Downtown Lakewood
Downtown Lakewood spans from Bunts Avenue to the east and Arthur Avenue to the west along Detroit Avenue. The area has been a site of significant economic development in recent years. Development in Lakewood has escalated in recent years, even during a period of regional and national economic decline (2008–2009).
Development
- Lakewood's second-largest office complex was restored to its original historic grandeur through a $6MM renovation 2009.
- Lakewood library recently underwent a $17 Million expansion.
- Rockport Square, a new residential project by Forest City Enterprises is being developed on the eastern end of the city and is incorporating mixed use all along Detroit Avenue. The project includes three phases, with the first one complete and the second one underway. The phase will include two 6-story loft buildings and several adjacent mixed-use buildings.
- The Cleveland Clinic recently completed construction of a new one-story facility on Detroit Avenue, adjacent to Rockport Square.
- Rosewood Place, a new mixed-used development reached completion in the end of 2006, offering new town homes, condos, and retail in the heart of Lakewood along Detroit Avenue.
- The Lakewood YMCA recently finished construction of its new facility on Detroit Avenue. The two-story gymnasium features state-of-the-art exercise equipment, an indoor swimming pool, yoga lessons, and an extended babysitting service. The Lakewood YMCA is equivalent to a city rec center.
- Lakewood and the city of Cleveland will begin the re-construction of Clifton Boulevard in its entirety beginning in 2010. The plan calls for the re-creation of a true boulevard, meaning the street would once again have a tree-lined median.
Awards
- Business Week - Best Place to Raise Your Kids: 2010 [2] .
- The City of Lakewood Department of Planning & Development [3] won an award for Economic Development from Inside Business Magazine in 2009.
- In 2009, the American Institute of Architects and the Cleveland Restoration Society honored the City of Lakewood Department of Planning & Development and LakewoodAlive [4] with an award for Creative & Effective Preservation Advocacy in 2009.
- The Ohio Historic Preservation Office honored the City of Lakewood Department of Planning & Development and LakewoodAlive [5] for their collective efforts to recognize, preserve, and promote Lakewood’s historic resources in 2009.
- This Old House Magazine chose Lakewood as the best city in the Midwest to buy a house in 2008.
- Scene Magazine rated Lakewood the best city to live in for 2006.
Attractions
- Lakewood Park is one of the largest lakefront parks in Ohio and features a live concert stage, outdoor swimming pool, picnic pavilions, 4-season public pavilion, kids' playground, baseball, volleyball, and a skate park. Lakewood has more than 150 acres of greenspace citywide.
- The Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks System forms part of the city's western border. The Lakewood Dog Park is located next to the Metroparks, in the Rocky River valley.
- Lakewood Public Library has won numerous awards [6] and has two branches: the main branch on Detroit Avenue and a smaller branch on Madison Avenue. The Lakewood Library is normally ranked one of the top 5 libraries in the USA for its size on a regular basis, [7] and was awarded "Best Place to Hang Out" by Scene Magazine in 2009.
- The Beck Center for the Arts is the largest cultural arts center in Northeast Ohio and showcases numerous theatrical productions, concerts, events, activities and art shows.
- Lakewood houses at least 4 art galleries: Bela Dubby (art gallery and coffeehouse), The Pop Shop Gallery & Studio, the Local Girl Gallery and the Wobblefoot Gallery.
- Lakewood boasts a very popular bar scene up and down both Madison Avenue and Detroit Avenue.
- Lakewood is home to the nation's first high school Rock Orchestra called the Lakewood Project. The Lakewood Project uses a double quartet of electric instruments, a substantial acoustic section, and a rhythm section. Performances have been held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and House of Blues Cleveland and Lakewood High School's Civic Auditorium. The Lakewood Project performs at Lakewood Park on the Fourth of July every year.
- The home of Malley's Chocolates is in Lakewood, still retaining its original 1960's charm.
- Aladdin's Eatery, a national restaurant brand, is based in Lakewood. Their first restaurant was founded in Lakewood by Fady and Sally Chamoun in 1994.
Other Notes
- The City of Lakewood has one of the highest recycling rates in all of Ohio: 79% in 2009 (according to the city web site, accessed 10/1/2009).
- Lakewood, while populated at under 60,000 residents, is home to a large number of media outlets including no less than three weekly newspapers and a handful of devoted websites. The most notable include the independent community site LakewoodBuzz.com, The Lakewood Sun, The Lakewood Observer, and Lakewood Times.
- Lakewood operates a US-CERT program, created to respond to emergencies within the city.
- According to the Free Times and the Plain Dealer, Lakewood has the highest concentration of vegetarians and vegans in Northeast Ohio. Nature's Bin, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is one of the largest health food stores on the west side of Cleveland.
- Lakewood is home to the district headquarters of Congressman Dennis Kucinich.
- Historical housing throughout the city and an active historical society are the norm in Lakewood. The 'Make Lakewood Beautiful' program involves contests in which residents compete to make their home look and resemble its original design and architecture and awards are given to several homeowners each year. The city offers tours of the most famous homes in the spring, summer, and fall with an emphasis on the masterpieces along Lake Avenue.
Skyline
Lakewood is home to a rather large number of high rises. While there are high rises throughout the city, most are concentrated in two areas: Gold Coast and in downtown Lakewood.
Gold Coast
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Downtown Lakewood
- Lakewood Center North (186 feet) is Lakewood's tallest office building with 15 floors of office space and is the largest private office building in Cuyahoga County outside of downtown Cleveland, based on total square footage.
