Opinions for Medina County- Brunswick (Cleveland, Akron: cul-de-sac, house, schools)

[CityGrrl77]

Originally Posted by jam40jeff

Just strong interest...I've actually thought about taking some ubran planning classes at CSU. I've pretty much been interested in it since I was about 14.

My point isn't that Brunswick is on the slide or that it will be in 10 years or anything, but look at the trend of EVERY city in the area since WW2. They all seem to grow for about 30 or 40 years, peak, and then shrink rapidly, in outward concentric cricles from Cleveland. Hopefully, this trend will go back inwards so we don't have a HUGE donut (instead of the small donut we have now). But when you look at areas losing population, you also see some revitalization efforts in some and some that come back (like Ohio City and Tremont). The revitalization efforts are nearly always concentrated around renovating historic and architecturally intresting housing stock (or factories/warehouses as is the case with the Warehouse District and Tyler Village). You don't see ANY of this redevlopment in the dying inner-ring suburbs like Maple Heights, Garfield Heights, Brookpark, Parma, etc. And I predict the same fate will make it's way to the newer suburbs in due time. Not too long ago, I'm sure people thought Middleburg Heights was the latest greatest, and now it's already considered a less desirable suburb.

This is not a condemnation of Brunswick or people from Brunswick, but rather the unusual and unproductive migration patterns around American cities.

Gotchya - I see your point.

Lol - funny you mention CSU - I noticed about 6 months ago that they had those classes available. They interest me as well, however, Akron is a far drive from CSU. I'd love to go back to school tho. UofA doesnt have anything similar, nor does Kent.

[jam40jeff]

CSU's college of Urban Affairs is known to be one of the best schools in the country for urban planning.

[CityGrrl77]

Originally Posted by jam40jeff

CSU's college of Urban Affairs is known to be one of the best schools in the country for urban planning.

Oh no kidding? Quite the name to fame!

[timgem67]

I moved to the community recently, largely because I saw a lot of potential in Brunswick. It is a large community that has some modest growth and has alot of beautiful surroundings. However, after this community is sinking backwards into a sea of retardation. THe community spends very little $$ on the schools, very little on modernizing the community which will allow businesses to come in and create jobs. If you notice the town hall is one of the nicest buildings, but the rest of the buildings around center road are old and disgusting looking in addition to the roads. I feel as if I am back in the 1970's

There is a small town community that has the desire to keep this place small for various reasons. I have observed this in many communities around the country and have watched them dilapidate before my eyes. People in the community are very stand-offish, ultra conservative for all the wrong reasons and do not want to adapt and change with the times. The city of Medina seems to get it, but Brunswick does not.

There are some bright spots like the new shopping center and the welcome signs. The local churches are nice. However, the roads are terrible. The shopping needs alot of help. Too many dollar stores that have poor inventory. The hotels here are a joke (escpecially the Sleep INN). I would not even pay by the hour to go into them.

What even shocks me is the level of taxes people pay here for very little services. This seems to be the case for most of Ohio. The state here has alot of city/county government people on the payroll and very little money driven towards civic improvements. In addition there is a strong union labor presence here that adds alot of cost to the projects.

I here a lot of jokes from people here about how things are run in other states like California, Colorado, Utah, etc. (states out west). The fact of the matter is the taxes there are lower and projects get done alot faster and the quality is much better. Most importantly they have alot less people in the city/county/state governments which normally place a heavy burden on the taxpayers. This explains why states like Ohio and Michigan are in alot of trouble and why they cannot attract jobs.

As far as Brunwsick is concerned I admire the small town mentality, but the systems that have been established need to change. Otherwise the town will never grow and eventually become destitute.

[CityGrrl77]

Originally Posted by timgem67

I moved to the community recently, largely because I saw a lot of potential in Brunswick. It is a large community that has some modest growth and has alot of beautiful surroundings. However, after this community is sinking backwards into a sea of retardation. THe community spends very little $$ on the schools, very little on modernizing the community which will allow businesses to come in and create jobs. If you notice the town hall is one of the nicest buildings, but the rest of the buildings around center road are old and disgusting looking in addition to the roads. I feel as if I am back in the 1970's

There is a small town community that has the desire to keep this place small for various reasons. I have observed this in many communities around the country and have watched them dilapidate before my eyes. People in the community are very stand-offish, ultra conservative for all the wrong reasons and do not want to adapt and change with the times. The city of Medina seems to get it, but Brunswick does not.

