Topic: Sandusky / Erie County Developments & News

[buildingcincinnati]

Work begins on Erie County's replacement dog pound
Toledo Blade, 6/6/06

Work on a dog pound to replace an aging, metal structure in the Erie County government complex began in earnest yesterday, with a goal of completing the structure by Oct. 1. 

The 3,700-square-foot facility will be more than triple the size of the current dog pound and will cost $564,300.  The dog pound is self-supporting, and the new facility will be paid for through sales of dog licenses, Dog Warden Barb Knapp said.  The new facility will house about 17 dogs in larger kennels with outdoor runs.  The county broke ground on Thursday. 

Focht Construction of Port Clinton is building the facility, which will be wood-framed with a red brick facade to match other county buildings, Ms. Knapp said.  Completion is scheduled for December, but Ms. Knapp said fair weather should speed up the timetable.

[KJP]

City of Huron buys site to add lake access
Toledo Blade, 7/19/06

Boating access to Lake Erie will open up with the purchase of a grain-handling facility and the 19.8-acre peninsula it sits on as part of Huron's ambitious plan to continue its riverfront development.

The $3.25 million purchase, lauded yesterday by Gov. Bob Taft and a bevy of state and local officials, is expected to turn the former ConAgra Foods Inc. site near the mouth of the Huron River into a boat ramp that will provide additional access to popular Lake Erie fishing grounds.  "From this vantage point, we have a great opportunity to see a picture-postcard view of the Huron River waterfront," said Sam Speck, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The department's Division of Wildlife purchased the property for Huron.  The city applied for a $3.14 million grant from ODNR to build the ramps and docks.

[buildingcincinnati]

Erie County MetroParks will consider dog park
Toledo Blade, 7/25/06

The Erie County MetroParks soon may join communities that offer pet owners access to a dog park, a fenced-in, grassy place where pooches can run without leashes.

The dog park committee has raised $7,053 toward that goal.

The park district, citing area residents’ requests for such a park, plans a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7 in the Frost Center in Osborn Park to discuss the project and potential sites on one of the district’s properties.

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060725/NEWS17/60725012/-1/RSS08

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 2/21/07 Sandusky Register:

Rieger Lofts delayed again
By BRANDI BARHITE | Wednesday February 21 2007, 6:33am

SANDUSKY The Rieger Lofts project is going to be delayed a little bit longer.

Developer Greg Spatz said before Gov. Bob Taft left office he signed a state historic tax bill allowing for credits up to 100 percent.  In order to get this money, the early application deadline is July, according to Spatz, president of U.S. Construction.  Originally, renovation on the former Sanduskian hotel, 242 Jackson St., was to start in the next month or two.  Now it might be as late as the fall.

The construction can’t start beforehand because it would make him ineligible for the funding.  The cost of the total project has grown to about $6 million, which includes 41 apartment lofts and 14,000 square feet of commercial space.  Once construction starts, the lofts could be finished in six months, Spatz said.

More at http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/02/21/local_news/doc45dc47b3e4302933294118.txt

[buildingcincinnati]

Community input sought on water trail
Toledo Blade, 2/22/07

The planning process for a proposed water trail in East Sandusky Bay is under way.  Officials from Erie MetroParks and the city of Sandusky are planning what Ohio may recognize as a navigable waterway, complete with recreational, natural, historical, or educational stops along the way.

Plans have the trail hugging the southern coastline of the bay, starting near Pipe Creek and ending in the Steinen Wildlife Area.  As part of the development process, metropark and city officials ask interested community members for their input to assist planners. Comments and questions are welcome during three upcoming events at Sandusky's City Hall, 222 Meigs Street.

[buildingcincinnati]

Bigger digs for county court
Sandusky Register, 2/22/07

County Court Judge Paul Lux will get the expanded building his growing court operation needs -- and it likely will be in a new location.  The judge presented plans Wednesday to the Erie County Commissioners for a new building that will provide more than twice as much space as the court's current location on Mason Road just west of U.S. 250.

