Downtown plan gets support

SANDUSKY — The potential buildup to transform notable sections across downtown Sandusky took a major step forward on Monday night. By a unanimous 7-0 vote, city commissioners supported the Downtown Master Plan. The nearly 100-page document — created by Columbus-based firm MKSK, vetted by heads of nearly 20 local organizations and inspired by feedback coming from 800-plus community members — outlines ambitious initiatives to make Sandusky more of a year-round destination. Sandusky's new plan calls for, at least, $100 million in new investments by 2026. Officials vowed to fund the plan's first three priority projects, along with future ones, primarily through existing revenue streams producing money through downtown-based real estate projects. Chesapeake Lofts, for instance, generates dollars officials plan on leveraging for these public improvements. In other words, money for these three projects won't come from the general fund, Sandusky's pandemic-induced, cash-strapped everyday operating budget, totaling about $20 million. But, by attracting more people, especially visitors, into downtown Sandusky, it can greatly benefit locals, officials said. The more money spent and staying in Sandusky translates into a beefier budget for essential services, such as road repairs, snow plowing, park projects and more, officials said. Primers on the projects Here are the initial three priority projects outlined in Sandusky's Downtown Master Plan. Context comes from the actual planning document: 1. Make Columbus Avenue downtown's most vibrant street "This plan recommends making Columbus Avenue a more vibrant street for pedestrians while maintaining vehicular traffic and on-street parking. A strong Columbus Avenue will lead to a stronger downtown Sandusky, connecting historic Washington Park to Sandusky Bay and pumping economic vitality into surrounding streets and storefronts." 2. Anchor hotel and conference center on Jackson Street parking lot "Placing this hotel and additional development along with a parking structure in the center of our downtown at the Jackson Street parking lot will maximize its impact as an economic engine for the community." 3. Ensure downtown is programed, marketed and maintained year-round "This plan recommends a thoughtful investment in year-round activities and amenities to create a great experience for residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds. This will ultimately lead to a better environment for retailers to do business." Commission comments While commissioners voted 7-0 to support the plan, two in particular — Naomi Twine and Wes Poole — took issue with the lack of minorities surveyed. Of the 800 people who provided feedback on the plan, only about 2% of that input came from Blacks, Twine said. Twine and Poole, who are both Black, did approve the plan. But, going forward, they wanted the city-hired planners and officials to place a greater emphasis on speaking with all minorities as this plan further develops. Here's a snippet of how each commissioner feels about the plan: • Dick Brady: Cities must continuously find ways to reinvent themselves, moving forward to satisfy their residents. The master plan is a thoughtful, actionable and forward-thinking document. The authors have spent months, gaining insightful feedback from a variety of stakeholders. I look forward to allowing these ideas and dreams to make Sandusky an even more accessible and thriving downtown. • Blake Harris: The success of a downtown hinges on multilateral cooperation and planning between individuals, developers, employers and institutions. Therefore it is important to maintain the success of our downtown as we seek greater sustainability, future workforce development, retention of existing residents and the attraction of new tourists and residents. • Mike Meinzer: We have ignored the business district for decades, and it has severely devalued. I voted for the plan mainly to give the staff direction so they can continue to work toward eliminating blight and trying to increase the property values in the business district. • Dennis Murray Jr.: Sandusky's business district is the heart of our local economy. Post-pandemic, this plan will allow Sandusky to get back on track, driving revenues to pay for city services, reverse our population decline, attract visitors and improve the lives of our residents. • Wes Poole: This is an ambitious plan that we are making a lot of assumptions and beliefs that it will do some good things for the community. As long as we have a robust conversation before we make any moves on these items, this is something I can support. • Naomi Twine: The downtown Sandusky master plan is a good start and road map on how we continue the progress of Sandusky. I look forward to more diverse input as plans continue to develop. • Dave Waddington: If we are going to rebuild downtown, this is the way to do it. It's going to create another vibrant neighborhood for Sandusky.