Erie officers say there are a lot of aspects to get the job done out
A new strategy by a team of local small business homeowners to convey a synthetic ice rink, pickleball courts, musical swings, a new fountain with lighting and other features to the Griswold Park spot in the 100 block of West 14th Road “is just the form of private investment we’ve been on the lookout for” in that part of the town, said John Buchna, the Erie Downtown Partnership’s executive director.
But town of Erie officials mentioned a lot of information still want to be worked out ahead of perform can get started at the city-owned park.
Both of those Buchna and Erie Mayor Joe Schember’s administration are intrigued in Good Lakes Insurance Products and services Group LLC’s plan to drastically enhance Griswold Park.
“These are organizations actually investing in the downtown community,” Buchna reported. “Section of that expense is offering people today factors to do and methods to be active. And we want to delight in these belongings. It’s all good and displays far more investment is coming into downtown.”
The project was announced by Terrific Lakes Insurance plan Providers operator Pete Zaphiris last week. One enterprise situated around the park, Logistics Moreover, has pledged $100,000 toward the project, and is asking other community businesses to lead as perfectly.
However, Renee Lamis, Schember’s main of staff, pointed out that a quantity of details would have to be finalized before any function could start out at the park — such as a written memorandum of comprehending amongst the enterprise proprietors and the city.
This sort of a document would lay out the mutually-acknowledged anticipations of all of the parties associated.
“Nothing has been finalized and this is just not a done offer,” Lamis reported.
“I want to be very clear: we are open to the thought of them pursuing this,” Lamis explained. “But there are a large amount of information that would have to be labored out. We are impressed however by their enthusiasm and we appreciate their willingness to undertake the park and set their own money and effort and hard work into this strategy.”
Griswold plan:Pickleball, everyone? Erie companies program to renovate Griswold Park, incorporating courts, ice rink, much more
Zaphiris mentioned other companies included include things like Rick Griffith Properties, Kellar’s: A Modern-day Magic & Comedy Club, Erie Information Now, Sisinni Lawful, City Engineers and The Brewerie At Union Station.
The park enhancements would also include things like a splash pad with LED lighting and a statue of famous magician Harry Kellar, who was born in Erie in 1849 and was a friend and mentor of Harry Houdini.
Several information to function out
Zaphiris reported he plans to go over a great deal of the construction prices for the project and that the group hopes to break floor as quickly as mid-July. An estimated undertaking price was not available.
Lamis claimed that metropolis officials commenced speaking to the enterprise house owners in April about feasible improvements.
She explained that Schember administration officers will likely satisfy with users of Erie Metropolis Council before long to discuss the park advancements.
“We need to have to determine out whose insurance covers what at the park, who maintains it, who is responsible for what other factors,” Lamis claimed. “The park is a community asset. It really is just a procedure we would have to go by means of.”
The business enterprise owners’ approach also suggests that the park be renamed Station Square Ltd., but Lamis pointed out that town parks are named by ordinance. Any identify alter would have to have Metropolis Council’s acceptance, she reported.
Buchna stated the undertaking aligns with the Downtown Partnership’s extensive-range master plan for downtown improvements.
From 2019:A collective eyesight to boost downtown Erie
The extensive-vary approach
Unveiled in 2016, that plan’s recommendations include things like developing and linking four distinctive downtown districts, every single with its own character, function, target markets and design.
It also implies numerous enhancements to the physical natural environment downtown, as properly as housing updates financial advancement involving the arts, workplaces, engineering and tourism transportation enhancements, and a lot more aggressive marketing and advertising of downtown.
The Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit that serves a 70-block region from Sassafras to Holland Streets, amongst the bayfront and 14th Road. Griswold Park is bundled in that footprint.
“When we were being developing that program, the entire basis of the district concept involved owning enterprise and home owners come together to want to be portion of creating enhancements,” Buchna claimed. “Men and women investing their cash and time to enhance community areas. Griswold Park is an prospect for us to create that out, and the local community positive aspects.”
Metropolis Councilwoman Kathy Schaaf said she would like to see “the folks of the place” involved in any discussions about what happens at Griswold Park. That would include things like close by residents and business enterprise entrepreneurs.
“I’m all for advancements and a lot more involvement, but I would like to know more,” Schaaf explained.
Griswold Park’s final major up grade arrived in 2009, when then-mayor Joe Sinnott’s administration accomplished a $700,000 westward enlargement of the park.
Individuals advancements integrated a fountain the removal of some trees and planting of new ones broader sidewalks new lights and attractive pillars and iron railings.
For a lot more data about the program for Griswold Park, visit eriess.com.
Get in touch with Kevin Flowers at [email protected]. Adhere to him on Twitter at @ETNflowers.