- The INA Building, the first medical office building ever constructed.
- Westerly West Building
- Westerly East Building
- Westerly South Building
- Northwesterly
Other high rises
- Castlewood Apartments
- Richard Hilliard House Condominiums
- Fedor Manor
- Harbour View Apartments
- Commodore Club Apartments
Neighborhoods & districts
- Arts District (Proposed) - 3 locations have been proposed with the most likely location to be centered around The Beck Center For The Arts, just west of downtown Lakewood.
- Birdtown - Southeastern corner of Lakewood, a well-known 8-street residential district on the southeast side of the city that was built specifically for the workers of the nearby Union Carbide company in the 1890s. The houses are distinctive and most of the streets are named after birds. Birdtown was recently designated a National Register Historic District. Located adjacent to Madison Park, the former Union Carbide factory, and the W. 117th St. Rapid Transit Station. Many of the original houses built there were boarding houses.
- Clifton Boulevard - Lined with big trees and multi-family homes, apartment complexes, and 4x4 brick structures, the 7-lane Clifton Boulevard is one of the busiest streets in Lakewood.
- Clifton Park - The wealthiest neighborhood of Lakewood is situated in the northwestern corner of the city. Bounded by Sloane on the south, West Clifton on the east, The Rocky River on the west, and Lake Erie on the north. Includes the private Clifton Beach community.
- Downtown Lakewood - The main section of Lakewood is centered at Detroit Avenue and Warren Road. This district is lined with office buildings, restaurants, and variety shops. Lakewood Library, the USPS, Lakewood Hospital, and Lakewood City Schools are all located in this district.
- Edge, The - This easternmost neighborhood includes many concert venues, pubs, and taverns and co-exists partially in the city of Cleveland.
- The Gold Coast
- Lakewood Park - Lakewood Park is Lakewood's biggest park and features direct access to Lake Erie. Many residential streets surround the park directly and the southwestern edge of the park is lined with a row of large apartment complexes.
- Rockport Square - Rockport Square (not to be confused with the former Rockport Township) is an urban renewal project along Detroit Avenue on the eastern side of the city. Roughly 200 condos, lofts, and live-work spaces are to be constructed in all.
- West End - The West End is the westernmost neighborhood of Lakewood, along the Rocky River Reservation. There was a proposal to create a lifestyle center here in 2004, but residents voted against it by a handful of votes.
Transportation
- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's 55 and 55F routes (the F is an express route), run east and west along Clifton Boulevard, terminating at Cleveland State University in downtown Cleveland to the east and in Fairview Park (55) or Avon Lake (55F) to the west.[6]
- RTA Route 26 serves Detroit Avenue, Route 86 serves Warren Road, Route 70 runs along Bunts Road, and Route 25 serves Madison Avenue.[6]
- There is an RTA rapid transit station located just inside Cleveland city limits at W. 117th St. and Madison Avenue, offering access to the Red Line east to Windermere via Downtown Cleveland and west to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.[6]
- RTA's Route 804, the Lakewood Community Circulator, was discontinued by RTA in late 2009. But Lakewood residents and city officials are campaigning for it to return.[6]
- I-90 borders the south side of Lakewood and has on/off-ramps at W. 117th St., Bunts Road, Warren Road, and McKinley Road.
- The Cleveland Memorial Shoreway begins approximately 1 mile east of Lakewood via Lake Avenue and Clifton Boulevard and serves as a transportation hub to and from downtown Cleveland.
- Lakewood is included in the service areas of several taxicab companies.
- Lakewood is pedestrian-friendly, with sidewalks on both sides of most streets, and the majority of the city's residences within 1 mile of the commercial districts on Madison and Detroit Avenues.
- Lakewood is bicycle-friendly, with designated "share the road" paths through the city.[7].
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Notable residents
- Birthplace of Matt Dunigan, a player, coach and executive of the Canadian Football League and sportscaster.
- Birthplace of Dr. Donald Henderson, lead doctor for the eradication of smallpox
- Birthplace of Lindsay Davis, International model, Miss Ohio US International 2010
- Birthplace of Teri Garr, actress
- Birthplace of Alan Boss, astrophysicist
- Birthplace of Moe Mantha, Jr., a National Hockey League player and World Hockey Association coach.
- Birthplace of Benjamin Orr, bass player and singer for The Cars
- Birthplace of Brad Friedel, goalkeeper for Aston Villa
- Birthplace of Perrieve Spencer Satullo, Better known as Perry Saturn, Professional Wrestler
- Birthplace of Dr Bernie L. Wade, Presiding Bishop and Founder of the International Circle of Faith
- Longtime home of Mike Beckwith, quarterback, Cleveland Gladiators
- Birthplace of Sean Patrick O'Malley, Cardinal Archbishop of Boston
- Birthplace of Alex Boone, San Francisco 49ers Offensive Tackle and former Ohio State Buckeye
- Birthplace of Dick Feagler, a newspaper columnist, playwright and television personality from Cleveland, Ohio.
Notes
- ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ American Community Survey, 2007
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ Office of the Mayor, City of Lakewood. Accessed 2007-08-07.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Greater Cleveland Regional Transport Authority: Timetables, Maps & Schedules
- ↑ http://bikelakewood.org/Bike%20Ordinances%20New.pdf
External links
- City of Lakewood – Official Site
- Lakewood Public Library
- Lakewood Public Library Future Focus
- LakewoodBuzz.com – Original community forum and events and news/urban website
- Lakewood Observer – Volunteer community newspaper/urban journal
- LakewoodAlive – Economic development portal
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