Sandusky just getting started

There is a change in the air. Schools are back in session, and the days are increasingly cooler. The young Sandusky Blue Streaks and their new homegrown coach started off their season with an impressive win at Strobel Field. Fall is here. And when we look back on this summer, we will remember it fondly. The excitement has been palpable. Foot traffic on Shoreline Drive is at an all-time high to the point that several locals have stated that it reminds them of the days in which they used to "Buzz the Ave." Only this time, they are doing it on foot and on bikes in addition to cars. Free programming on the Jackson Street Pier has been electric. The Erie County Community Foundation Stage has been brought to life with a diverse set of concerts, presented by the city, in addition to several events made possible by the Lange Trust. Movie nights made possible by the Firelands Health LED movie screen entertained families all summer long. Sandusky also feels a little more artsy this year, made possible by investments in sculptures and murals funded by the Lange Trust, Shores & Islands Ohio and the City of Sandusky's Public Art Fund. Much of this work has been coordinated with the city's recently established Arts & Culture Commission. So much more great progress is on the way. • Current construction on Meigs Street will add another section to the Sandusky Bay Pathway. • A recently announced RAISE grant awarded to Sandusky, Erie County and other partners will bring nearly $25 million in new investment, including major improvements to U.S. 6 and an expansion of the Sandusky Bay Pathway to the Cedar Point Sports Center and an additional extension of the pathway all the way to Huron. • A rebuilt Cedar Point Causeway, made possible by a partnership with Cedar Point last year, will include an extension of the pathway all the way to Cedar Point and Cedar Point Beach. • The Downtown Sandusky Master Plan is being implemented. • Columbus Avenue will be beautified, just in time for a major renovation to the beloved Sandusky State Theatre. This will add to the vitality of the Hogrefe Building and the new City Hall complex as well as ongoing facade renovations of Small City Taphouse and CLAG Brewing Co. In two short years, we will be able to look at Sandusky's historic Columbus Avenue and see the impact of over $60 million in public and private investment in two short blocks, all taking place in less than a decade. Total investment downtown is approaching $150 million during the past few years and has led to new housing, a new university program, multiple entertainment options and a revamped waterfront that is accessible for free to the public. The Jackson Street Pier has become the premier public space not only for Sanduskians but for the entire region. This momentum makes additional investment possible, and we look forward to announcing a new hotel project and parking structure in the weeks ahead. The improvements aren't limited to downtown. Nearly all of the city's tax dollars are spent providing critical services to Sandusky's neighborhoods such as police, fire, streets, park maintenance, code compliance and more. These investments have stabilized our neighborhoods and housing stock with more on the way. More than 25% of the city's streets have been recently repaved, and 12 neighborhood parks have been renovated. We have provided grants to support investments in nearly 1,000 Sandusky homes. A new partnership with Sandusky City Schools created Sandusky Rec at Mills, a community center where programming will take place all year and where we recently revived Safety Town. Our South Side Plan is currently engaging the South Side neighborhood to see what other investments the city can make with our partners to improve the lives of neighborhood residents. We will begin planning in 2023 for a new recreation center for Sandusky, also made possible by last year's partnership with Cedar Point. In closing, we've had a great year but our progress isn't stopping. The best is yet to come in Sandusky as we continue to build a destination waterfront city with strong neighborhoods that are proudly building on its diversity and history to become the greatest destination on the Great Lakes.