New life for old church

SANDUSKY — A recent zoning change allows a developer to resurrect a former church property into a mix-used site while still preserving its overall historic charm. Sandusky city commissioners allowed for the vacant property — at 431 Columbus Ave., previously home to First Congregational United Church of Christ — to undergo a forthcoming transformation taken up by Michael Cox of The Commodore at Sandusky Bay. The church, relocating to Sandusky Plaza, put this property up for sale. The Erie County auditor's website lists the sale's price, from First Congregational, at $225,000. The Commodore at Sandusky Bay bought the property. In a memo to commissioners, Cox and city chief planner Arin Blair outlined preliminary project parameters. It involves reconfiguring existing space for: • Retail and business operations • Public and/or private events, such as art classes, shows and sales along with weddings • Transient rentals "'Transient occupancy' or 'transient rental' refers to the short-term rental of property, most often for vacation rentals, and often conducted through an application or online service such as Airbnb or VROB," Blair said. In other words, it, "is defined as the renting, letting, subletting, leasing or subleasing of a dwelling for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days or fewer," she added. Before commissioners voted on the issue, Blair gave her blessing. "It will help the potential to build community, increase connectivity and help shape Sandusky as a destination city," she said. "It's really exciting to see this historic property available to continue to be reused." Many project specifics — such as a timeline, costs and other details — are not yet known as of today. Cox did underscore his main intention focuses on protecting and enhancing this structure, a local landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "It's a beautiful space," he said.