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Mayor’s office outlines fast-moving “1 Bayfront” plan and asks residents to stay engaged
Summary
Chief of staff Lori Radder Spicer presented the 1 Bayfront waterfront planning process, saying consultants and partners have collected more than 700 survey responses and held an open house; the city aims for a final plan by year-end and will hold more open houses, focus groups and event tabling to shape a community-driven blueprint.
Lori Radder Spicer, chief of staff for the mayor, presented an overview of the 1 Bayfront waterfront planning process, saying the city and its partners have prioritized an inclusive, community-driven vision. The facilitating team — which includes Infinite Erie, the county, the Chamber, Erie Insurance and property owners such as the Port Authority, Erie Events and Scott Enterprises — hired WSP as the consultant to prepare a unified master plan.
Spicer said the team held an open house on June 25 and has received more than 700 survey responses; consultants are synthesizing feedback and the process moves quickly. The current phase overlaps existing-conditions analysis and a draft vision and goals. The next steps are to develop evaluation criteria and possible alternatives in August, narrow preferred alternatives in the fall and deliver a final plan by the end of the calendar year.
Council members asked about geographic boundaries, winter-season uses and outreach to business and youth. Spicer said the study area is roughly Cranberry Street west to the land lighthouse and south to Third Street, and that outreach has included an open house, a virtual open-house experience and targeted invitations to neighborhood organizations. She said the consultant’s market analysis will inform what uses — including housing, restaurants or entertainment — are viable and that zoning changes and chamber-led recruitment of businesses could follow once the community identifies priorities.
Spicer underscored that the plan is iterative: consultants will return to the public and council at each phase with findings and draft goals for comment. She described additional engagement including youth focus groups, tabling at festivals (Blues & Jazz Fest, Celebrate Erie) and a live virtual open house. Council members asked for clearer public-facing maps, a concise cost summary for phase transitions and confirmation of upcoming open-house dates; staff agreed to provide follow-up materials and to share dates when they are set.
The mayor’s office is hosting “on-ramps” to participation, Spicer said, and encouraged residents to use the online materials and surveys while the process proceeds on an accelerated schedule.