There are some bright spots like the new shopping center and the welcome signs. The local churches are nice. However, the roads are terrible. The shopping needs alot of help. Too many dollar stores that have poor inventory. The hotels here are a joke (escpecially the Sleep INN). I would not even pay by the hour to go into them.

What even shocks me is the level of taxes people pay here for very little services. This seems to be the case for most of Ohio. The state here has alot of city/county government people on the payroll and very little money driven towards civic improvements. In addition there is a strong union labor presence here that adds alot of cost to the projects.

I here a lot of jokes from people here about how things are run in other states like California, Colorado, Utah, etc. (states out west). The fact of the matter is the taxes there are lower and projects get done alot faster and the quality is much better. Most importantly they have alot less people in the city/county/state governments which normally place a heavy burden on the taxpayers. This explains why states like Ohio and Michigan are in alot of trouble and why they cannot attract jobs.

As far as Brunwsick is concerned I admire the small town mentality, but the systems that have been established need to change. Otherwise the town will never grow and eventually become destitute.

Well, granted, there is not a lot of money spent on the schools. I'll give you that. But a lot of it has to do with all the wonderful people that live in Brunswick not wanting to pass the school levy.
The high school needs a revamp. They went and built that new addition on the back of the school a few years ago for what I don't know - and its not even large enough to house the graduation ceremony. Stupid.

They just built a new hospital branch (not sure which hospital system) right next to City Hall. The library was revamped within the last few years. Center Road isnt all that bad. I personally think that Pearl Road is worse off, actually. As for the lack of hotels - there really is no point to have any. I hate to say it, but there is no reason to stay in B-wick unless you live there. And that comes from someone who lived there for 18 or so years, so I'm not picking on the city. There are no destination stores or theme parks or racetracks or sporting venues to speak of. No one is going to stay for anything. And why would you pay by the hour to go in the one hotel unless, well, lol.....nm. And too many dollar stores Uh, where? Big Lots and the one dollar store in Laurel Sq. plaza? Do people go there on a regular basis?

As for the roads...where are they bad? My car is lowered and has aftermarket wheels and I am very particular as to where I drive. I go to Brunswick all the time and I am never worried about the driving on the roads there. I will, however, tell you that the driveway for the Post Office needs to be repaired.

I agree that some of the 'systems' should be altered but I don't agree that the people who live in B-wick are ultra-conservative. lol!
And, no, Medina doesnt get it - all they did was turn themselves into a big-box retail metropolis. Real fun and original.

[JennySquirrel]

Originally Posted by CityGrrl77

Well, granted, there is not a lot of money spent on the schools. I'll give you that. But a lot of it has to do with all the wonderful people that live in Brunswick not wanting to pass the school levy.
The high school needs a revamp. They went and built that new addition on the back of the school a few years ago for what I don't know - and its not even large enough to house the graduation ceremony. Stupid.

They just built a new hospital branch (not sure which hospital system) right next to City Hall. The library was revamped within the last few years. Center Road isnt all that bad. I personally think that Pearl Road is worse off, actually. As for the lack of hotels - there really is no point to have any. I hate to say it, but there is no reason to stay in B-wick unless you live there. And that comes from someone who lived there for 18 or so years, so I'm not picking on the city. There are no destination stores or theme parks or racetracks or sporting venues to speak of. No one is going to stay for anything. And why would you pay by the hour to go in the one hotel unless, well, lol.....nm. And too many dollar stores Uh, where? Big Lots and the one dollar store in Laurel Sq. plaza? Do people go there on a regular basis?

As for the roads...where are they bad? My car is lowered and has aftermarket wheels and I am very particular as to where I drive. I go to Brunswick all the time and I am never worried about the driving on the roads there. I will, however, tell you that the driveway for the Post Office needs to be repaired.

I agree that some of the 'systems' should be altered but I don't agree that the people who live in B-wick are ultra-conservative. lol!
And, no, Medina doesnt get it - all they did was turn themselves into a big-box retail metropolis. Real fun and original.

