Could this be the new Jackson Street Pier?

SANDUSKY — Imagine a rejuvenated Jackson Street Pier in which the blacktop became a boardwalk.Walking along the waterfront, people would pass by children frolicking in a splash pad, hear performers entertaining within a small outdoor concert venue and see vendors dishing out tasty treats for hungry customers.Sandusky officials envisioned the possibilities and now want to turn the idea into a reality with their newest endeavor.Slated for a vote at Monday's city commission meeting, staff members proposed undertaking an extensive planning process for enhancing the downtown public pier.Sandusky officials are looking to completely enhance the Jackson Street Pier, transforming parking spaces and the blacktop into possibly a boardwalk, splash pad, concert venue, concession stands, green space and more.They're coupling the presentation with a preliminary drawing, highlighting its potential, to stir up interest."While we are showing a conceptual rendering, this is just to get people's imaginations going," city manager Eric Wobser said. "We want to give them a sense of what this can look like as a park that the public can come down and still have access to."No matter what changes happen at the pier, officials guaranteed they'll maintain this space as a public property. Anyone can still board a ferryboat, cast a fishing line and witness a gorgeous summer sunset from there.A conceptual drawing reimagines what the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky could look like. During Monday's public meeting, city officials are scheduled to introduce a plan to enhance the green space.Here are the basics to understand:Q: How will the project impact the pier's current uses for parking, walking, fishing and boarding ferries?A: The city vowed to maintain all these pier uses. Officials would offset any loss of parking, from added green space and other amenities, by creating a nearby long-term parking lot for tourists.Q: How much will this project cost?A: The initial planning process totals about $146,000.But money from the city's everyday operating budget, backed by taxpayers, won't provide one cent toward this effort.Rather property tax money in a special account, subsidized only by Chesapeake Lofts residents, would fund any and all costs. These residents won't face any tax increases. There's enough money in the account today to cover project expenses. The city intends on seeking out grant money and private sponsorships as well.After the initial planning process ends, which should happen in late 2017, officials could better gauge the pier's construction and other related costs.Q: When will the work start and end?A: In an ideal world, crews would break ground in 2018 with the work taking about a year to complete.Q: When was the last time any substantial upgrades occurred on the pier?A: Some infrastructure work last happened in 1999.Sandusky officials are looking to completely enhance the Jackson Street Pier, transforming parking spaces and the blacktop into possibly a boardwalk, splash pad, concert venue, concession stands, green space and more.Q: Will the public be involved in the planning process?A: Yes: Local officials vowed they would include and invite stakeholders to participate in all discussions relating to making over the pier.The conceptual drawing represents one idea and is in no way the definite design, officials said."There will be an extensive community process to determine the uses and design of any improvements made to the Jackson Street Pier," according to a city statement. "The city commission will only vote on the recommendations after the public has had an opportunity to weigh in."Q: Are there any other components to the pier project?A: There are two separate but related parts of this initiative:• Redesigning Shoreline Drive from Franklin to Lawrence streets, which would include resurfacing the road and adding some streetscape elements, such as trees• Adding a small public park to the northwest corner of the Chesapeake Lofts propertyIt's not known how much these projects would cost. During Monday's public meeting, city commissioners should also vote on a $150,000 planning process for redesigning Shoreline Drive.Both these components would be funded in a similar way to the Jackson Street Pier project: through property tax money paid by Chesapeake Lofts residents. There's enough money in the account today to subsidize these projects. The city intends on seeking out grant money and private sponsorships as well.Q: Why is this happening?A: The city's bicentennial commission, overseeing activities relating to Sandusky's 200-year birthday in 2018, has selected the Jackson Street Pier as its priority project to celebrate this occasion.Q: Who supports the plan?A: Among the more notable: At least two city representatives and the area's premier ferry service shuttling people from Sandusky to the Lake Erie islands and back:• Sandusky city commissioner Dave Waddington: We look forward to hearing what improvements the community wants to see at Jackson Street Pier. It is the front door to the city from Sandusky Bay. We have been and will continue to make large investments in the neighborhoods, and this project allows us to build on those investments by providing our residents with a beautiful public park on the lake.• Jet Express spokeswoman Nicole DeFreitas: The Jet Express is excited about the energy and growth happening in downtown Sandusky, and we look forward to being part of the process.• Sandusky bayfront corridor committee chairman Carl McGookey: I am excited to see the city taking the initial step to move forward on (these) improvements. Jackson Street Pier is obviously a focal point for locals as well as visitors, and upgrades to this area will be welcomed. It is important to know that the details will be open to public input.Sandusky officials are looking to completely enhance the Jackson Street Pier, transforming parking spaces and the blacktop into possibly a boardwalk, splash pad, concert venue, concession stands, green space and more.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.A conceptual drawing reimagines what the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky could look like. During Monday's public meeting, city officials are scheduled to introduce a plan to enhance the green space.Sandusky officials are looking to completely enhance the Jackson Street Pier, transforming parking spaces and the blacktop into possibly a boardwalk, splash pad, concert venue, concession stands, green space and more.