Chalk the Block & Coalition Updates
Here's the latest from the Birdtown Coalition.
Happy Earth Day, Birdtown! I hope you are well and enjoying the Spring weather. The Birdtown Coalition has a few announcements this month.
Steering Committee
The Coalition is seeking more residents to join the Steering Committee. The Committee will help guide future development of the coalition and will have a hand in creating the mission, vision, bylaws, and actions. Committee members must live or own a business within the bounds of Madison to Plover, Magee to Halstead. If you are interested in joining the Steering Committee, please send an email to birdtowncoalition@gmail.com.
Birdtown Coalition is seeking partnerships with local businesses and foundations, but will need an official committee to get financial backing for bigger projects like a community shed and trash cans for dog waste.
We also wanted to clarify that you do not have to live within the Birdtown bounds to volunteer and participate in actions and events. All are welcome and encouraged.
Event: Chalk the Block & the Vote – May 3
Join us outside Harrison Elementary School on Sunday, May 3 from 12-2pm to Chalk the Block, register to vote, and learn about the voting process and the issues on the ballot this year! Come socialize with neighbors, make art on the sidewalks around Harrison Elementary and Birdtown to encourage people to vote on Tuesday, May 5. Bring chalk, or borrow some from our organizers. Here’s the event on Facebook.
Updates
Other than that, the committee has been working with the city on numerous things, like overgrown branches, Neograf, and parking. I’m hoping to have a Birdtown renter resource network live on Substack within the next few weeks.
As for the concerns about gas line work in Birdtown, Ralph P. found out that Enbridge has informed Lakewood that no work is on the schedule for Birdtown for years 2026 or 2027. No road work for us! They did put a disclaimer that if a pipe breaks or other unplanned maintenance problem occurs, they will have to immediately address it.
Our Ward 4 council rep, Matt Bixenstine has also been advocating for Birdtown-related issues. Here’s what he focused on a few weeks ago:
I recently participated in a meeting with leadership from Lakewood City Schools because I’m advocating on behalf of future Pre-K students from Harrison families who lack access to transportation. With the district’s plan to create a centralized Pre-K at Lincoln that’s 2.5 miles from Birdtown, I’m hopeful van transportation will be offered for families in-need.
– Matt Bixenstine
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Matt Bixenstine also encourages residents to reach out to him if parking and Neograf continue to be a concern. He can be reached at Matt.Bixenstine@lakewoodoh.gov.
He also reached out to Birdtown Brewing to address loud patio music at night. Bixenstine said the owner wants to be a good neighbor and will be more mindful of the music. If the issue continues, the owner would like to host a neighborhood meeting at the brewery to meet the brewery’s neighboring residents.
Poll: What should we do next?
Help the Steering Committee decide on what the biggest priority is right now. This poll focuses on things we can do that don’t require city bureaucracy. Based on feedback from the inaugural meeting, I’ve found that the following actions won’t require bureaucracy. Vote on what you see as the biggest priority!
And I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who reached out so far offering to volunteer for certain things – I hope to meet some of you at Chalk the Block!
–– Danielle Kirsh