Maui Sands owners in talks with county officials

SANDUSKY — Sinmier LLC, the current owners for the long-closed Maui Sands water park, are in talks with Erie County officials about obtaining demolition funds to improve the property. An announcement of an agreement isn't expected anytime soon, several officials told the Register. "We're in conversations," said Caleb Stidham, Erie County's treasurer, and a member of the board of the county's land bank. "We're not ready to announce we've been able to make any decisions." Stidham and Matt Old, an Erie County commissioner, explained there could be money available to help Sinmier if the company made a serious proposal, including local demolition funds and additional state demolition funds that the county could apply for. A mix of options has been discussed, including salvaging the hotel, said Eric Wobser, CEO of the Greater Sandusky Partnership. "I'd just like to see a beneficial use," Wobser said. "I think everyone is focused on a positive reuse of that property." At 5513 Milan Road (U.S. 250), Maui Sands is located at U.S. 250 near Ohio 2, a prime location at the intersection of two highways. The Register reported last April that Sinmier had an agreement to sell the property. That sale apparently fell through. Several officials told the Register this week they heard nothing further about the matter. Attorney Richard Gillum III, a Sandusky attorney who has represented Sinmier, did not respond to a request for comment. An attempt to obtain comment by contacting Michigan attorney Kellie M. Blair, listed in Michigan as an agent for Sinmier, also was unsuccessful. There's been at least one positive development at the property. After pressure from Perkins Township trustees and from the Erie County Health Department, which condemned the property as unsafe, Sinmier apparently kept its promise to do a better job of securing the site against burglars and trespassers. There has been a big decrease in intruders getting into the site, said Angie Byington, Perkins Township's director of community development. Perkins Township hasn't been participating yet in the recent talks between Sinmier and Erie County officials, Byington said. "We've been on the outside of that," Byington said.