Lux's county court, a municipal court which serves eight communities, has 3,350 square feet.  The new building will add 4,300 square feet, for a total of 7,800, said Allen Jackson, facilities manager for Erie County.  Lux said he already lacks the space he needs and expects caseloads will only grow. The Ohio General Assembly has enacted a law transforming his part-time court into a full-time operation, beginning Jan. 1 next year.

[buildingcincinnati]

Monroe School sold at auction
Sandusky Register, 3/21/07

The former Monroe Elementary School will become a community center of sorts, if all goes according to plan.  The bidding for the property at Tuesday's auction started at $50,000 and ended with the highest bid of $136,000 by Kim Yahn, who bid on behalf of Porter Richards.  Richards, president of The Sanctuary and senior pastor at the Sandusky Church of God, said he hopes to turn the site into a community center.

Richards said he would like the building to become a place where everyone can go, from young people to senior citizens.  He would like to have computer and other educational classes for children to attend and activities for senior citizens, so they have somewhere to go while their families are at work during the day.

[tcj1985]

Federal funds to help improve city’s housing stock
By JANET NGUYEN | Wednesday April 11 2007, 12:05pm

Love this aerial shot of Sandusky, by the way:
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/content/articles/2007/04/11/local_news/doc461cb477681ae720501592.jpg

Sandusky - Improving the condition of the city’s housing stock tops the priorities listed in its action plan.  Other priorities listed in the plan include continuing the revolving loan fund, a program that provides loans to businesses, creating new jobs and continuing progress on the city’s pedestrian path.

The plan, funded through a federal program that provides money to help local governments improve conditions in lower income areas, is an update to the five-year consolidated plan the city submitted in 2004.  The plan was presented at Monday evening’s city commission meeting.  Beginning July 1, the city is slated to receive $829,616 from the grant - about $3,000 more than last year.

More at http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/04/11/local_news/doc461cb477681ae720501592.txt

[C-Dawg]

wow, that aerial photo is amazing. I think I just n----d myself...

It basically solidifies why I think Sandusky is Ohio's greatest city.

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 4/12/07 Sandusky Register:

* PHOTO: A locally-themed restaurant serving the full Starbucks menu is planned for the former Webers building at 129 W. Market St. in downtown Sandusky.

Condos and coffee coming downtown
By LAURA COLLINS | Thursday April 12 2007, 11:49am

SANDUSKY The former home to Weber's Fine Fashions is being transformed into a restaurant with Starbucks on the menu and condos on the second and third floors.  The building's ownership changed in February when Pamela (Baaske) Frisch purchased the property at 129 W. Market St. from Larry Aaron for $235,000.  Frisch said she plans to open Yesteryears, a casual restaurant that will celebrate Sandusky with old town pictures and artifacts on the walls.

Yesteryears will serve the full Starbucks menu, including its signature flavored hot and cold beverages.  A 1973 graduate of Sandusky High School, Frisch hopes the restaurant will be a fun place for Sandusky natives to enjoy.  "I want it to be a hometown restaurant. I think it will be cozier and comfier," Frisch said.

More at http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/04/12/front/241533.txt

[C-Dawg]

wow, a lot is going on in Sandusky these days. It's very impressive for a city of 30,000 and a total MSA of just 140,000 (making it third in NW Ohio). Sandusky proves that size doesn't always matter. Keep it coming!

[tcj1985]

^Agreed, size doesn't really matter!

And not to be too knit-picky..........but the Sandusky MSA (which is just Erie County) has a population of only about 79,000.  Nonetheless, its nice to see things be redeveloped!

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 4/27/07 Lorain Morning Journal:

182,000-square-foot tower will add 74 patient rooms
By RICHARD PAYERCHIN, Sandusky Bureau Chief
04/27/2007

SANDUSKY -- Firelands Regional Medical Center's newest project is towering over Sandusky.  The hospital's board of directors held a ''hard hat party'' last night to preview the new five-story patient tower under construction.  The project will add 74 new patient rooms and dozens of support areas in the 182,000-square-foot tower.
 
''We are quite pleased with the progress on the hospital's master facility plan,'' said William Springer, chairman of the board of corporate parent Firelands Regional Health System.  ''The size and scope of this project are phenomenal,'' Springer said.  The tower's exterior is largely complete, but inside it remains a working construction site loaded with tools, conduit, pipes electrical wires and insulation.

