LakewoodAlive to Discuss City's 'Vibrant Future'

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LakewoodAlive to Discuss City’s ‘Vibrant Future’

November 15, 2011 [Lakewood Patch]

Lakewood is getting more diverse. There are fewer people, but the population is getting younger.

And the number of vacant homes in the city has nearly doubled in the past 10 years.

is hosting a community forum that will discuss some of these issues at the “Ensuring a Vibrant Future: A Community Conversation” event on Wednesday.

The event is slated to take place at the at 7 p.m.

LakewoodAlive Director Ian Andrews said that with the complete, the forum will examine Lakewood’s ever-evolving community and how the city can use this information moving forward.

“We want to capitalize on this opportunity to not only delve into what the Census tells us about the evolution of Lakewood, but to then examine how our entire community can utilize this information to further improve this great city,” Andrews said. “It’s only through resident and community participation however that we can work together to put all of our ideas on the table and begin an engaging dialogue.”

The panel will feature:

  • Marvin Hayes, noted urban economic policy practitioner.
  • Dr. Edward “Ned” Hill, dean and professor, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University.
  • Bill Sanderson, vice president of joint ventures, Forest City Land Group.
  • Gus Frangos, president and general counsel, Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation.

Nate Kelly, deputy chief of staff of the newly formed Cuyahoga County government —  and — will moderate the discussion.

The panel will discuss the roles of political, civic, business and community leaders in the city’s future, Andrews said.

“The census results put to paper what we all know: this is a diverse and complex community,” said Jennifer Baker, president of LakewoodAlive, in a press release. “But it’s what we do with this information that will help drive our community for the next ten years and beyond.” The forum also presents itself as an opportunity for audience members to ask questions of the panelists.

The forum is free and open to the public. No advance registration is required.