In 2019, Betsy Figgie and Daniel Budish — tax credit consultants for nonprofits and historical renovations respectively — banded together for an innovative, if not overwhelming undertaking: carving out a self-sustaining neighborhood dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community.
On Friday, that hand-carved community known as Studio West 117 bears fruit in Lakewood’s iconic former Symposium Entertainment Complex — merging recreation, creativity and entertainment into one safe space. The project claims to be the first of its kind.
“We knew Lakewood and the western side of Cleveland have always been LGBT-friendly,” Budish says. “From an urban planning perspective, we wanted to choose a location for this project that was able to support the existing LGBT infrastructure.”
Currently, the studio encompasses 300,000 square feet of real estate. Plans for the neighborhood include filling some of the former storefronts and living spaces on the block, with several business already open, including Barbercult8888, Margie’s Closet and multiple apartments that have already been rented out.
Making it all work requires the expertise of both Figgie and Budish working in tandem —tackling the financial beast and urban planning details. A queer man himself, Budish provides insight into the needs of an otherwise underserved community.
Creating a self-sustaining neighborhood may sound improbable, but the duo relied on partnerships with Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Plexus LGBT, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Allied Chamber of Commerce to keep operations local.
Before you go, here are the main features to enjoy at Studio West 117.
The Fieldhouse Dining. The revamped restaurant space offers visitors three simple yet strong options for dining powered by local chefs. Trellis, a 4,000-square-foot rooftop patio equipped with glowing fire pits, offers lighter fare — salads and skewers. Slightly more involved, Muze provides a woodfire grill experience, serving up Mediterranean fare and Spanish-inspired tapas. Eat Me Pizza caters to the Clevelander looking for a quicker, classic option — delicious, greasy and cheesy pizza made wood-fired and fresh.
The Fieldhouse Gymnasium. The reclaimed gym feels massive when you walk in, boasting a rock wall and the capability to host three volleyball, pickleball or dodgeball games simultaneously. “The LGBT youth sports league will be the first of its kind in the country and provide LGBT youth with opportunities for recreation in a safe environment,” Budish says. Outside sits a turf courtyard perfect for outdoor activities.
Makers Space. The facility provides a working podcast studio equipped with the necessary tech and instructors to guide new podcasters through the process. “We’ll work with you to help monetize it through subscription services,” said Figgie. So, your hobby can become a revenue stream like a side hustle.” Furthermore, an artisan marketplace called The Edge will host the creations of local makers, entrepreneurs and artists. Rates for display vary by size and section, vendors must commit to a minimum of three months renting their space.
The Kitchen. Studio West 117 boasts a fully functional demonstration kitchen. The spaced provides equipment and space rentable by community members and upcoming programs will give locals the chance to hone their cooking skills. Not to mention, the kitchen benefits from the neighborhood's community garden and a partnership with Food Strong. "If kids aren't into sports, we're going to be doing cooking and gardening classes using the commercial kitchen," Figgie says. "So kids can work in the garden with Sarah Continenza from Food Strong to grow produce and veggies and other herbs, and then bring them back to the Fieldhouse to learn how to make healthy food — kind of a farm to table model, but in like a kid's camp format."
Symposium. Maintaining its former name and a bit of the magic that made it special, the Symposium hosted live music in an intimate space for more than 30 years. That legacy continues at Studio West 117, hosting LGBTQ-centric entertainment including drag shows, leather events, and themed parties in a space described as a “true gay dive bar.”
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