Bolstering Battery Park

SANDUSKY — Local officials know what happens when they properly transform an underused waterfront space previously and primarily catering to parking. Entering 2020, the collaboration resulted in Jackson Street Pier's new look, now known as Sandusky's predominant gathering space for concerts, festivals, meetups and much more. Officials intend on replicating several steps from that successful process as they embark upon a similar project but one much greater in terms of scope, cost and even potential impact. They're now focused on evolving Battery Park at Meigs and East Water streets. "As the Jackson Street Pier proved, good planning and design lead to great public spaces," city commissioner Dennis Murray Jr. said. Battery Park "will be all of that." Dick Brady, the city's ex officio mayor, agreed with his commission colleague, underscoring how Battery Park would go "from a parking lot to paradise." "What will down there is a transformation of times 10 compared to what happened on Jackson Street Pier," Brady said. "We have an obligation to pursue something like this that will enhance our city and truly put us in the big leagues." Scoping out the plan This past weekend, the Register offered a first look into evolving Battery Park into a mixed-use site. Pegged at $200 million, believed to be the single-largest investment in Sandusky's history, blueprints center on activating this vastly underused space by: • Constructing nearly 250 living spaces, broken down into condos and apartments • Creating a five-story hotel with about 130 rooms • Building a parking garage, housing upward of 1,000 vehicles • Expanding the existing green space areas from 6 acres to 9 acres • Improving boardwalks, break walls, piers and other public spaces to make these areas safer and for future programming there • Maintaining the marina, which could feature up to 550 slips "The plan is, by doing all of this, we will make the waterfront and the city come alive," said Chip Marous, Marous' managing member. Marous boasts a successful track record in the city, overseeing projects which include ongoing construction work at the Feick Building; reinvigorating three buildings into Vita Sandusky and Sandusky City Hall; and establishing a brick-and-mortar postsecondary institution for Bowling Green State University's and Cedar Fair's resort and attraction management program. These three areas all feature a residential component as proposed for Battery Park. Through a deal enacted in 2020, Marous possesses the land's leasing rights, but Sandusky still owns this site. The contract allows Marous to develop this site. "What we are focused on is ensuring this beautiful city — that has an unbelievable inventory of historic buildings, a great downtown and a great waterfront — realizes and maximizes on its potential," Marous said. Figuring out the funding Officials intend to largely upgrade Battery Park by spending money through future revenue streams created by improvements in property values made possible through Battery Park's new development. It's a process known as tax increment financing. Essentially, this project will pay for itself. "It's not out of line for what we would do for any other project," said city manager Eric Wobser, noting a similar process played out to subsidize costs in making over Jackson Street Pier, an $8 million task. Officials also want to leverage state and federal grant money, especially funds made available for public enhancements, to bolster piers, sidewalks and other walkway areas. They'll limit any contributions coming from Sandusky's everyday operating budget, equaling about $25 million, which funds many vital services like police, fire, streets, recreation and more. Officials also view Battery Park as an investment. This site can not only make Battery Park successful but push Sandusky forward in its ongoing renaissance, they said. Beyond people eventually living, shopping and eating at Battery Park, it'll produce taxes, create jobs and generate additional income from this very site. Amid this scenario, people residing in or stopping by Battery Park will also want to visit other places in and around Sandusky, benefiting those spots as well, Marous said. More than "10 million people visit this area each year, and close to 70% of them do not even know there is a downtown Sandusky," said Marous, noting a majority of tourists come solely for Cedar Point. "This project will help them know more about this beautiful city." Getting the locals involved By year's end, officials on various boards, including the city commission, expect to review legislation to overhaul Battery Park. Brady expressed confidence in obtaining enough support, through votes, from city commissioners to begin proceeding with this initiative. There hasn't been a vote on any of these materials yet. Count Murray as one of the proposal's supporters. "The newly reinvigorated Battery Park will have over 50% more public space and dramatically improve the Meigs Street Pier," said Murray, who provided context for his reasoning. "I've driven by this space twice a day for 28 years and rarely see it used. This will be a great asset for our community, draw new residents and increase revenues to the city and schools alike," he said. Officials said they'll announce when people can speak on Battery Park-related items in the near future. On a related note, the city's legal team is reviewing any potential impacts this project might have, including a proposed amendment to Sandusky's charter dealing with the sale of city park property. Regardless of what might happen with that, "We are confident this is a good plan that protects public access to this site while making sure the development will be accessible to Sandusky and create the revenue necessary to make public improvements to our waterfront," Wobser said. Brady echoed Wobser's sentiments. "This won't be a self-contained city," Brady said. "We are pursuing this project so that everyone can visit this site, whether you are a resident or tenant or you're going there for shopping or for food or if you want to live there. Those who live in Sandusky along with our visitors will find their way down there, and everyone will benefit from that."