Downtown Fremont projects, progress cited at annual meeting

There are many projects going strong in Fremont and more are on the way, according to speakers at Downtown Fremont Inc.'s annual meeting.

The two-hour meeting, held Wednesday evening at The Jewel upstairs at MoonShine Nightclub, was led by Kristie Bilger, executive director of Downtown Fremont Inc., with guest speakers including Mayor Danny Sanchez and Treasurer Ken Swint.

The speakers reviewed last year’s accomplishments and this year’s agenda, as well as how Fremont plans to meet its goals.

There have been 18 projects totaling $19.5 million in investmenta since 2014.

The amphitheater project is progressing well and should be finished by the end of the year.

The $6.5 million Birchard Public Library restoration and expansion should be complete in May, Bilger said. She credited library Director Pam Hoesman for updating the historic site, and for adding parking spaces not just for library patrons, but for downtown visitors in general.

Fundraising budget has been growing

Fremont’s fundraising budget has gone from almost $47,000 in 2014 to $260,500 as of 2023, according to Bilger. She credited the budget boost to the increased revenue from farmers markets and other Downtown Fremont events.

Swint called it "a very impressive budget compared to a lot of larger cities in Ohio.”

Even with all the work Fremont has been doing in the downtown area, the city's population has been steadily decreasing at a rate of 0.51% annually, Bilger said. Local leaders are working to remedy the problem.

“There’s not enough housing," Bilger said. "What we have is a lot of old house stock, which is great because we’ve got beautiful old historic buildings and homes. The problem is if you want to move in town and want a four-bedroom, there might not be that option.”

About five years ago, the City of Fremont conducted a housing study that recognized the problem.

"They’ve been very aggressive about it, very active," Bilger said. "We just added a senior complex behind Walmart. Phase 2 will be starting. There’s a new subdivision on the East side. … The City of Fremont knew it and has been really actively combating (the housing shortage).”

Combining history and art, Downtown Fremont Inc. plans to restore and revitalize its historic buildings.

“I really want to foster the history of Fremont. … A lot of small towns, especially, are tearing down their older building, and we are keeping our buildings, and we have them, and that is not happening in every town, so I want us to be very prideful of that,” Bigler said.

Murals are adding color to Downtown Fremont

Bilger noted murals have been popping up throughout the area, the most recent being the river wall mural.

“Part of my job is to embrace the river and have people look at the river,” she said.

Events such as glow kayaking, a plastic duck race, and ghoul kayaking aim to use the Sandusky River to bring tourists downtown.

“The other thing that we keep making bigger and bigger in Fremont is stuff to do. … I truly believe that beautiful things … objects, and art make people happy," she said. "You don’t have to drive an hour away to see great music and great people.”

Some other work they’ve been doing is aimed at making Fremont a destination city. They are giving locals more things to do, as well as building and renovating condos and new apartments to provide housing.

“Our vision is ‘Fremont… a destination city,’ and I have to tell you it truly is happening,” Bilger said, noting a destination city has to have sights, activities and attractions, which Fremont continues to provide with such events as the Crop Circles Festival and Front Street Live.

“But Front Street Live can be anything. It can be musical. It can be performances. It can be whatever you want. What I liked about the cornhole tournament is that a whole different group of people came to downtown Fremont," she said. "We had 18-year-old, 19-year-old men. We do a really good job … with women, but I would like to beef it up a bit more for men’s activities and more men’s shopping. … We had people from all over the state coming to compete because we were the highest payout in eight states.”

Downtown Fremont parking is not a problem

One of the biggest complaints Bigler hears about is parking, but she said parking is not the problem some people think it is.

“There isn’t a parking problem in downtown Fremont. Even when there’s a farmers market with 5,000 people, I can guarantee you I can go to Arch Street or Garrison Street and find you 10 parking spots… you just have to walk to them, and they might not be in front of a business," she said.

Eight new businesses have opened in the Downtown Fremont area and more are coming to the greater Fremont area. Part of their continuing success is through the Think Fremont Community Card.

“It’s an electronic gift card, so it’s just like buying a prepaid Visa card," Bilger said, "except this one is only good for these 30-plus locations and their members of downtown Fremont. You can do any increment from $10 on up and this is just a wonderful thing for businesses."

Anyone who would like to become a member, volunteer or has questions about Downtown Fremont Inc. can contact Bilger by email, at kbilger@downtownfremont.org, visit Downtown Fremont’s website at downtownfremontohio.org or stop at the organization's office, 315 Garrison St.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Downtown Fremont Inc. reviews 2022 progress and projects