Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Avon Lake Power Plant Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners cite regional support for Avon Lake power plant redevelopment; local commenters warn of school revenue loss from proposed TIF
Summary
Lorain County commissioners described growing regional and state-level support to convert the former Avon Lake power plant into public-access property. Public commenters from Avon Lake urged caution over a proposed TIF that they said would reduce school district revenues.
The Lorain County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7 described broad regional support and state-level engagement for efforts to transform the former Avon Lake power plant site into public-access land and potential mixed-use development.
Commissioner Marty Gallagher said the county has received letters of support from several lakefront communities, regional partners and state officials and that the governor’s office has facilitated a meeting with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. "We are moving forward on the Avon Lake Power Plant and it is one thing that could be a lifetime or a generational improvement for our county," Gallagher said during board correspondence.
Why it matters: The property sits on the county’s lakefront and could provide public access and economic development. Commissioners and supporters described the project as a potentially large regional park-like asset comparable to Edgewater Park in Cuyahoga County.
Public comment raised fiscal and planning concerns. Gerald Phillips of Avon Lake told the board he supports redevelopment and public access but opposed the specific Avon Lake proposal before that city council that would use tax-increment financing (TIF). Phillips said the TIF proposal would let the developer keep a large share of new tax revenues and leave the Avon Lake School District with reduced revenues; he said the city could instead require the developer to provide green space through zoning that would protect the school district’s tax base.
William Zimmerman, also of Avon Lake, said countywide proposals tied to a $67.4 million "mega site" and related infrastructure investments should make room to repay existing intergovernmental debts, citing a $14 million balance he said is owed from regional water operations. "$67 million is a lot of money," Zimmerman said, and he questioned whether projected economic outcomes and revenue flows to schools and utilities were sufficiently detailed.
Commissioners responded that the county has pursued letters of support from neighboring jurisdictions and met with state officials to explore acquisition pathways and funding, and they described the outreach as bipartisan and broadly supportive. Commissioner Dave Moore called the ODNR meeting facilitated by the governor’s office "very impressive." Commissioner Gallagher said the county will continue coordination with local mayors and state agencies.
Ending: Commissioners framed the Avon Lake site as a long-term, multijurisdictional opportunity while acknowledging residents’ concerns about the fiscal terms a city or developer might pursue. The board noted further coordination with the governor’s office and ODNR is scheduled.
