Parking lot purchase prompts questions

HURON — A recent parking lot purchase has created some confusion among community members and concerns from at least one neighboring business. Last week, people began to spot yard signs, reading "paid parking," at the entrance/exit to a waterfront parking lot on Main Street between Harbor House Bar & Grill and Pier Pub in Huron. The lot, always private property but which did allow for free parking, can easily store a few dozen cars. These signs feature a QR code, which, when scanned with a smartphone's camera, leads people to a pay-to-park feature: • Initially, due to what was called a "glitch," parking prices ranged as low as $10 for the first hour and as high as $78 for a day, causing outrage and satirical humor on social media. • Shortly thereafter, the owners fixed the pricing structure with prices now ranging as low as $3.75 for the first hour and as high as $10 per day. This represents mainland Erie County's first and only paid public parking lot. Some paid parking spots do exist on Kelleys Island. Following the visual of paid parking signs, Harbor House made a social media post to address this situation. "We would just like to state that we are not the owners of the lot and are in no way affiliated with that lot. It affects us and our business as much as it affects everyone. That being said, our boat docking will remain free all summer long." Speaking up So who owns the land? This past week, the Register has been in contact with the two area businessmen and local government officials who own this property, which came at a cost of $450,000, according to Erie County auditor records. They are: • Joe Dike, a Huron city councilman, who owns Old Fish House • Brett Leimeister, a Berlin Heights councilman, who owns Leimeister Crane & Tree Service They put together a joint statement — which was emailed to the Register, about the site — their future plans for it and why they're charging for parking. Q: Who owns the lot? A: The lot is owned by Old North Main. This wonderful gem of a property in Huron is owned by Brett Leimeister and Joe Dike. We wanted to take the crumbling property situated in a beautiful part of Huron and allow it to become what it deserves to be: a magnificent lot for future development. We feel this plot — that has sat vacant, overlooked and unused for many years — has tremendous potential. It is wonderful to see boats glide by as they go to and from our great Lake Erie. Joe Dike has ownership in this property. His ideas, motivation and vision to help make this area better led us to investing in this parcel. That lot has not slowed down customers at his business, which is the Old Fish House. Q: When did you acquire it? A: Over the winter, discussion began, and — after several months of due diligence — the Huron vacant riverfront property changed hands from the previous owner in early May. Q: Do you have plans for keeping it a parking lot, or will there be some development there? A: The long-term goal is not a parking lot: It has generated some interest since improvements, but, at this time, that is to be determined. We simply wanted to do our part to enhance Huron. Q: Why are you charging for parking there? A: There was a lot of time, labor, materials and investment in cleaning up this property. We decided to try something new to pay and offset the expenses we have. When we went live with our app, the prices were entered wrong, and those were not the correct rates. On Day 1, the app had incorrect rates. They have been changed to the correct rates. Q: Because of this rate structure, will you consider implementing a parking pass? A: No. Q: Because of the amount being charged, will you pave this lot, or will it remain gravel? A: The lot will remain as is for the time being. Q: Harbor House made a statement on its Facebook page, noting that, by charging for parking, this will hurt not only its business but also others around it. As fellow businessmen, do you have any sympathy for them? A: We understand that some neighboring businesses have expressed concerns about the change. We respect those concerns, and our intention is not to negatively impact anyone's business but rather to responsibly manage a privately owned property in a way that makes economic sense. We remain open to feedback as we determine the best path forward. The lot has been for sale for a long time. Anyone was welcome to purchase the property for any private use they desired. We have actually provided more parking spaces and safer parking there. The lot prior to purchase was not in good shape. There was broken concrete and potholes everywhere. The current lot is a much safer space for this use. It's a choice to park there. There is still plenty of free parking. In the end, this property is likely going to be something other than a parking lot, so it will allow people who don't want to pay to adjust to that space not being available for parking in the future.