An apartment complex with a total of 275 apartments in two buildings, one of eight floors and another of five, is proposed for a Lakewood site near the southeast corner of Detroit Avenue and Bunts Road by Columbus-based Jerome Solove Development Inc.

Jerome Solove, president and owner of JSDI, said in a phone interview Thursday, Nov. 29, that he has developed apartments primarily in the Columbus area for 40 years and began exploring the idea for a project in Lakewood after discovering the community when his son, a Case Western Reserve University graduate, bought his first home there.

"A member of our team pointed out there is little new (apartment) product in Lakewood," Solove said. "A light went off in my head."

Solove shared the proposed project with about 50 neighbors at a meeting Monday night, Nov. 27, that resulted from about two years of work. JSDI has obtained contracts to buy properties such as the Educators Music building, 13701 Detroit Ave., and the former Spitzer car dealership at 13815 Detroit, to create a 2.2-acre site.

The concept is for a five-story building on the Detroit frontage between Wyandotte and Parkwood avenues and the eight-floor building between Parkwood and Bunts. A five-floor garage would also go in as part of the complex, along with a one-story community center. One of the buildings would incorporate a sky deck with a pool. He estimates it's a more than $40 million project.

Bryce Sylvester, Lakewood planning and development director, said the city believes it is the first project of such scale proposed for Detroit Avenue in about 40 years.

"At the meeting, concerns were raised about the height and density of the buildings," Sylvester said. "We thought it appropriate to begin the discussion with the neighbors to give them a voice."

The commercial site's zoning could allow a building as tall as 12 stories, but would require multiple variances, he said. Instead, the city will develop a planned development agreement with JSDI that would address height and layout of the development if it wins support.

The project is required to go through the Planned Development zoning process, which involves reviews by the city's Planning Commission, the Architectural Board of Review and City Council.

"We like that (Solove) is an experienced developer and has focused on delivering a quality project," Sylvester said.

Solove would not discuss the appearance of the structures in detail.

"We absolutely want guidance from the city," Solove said of the design. He hopes to start the city review process soon and, if the project wins approvals, start building in mid-2019. He estimates the project will take about two years to build.

Solove said he has focused on building in and around his hometown but has looked at projects in Cincinnati and Cleveland in the past. The right opportunity just never came along.

"We looked on and off but the stars did not align like this," Solove said. "We take a lot of pride in our projects. We are a portfolio builder. We build and keep what we build, so where we build is important, and Lakewood is a terrific community."

The largest component of the proposed site is the former Lakewood Spitzer Chrysler dealership and surrounding parking lots still owned by an affiliate of Elyria-based Spitzer Management Co., now occupied by multiple tenants, and properties owned by affiliates of Educators Music. The building at the southwest corner of Bunts and Detroit, occupied by Bruce's Automotive and Fleet Services Inc., is not included in JSDI's plan.

JSDI has developed more than 2,000 apartments and also has built shopping centers and office buildings, Solove said.

For the last few years Solove has focused on creating a group of "View" branded luxury apartments that emphasize resident comforts, and has seven operating under that name in the Columbus area.

JSDI's plan could provide competition for Westlake-based Carnegie Management & Development Co.'s proposed project in downtown Lakewood, which has retail, office and a substantial rental apartment component.

Solove said he believes there's more than enough demand for both properties in Lakewood.

"We have two generations interested in the same thing at the same time: a place to live, work and play. It has proximity to downtown and is a walkable community," Solove said.