I agree with you 100% Media doesn't get it. That is a big hillbilly fest area that let all the big box stores in just to get money. I can't stand Media. There are a few nice developments but you are living next to a hillbilly with a toilet on their front lawn as a planter.

Brunswick has Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital,a mall 5 minutes away, new shopping,etc. They are going through some descent upgrading. In about 5 yrs Brunswick will be a really nice area.

Media is always going to have their pudgy cops who have too much time on their hands, hillbilly's with rifle racks in their pick up trucks, and then the few developements of people who fled the bigger cities to live in a "rual" area and drive around thinking they are in Beverly Hills. They can usually be spotted driving a 10 yr old "Caddy" or their 15 yr old Bimmer.

I have packed up my toys and left the area but I can say that I would pick Brunswick any day over Media. Yee Haw Land!

[timgem67]

I am glad you share my concerns about the schools. My comment about Brunswick not getting it had to do with not passing the school levy. Investment in the schools will secure the future of the community, appreciate the home prices, and bring more good paying jobs to the community and reduce criminal activity. The people here would rather spend their hard -earned tax dollars on 4-wheelers and putting more cops on the streets who will administer more tickets!!

We need expansion at the highschool or build another one.

What taxpayers need to realize that there tax dollars are not being spent wisely! There is too much city/county government that draw huge salaries, spend foolishly on involving high $$ union labor for projects which increase cost, and payoff the lawyers who keep things in litigation. As a efficiency expert you can do alot more with alot less, especially in the government.

I have seen some evidence of new buildings, such as the Hospital, etc. There are alot of them here, which is great for the people who need medical care (such as the Baby Boomers).

As far as the hotels, if you have no intention of staying here, why would you want to live here? How would you handle visitors who want to visit the community? They will spend their money here on the local businesses. Not asking for a new hotel, just revamp the piece of **** ones that we have such as the Sleep Inn .

As far as the dollar stores, there are more than the ones such as in Laurel square (Dollar store by the Kmart) and Kmart itself as well as the one near Medina on Pearl road.

I am suprised you think the roads are not bad. They are terrible!! Maybe by Cleveland standards they are OK. The fact you use salt here for Snowmelt does not help. Pearl Road is terrible in both directions, Marks Road near Grafton is bad. Center Road needs help, Laurel is getting very bad after you pass Rocklyn. Substation lets just say I have not found a pothole I missed.

The shopping in Medina can be perceived as box-like, but there is a benefit to having it for keeping the tax dollars in Medina county. Plus it is nice to have choices as opposed to Strongsville, I just wished we had some better stores in Brunswick.

I found alot people here that are friendly and more down to earth than the folks who live in Cuyahoga county. I think that they deserve better from their community leaders and politicians.

Originally Posted by CityGrrl77

Well, granted, there is not a lot of money spent on the schools. I'll give you that. But a lot of it has to do with all the wonderful people that live in Brunswick not wanting to pass the school levy.
The high school needs a revamp. They went and built that new addition on the back of the school a few years ago for what I don't know - and its not even large enough to house the graduation ceremony. Stupid.

They just built a new hospital branch (not sure which hospital system) right next to City Hall. The library was revamped within the last few years. Center Road isnt all that bad. I personally think that Pearl Road is worse off, actually. As for the lack of hotels - there really is no point to have any. I hate to say it, but there is no reason to stay in B-wick unless you live there. And that comes from someone who lived there for 18 or so years, so I'm not picking on the city. There are no destination stores or theme parks or racetracks or sporting venues to speak of. No one is going to stay for anything. And why would you pay by the hour to go in the one hotel unless, well, lol.....nm. And too many dollar stores Uh, where? Big Lots and the one dollar store in Laurel Sq. plaza? Do people go there on a regular basis?

As for the roads...where are they bad? My car is lowered and has aftermarket wheels and I am very particular as to where I drive. I go to Brunswick all the time and I am never worried about the driving on the roads there. I will, however, tell you that the driveway for the Post Office needs to be repaired.

I agree that some of the 'systems' should be altered but I don't agree that the people who live in B-wick are ultra-conservative. lol!
And, no, Medina doesnt get it - all they did was turn themselves into a big-box retail metropolis. Real fun and original.

