Columbus Ave. construction a challenge

SANDUSKY — Owning and operating a small business already presents plenty of problems. Now add a massive road project — overhauling downtown Sanduksy's main corridor, upending both vehicular and pedestrian traffic routes — and even more issues arise. "Construction of this nature is a pain for everyone," said Trent Beard, co-owner of Mr. Smith's Coffee House at 140 Columbus Ave. "But the crews doing the work have been good about maintaining access." His business neighbors tend to agree. "Finding parking that is close has been a challenge," said Kim Mazur, owner of Fabulous Female Boutique at 129 Columbus Ave. What's happening? This past fall, Sandusky city commissioners approved a long-awaited, multimillion-dollar project to reconstruct Columbus Avenue — a main city thoroughfare, pretty much evenly dividing the city from its east and west ends — between Schade-Mylander Plaza on Water Street and up until the Sandusky Library on Adams Street. For the time being, on Columbus Avenue, crews continue to let southbound-only vehicular traffic through, albeit, greatly reducing the amount of on-street parking spaces. At times, access points branching off Columbus Avenue, like Water Street, have remained inaccessible to the public. And, for walkers, it's almost like a free-for-all with many pedestrians unsure of where they can exactly traverse through. If they do venture out in this warzone-like area, they must step around or even lunge through large rocks, rubble and other remnants separated by large amounts of yellow caution tape along with several orange barrels. It all circles back to a century-in-the-making infrastructure improvement initiative. Among the project's most notable aspects include: • Removing a 100-year-old brick roadway underneath this section of street with a road reconstruction to follow. While the roadway will be narrowed, it'll still be a two-way road. • Replacing an outdated 85-year-old main water line with new piping, doubling the current capacity • Improving safety and accessibility for all users • Establishing more open spaces for pedestrians • Placing decorative streetlights and other amenities in the area • Planting canopy trees on both sides; These canopy trees would replace the trees currently lining the street, which have been known to obstruct views. It's a project pegged at $5 million, largely covered by the admissions tax paid by Cedar Point guests. It's a fee tacked onto ticket sales at entertainment venues in the city. Officials also intend to spend money through present-day revenue streams that produce money through downtown-based real estate projects. It's a process known as tax increment financing. Money from Sandusky's everyday operating budget, meanwhile, won't provide one penny toward this endeavor. "This is the most significant infrastructure improvement (project) in downtown within the last century," city ex officio mayor Dick Brady said. "The end product will (produce) a safer and more pedestrian-friendly downtown." The project borrows inspiration from a major makeover occurring to Jackson Street Pier and Shoreline Drive concluding in 2020. So many people rave about Shoreline Drive and, especially, the abutting Jackson Street pier, labeling it as a marquee site for residents and visitors alike. The public waterfront space attracts thousands of people each year for events like concerts, reunions, weddings and many more outings. Columbus Avenue could produce a similar positive effect. "While construction can be challenging, the results will be transformative," said Eric Wobser, CEO of the Greater Sandusky Partnership. Wobser, in his prior role as city manager, long championed for this project and oversaw all aspects of Jackson Street Pier's and Shoreline Drive's reset. "The Columbus Avenue streetscape will enhance the corridor by improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians while also creating new opportunities for downtown businesses to expand their operations outdoors," Wobser said. Envisioning the future Upon the project's completion, scheduled for April, officials stressed how pedestrians, business owners and those frequenting downtown would benefit most from these slated upgrades. Additionally, event hosts would also find these changes favorable. For instance, this project should extend sidewalks, establishing a 20-foot-wide pedestrian zone on both sides: an 8-foot-wide sidewalk and a 12-foot-wide zone for outdoor dining and retail spill-out space. And it would also greatly improve upon present-day handicap accessibility so those with, say, wheelchairs and walkers can more easily navigate these pathways. "The Columbus Avenue streetscape project will anchor the retail and civic core of Sandusky, support the continued revitalization of the city, ensure the activation of our downtown is not centered at the waterfront but continues to spread outward," city chief planner Arin Blair said. Before the project began, many people worried about parking spaces going away. "It's a reduction of about 40 spaces in trade for gained public space," Blair said once the project gets completed. It "was about 86 angled on-street parking and will be 46 parallel on street. We have added about a dozen spaces on Washington Row and in the East Washington Street lot to make up for some, too." Blair noted a portion of preliminary design primarily on Columbus Avenue between Washington to Adams streets calls for adding 30 or more spaces, "But that didn't get funding as part of the current project." "We could implement it at any time if funding is made available or we identify a grant opportunity," she said. While fewer spaces, officials intend to better regulate parking restrictions so people don't, for instance, leave their cars overnight in a two-hour spot dead-smack in summertime. Parking, meanwhile, will remain along this stretch. Though this plan isn't about parking: It's about people, Blair said. "Columbus Avenue is an outstanding, one-of-a-kind place. But the streetscape itself is a low quality of place," Blair said. The project, then, "rebalances the roadway to create that high-quality public place that we are wanting to see." Seeing the upside With Columbus Avenue's construction right at the midway point — three months down, three months to go — business owners can see the end in sight. And they realize, while agonizing and frustrating today, it'll be something worthwhile and greatly valued just before a new tourist season, right around April, begins. Business owners, including those for Mr. Smith's and Fabulous Female, expressed their deepest appreciation for locals supporting them not only during the offseason, throughout wintertime, but also venturing out — driving through a maze-like area, navigating detours and maybe even parking several blocks away — while construction continues. It means a lot for them to support small businesses during such a tough time, Beard and Mazur both said. "I am so thankful for our loyal customers who continue to come and shop with us during this construction," said Mazur, noting construction has led to a slight slip in sales. Beard echoed her sentiments. No matter during or after work ends, "I hope people will simply check out the downtown area because you will find many places where your friends and neighbors are sharing their passions, expertise and love of community," Beard said. "I am sure you will find something you'll love."