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Commissioners approve airport inspection contract and schedule transit hearings; residents press questions on airport financing
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Summary
The Lorain County commissioners approved a $39,113 construction-observation contract for airport apron rehabilitation and scheduled public hearings on proposed discontinuation of the Downtown Elyria transit loop; several residents questioned long-term airport finances and the county’s mega-site plans.
The Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved a $39,113 contract with Manning & Smith Group Inc. for construction observation and testing on the Federal Lorain County Regional Airport main apron rehabilitation (partial phase 3), and the board approved a change order to extend certain airport project work to Dec. 31, 2025.
During public comment, Gerald Phillips questioned the airport’s long-term finances and asserted that matching grants plus local matches may total roughly $40 million invested in the facility, arguing the airport has been a losing venture over many years and asking whether any rezoning associated with a county "mega site" could trigger grant repayment. "We got 40,000,000, I believe, invested in it," Phillips said, and asked whether decommissioning any airport land would trigger repayment obligations.
William Zimmerman also asked the public to contact Commissioner Riddell and questioned payments to outside consultants related to regional projects. The board approved the Manning & Smith Group contract from the airport professional services account and separately approved Change Order 5 to Erie Blacktop Inc. for unforeseen conditions that modified the scope of work and extended completion to Dec. 31, 2025.
On transit, staff member Kieran explained that the Downtown Elyria fixed-route "downtown loop" has had consistently low ridership; staff proposed reallocating the vehicle and driver to expand dial‑a‑ride service and reduce denied trips. Transit scheduled public hearings on the proposed discontinuation for May 20 at 1:00 PM and May 26 at 6:00 PM at the Lorain County Transportation Center and said the county will publish notices in a local newspaper and on its website. Staff emphasized coordination with courts and the jail for juror and detainee transport needs.
Board members and commenters discussed juror parking and possible accommodations if the loop is discontinued. The transcript records no final decision to discontinue the route; it only records the scheduling of public hearings.
What’s next: The public hearings on transit are tentatively scheduled for May 20 and May 26. The Manning & Smith Group contract and the change order were approved during the April 10 meeting.
