Sandusky doubles down on neighborhoods investment

SANDUSKY — Sandusky officials effectively doubled down on their investment to greatly enhance six neighborhoods.Residents living in these sections can now expect to receive a share of the $1.25 million designated for this pilot program.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners earmarked $600,000 in public funds for Sandusky's new neighborhood initiative.The $600,000 adds to the $650,000 previously pledged for planning and programming purposes. The Dorn Foundation provided $350,000, which was matched by city officials fronting $300,000 in taxpayer dollars."We needed more money for the neighborhoods to have a real strong impact," city commissioner Dave Waddington said. "With this new money, we can add on or build up what we want to do to further strengthen the neighborhoods. We want a more vibrant city, and it starts with strong neighborhoods."Sandusky's ongoing master plan process calls for vastly improving, and in some cases overhauling, neighborhoods.Each neighborhood selected for upgrades in this plan, by 2021, stands to receive:• An individualized beautification overhaul, which can include community gardens, tree plantings and public art displays• Connectivity improvements, which can include sidewalks and bike paths• Targeted programs designed to improve neighborhood housingAdditionally, local officials intend to invest at least $3 million more for funding anchor projects, such as a revitalized park."Strong neighborhoods are so important to the revitalization of Sandusky," city manager Eric Wobser said. "The city commission is demonstrating — yet again as it has with programs improving trees, sidewalks, streets and parks — that the neighborhoods are the lifeblood to the city's future."The resident-driven plan should incorporate feedback on what community members want in their neighborhoods. They made those suggestions to city-hired consultants during two previous rounds of meetings in recent weeks.Officials plan on scheduling one additional round of meetings involving the public sometime in February.Then in March, the consultants will present their overall plan to commissioners for final approval.The chosen 6Among the areas chosen for Sandusky's new neighborhood initiative:1. Cove District: Boundaries include Sandusky Bay and Battery Park to the north; Meigs Street to the west; the Sandusky Bay, including the cove area to the east; and First Street to the south.2. South of Kilbourne: Boundaries include Elm Street to the north; Columbus Avenue to the west; the 400 blocks of Reese Street, Neil Street, Scott Street, and Finch Street to the east; and Boalt Street to the south.3. First to Fifth Streets: Boundaries include First Street to the north, Sycamore Line to the west; McKinley to the east; and Cleveland Road to the south.4. Garden District: Boundaries include Monroe Street to the north, including Central Park; Shelby Street to the west; Hayes Avenue to the east; and Depot Street to the south.5. South Side: Boundaries include Mills Street to the west; Seavers Way to the north; Hayes Avenue to the east; and Perkins Avenue to the south. This area will also concentrate in the area north on Mills Street, Camp Street, and Hayes Avenue.6. West Side: Boundaries include Lions Park to the north; the area of Lasalle Street, Marquette Street, Bennett Avenue and Cement Avenue to Thorpe Drive to Venice Heights Boulevard and Pinewood Drive to the west; U.S. 6 to the south; and Harbor Boulevard to the east.Sandusky officials selected six neighborhoods to receive major improvements or a vast overhaul as part of an ongoing beautification effort.Making sense of the dollars and centsSandusky's new neighborhood initiative, which calls for upgrading six residential sections, totals $1.25 million.The $1.25 million breaks down with:• $900,000: coming from the city's budget• $350,000: coming from the Dorn FoundationAdditionally, local officials intend to invest at least $3 million more for funding anchor projects, such as a revitalized park.Source: Sandusky planning departmentReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Back in September, a group of friends gathered at Jaycee Park in Sandusky to play basketball. Jaycee Park is located within the South of Kilbourne area, which is one of six neighborhoods standing to receive upgrades through Sandusky's new neighborhood initiative.