More at http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18269181&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 4/30/07 Sandusky Register:

No new money for Sandusky schools
By LAURA COLLINS
lauracollins@sanduskyregister.com | Monday April 30 2007, 9:30pm

SANDUSKY -- Local school districts looking for funding help from the state are seeing zeros instead of dollar signs. 

Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposed school funding plan for the next two years includes little or no funding increases for schools in Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Seneca and Sandusky counties.  With the exception of Danbury and Kelleys Island schools, most schools in the area will get between a zero and 10-percent increase in funding.

Sandusky City Schools Treasurer Troy Bouts expected as much.  “I predicted that we would see very little change,” Bouts said.  For the current fiscal year, Sandusky City Schools received $15.5 million in state funding.  It will receive the same amount for fiscal year 2008 and $16.3 million for 2009 — an increase of 5 percent.

MORE: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/04/30/front/doc4634f4690b7d0529027630.txt

[buildingcincinnati]

Fitness center, deck part of project for assisted living community on west side
Sandusky Register, 5/3/07

The Commons of Providence plans to break ground next week on a $500,000 project that will give its residents a place to gather, socialize and exercise.  The assisted living and retirement community has plans to build a clubhouse that will cover more than 4,000 square feet of the property's northwest end. The clubhouse will include a fitness center, a game room, a meeting room with a capacity of more than 100 people, a fireplace, comfortable furniture and a cappuccino and coffee machine.

Also slated for construction is a deck overlooking the property's 5.5-acre pond, a pavilion with a gas grill and a paved three-quarter mile walking path.  Executive director Steve Terrell hopes residents will gain lifelong learning, socialization and wellness experiences with the new expansion.  The clubhouse will cater the nearly 200 residents at the Commons and an additional 130 residents at Providence Care Center located on Hayes Avenue. Family members and non-profits will also be welcome to use the facility.

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 5/24/07 Sandusky Register:

PHOTO: The water slide tubes of Rain, Sandusky's newest water park to be, twist and loop in and out of the Quality Inn & Suites on Cleveland as the park nears completion Wednesday afternoon. Quality Inn directors hope to have Rain open sometime in early June.  Register photo/LUKE WARK

Rain indoor waterpark set to debut in early June
By JANET NGUYEN | Thursday May 24 2007, 5:08pm

SANDUSKY -- Rain is expected in the next few weeks.  At least that's the case inside the Quality Inn & Suites on Cleveland Road, where construction Rain, an indoor waterpark, is nearly complete.  "I am optimistic we will be open in the very near future," said Mike Sortino, the director of operations at the Quality Inn.

The nearly 10,000-square-foot indoor waterpark will feature two slides and will shower guests with water every half hour.  Thunder and lightning effects will also aid the new waterpark's identity.  A 50-foot tower will lead guests to the top of the two slides, which curve in and outside of the building.  The slides end inside the hotel, at the hotel's indoor pool.

More at http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/24/front/289510.txt

[buildingcincinnati]

Sandusky YMCA wants new facility, new location
Sandusky Register, 6/14/07

The Sandusky Area YMCA wants to open a new facility at a new location, but can't do it alone.  "To make a new YMCA possible, it has to be a community-sponsored initiative, meaning the foundations have to be on board, the corporations have to be onboard and the city has to be on board," said Brett Kinzel, board of trustees president.

Over the last 18 months, the YMCA has been researching the feasibility of opening a new facility, which included finding an optimal location.  "Part of the 22-step process was to do a site selection analysis. We originally started out with four sites, but based on demographics and geographics, we decided 2020 Hayes Ave. would be the best location," Kinzel said.  The Hayes Avenue location is the site of the former Memorial Hospital.  The YMCA has made an offer on the location, but so has the Erie County Health Department.

[buildingcincinnati]

ODOD press release, 6/26/07:


FISHER APPROVES BROWNFIELD LOAN FOR ERIE COUNTY PROJECT
$ 618,000 Approved for Lakecrest Town Center Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced the approval of a $618,000 loan from the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund for the remediation and redevelopment of the former Bechtel-McLaughlin site in Erie County's Perkins Township. The approval from the Ohio Department of Development is subject to completion of pre-loan closing activities and further consideration by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), which has final granting authority. The loan will be utilized by JRSMI, LLC for the $18 million Lakecrest Town Center project.

