Lee University expands downtown
(Photo by Lindsey Loper)
With the addition of the new Communication Arts Building, the downtown area is bound for change financially, cosmetically and socially.
Lee administration has taken extensive care in preparing for this move.
'The seeds of this go way back,' Vice President for University Relations Jerome Hammond said. 'We've always tried to be good members of the Cleveland community.'
The community relations office strives to ensure good communication between Lee and a representative at city council each week to ensure positive interaction.
'We want to make sure that we're in dialogue with [city officials],' Hammond said. 'And we want to make sure they're welcome on campus and invited to events.'
Cleveland's Mayor Tom Rowland was among those in attendance at the Communication Arts Building open house.
'The new Communications Arts Building is not only a tremendous addition to the Lee campus, but to downtown Cleveland,' Rowland said. 'This new structure comes at the perfect time as we begin to bring new life to our downtown and it has already encouraged many in downtown to take a strong look at what they can now do to enhance the area.'
From the very beginning, plans for campus expansion have included consideration for the historic downtown area.
'We work with the city in all of our planning for downtown,' Director of Special Projects Cole Strong said. 'There's cooperation in our growth into the area.'
Both the rounded frontage of the Communications Building and the green space that buffer between the structure and Church Street were crafted with the intention of preserving the functionality and satisfaction of all involved.
Sharon Marr, the Executive Director of Main Street Cleveland, hopes that retailers will begin to take more interest in opening stores downtown.
'I would assume bringing Lee students literally into downtown will attract more businesses who will target a college market,' Marr said.
Strong echoed Marr's assumptions.
'The city was very welcoming for Lee to expand that way,' Strong said. 'We're excited to be there and think it will hopefully bring some growth to the downtown area.'
Hammond said that he feels students have not previously felt it a natural thing to go into the downtown area and sample the restaurants and stores.
'If they're in the Communications Building, they are literally downtown already'and I feel that they will want to explore the area,' Hammond said.
Many businesses and residences appreciate the improvements to the area's appearance.
Robert Thompson, who lives off of Ocoee Street directly beside the North side of the Communications Building, is very pleased with what Lee has done throughout the expansion.
'There's been substantial improvement,' Thompson said. '[Lee] took down a lot of the buildings that were not very attractive, and they do a first class job on all their buildings.'
Insurance producer at Landmark Insurance and Brokerage Byron Winters pointed out that there are also drawbacks to the changes.
'It's a nice looking street,' Winters said. '[But] our parking spots are gone out front.'
Michael Hooks of the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Cleveland seconded this sentiment in reference to Church Street's new look, which faces the speed bumps of Parker Street.
'The road was a hassle for a month or two, but now it looks better,' Hooks said.
Thompson applauds Lee's consideration for the prior inhabitants of the area during construction.
'They located this building further away'they could have put it closer,' Thompson said, 'They've been a good neighbor.'
The administration keeps a continuous dialogue with businesses and residents that neighbor the Communication Building about everything ranging from landscaping to dumpster placement.
Lee's continued expansion will include a new area of green space and a nursing building.
