sandwalk

Very encouraging news from Sandusky, where 2017's ridership has topped 10,000 (first time that's happened this decade): https://www.narprail.org/site/assets/files/2454/sky.pdf

Damn. All told, and as proposed, the project could take 15 years to complete. So I read that as it may take 25 years to complete. I'm starting to resent amazing looking projects that I may not live to see lol. I hear you! Hopefully this project can be achieved much sooner....it appears to have widespread support!

Cedar Fair announces Hotel Breakers expansion SANDUSKY — Cedar Point will open a new five-story, 158-room addition to Hotel Breakers in May. The expansion will bring the hotel’s total number of rooms to 669. The expansion will build on land adjacent to the historic hotel, near the Cedar Point Beach. The new rooms will have premium bedding and amenities, and many will have balconies with great views of Lake Erie and Cedar Point, Cedar Fair executives said. There will also be an outdoor pool and a sun deck next to the beach. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201711020022

Game on: $28M indoor sports complex coming to Erie County SANDUSKY — Consider it a double-play combination where children from across the nation can compete on neighboring world-class facilities in Erie County. During Thursday’s public county commission meeting, a host of entities came to terms on constructing a $28 million indoor youth athletic complex. It’ll be located next to the outdoor Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) in Sandusky. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201710050026 This facility will be located next to Cedar Point's new Sports Force Park (https://sportsforceparkssandusky.com/) and the proposed "The Landing" park in the post above.

The Landing coming to Sandusky's unexplored frontier SANDUSKY — A proposed pathway not only incorporates elements of its natural environment but also introduces and invites locals to check out Sandusky’s relatively uncharted waterfront region. Preliminary drawings for a $24 million project, called Landing Park, show the nature trail encircling a 27-acre section off Cleveland Road (U.S. 6), behind, or just north of, Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center. Great renderings and the full story here: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201711190009

Perry's Monument won't open in 2017 PUT-IN-BAY — An iconic and popular monument symbolizing peace on Lake Erie will not reopen in 2017. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial rises 352 feet above Put-in-Bay and dominates the South Bass Island skyline. The monument will undergo a series of repairs this year and likely won’t reopen to guests until 2018. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201704110038 For your enjoyment, here are a few photos of mine taken of and from the monument in June 2015:

I flew a United flight on 4/8 from Denver to Cleveland. It was completely full (overbooked, even, with several on standby). Luckily, there were no parallels between this flight and that Chicago-Louisville one.

....and it's happening! Sandusky City Hall moving to downtown SANDUSKY — There is no more uncertainty or doubt surrounding a possible move. A definite decision, decades in the making, finally took place. During Monday’s public meeting, Sandusky city commissioners voted 5-2 to vacate City Hall and, by mid-2018, relocate administrative offices into parts of three vacant downtown structures. All told, through a public-private partnership, the project totals a $23.5 million investment in Sandusky. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201703270041

Sandusky voting on City Hall deal SANDUSKY — Sandusky city commissioners are poised to sign a lease on Monday so they can move local government operations into a new municipal home next year. They’re voting on three separate pieces of paperwork — components for a lease, loan and grant — all related to relocating City Hall’s administrative offices into three vacant downtown buildings. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201703250019 MORE INFO ON CITY HALL PLAN: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201608220046

Tacos, gift shop checking into Hotel Kilbourne SANDUSKY — Hotel Kilbourne is making more room for guests, gifts and guacamole. The proprietors for downtown Sandusky’s only boutique lodge announced they’re investing about $650,000 in private funds for a second phase of major upgrades. Among the planned enhancements, going inside a vacant, adjacent structure, include: • Adding somewhere between four and six rooms to supplement the existing nine in place today • Building a gift shop, offering the hotel’s toiletries and amenities, travel books and T-shirts made by Sandusky-based company Zero Tide Great Lakes Apparel • Debuting OH Taco, a restaurant featuring made-to-order foods, specializing in tacos and dishing out house-brand guacamole, salsas and dessert options FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201703030031

Developer investing millions into downtown Sandusky SANDUSKY — Despite bolting to San Diego, a 1979 Margaretta High School graduate plans on charging forward with a massive investment in a Midwest city he loves. Rick Hogrefe, along with his wife, Meghan, recently bought three downtown Sandusky properties with visions to enhance each one for residential, commercial, entertainment and mixed-use purposes. They worked with local realtor Jenny Craig of Russell Real Estate Services on these sales. Among the properties they now own outright: The Cooke Building on Columbus Avenue and Market Street; 201 W. Water St., also known as Waters Edge Apartments, near H.D. Tony’s; and 305 E. Water St, located next to Facer Park by New Sandusky Fish Co. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201701160031

