Residents press concerns about data-center 'mega site' and Port Authority says Midway Mall buyer has withdrawn; commissioners go into executive session

Several members of the public used the meeting’s public-comment period to press county leaders on proposed data centers and a planned mega‑site. Gerald Phillips (Avon Lake) warned that a property‑tax constitutional amendment could undermine TIF financing and urged caution, saying that without property-tax revenue TIFs are difficult to finance. Samuel Manges (Carlisle Township) and Amanda Quimper (Elyria) criticized data-center proposals for farmland, environmental and community impacts. William Zimmerman (Avon Lake) said some township trustees told him they had not been given full information, and that transparency about sewer routes, pump stations and costs was lacking.

After public comment, a commissioner read a press release from the Lorain County Port Authority announcing that Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) formally terminated its purchase agreement for the Midway Mall property. The Port Authority’s statement, read into the public record, said ICP delivered notice in November 2025 citing dissatisfaction with due diligence results and cited section 4.1 of the purchase agreement; the Port Authority said several other parties had expressed interest and that it will evaluate next steps for redevelopment.

Following the announcement a motion was made and seconded to recess into executive session for discussion of pending legal matters and potential real estate; the board entered executive session and later reconvened and adjourned.