Why I am Running

By Michael "Mike" Paolucci

Plans for the future

When I-275 was built, its impact to Beechmont Avenue was not considered. Beechmont was transformed from a major east-west corridor to a minor retail corridor bookended by Five Mile Road and I-275. Retail businesses have suffered and failed; there is a glut of retail space; and there has been an apparent lack of vision for future development on Beechmont Avenue.

The Eastern Corridor Project is now on the horizon. Like I-275, the Eastern Corridor Project will impact the significance and use of Beechmont. Yet, I have heard no recognition of a potential problem of further reducing the significance of Beechmont Avenue. If you can travel to Norwood or to Kenwood in 15 minutes, then the Beechmont Avenue corridor will lose importance. We should be preparing for a change in perspective of what exactly is the entrance to our community.

My goals will be simple

1. Smart Growth. Plan for the future Eastern Corridor Project. Reduce its negative impact on Beechmont. I would require that all spending be consistent with our future growth.

2. Reduce the supply of retail on Beechmont. I would be creative and seek participation from other governments and private owners who all want to fix Beechmont. We need to encourage partnerships to acquire, redevelop, and eliminate obsolete parcels to change the character of Beechmont. This will take time - but it will take as long to fix as it took to create.

3. Unlock the value of land so that the community grows. We are in competition with other communities for new young people. We must actively promote the development of underutilized land and the appropriate extension of utilities. This would motivate developers to invest here, and make our area more attractive to new arrivals.

A common frustration exists when government uses taxpayer money to develop property with a "build it and they will come" attitude. Development must be done strategically, using detailed analysis of the demographics of a community before anything is built. This is the type of smart, strategic growth that I would use if elected.

The renovation and expansion of IHM is a good example of the benefits of smart planning. Just a few short years ago, IHM was crowded, and cramped. Through smart development IHM now is one of the crown jewels of the community. I am running for Trustee because I have the background, experience, and vision to address and solve the challenges of our community. We must work together to drive smart planning and development. The challenges presented by the current mix of real estate on Beechmont Avenue should be seen as opportunities to drive smart planning and growth. If you agree we need better and smarter planning and development in our community, I respectfully ask for your vote as your Trustee.