[CityGrrl77]

Originally Posted by timgem67

I am glad you share my concerns about the schools. My comment about Brunswick not getting it had to do with not passing the school levy. Investment in the schools will secure the future of the community, appreciate the home prices, and bring more good paying jobs to the community and reduce criminal activity. The people here would rather spend their hard -earned tax dollars on 4-wheelers and putting more cops on the streets who will administer more tickets!!

We need expansion at the highschool or build another one.

What taxpayers need to realize that there tax dollars are not being spent wisely! There is too much city/county government that draw huge salaries, spend foolishly on involving high $$ union labor for projects which increase cost, and payoff the lawyers who keep things in litigation. As a efficiency expert you can do alot more with alot less, especially in the government.

I have seen some evidence of new buildings, such as the Hospital, etc. There are alot of them here, which is great for the people who need medical care (such as the Baby Boomers).

As far as the hotels, if you have no intention of staying here, why would you want to live here? How would you handle visitors who want to visit the community? They will spend their money here on the local businesses. Not asking for a new hotel, just revamp the piece of **** ones that we have such as the Sleep Inn .

As far as the dollar stores, there are more than the ones such as in Laurel square (Dollar store by the Kmart) and Kmart itself as well as the one near Medina on Pearl road.

I am suprised you think the roads are not bad. They are terrible!! Maybe by Cleveland standards they are OK. The fact you use salt here for Snowmelt does not help. Pearl Road is terrible in both directions, Marks Road near Grafton is bad. Center Road needs help, Laurel is getting very bad after you pass Rocklyn. Substation lets just say I have not found a pothole I missed.

The shopping in Medina can be perceived as box-like, but there is a benefit to having it for keeping the tax dollars in Medina county. Plus it is nice to have choices as opposed to Strongsville, I just wished we had some better stores in Brunswick.

I found alot people here that are friendly and more down to earth than the folks who live in Cuyahoga county. I think that they deserve better from their community leaders and politicians.

Four wheelers? Omg you really think that? Where in B-wick do you live? Sleepy Hollow Rd.? Start venturing away from the 'country roads' on the outskirts of the city - or offshoots of Laurel going south near Applewood Elementary.
And you can take my word that the Police Department patrols quite a bit.

They will never build a new high school and honestly, they probably won't do anything with it now as it stands.

As for the 'why would you want to live in Brunswick' comment - I think Brunswick is a worthwhile place and safe - it just so happens that its not as large as Strongsville and its not as littered with big box retailers like Medina. I do think that they need some anchor restaurants down on 303 - near 71....such as Olive Garden or Red Robin, etc. Problem is that it's not all up to B-wick to bring those establishments in. Those companies have to want to ground themselves and spend the money to build there. But, maybe based on demographics and other stats, they possibly don't want to. Companies such as those are not just going to drop their restaurants/stores in an area where there are no other anchors to play off of to bring people to the area. There had been talks that Cabela's was coming to Brunswick, but something fell through again plus the economy problems may have done it in. That would be a perfect example of a destination store - a unique establishment that would bring other anchors in - more people and more money. (sry I'm in Advertising/Marketing so its engrained). Another thing - places like Target, specifically, already have stores in both Medina and Strongsville - they won't put one in B-wick for that reason. Oh and Kmart sucks - irregardless of where it's located. I can't believe that place still exists lol.

As for the roads - are you aiming for the random holes that exist? I swear to you that I never have problems on any of the roads, altho I admit I haven't been down at the Grafton/Marks intersection in a long time.
As for the salt - this is Northeast Ohio - using salt for the ice and snow - it's what we do. Sry.

I don't know what to tell you as far as having so many complaints about the city. You could move. ?
I can't really bash B-wick too much (maybe I'm biased). I grew up there and turned out fine - and I still go back to see family - and all is well with that, sooo *shrug*
If it was so horrible, then they wouldnt be building developments everywhere and have tons of people moving in - and have a high school with 2200+ kids in it.

?

[jam40jeff]

Boy, I sure wouldn't want to live somewhere without an Olive Garden! The horror!

[CityGrrl77]

Originally Posted by jam40jeff

Boy, I sure wouldn't want to live somewhere without an Olive Garden! The horror!

It was an example. Settle down.