Fairport Harbor administrator offers updates on major projects

Mar. 28—EDITOR'S NOTE — The Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce on March 16 hosted government officials from its communities to provide details on significant projects for 2023 and cite accomplishments from 2022. This is one in a series of articles detailing the speeches that were given.

A variety of major improvement projects in Fairport Harbor are receiving plenty of attention in 2023 from the community's government leaders.

Progress reports on those endeavors recently were provided by Fairport Harbor Village Administrator Amy Cossick during the Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce Community Reps Update program.

Projects highlighted by Cossick included:

Third Street streetscape

"The project will start this spring," Cossick said about the initiative that will take place between High and Eagle streets.

Upgrades will include new sidewalks, new and additional streetlights, and ADA accessible curb ramps at crosswalks.

"We received a Community Development Block Grant for $245,000 to help us complete this project," Cossick said.

The village also is providing $55,000 from its Streetlight Fund to cover the overall cost of the $300,000 initiative.

This project marks the second phase of a three-part streetscape enhancement program in Fairport Harbor.

Phase 1 streetscape improvements, which took place on the east side of High Street between Third and Fourth streets, were completed in early 2022. Enhancements made to sidewalks, streetlights and crosswalks were similar to what is planned during Phase 2 of the streetscape program on Third Street.

Transient marina

Fairport Harbor, Lake County commissioners, Lake Development Authority and project consultant MSA Professional Services all are involved in pursuing grants to construct a transient marina, Cossick said.

"Last month, Lake Development Authority submitted a grant on behalf of Fairport Harbor, a RAISE grant for $5 million, to help build a breakwater (at the transient marina site)," she said. "We need to get the breakwater built first, before we can build inland."

RAISE stands for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity.

The transient marina would be tailored to attract boaters from outside of Lake County for stays typically ranging from a day to two weeks and not compete with local marinas that serve long-term tenants. However, the project also includes upgrades that would appeal to local boaters or owners of smaller personal watercraft.

It will be built on a site consisting of the Fairport Harbor Port Authority's boat launch and some adjacent land at the northern end of Water Street.

Estimated cost of the overall transient marina project is $14 million.

Water system changes

In September, the village entered into a 20-year agreement to purchase drinkable bulk water that is treated and supplied by the city of Painesville. Fairport Harbor Village Council and Painesville City Council each approved the contract, which can be extended in 20-year increments.

But before Painesville can start furnishing Fairport Harbor with drinkable water, the village must complete some key infrastructure upgrades related to its water-distribution system.

The first of these projects involves improvements to Fairport Harbor's primary connection with the Painesville water system — an existing valve vault located on Richmond Street.

This vault needs upgrading to include two pressure-regulating valves and a master meter for billing purposes. Installation of the new valves and meter are key items required for Fairport Harbor Village to become an active water customer of the city of Painesville.

During the March 16 chamber event, Cossick told the audience that Fairport Harbor had received an acceptable bid from a company interested in performing the water vault improvements. Village Council, at its March 21 meeting, approved that same bid, which was submitted by Great Lakes Crushing of Willowick.

Government leaders from Fairport Harbor and Painesville also met with Ohio EPA officials to review a detailed sequence of next steps in the water transition plan, including the initiation of water service from Painesville; the flushing program for the village's water system; and the physical disconnection and demolition of the village's water treatment plant, which is located at 5 High St.

"We'll actually be able to take the plant to the ground, and we'll be able to develop up the hill to the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse," Cossick said.

Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse

The village government, in conjunction with the Fairport Harbor Historical Society and Lake County Visitors Bureau — Remarkable Lake County, OH — are working to support a long-term improvement plan for the museum and lighthouse, Cossick said.

"The goal is to conduct a museum makeover and tackle a few key repair projects to the property," she said. "In addition, we would like to expand access to the facility by expanding the hours."

Fairport Harbor Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization that operates and maintains the museum, founded in 1945, and the 151-year-old lighthouse, both located at 129 Second St. These two structures are owned by the village government and leased to the historical society, in perpetuity, at an annual cost of $1.

The long-term improvement plan would call for the museum to hire part-time, paid employees, so the museum could open earlier in the year than its traditional seasonal start on Memorial Day weekend.

"We get people from all over the country who come and visit, and we'd like the museum and lighthouse to be open more, so we're taking steps to do that," Cossick said.

Typically, the museum and lighthouse wraps up its season each year by late September.

"Eventually, our ultimate goal is to have the museum open year round to support tourism in Lake County," Cossick said.