Commission approves design-build contract and short-term notes to advance Landing Park project; state funds cited

The Sandusky City Commission on July 14 authorized a design‑build contract for the Landing Park project and approved related short-term note issuances to finance construction draws, including a separate $8,000,000 note anticipated to fund landing work if the commission finalized the project.

Commission action and financing: The commission passed an ordinance authorizing the city manager to enter a design‑build contract with Mosier Construction, Inc., for the Landing project and approved two note issuances in anticipation of bonds: (1) a $3,806,000 note issuance to cover several capital projects including Landing Park elements, Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky Bay Pathway and Columbus Avenue work; and (2) an $8,000,000 note issuance specifically tied to landing project construction. Commissioners voted to approve the fiscal officer’s certificates and adopted the ordinances under the city charter’s emergency/suspension provisions.

Why it matters: The package couples a major waterfront project with short-term borrowing to pay contractors as invoices arrive. The commission and staff framed the measures as necessary to “pay the bills as they come in” for capital projects and to position the city to capture roughly $3.0–3.7 million in state capital assistance that staff and the commission said was essential to proceeding.

State support: State Representative DJ Swearingen addressed the commission and said his office helped secure $3,000,000 of state funding (described by staff as approximately $3.7 million when all state sources are combined) that the commission and staff cited as key to making the project affordable. Representative Swearingen described the state’s capital investment strategy and expressed support for the Landing project’s broader economic benefits.

Design, materials and maintenance: City staff and the design‑build proposer discussed material choices aimed at resilience. Staff said they had adjusted materials (for example, favoring yellow pine over Douglas fir for longevity) and reduced certain landscape elements to keep ongoing maintenance manageable. Staff said they will receive from the design‑build team a schedule of routine maintenance tasks and that some maintenance funding will be set aside; staff also said concrete sealing and other preservation tasks are already performed on related infrastructure.

Public concerns and mitigation: Commissioners and residents asked about lifecycle maintenance costs, winter operations (staff said the pathway is intended to remain open year‑round), and utility relocations. Staff said Cedar Point had considered, at its cost, relocating water and sewer to align with pathway placement, but final design decisions on utilities remain with the park and its designers. Commissioners emphasized routine maintenance expectations and the use of resilient materials to limit long-term replacement costs.

Outcome and next steps: The design‑build contract was authorized and note issuances were approved; staff will proceed with project contracting and provide maintenance plans and cash‑flow updates to the commission. The $8,000,000 note was described as contingent on approval of the landing project; staff said it would be removed if the landing measure did not move forward.

Ending: With the design‑build contract authorized and short‑term borrowing in place, the city charts a path to begin construction draws for Landing Park. Commissioners and staff signaled continued oversight on material selection, maintenance budgeting and contractor performance.