"The Lakecrest Town Center project is significant not only for job creation and economic expansion for Perkins Township, but also for the revitalization of an abandoned industrial site into thriving commercial use," said Lt. Governor Fisher. "The state is proud to offer assistance to communities through brownfield programs and loans which utilize existing infrastructure and preserve greenspace while generating economic growth."

The brownfield loan from the Ohio Department of Development, with approval from the US EPA, will be used to conduct remediation and demolition activities at 20.95 acre former metal plating operations site. Development of the site is set to begin in the fall with anchor tenants Aldi's and Menards already identified. The project and commercial tenants are expected to create 106 jobs.

The Ohio Department of Development's Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund offers below-market rate loans to assist with the remediation of brownfield properties to return them to productive economic use in communities. The program provides loans by capitalizing grants from the US EPA.

http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/releases/1775.asp

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 6/20/07 Lorain Morning Journal:

$18 million facility will consolidate 42 doctors' practices
By RICHARD PAYERCHIN, Sandusky Bureau Chief
06/20/2007

PERKINS TOWNSHIP -- Doctors' offices spread around Sandusky and its neighboring townships will consolidate in a new building planned by Northern Ohio Medical Specialists.  NOMS will construct an $18 million, three-story, 110,426 square foot office complex on almost 24 acres at the southwest corner of Strub Road and SR 4, said Bradley P. Smith, chief executive officer of the medical group.

The Perkins Township trustees last week voted 3-0 to approve the final building plan for the site. NOMS hopes to break ground this summer with an 18-month construction schedule for the project, which has an estimated construction cost of about $18 million, Smith said.  ''We're very excited about the project,'' Smith said. ''It will be a great move for our company. It will be a great service to the community.

http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18496476&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6

[buckeye1]

Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use

[buckeye1]

Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use

[tcj1985]

From the Sandusky Register:

NASA plans 'rebirth' at Plum Brook
Tuesday September 11 2007, 2:24pm

PERKINS TWP.

NASA Plum Brook Station is undergoing a "rebirth" and heading into its busiest time since the boom days of the Apollo program.

NASA officials announced Monday they will build a new entrance to NASA Plum Brook, allowing motorists access via Scheid Road off of U.S. 250. They said they also hope to build a space-themed attraction at Plum Brook to draw tourists who already come to the Sandusky area to visit Cedar Point and the waterparks.

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/09/11/front/402790.txt

[tcj1985]

Perkins condo-office plan gets OK

Certainly some interesting renderings here:
http://images.townnews.com/sanduskyregister.com/content/articles/2007/09/26/front/419528.jpg
http://images.townnews.com/sanduskyregister.com/content/articles/2007/09/26/front/4195283.jpg
http://images.townnews.com/sanduskyregister.com/content/articles/2007/09/26/front/4195281.jpg

By MOLLY LINN | Wednesday September 26 2007, 3:47pm

PERKINS TWP. - Plans for Ashford Park, a 91.5-acre residential and commercial development behind the Sandusky Mall in Perkins Township, received initial approval during a public hearing Tuesday night.

Perkins Township Trustees Tom Pascoe and Tim Coleman wanted to table the zoning change from single-family residential to a planned unit development, but Trustee Bill Dwelle voted for the planned unit development.


http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/09/26/front/419528.txt

------------------------------------------------------------

Also, click on the above link and check out some of the commentary on this proposed development.

[tcj1985]

Huron County still skeptical about regional airport
By CHAUNCEY ALCORN | Friday October 05 2007, 2:11pm

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/10/05/front/433617.txt

NORWALK - Erie County officials are excited about the idea of building a regional airport in the area, but Huron County officials aren't sold on it yet.

[buckeye1]

SanduskyRegister.com Front Article

Consumers Ice building torn down for possible development
By ABIGAIL BOBROW
Thursday, October 25, 2007 6:56 AM EDT

SANDUSKY

Another piece of Sandusky history is melting away to make room for new development.

Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use

http://sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/10/25/front/454130.txt

[buckeye1]

Deal signed for Perkins plant
By JANET NGUYEN
Thursday, January 17, 2008 12:18 PM EST

After four months of deliberation, Delphi Corp. has chosen a potential buyer for the Delphi Automotive Systems in Perkins Township.

Delphi Corp. entered into a $44.2 million asset sale and purchase agreement Wednesday with Cleveland-based Resilience Capital Partners for the sale of its wheel bearings business.

MORE: http://sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/01/17/front/568500.prt

[tcj1985]

FAA has spoken - 'The answer is no'
By MARY LISA BOOSE
http://www.norwalkreflector.com/articles/2008/02/05/front/iq_496629.txt

The Federal Aviation Administration has spoken, but it wasn't the answer Huron and Erie county commissioners wanted to hear. No waiver was granted to allow federal funding for a new airport with a 9,000-foot runway to serve NASA Plum Brook and the area.

[tcj1985]

More Sprawl in Sandusky (actually, Perkins Township):

County OKs Lakecrest plan
Menards, Aldi to anchor shopping center at Strub, Milan roads
By TOM JACKSON
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/02/29/local_news/624411.txt


PERKINS TWP.  Construction of a new Perkins Township shopping center at Strub Road and U.S. 250 should begin soon after action Thursday night by Erie County’s main planning board.
    The Erie Regional Planning Commission, meeting at BGSU Firelands, agreed Thursday night to approve the road plat for Lakecrest Town Center, located on the northeast corner of Strub and Milan roads.
 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This shopping center will be located on the site of a former factory and church on sprawltastic Route 250.  And, of course, the Menard's being built is less than a mile away from a Lowe's and a Home Depot.

[jstoll43]

I don't know what's wrong with the current Aldi location on Perkins Ave away from all the CP traffic.  Perkins has this prime empty space and this is what they do with it?

I'm surprised Hoty didn't try to put another strip mall there.

[tcj1985]

I'm surprised Hoty didn't try to put another strip mall there.

Oh God, Hoty 

[tcj1985]

Erie County gets $300K for biz park
‘High tech campus’ on Huron Avery Road to be allied with projects at NASA Plum Brook

By TOM JACKSON
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/03/28/local_news/661103.txt


PERKINS TWP. - Erie County apparently has friends in Columbus.  The Ohio Department of Development has awarded a $300,000 grant to help develop the county’s planned new business park on Huron-Avery Road.

[tcj1985]

Driveway dispute a hurdle for Maui Sands
By ANNIE ZELM | Friday April 04 2008, 11:18am

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/04/04/front/669164.txt

PERKINS TWP - A resort along U.S. 250 faces a few roadblocks in its final stages ofconstruction, but a spokeswoman said it still aims to open in mid-May.

In a letter dated March 28, atraffic planning engineer from the Ohio Department of Transportation informed the owner of the Maui Sands Resort the new development violates the State Highway Access Management Manual.

[tcj1985]

ACH could be sold, could be idled

By ANNIE ZELM | Thursday April 10 2008, 11:32am
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/04/10/front/676097.txt

MARGARETTA TWP - When it comes to the future of hundreds of workers, uncertainty seems to exist on an industrial scale.

Automotive Component Holdings, Erie County's largest industrial employer, may be forced to shut down operations at its Sandusky plant if the plant is not purchased soon, a spokeswoman said.

[tcj1985]

Firelands set to showcase new patient care center

By JENNIFER GRATHWOL | Friday April 25 2008, 4:14pm
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/04/25/front/738151.txt


SANDUSKY - A new patient care facility is just what the doctor ordered.

On Thursday, Firelands Regional Medical Center announced the opening of its new five-story patient care tower.

[tcj1985]

Waterpark in Perkins Township opens as area’s second-largest
By ANNIE ZELM

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/06/04/front/781680.txt

PERKINS TWP. - Paradise awaits.  The long-anticipated Maui Sands Resort opened last weekend.
   With 55,000 square feet of slides, activity pools, spas and children’s playgrounds, the Hawaiian-themed indoor waterpark is the second largest in the area.