Sandusky doubles down on neighborhoods investment SANDUSKY — Sandusky officials effectively doubled down on their investment to greatly enhance six neighborhoods. Residents living in these sections can now expect to receive a share of the $1.25 million designated for this pilot program. During a recent public meeting, city commissioners earmarked $600,000 in public funds for Sandusky’s new neighborhood initiative. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201701030054

An April-like weather pattern will grip much of the eastern two-thirds of the United States this week! High temperature records were shattered Saturday in Ohio, in some cases by as many as 8 degrees: CITY - NEW RECORD - (OLD RECORD / YEAR) Cleveland - 69 - (62 / 1981) New Philadelphia - 69 - (62 / 1961) Zanesville - 69 - (62 / 2011) Akron/Canton - 68 - (60 / 1981) Mansfield - 67 - (60 / 1961) Toledo - 67 - (59 / 1961) Columbus - 66 - (63 / 2011) Dayton - 66 - (64 / 1948) Youngstown - 66 - (59 / 2011) Sorry Cincinnati, you didn't set a new record. But it was still a mild 62 degrees. Thanks for letting me have a meteorologist geek-out moment. Enjoy the mild weather this week!

Could this be the new Jackson Street Pier? SANDUSKY — Imagine a rejuvenated Jackson Street Pier in which the blacktop became a boardwalk. Walking along the waterfront, people would pass by children frolicking in a splash pad, hear performers entertaining within a small outdoor concert venue and see vendors dishing out tasty treats for hungry customers. Sandusky officials envisioned the possibilities and now want to turn the idea into a reality with their newest endeavor. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201701200060

I'm watching Channel 3's live feed from Denver. That crowd is amazing!!! Great day for a parade!

Bump for the summer season! I made a quick visit home a few weeks ago....and Lake Erie was extremely beautiful! I've never seen the water this clear (neither had my dad and grandma, lifelong Sandusky area residents). If/when we finally get our act together (talking about environmental regulations for the Great Lakes), Ohio's largest environmental asset will truly be a sparkling gem! These pics were taken on South Bass Island / Put-in-Bay on May 25, 2016: And some Sandusky Bay sunset photos: Have a great summer!

Use your smartphone to rent a bike TOM JACKSON • UPDATED MAY 3, 2016 AT 4:38 PM SANDUSKY — Sandusky's latest transportation option is a Danish import. Vogontz Bike Share runs a new bicycle rental operation in downtown Sandusky that resembles businesses such as Uber or Air BnB. And the bike rental company apparently puts Sandusky on the cutting edge. It's the first operation in the U.S. to use the Donkey Republic bike rental app. FULL STORY: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Business/2016/05/03/Use-you-smartphone-to-rent-a-bike.html?ci=stream&lp=11&p=1

This is definitely great news! Also, with the Jet Express being the service provider, they plan on continuing to Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay after stopping at Cedar Point....super smart idea connecting all of the local tourist destinations. An encouraging quote from the article for the future: "Moving forward, what I would like to see is developing more of a water-taxi service, between Cedar Point Marina and downtown Sandusky, with more frequent departures." — Lance Woodworth, Jet Express general manager EDIT: Oh yeah, it's only $5 for a one-way trip. Not bad considering you won't have to pay for parking or sit in traffic (saving time and gas).

As Sandusky's bicentennial (2018) approaches, a new community master plan (a.k.a. The Bicentennial Vision) is in the works. This video shows some incredible drone footage of the city, showcasing a modest but solid revitalization of the downtown. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/148304302?autoplay=1&loop=1" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/148304302">The Bicentennial Vision</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/newdeparture">Joey Cassel</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p></p> Hey, hometown pride isn't a bad thing. It's exciting to imagine what the future holds for the City by the Bay. :-) EDIT: Sorry about the embed text.

I suspect that would change to later hours, based on its popularity, etc.

Meraviglioso!

Name announced for downtown hotel Hotel Kilbourne coming to downtown Sandusky MELISSA TOPEY [email protected] Welcome to Hotel Kilbourne. That is the name of the boutique hotel Nikki Lloyd and Ryan Whaley are building on West Water Street in the old Athletic Club building. In December, the two announced they purchased the space at 221-223 W. Water St. and had plans to turn it into a small luxury hotel. The name represents a piece of Sandusky history. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/news/business/9060701

A very tropical-looking view of Kelleys Island from Perry's Monument on South Bass Island (June 2015): You cannot beat a Lake Erie (sunrise or) sunset. Period. Here's a little hometown love! Sandusky's Jackson Street Pier at dusk on a warm June night:

Whenever I visit home in the summer, a boat ride to Put-in-Bay is always on the To-Do List! Here's a view of downtown from the top of Perry's Monument (June 2015): Here's a better view of the beautiful harbor:

Incredible, gorgeous housing stock!