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Valentine sent to heartbreaker
(by Barbara Christian - February 15, 2012)
WINDOW ON MAIN STREET, BY BARBARA CHRISTIAN
Valentine sent to heartbreaker
This is a belated valentine to a man who we have heard is out there telling people how we will never ever write anything nice about him. Never. Ever.
Not so fast. Truth be told, our heart has begun to develop a soft spot for the guy. Before we tell you why we have gone all gooey, it should be noted, even though we may be starry eyed, we are not blind. We are offering our heart, soft spot and all, with a sense of cautious optimism and the hope he will not break it again.
So who is it that has won this slightly overdue valentine? His name is Gary Spaeth. The next question you may have is, who is Gary Spaeth? We will tell you. Gary is the developer of Falls Walk, the cluster-home subdivision off East Summit Street where historic Windsor Hospital used to be in Chagrin Falls.
Gary first won us over three years ago, when, after buying the historic property, he promised to save Linden Hall, its most prominent building. He talked about how it would be restored to its past glory by a then unknown family who would return it to its beginnings as a private residence. We celebrated the wonderful things Gary said about the coming restoration of the graceful old Greek revival home with its pillared porch and mullion windows.
It would have been unthinkable to demolish it, he said. Everyone loved hearing that, particularly from a developer. That's why you could hear the hearts breaking all over town when, a scant three years later and without that new owner in sight, Gary asked the village for permission to demolish that very same Linden Hall.
Our first reaction went something like, "Guess he is just a land-grabbing developer after all, a scorched-earth property rights by any means necessary kinda guy and not at all who he portrayed himself to be."
Over the following weeks and months, more than a few harsh words were spoken between the developer and those wanting a better outcome for the old house. It looked hopeless.
Then something happened. At the request of a group of concerned people, the mayor formed a citizens committee to look into viable way to save and use the house, which was promptly renamed to its historic designation as the Sears-Adams House.
Long story short -- and the reason for this slightly overdue valentine -- Gary Spaeth has been nothing but helpful ever since. He has done about everything asked of him, including suspending his demolition request for six months while the committee does its work.
Gary has permitted volunteers to get inside the house, clear out debris, accepted an offer from an anonymous donor who paid for weatherizing the exposed north side of the house, will soon replace the broken panes on those lovely old windows and has agreed to relist the house on the Multiple Listing Service, which will open its possible sale to a wider audience.
Most of all, Gary has listened to any and all ideas and suggestions. He has been the very soul of cooperation. How long will all of this goodwill and spirit of cooperation last? Will our hearts retain a permanent soft spot or will they be broken again? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, happy belated Valentine's Day, Gary.
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