City gets waterfront building

SANDUSKY — Local officials made a big splash with their latest acquisition of a prominent waterfront building in downtown Sandusky. During a recent public meeting, city commissioners finalized a real estate transfer in which Six Flags intends to donate what's known as the Boeckling Building at 105 W. Shoreline Drive. The plan also calls for Sandusky's government to acquire a dock space and a gravel lot used by Jet Express boats and passengers. It circles back to a deal, authorized in 2021, involving Cedar Fair, now Six Flags, investing $100 million over a two-decade-long period to, in part, create and/or improve many forthcoming facilities and infrastructure initiatives throughout Sandusky. This would include building a new recreation center, establishing a water taxi system and enhancing the Cedar Point Causeway. "We believe it's important to have that facility under city's control so that we can develop it," city manager John Orzech said. "There's no timeline on anything. We are just gaining control of it all now." Among the possibilities for this site would potentially involve a water taxi system, transporting passengers to and from Cedar Point across Sandusky Bay. Another prospect for this site would be turning the longtime empty building into space for retail-based opportunities. Sandusky ex officio mayor Dick Brady looks forward to the endless possibilities of breathing new life into this old, albeit storied, structure. "It makes perfect sense for our city to have ownership of this iconic building," Brady said. "It is my hope that we can modernize the existing ferry dock structure, guaranteeing the continued use by the Jet Express." He continued: "The Boeckling Building, with some modernization, is a perfect fit for any tourist-related activity. This acquisition is both a benefit and an asset to our downtown." Working off the plan In the city's Downtown Sandusky Master Plan, officials identified the Boeckling Building as a main redevelopment priority. The plan, adopted in 2021, notes the following: • "The historic Boeckling Building and Jet Express pavilion sit next to Jackson Street Pier and look out onto the water, Columbus Avenue, Shoreline Drive and Schade-Mylander Plaza." • "This site is ripe for a fresh look and new uses." • "The waterfront concept shows a signature restaurant or multiple smaller vendors in a readapted Boeckling Building with large patio spaces along the water's edge and Shoreline Drive." • "In this concept, the Boeckling Building becomes a gateway to the ferry and the waterfront district. Families and Jet Express passengers can grab a snack or visitors can sit down to a full meal experience while taking in the views and people-watching that make this area so special." • "Small retail vendors on the ground floor and office spaces above activate the building and streetscape around it. Water taxis run regularly to and from Cedar Point." • "Redevelopment or reimagining of the Jet Express pavilion could also be part of the concept at this location with small vendor spaces in the existing building or a new mixed-use building with architecture that pays homage to the current pavilion structure." How it came to be Through an interoffice memo, Orzech explains how Sandusky recently acquired the Boeckling Building and Dock space, both formerly owned by Cedar Fair, which became Six Flags in 2024. • "Cedar Fair, now known as Six Flags Entertainment Corp., and the city of Sandusky supported a historic and mutually beneficial partnership in negotiating a framework for further economic development efforts." • Approved in 2021, "The city eagerly supported this historic and mutually beneficial partnership with Six Flags, one of the city's largest employers." • "Six Flags recognizes the critical importance of city services and infrastructure to the world-famous Cedar Point amusement park." • "A key strategic asset in the city is the historic Boeckling property. This property has been vacant for several years, and the Jet Express operates from the dock." • "As part of continued discussions with Six Flags, the original intent of the agreement was to do a land swap of the Boeckling property owned by Cedar Point and the former Sandusky Drive-In property owned by the city. The land swap was unable to happen because of land conservation requirements." • "In continued dialog with Six Flags, an agreement that certain real property consisting of approximately (1 acre) situated at 105 W. Shoreline Drive within the city of Sandusky … would be donated to the city." • "The donation of the property is a result of a development agreement for the Cedar Point causeway project and a multi-use pathway." • "The city will be responsible for the minimal costs incurred through the process of acquisition." History lesson Through a city statement and the Sandusky Library's history blog, here's some additional insight into the Boeckling Building: • "The building was originally constructed in 1928 by George Boeckling to serve as the winter offices for Cedar Point. The Boeckling Building has Spanish features with a red tile roof and arched windows. Aquatic symbols adorn the sides of the building which face east and south." Note: George Arthur Boeckling (1862-1931) was an American businessman who served as the president of Cedar Point Pleasure Resort Co. of Indiana, which later became Cedar Fair Entertainemnt Co. He is often credited for bringing Cedar Point out of financial difficulties at the turn of the 20th century and making it a nationally recognized amusement park and resort destination. • "From the early 1970s until 2000, the Boeckling Building served as the home of cable TV in Sandusky. The business, originally known as North Central TV, Inc., later became Buckeye Cablevision and now Buckeye Broadband." • The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. • Most recently, it served as the home for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Office of Coastal Management. For about four years now, the building has been vacant.