BGSU, Cedar Fair break ground on $14M project in Sandusky

SANDUSKY — The roll call included people representing varying fields, including those working in higher education, an entertainment corporation and all levels of government. So what brought them all together Thursday in downtown Sandusky? They're all stakeholders for an unprecedented venture, which aims to prepare the current and future generations for success in one of Ohio's most important industries. About 150 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a forthcoming brick-and-mortar postsecondary institution, referred to as a new resort and attraction management program, developed by Bowling Green State University, Cedar Fair and Sandusky's government. After more than a dozen people spoke, attendees walked a few steps behind the staging area. Dignitaries then ceremoniously shoveled dirt at the facility's site, 250 E. Market St. beside the Schmidt Building. Project stakeholders participate in the groundbreaking event for the new resort and attraction management program on Thursday, April 25, 2019, in downtown Sandusky. The program came together through a partnership between Bowling Green State University, Cedar Fair, Sandusky's government, among others. Officials expect the tourism-focused academic center, where about 200 students can enroll for classes each year, could open by mid-2020. Classes, then, would start that fall. A $14 million project involves constructing a five-story, 78,000-square-foot structure to house a learning center, up to 80 upper-floor apartments, for both students and other community members, along with street-level retail space. This artist rendering imagines what a building housing an academic program financed by Cedar Fair and taught by Bowling Green State University could look like in downtown Sandusky. The structure will get built at 250 E. Market St. The partnership, in short, breaks down with: • BGSU establishing a two-year academic program tailored to students taking tourism-related courses taught by its faculty. BGSU Firelands will administer the bachelor's degree program. Classes will concentrate on subjects pertaining to the business of traveling, hospitality and entertainment. During their studies, students can also receive on-the-job training opportunities through paid internships. Bowling Green State University President Rodney Rogers speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new resort and attraction management program on Thursday, April 25, 2019, in downtown Sandusky. • Cedar Fair, headquartered in Sandusky and the parent company of Cedar Point, working with students to prepare them for careers in tourism. Executives envision this academic program serving as a professional pipeline, directing trained and skilled graduates to employment opportunities at one of the corporation's 11 properties, including Cedar Point in Sandusky. A degree can also prepare students to find work at other amusement parks, cruise lines, resorts, hotels and countless other tourism-related jobs or careers. Dignitaries and community members gather under a tent for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new resort and attraction management program in downtown Sandusky on Thursday, April 25, 2019. The program came together through a partnership between Bowling Green State University, Cedar Fair, Sandusky's government, among others. • Sandusky providing assistance with selecting a site and approving various funding-related packages to incentivize officials in pushing this project forward. Dignitaries lift their shovels out of the dirt during a groundbreaking event for the new resort and attraction management program in downtown Sandusky on Thursday, April 25, 2019. Other entities and individuals — including Marous Development Group, the Erie County Port Authority along with state legislators Randy Gardner and Steve Arndt — also played pivotal rules in receiving approval from various state organizations. This artist rendering imagines what a building housing an academic program financed by Cedar Fair and taught by Bowling Green State University could look like in downtown Sandusky. The structure will get built at 250 E. Market St. Speaking up Several officials and dignitaries affiliated with the unprecedented downtown college and its campus coming to Sandusky spoke on its significance Thursday. In order of when they spoke: • Cedar Point general manager and vice president Jason McClure: Today really is an exciting day. Projects like this just don't happen. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment from people that are passionate, that care and are willing to collaborate. We have come together to create positive change for the community and region. • Lu Cooke, a liaison to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine: We thank all of those who have supported this project for your commitment to higher education. The partnership between Bowling Green State University, Cedar Fair and the city of Sandusky is strong. By coming together on this project, you are benefiting all of those in the region and throughout the state. • State Sen. Theresa Gavarone: I'm so excited to be here today. I'm an alum of BGSU, and I'm really excited to see my alma mater teaming up with a great company like Cedar Fair to really fit and fill a workforce need. It's a tremendous collaboration and a wonderful investment. • State Rep. Steve Arndt: This is an amazing private-public partnership. Travel and tourism is a big industry. It's the third-largest industry in the state. Many that live here understand the importance this industry has. This is truly a groundbreaking event. • Ohio Chancellor Randy Gardner: There has been no city I have represented that is more focused that is more intentional, that is more assertive about winning the future (than Sandusky). This is another example of the city's leadership coming together with additional partners to truly make a difference. • Bowling Green State University President Rodney Rogers: We are honored at Bowling Green State University to partner with Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. on this partnership that is truly a unique program. (This is) the most innovative program, I think, in the world, certainly in the U.S., in terms of this partnership. It is an honor to kick this off. We are so looking forward to seeing this facility and our program launch. • Cedar Fair general counsel and executive vice president Duff Milkie: What a momentums occasion to bring us all together as we take another step forward in our journey toward progress and revitalization of this community. Students will start their journey here, and, if we've done our job right, we will produce highly skilled and work-ready professionals. • BGSU board of trustees chairman Dan Keller: Today means something even more special to me. I was born and raised in Sandusky. I attended Bowling Green State University as a student. I was an employee of Cedar Fair. We are all so excited for today's groundbreaking. It showcases our commitment to our current and future students. The summer of 2020 can't come soon enough. • U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur: Isn't this a splendid moment? I'm just so proud of everyone here. We have to create our reality based on who we are and what we lived. This took great cooperation, great persistence and great vision. • Erie County Port Authority board president Jim Miller: We have been a silent partner in this whole project. The port authority brought significant savings in the construction and ongoing operation. This is one of the greatest projects I think that has ever happened here, and it will be the continuation for many great things of what's going on in Sandusky. • Marous Development Group president Chip Marous: Today is a great day in the city of Sandusky for a lot of reasons. This is going to really help the city of Sandusky move into the future. What you see in this city and the partnerships in the city are second to none. • Sandusky ex officio mayor Dennis Murray Jr.: I am thrilled by the investments Cedar Fair, Marous, the port authority and Bowling Green State University are making in our community. I am really excited about the jobs and students that it will bring to Sandusky. But what I find most exciting about today is the stance we are taking as a community that invests in education and the quiet statement about our faith in our country's future. • Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser: This is an incredible partnership, and I'm so glad our partners believed in the city and our downtown. It's a really special time to be in Sandusky. Let's keep pushing, let's keep connecting, and let's have a really bright future. By the numbers: Sandusky's resort and attraction management program • $14 million: cost to build the structure; Cedar Fair is funding $12.2 million, with the remainder, $1.8 million, coming from state and city grants. • 78,000: amount of square footage the building will encompass • 2020: year, in the fall, when classes are scheduled to begin • 200: number of students, approximately, expected to enroll into classes on a yearly basis • 80: number of maximum amount of apartments built atop classroom and learning center spaces • 55: number of construction jobs created • 12: number of full-time jobs created once the program starts • 1: number of programs similar to this on Earth; Officials coin this as the first postsecondary institution of its kind specializing in tourism, amusement parks and the like Source: Bowling Green State University, Cedar Fair, city of Sandusky, Marous Development Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.