Lakewood is a small, lakeside town in northern Ohio. It has an estimated population of around 50000 people and occupies an area of approximately 6.7 square miles. Before colonization, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Chippewa, Wyandot, Munsee, Delaware, and Shawnee tribes populated the area and were pushed westward after the Treaty of Fort Industry on July 4, 1805. The current city was originally part of the Rockport township. In 1889, an area of the township would be designated as the hamlet of Lakewood, and in 1903, Lakewood became a village, and a city in 1911.
Early Lakewood settlements were mostly larger estates and farms. Located primarily along Detroit Road, these farms used to dominate the city. Fruits like apples, pears, plums, grapes, and strawberries were grown alongside other practices like livestock cultivation. During the 1880s, natural gas and oil drilling became popular vocations among the existing roles in farming and construction. Lakewood’s prosperity led to further development, with more industrial endeavors established during the late 1800s and early 1900s. As Lakewood’s population increased in the early 1900s, property owners began subdividing their land, leading to a real estate boom. The population would reach around 40000 in 1920, and 10 years later, 70000. However, it began to drop throughout the years. During the 90s, a wave of development and improvement would ensue. Across the whole city, parks, shopping areas, and schools were renovated and reimagined while many small businesses opened. Through the 2010s and 2020s, various old buildings are planned to be or are undergoing redevelopment to increase available housing and business opportunities.
Lakewood provides a quality living place for those seeking a less car-centered lifestyle, with businesses like restaurants and clothing stores all located near residential areas. The primarily 18-1900s architecture and modern developments coalesce, giving Lakewood a unique look and feel. Vibrant parks with amenities like a skatepark at Lakewood Park and good playgrounds all over give everyone somewhere to relax near their homes. Lakewood is also close to other cities like Cleveland and areas like the Metroparks Nature Reserve. Lakewood has an incredibly welcoming and accepting community that facilitates anyone, regardless of race, gender, etc., to make a future. Unfortunately, Lakewoods mass amenities have caused housing prices to rise, especially recently.
At the end of 2019 and the start of 2020, the former Lakewood Hospital building was demolished to redevelop the site and remove the outdated building. More recently, near the end of 2024, the old Steve Barry Buick car dealership buildings and Bobby O’s bar were demolished to make way for more developments. Another old car dealer on Detroit also had plans for demolition and redevelopment. However, this operation faced delays due to COVID. All three sites are along Detroit Road.
Dimit Architects is responsible for redeveloping the hospital site and plans to build 298 apartment units, seven townhomes, 567 parking spots, retail space, and a large plaza area. Newbrook Partners has control of the Barry Buick site. They plan to build 2 apartment buildings and a Huntington Bank branch where two houses, three car dealership buildings, and the bar once stood. The former Spitzer car dealer and Educators Music sites have plans for 120 apartment units and retail space proposed by Solove Real Estate. Visualizations of the developments seem to somewhat mimic Lakewoods historical style, with townhouse-style homes and retail-apartment combo buildings planned. The buildings these developments will replace all needed to be removed, as they contained asbestos and other hazardous material and were very outdated.
These new buildings will further bolster Lakewood’s population and provide many new opportunities for current and future residents. They are a great way to capitalize on Lakewood’s demand for housing while providing opportunities for anyone who chooses to live or operate here. However, these developments may prove troublesome for long-term or less economically stable residents. Many Lakewood residents prefer the industrial-era construction style the city is characterized by, while the more minimalist designs favored by developers and their target consumers won’t exactly fit with Lakewood’s aesthetic. These developments will also cause increasing housing prices to rise even faster due to higher demand. The construction of these buildings will also be obnoxious and emit a significant amount of pollutants into the residential areas they are built near. While these developments will bring prosperity to Lakewood, they will cause problems for some.
