Bayfront Meeting Draws Big Audience

3Oct2008 Filed under: Authorities, Economic Development, Erie bayfront, Erie, Pa., Tourism, Transportation Author: Peter Panepento

GlobalErie blogger Dale Hannah attended last night’s meeting on the proposed master plan for Erie’s bayfront.

You can read the full report on his blog, What If?

It looks as though the planners are pushing for a mixed-use project that would better incorporate the bayfront with downtown Erie.

Michael Kannard, the Planning Architect, outlined a preliminary Land-Use Plan for the Bayfront, taking into account the varied usages now in effect, and how to pull everything together into a workable, cohesive, plan.

In general, he seemed to be very much in favor of a mixed-use formula, incorporating recreation, retail, and residential usage. Layered usage, with retail on the lower level, possibly offices on second level, and apartments on the top floors would maximize the space available for development. He also detailed the need for much more green space and public access to the water all along the waterfront. Possible enhancements would include a boardwalk out to the wetlands of Cascade Park, expansion of Overlook Park, and adding to the trail system. Lampe would become parkland, possibly with another amphitheater, and the areas around the Land Lighthouse and Wayne Blockhouse would be improved, possibly with new concession stands and public facilities on site.

Most undeveloped areas surrounding Dobbin’s Landing would be layered usage, again, with green space and public access to the water where possible. Some areas are privately owned, so planning of those sites is not possible. They include the Scott property and the GAF property.

To improve traffic flow along the bayfront, it was suggested that a light rail or trolley would be a good addition. Also welcome would be a plan to somehow tie the land atop the bluffs to development of the bayfront, thus helping to revitalize the neighborhoods. Suggestions included a restaurant on top of the bluff overlooking the Bay, and better access down to the parkway.

Do you have any reactions to the proposal? Does it hit the mark? Or is it missing some key elements? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Tags: bayfront, Dale Hannah, development, downtown Erie, land-use plan, Port Authority

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8 Responses to “Bayfront Meeting Draws Big Audience”

Dale Hannah
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 am

One thing I neglected to mention in my post, Peter, is that Mr. Kannard promised that he would set up a website so we in Erie will have access to ongoing plans. It will include visual data as well.
I will post the site as soon as it becomes available.

Dale
Jim
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:45 am

I have to say, for being somewhat of a cynic, I was impressed with several aspects of last nights meeting. First, I thought it spoke well that in addition to the Port Authority, the city’s redevelopment authority and PennDot were both there, and made a coordinated presentation. An important factor to me is that the port authority goes essentially to the bluff, and the city from there south, but what ever is done they need to coordinate together to complement each other, and they are at least talking. To me that is progress. Second, I was impressed with the divergent attendance at the meeting. I knew some of the attendees, and you had advocacy group representatives, elected officials from both city and county, as well as general citizens. To often in the past, Erieites have either not been included, or else not interested enough to show up. Third, I don’t know if Peter and Dale can take credit, but I think the conversation that has been going on here cannot be anything but helpful.

Finally, I had the pleasure of meeting both Dale and George after the meeting.

I think the challenge is now to keep people interested and involved, while at the same time finding solutions to making things actually happen. I thought the comments were mostly all positive, and all were well thought out by those making them.
anonymous
October 8th, 2008 at 9:37 am

I made a proposal about a year and a half ago to build a indoor white sand beach with palm trees, aquarium and restaurant complex on the waterfront. It was based on an existing 10 year old project in another very depressed city. It has been so successful that it raised existing real estate values in this depressed city, that it even attracted new real estate developers. It generates about 1.2mm visitors per year and creates about 2m local jobs. This would be mainly used by adults. The teenagers could be bused up to Splash Lagoon. I want it to be a tranquil and relaxing place for adults with a small kiddie pool. You could use existing parking infrastructure on the bayfront that sits empty 9 months out of the year. A trolley bus can take passengers back and forth from the convention center and hotel on the water.

The waterfront is shut down 9 months out of the year due to bad weather. Most people fly south for vacation. I believe if such structure was built on the waterfront it would attract tourists from Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Canada. It would add new business to both the convention center and the hotel on the water. Most important is it is based on an existing organization with 10 years of profits.

When I brought my plan to the local politicians and economic development people, I got no response. Can you be of any assistance.
Peter Panepento
October 8th, 2008 at 9:41 am

Hi Anonymous:

This is definitely an idea worth putting on the table. Can you let me know which city is doing this? I can research and write a post chronicling how it has worked there.
George Vietze
October 8th, 2008 at 9:59 am

I remembered that post about a large indoor facility in another depressed City that was successful but could not remember to which thread it was posted. When the Bayfront Plan surfaced it came to mind and is certainly worth exploring the details because the weather is certainly a limiting factor to long term viability. Thank you for reposting this information and if you could supply more details like location, size, mix or uses Peter will follow up with his post.
Jim Berlin
October 8th, 2008 at 11:03 am

Yes, I think “indoor playgrounds” for adults is a very good idea for climates like ours where we can only play many outside sports a few months a year. Makes a lot of sense.
I had raised the idea of an indoor rock climbing park. I think that would be awesome and would give people a chance to have fun and exercise all winter. I think that would attract folks too.
I’ve been in those elsewhere (they have offroad indoor bicycle courses too) and they always seem busy.
JB
anonymous
October 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am

Yes. It’s a pyramid at Galveston, Texas, called Moody Gardens. An all enclosed glass pyramid with indoor white sand beaches, palm trees, aquarium and restuarants. I have studied this project extensively. With the people who manage it. If we can get some assistance, I full business plan is ready can be furnished to qaulified investors. It would be perfect on the GAF site, if it could be cleaned up. If the GAF site is too costly to clean there is a plan B.
Peter Panepento
October 8th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Thanks. I’ll look into it.

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Peter Panepento After more than six years working as a journalist in Erie, I'm now the web editor for the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., and the publisher of GlobalErie.com. I still maintain close ties to Erie - a community that I care about deeply. I hope this Web site can help inspire a better future for Erie.

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