Candidate Profile: Kyle G. Baker, Lakewood City Council

Kyle G. Baker

Age (as of Election Day)

38

Position Sought

Lakewood City Council At Large

Party Affiliation

Non-Partisan Election (I am a registered Democrat)

Family

Wife (Allison Baker - 37) and two sons (Grant - almost 5 and Bennett - 3). I am the youngest of 7 children in my family.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My sister (Ann Roff) is a warded councilperson in Strongsville. My wife (Allison Baker) used to work in state politics (deputy press secretary and deputy communications director for Ted Strickland's Administration and various roles in the Ted Strickland Gubernatorial Campaigns in 2006 and 2010 as well as deputy press secretary for Barack Obama's 2008 Presidential Campaign in Ohio).

Education

Lakewood High School (2002), Miami University, B.A. in Political Science and Thematic Sequence in Financial Accounting (2006), and The Ohio State University Micheal E. Moritz College of Law, J.D. (2009).

Occupation

Lawyer. Currently Senior Assistant Legal Counsel at Cleveland Metroparks (for 8 years) and previously Lawyer at Thompson Hine LLP (Cleveland) in the Construction and Government Contracts Practice Group (2010-2014).

Campaign website

www.kylebakerforlakewood.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running because I owe Lakewood so much, I have a profound respect for and belief in public service, and I believe that I can contribute to positive change in the community. As the youngest of 7 siblings, I am a first generation college student and I credit much of that to the Lakewood community and the Lakewood City Schools. I've benefited so much from my Lakewood experience and want to give back. I have a proven track record of working in business, government, and non-profits to keep Lakewood moving forward. This broad experience has prepared me for City Council, and gives me confidence that I can help lead Lakewood for the coming years.

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The biggest challenge facing Lakewood is the pending Solove Developments (two large mixed-use developments in Lakewood – one near the old Barry Buick site and one near Bunts and Detroit), the Studio West (LGBTQIA+ development near Hird/Cove & Detroit), and the redevelopment of the former Lakewood Hospital Site. These projects all represent a once in a generation opportunity to redevelop land in Lakewood that has limited space/available real estate. The decisions we make today will affect future generations, property and income tax collections, and the built environment in Lakewood for the next 30-50 years, so we have to get it right. I have the right blend of private (law firm experience in construction, development, and real estate), public (Cleveland Metroparks experience), and volunteer (Planning Commission) experience to work with Council ant the Administration to help steward Lakewood through the process. Regardless of individual positions on the closing of Lakewood Hospital, it used to produce millions in income taxes for Lakewood and now the former site isn’t producing any income for Lakewood – that must be addressed.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

There are a few things that distinguish me from the other candidates in the field: (1) I am the only candidate that has significant real estate, development, planning, and construction experience - something that will be critical for City Council as the old Lakewood Hospital Site is developed; (2) I am the only candidate that attended Lakewood City Schools (and would be the only member of City Council to have attended Lakewood City Schools), which gives me a unique perspective that is important to City Council; and (3) I have a unique blend of private, public, and non-profit experience that will serve the City well.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

I am running because I think I can help the City move forward. The other candidates (and the incumbents) in this race care deeply about Lakewood as well. I just think that I have a skillset, experience, and background that Lakewood needs right now. I'd be the only member of City Council with extensive real estate, development, planning, and construction experience at a time when those skills will be essential to Lakewood's future.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think that Lakewood has responded admirably to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It was an unprecedented situation.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have relevant work experience (Cleveland Metroparks & Thompson Hine), volunteer experience (Lakewood Planning Commission, President of the Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation, and Board Member for West Park Kamm's Neighborhood Development), and love for Lakewood that can help keep moving Lakewood forward.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my tenure as Director of Real Estate at Cleveland Metroparks I've stewarded the protection of over 1,000 acres of greenspace in Northeast Ohio. Moreover, I'd point to the recent Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Projects in Cleveland (which include the Wendy Park Bridge, Whiskey Island Connector, and Red Line Greenway). Before Cleveland Metroparks received notice that we were awarded the grant, we didn't own the real estate necessary or have detailed construction plans for the TIGER Projects. In the course of 5 years I was an integral part of the dedicated team at Cleveland Metroparks that acquired the necessary real estate, helped coordinate the complicated federal grant process, and deliver these incredible projects to Northeast Ohio (all opened in the summer of 2021).

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Do what you say you are going to do.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I love this community, have deep roots here, am raising my family here, and, most importantly, I think that I can help.