The Sandusky Boards & Commissions heard an update that the public "landing" project has been advertised for bids and that the Sandusky Bay Pathway design will connect across Hemminger Ditch and to nearby roadways.

City project manager Michael Klein said the landing contract was placed out to bid starting the previous Tuesday and that bids will be accepted through February; he said interest has already been strong. Klein told commissioners the commission is expected to consider an award to Mark Haines Construction at its next meeting and that the city is coordinating with the Ohio Department of Transportation for federal approval to begin construction in the late January–early February timeframe if approvals come through.

The project scope described by Klein includes a driveway and turnaround built onto the north end of the existing runway, a pavilion with restrooms, a playground, multiple boardwalks and piers, and a three- to four-story lighthouse with an observation deck. Klein said several alternate items — including a crib pier and a canopy walk about 20 feet above the ground — are being bid as alternates and would be added only if the bids allow. Klein said Cedar Point retained a small parcel of property near the landing where, in renderings, private small shops such as a deli or coffee shop were shown; he emphasized those retail pieces would be private investment and not built by the city.

Klein described the Sandusky Bay Pathway segment east of Cedar Point Drive to Hemminger Ditch as part of the same overall effort. He said the pathway will cross Hemminger Ditch at an angle, connect down to Cleveland Road, and extend to the old north-south runway so the pathway and drive run parallel. Because of wetlands, Klein said the pathway will consist of a mix of elevated boardwalk and conventional pavement and that separate boardwalks will pass through wetland vegetation. Restrooms will be provided by the pavilion and inside the lighthouse structure.

Commissioners pressed for more detail about design responsibility and schedule. Klein said the design was completed under an EDG contract produced in the 2018–19 timeframe and that construction plans are now out to bid. He apologized that a planned presentation could not be uploaded for the meeting and said he would provide it at the next meeting.

Separately, commissioners discussed planned ODOT work on the Route 6 corridor. Klein and other staff noted ODOT secured RAISE grant funding to extend a multimodal pathway from Sandusky to Huron along Route 6, and that work on that corridor (including roundabouts at locations such as Cedar Point Drive, Camp, and Perkins) remains in design and acquisition phases with construction anticipated in a couple of years. The commission also discussed exploring a north-side connection around the SportsForce/SportsCenter facility to reduce conflicts between trail users and vehicle traffic for event traffic.

Why it matters: the landing and pathway are regionally visible investments affecting waterfront access, wetlands, and multiagency approvals. The city still must clear federal and ODOT approvals and complete the competitive-bid award before construction can begin.

Planning next steps: staff said they expect to return with a presentation and that the commission will consider an award at its next meeting; federal approvals remain a prerequisite for the planned start in late January or early February.