Sandusky supports $8.1M revamp to Jackson Street Pier

SANDUSKY — Despite receiving some harsh criticism from critics, Sandusky officials took the plunge, marching forward with a plan to transform Jackson Street Pier.During Monday's public meeting, and by a 5-1 vote count, city commissioners supported an $8.1 million project to revamp the public waterfront space off Shoreline Drive.This marks the final major vote in a two-year-long process, which invited public input and feedback, on Jackson Street Pier's altered appearance.A conceptual drawing reimagines what the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky could look like. During Monday's public meeting, city commissioners approved an $8.1 million project to overhaul the pier with upgrades The work should start this fall and end by spring 2020.Among the priorities stressed, this project:• Maintains all existing uses for fishermen, boaters and people who walk or drive there to park for relaxation purposes• Keeps parking along the water's edge and northernmost end; The overall parking tally drops from about 240 today to roughly 100• Adds a multipurpose building for possible events• Upgrades handicap accessibility for both commuters and pedestrians, who can more easily enter a boardwalk area• Creates a boardwalk spanning the entire pier's perimeter, which, in its current configuration, unexpectedly ends at the northwest corner• Enhances the Homeland Security areas necessary to preserve ferry service to Pelee Island, the only public waterway transportation operation reaching U.S. territory• Addresses deferred maintenance and beautification issues while improving sight lines along the waterfront• Improves the ticketing, drop-off and waiting environment for traffic boarding or departing the Goodtime, Jet Express and Pelee IslanderA conceptual drawing reimagines what the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky could look like.When developing a design, planners presented a concept based on four key takeaways collectively voiced by community members at public meetings throughout 2017. They include retaining the pier's existing uses, increasing accessibility, providing waterfront parking and expanding its overall attractiveness."You told us to do those four things," said Alex Pesta, a president with City Architecture, the Cleveland-based firm developing the pier plan. "If we got those four things right, a compromise could be struck."Among the commissioners voting "yes" were Dick Brady, Greg Lockhart, ex officio mayor Dennis Murray Jr., Naomi Twine and Dave Waddington. Nikki Lloyd didn't attend the meeting. She can't vote on the legislation because her business, Hotel Kilbourne, sits beside the pier. Commissioner Wes Poole voted against the measure, citing concerns with parking issues.Brady called this project the ultimate compromise."Nobody got everything they wanted," Brady said. "But we ended up somewhere in the middle. Many people wanted all parking. Many people wanted no parking. So we ended up at about 100 parking spots. It's important that we found a way to compromise on issues, otherwise, nothing would ever go forward."Brady, however, believes everyone does truly gain something from a new pier."Jackson Street Pier is a once-in-a-100-year opportunity for us to shape the city with this great amenity, and it will benefit every resident in the city," Brady said. "There are 1,000 residents that benefit directly from the improvements on Shoreline Drive. There are 100,000 residents and tourists that will benefit form the improvements to Jackson Street Pier."A conceptual drawing reimagines what the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky could look like.Making sense of the dollars and centsThe total construction cost for Jackson Street Pier totals $8.1 million, broken down with:• $4.8 million: money coming from a special account solely produced by property taxes paid by Chesapeake Lofts owners• $2.05 million: money coming from local foundations• $963,000: money coming from a city utilities account amassed through water and sewer bills• $210,000: money coming from a federal grant• $75,000: money coming from state fundsNote No. 1: No money coming from Sandusky's $24 million everyday operating budget, which covers costs for safety services, road repairs, tree maintenance and many other services.Note No. 2: Project costs, in addition to reconstructing the pier, include building an enclosed pavilion, erecting a homeland security building and dredging.Source: Sandusky engineering departmentReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.