Buoy the Boeckling Building

SANDUSKY — With many development projects splashing down onto Sandusky's shores, one notable downtown waterfront building remains empty. But that might not be the case for long. Officials want to begin actively marketing the site at 105 W. Shoreline Drive beside where people access Jet Express boats. "Historically known as the Boeckling Building, (it) was most recently home to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Office of Coastal Management," said Tom Horsman, a city administrator in the government's community development department. Horsman also provided some history about the building. "The building was originally constructed in 1928 by George Boeckling to serve as the winter offices for Cedar Point, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982," said Horsman, referencing how Boeckling served as the amusement park's former president. "The building is still owned by Cedar Point." He added how the city "looks forward to working with Cedar Point on any potential redevelopment plans and hopes that the Boeckling Building can contribute to activating Sandusky's vibrant waterfront for years to come." Pointing to the plan Back in February, the natural resources department relocated this office to 1031 Pierce St. in Sandusky. So what could become of this structure? "In the city's recently adopted Downtown Sandusky Master Plan, the Boeckling Building was identified as one of the main focus area opportunities to create a destination waterfront dining experience," Horsman said. Downtown's plan, also adopted in February, notes the following: • "The historic Boeckling Building and Jet Express pavilion sit next to Jackson Street Pier and look out onto the water, Columbus Avenue, Shoreline Drive and Schade-Mylander Plaza." • "This site is ripe for a fresh look and new uses." • "The waterfront concept shows a signature restaurant or multiple smaller vendors in a readapted Boeckling Building with large patio spaces along the water's edge and Shoreline Drive." • "In this concept, the Boeckling Building becomes a gateway to the ferry and the waterfront district. Families and Jet Express passengers can grab a snack or visitors can sit down to a full meal experience while taking in the views and people-watching that make this area so special." • "Small retail vendors on the ground floor and office spaces above activate the building and streetscape around it. Water taxis run regularly to and from Cedar Point." • "Redevelopment or reimagining of the Jet Express pavilion could also be part of the concept at this location with small vendor spaces in the existing building or a new mixed-use building with architecture that pays homage to the current pavilion structure."