East end easements secured for Sandusky Bay Pathway

SANDUSKY — Local officials claimed another major victory for the growth and success of Sandusky's burgeoning recreational trail. During a recent public meeting, city commissioners came to agreements with five different sets of private property owners on acquiring easements, or right-of-way access, to build out the Sandusky Bay Pathway. More specifically, these easements, totaling about 2,700 feet, run along the former pier track railroad behind Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) between Harbour Parkway up until a plaza known as One Cleveland Commons, home to The Encore Shop along with other companies. The five easements collectively cover an area near where Star Lanes, Loris Printing and Gilbert Heating & Air Conditioning and other businesses are located. Local officials stressed how these deals depended upon cooperation coming from those living in and representing the Harbour Homeowners Association and Hidden Harbour Lagoons, both located off Harbour Parkway. Its board of directors conducted a vote with residents there, reporting, out of 164 ballots cast, 148 backed this idea. "We have very strong support," said Marianne Shiff, the president of the homeowner's association board. Aaron Klein, the city's public works director, who's personally heading up this project, appreciated the association's faith in this initiative. Specifically citing the Harbour's land, that's "imperative to construct the multi-use path along the route recommended by the residents of the city through the Sandusky Bay Pathway update planning process, which was ultimately approved by city commission in 2018," Klein said. Sandusky officials did spend about $274,000 in local funds to gain four easements. Meanwhile, Star Lanes, the fifth easement, gave away its share of land. "Property is not always donated, although many landowners understand the economic value and quality of life improvements that they, and the community, receive directly from the pathway's existence," Klein said. "When the property owner chooses not to donate, the city proceeds through a standard appraisal process and begins to negotiate with property owners." Up next, Klein set his sights on getting land between this spot and further out east toward Cedar Point's sports centers. Piecing the pathway puzzle together By 2029, officials ideally want to create an uninterrupted 13-mile-long waterfront route, connecting Sandusky's west side to its east end, linking parks, piers, restaurants, hotels, businesses, wooded areas and more. Albeit segmented, the pathway today totals about 3 miles today. Once officials receive money to improve a certain area, they'll embark on that portion. In other words, they'll incrementally develop the pathway as land and then funding becomes available. Most notably, within the past year, city officials have completed a section along Venice Road (U.S. 6) and another on West Market Street. They also locked down similar easement deals on Sandusky's: • East end, allowing the Sandusky Bay Pathway to connect Cleveland Road between Hemminger Ditch and Cedar Point Drive • West end: by the Erie County Health Department between Lions Park and Gartland Avenue Meanwhile, an ongoing construction project on Meigs Street and an upcoming initiative, in 2023, throughout East Water Street help satisfy this ambition. And, this past week, city officials learned they received a $24.5 million grant to, among other purposes, extend the pathway out on Sandusky's east end. So how much more land is required to make this a reality? "We have acquired quite a bit, but we still have several more that are needed," Klein said. "We have been systematically moving through the process with each property owner separately." Klein pointed out the biggest obstacles in completing this overarching task of completing the Sandusky Bay Pathway. Most notably, this would include figuring out how to safely cross the railroad tracks on Monroe Street and Edgewater Avenue. There's no timetable set to acquire all the needed land. "We all want the pathway completed now, but it takes patience to move through the process," Klein said. "It is good to say that the acquisition process has been more time-consuming than difficult because most property owners that we speak with are excited about the Sandusky Bay Pathway," Klein said. "They see how it can increase their property value while adding an amazing recreational amenity for themselves and the community." The supply chain issues also complicate its timeline, Klein said. "I would be remiss if I didn't mention that inflation and product availability are certainly things we are keeping an eye on as we plan to construct projects in our five-year capital improvement plan that we hope to release again starting in 2023," Klein said. A look at The Landing The Sandusky Bay Pathway — known as a multimodal trail, people can run, bicycle and exercise by any non-motorized means possible — would eventually lead into The Landing, a proposed 27-acre nature space behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center. The Landing not only incorporates elements of its natural environment but also introduces and invites locals to check out Sandusky's relatively uncharted waterfront region. For decades, it was owned by a privately run company: Griffing Sandusky Airport. Though planners intertwined an aviation aspect into the project: A runway acts as a driveway, guiding people to The Landing's northernmost and centerpiece landmark: The Point. By many different modes — be it driving, walking, running, skateboarding or bicycling — people can head to The Point's marquee attraction, a lighthouse, doubling as an observation tower. The several-story-tall structure should offer majestic views of Lake Erie. Planners also said it'll be an ideal spot for people to gaze at birds migrating over or resting near Lake Erie. Those in the lighthouse can also locate people hopping in kayaks and canoes or jumping atop a paddleboard at one of many boat launching sites. The back bay prohibits motorized boating traffic but encourages other modes of travel. If people don't want to explore or exercise, and prefer socializing, they can grab a drink or a bite at a small, privately operated plaza, leasing space from this public entity. The Point branches off into east and west sections, all of which weave through natural habitats — such as phragmites, or tall grasses stretching upward of 9 feet tall — between Castaway Bay and Eagle Point MetroPark: • To the west, people can traverse through a twisting trail before reaching Castaway Crossing, a pedestrian-only bridge, clearing about 14 feet from current water levels and connecting two separated areas of land. Officials envision Castaway Crossing connecting with the Sandusky Bay Pathway on Cedar Point Drive. • To the east, people can travel on an elevated boardwalk and overlook areas, which provide unobstructed, and unrivaled, perspectives of Lake Erie. While open to tourists, The Landing largely caters to those who call Sandusky, Erie County and the Firelands region home. "Throughout this process, we kept them in mind," said Michelle Johnson, the director of Cleveland-based Environmental Design Group, a firm contracted by the city for this work. "People felt like this needed to be a homegrown project. We tried to come up with all sorts of destinations for all sorts of users and ability levels to create a unique experience and destination for the city of Sandusky." Officials remain optimistic about The Landing's potential. "The Sandusky Bay Pathway is a generational investment in Sandusky's future that will better connect Sandusky's residents and visitors to our greatest asset, our great lake and Sandusky Bay," city manager Eric Wobser said. "We are excited to continue the pathway's progress as well as to build a regional coalition to see the pathway connect not only Sandusky but neighboring communities to the east and west." Making sense of the dollars and cents Creating The Landing and expanding the Sandusky Bay Pathway represent two transformational long-range initiatives local government officials and city-hired designers have undertaken in recent times. At a cost of $24 million, when including The Landing, the pathway will rely upon foundation gifts, grants and land-use agreements in hopes of fulfilling these ambitious conceptions. Officials vowed to seek additional grant opportunities, donations and outside contributions to offset any local expenses. They are, however, spending a small portion of local funds, through admissions taxes, to fund these initiatives. Once officials receive money to improve a certain area, they'll embark on that portion. In other words, they'll incrementally develop the pathway as land and then funding becomes available.