There is a new proposal at the former K-Mart lot at Lorain and West 150th. We are very happy to hear this. However, while deciding to renovate the Kmart building, the developers, TLM Realty have decided demolition is the best option is to demolish the Marquard Apartment Building. 

The Marquard Building was constructed by the Phillip Marquard and his company, Marquard Sash and Door in 1926. According to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, the architect is George Kauffman, of The Kauffman Architectural Company.  The Marquard's are known for their immense building skills, particularly their own home at 3260 Road, which was demolished after a years long battle to save it in 2018. 

From the West Park History Site, "Mr. Marquard was owner of the Marquard Sash and Door Manufacturing Company. Founded in about 1890, the company operated for many years at 14735 Lorain Avenue conveniently located just a short way south of the Marquard Home. The business specialized in producing fancy architectural millwork of all kinds and it's a safe guess we see the results in the fancy cornices, pillars, and balusters that so prominently decorate the house (at 3260 Warren)."  (http://westparkhistory.com/Articles/Marquard/marquardhse.htm

Allowing one of the last remaining mixed-use buildings in this area to die is not a long-term investment for the neighborhood. As stated in the infamous "Life and Death of American Cities" by Jane Jacobs: "New ideas need old buildings to work. New construction simply cannot produce startup businesses and or bring new life to a neighborhood. It needs to be heavily subsidized and requires corporate investment."  Jacobs had seen how NYC had produced lifeless new developments with singular uses and ultimately shot itself in the foot by destroying its mix of old and new buildings. Too much of any one thing is a bad thing. The Marquard Building has enormous potential for renovation and reuse given the neighboring development proposed by TLM Realty. 

The point of this petition is not to be a NIMBY. The developers may make the claim that the new development will need more parking, something that simply cannot be substantiated by the fact there are already over 400 parking spaces in the lot. The developers can just as easily proceed with their plans without demolishing the structure. We are an urban neighborhood, not a suburb. This building is close to the street and could provide a new small business an opportunity once the development begins. We all fully support the K-Mart lot being redeveloped, but there should be stated conditions that this historic structure with good street presence is saved.