Here's what the Jackson Street Pier could look like

SANDUSKY — The three concepts show more green space and fewer parking spots.Yet the same rivaling opinions remain about transforming a beloved downtown waterfront wharf.On Thursday, about 150 people attended a public forum regarding a redesign and revamp for the Jackson Street Pier. A presentation took place at the Sandusky State Theatre.Sandusky residents gather around a table to discuss the three ideas City Architecture sketched out for the layout of a future Jackson Street Pier during a public meeting at the State Theatre on Thursday, July 20, 2017. Planners presented a trio of artist renderings, which all incorporated unique city aspects into their design process. They pay homage to Sandusky's role in the Underground Railroad, industrial heritage and shipping channels."The three concepts are a culmination of community input, technical information and inclusive public space design principles," said Alex Pesta, a president with City Architecture, the Cleveland-based firm developing Sandusky's ongoing master plan process.Pesta provided more context into the renderings."Throughout the design process, the team has conducted many meetings and work sessions to better understand the space's role in the community," Pesta said. "We've learned about Sandusky's rich heritage and how the city's story must be told through the space's design. This understanding is founded on the information shared by a diverse mixture of participants in this process."An artist renderings (one of three) reimagines what the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky could look like. It's not the final design. Planners are evaluating feedback provided at a recent public meeting. They'll submit a final design and present the image to city commissioners sometime later this year.Transforming the pier continues as a decisive, hot-button issue across Sandusky.Some thoroughly enjoyed the designs, equating it to a sign of change."I think a lot of people, including myself, wake up every day and see more than just a city when it comes to Sandusky," city resident Tyler Franklin said. "We see loads of potential and a bright future as we walk, ride or drive throughout the city we love. From the tree-lined neighborhoods to the ever-expanding opportunities on our waterfront, there truly is a feeling of resurgence in Sandusky. Hopefully, we can continue this resurgence to eventually reach a continual period of renaissance in Sandusky."An artist renderings (two of three) reimagines what the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky could look like. It's not the final design. Planners are evaluating feedback provided at a recent public meeting. They'll submit a final design and present the image to city commissioners sometime later this year.Others, meanwhile, opposed these proposals."It's quite obvious the city leaders are not paying heed to the many voices asking that the pier be greened up a bit but mostly preserved as is, with plentiful parking for those who enjoy the Jackson Street Pier every day," Ed Taylor wrote on the Friends of the Jackson Street Pier Facebook page.An artist renderings (three of three) reimagines what the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky could look like. It's not the final design. Planners are evaluating feedback provided at a recent public meeting. They'll submit a final design and present the image to city commissioners sometime later this year.It's worth noting, on average, each image shows about 60 parking spaces, up from zero when compared to a preliminary artist rendering released during wintertime.No matter what happens, city officials promised to maintain all of the pier's existing uses, including for walking, fishing and boarding ferries.Chesapeake Lofts resident Sue Trsynka discusses her ideas for a small park on the northwest side of the residential building with City Architecture's Krysta Pesarchick on Thursday, July 20, 2017 during a public meeting with the City of Sandusky. The most recent meeting aimed to accept more information to tweak the images and submit one final design to city commission for approval, which could occur before 2017 ends."There are a lot of strong feelings about the pier: from how it was used to how people interact with it today to how people envision a new space along the waterfront," Pesta said. "The common message is that Jackson Street Pier is a special place, and it means a lot of things to a lot of different people. Our team has been working to develop concepts that simultaneously accommodate all user groups: maintaining the current uses while creating new opportunities. These new opportunities could provide options for how people interact with Sandusky's waterfront."It's assumed construction on the $5 million project could start as early as fall 2018.Ryan Barrett, of Sandusky, places a green sticker on a proposed feature for the Jackson Street Pier during a public meeting on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the State Theatre. Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Alex Pesta, a president with City Architecture, the Cleveland-based firm developing Sandusky's ongoing master plan process, gives a presentation about the Jackson Street Pier, among other projects, during a public meeting with the city of Sandusky at the State Theatre on Thursday, July 20, 2017.