ABOUT US

The mission of the Lorain Port Authority is to promote waterborne commerce, to provide economic development opportunities, and to enhance public access to the area waterways. The agency is funded through a one-mill, five-year operating levy passed by voters; and also earns income from several leases.

As the waterfront transitions from a heavy industrial waterfront to a mixed-use development waterfront, the LPA acquires properties as they became available. In addition to Riverside Park and Lakeside Landing on the east bank of the Black River, the LPA owns 70 acres on the west bank of the Black River.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Development Finance Program - The LPA has partnered with the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority to offer customized lending tools that can be used for equipment, construction, land and building acquisition, and facility improvements to accommodate the individual needs of businesses. Please visit our Economic Development page for more information. In addition, the LPA has partnered with the City of Lorain and the Lorain County Port Authority to enhance the economic financing tools available to businesses and industry.

RFP for Waterfront Development - The LPA has partnered with City Council and the City Administration to interview various firms that can assist in the RFP process for waterfront development encompassing City property and LPA property along the waterfront in Lorain.

Diked Disposal Site Master Plan - The LPA Board of Directors adopted the Diked Disposal Site Master Plan at their December 11, 2007 regular board meeting. The Master Plan, prepared by Behnke Associates, includes multiple phases of development on the 58-acre lakefront confined disposal facility. This project will continue the efforts initiated by the LPA, Lorain County MetroParks, and Diked Disposal Site Task Force Committee.

The goals are to develop a comprehensive plan that:

• results in development for regional and county wide significance
• provides for year round usage and facilities
• provides for development opportunities and additional public accessibility

Lighthouse Shuttle Boats - The LPA has earmarked $200,000 in federal funds to purchase two water taxis to take passengers to the Lorain Harbor Lighthouse and upriver to Lorain County MetroParks sites. The LPA is working with the Port of Lorain Foundation, which owns the Lorain Harbor lighthouse, to operate the tours. Due to the size and location of the lighthouse, it can accommodate 20 to 25 in a tour group at one time. The LPA and the foundation also are considering tying together visits to three lighthouses - Lorain, Marblehead and Ashtabula - in one package. The lighthouse is roughly 80 percent renovated. The LPA leased a small building at Riverside Park to the lighthouse museum group to use as a museum, gift shop, and snack bar.

Lakefront Urban Renewal Plan - The Lakefront Urban Renewal Plan (Gould Study) was initiated in order to determine if the area was blighted and thereby qualify as a TIF district for funding purposes. The LPA provided $25,000 towards the overall $125,000 cost for the Lakefront Urban Renewal Plan.

ERA Waterfront Development Strategy Study - The ERA Study essentially combined the waterfront planning efforts of both the city and the port to provide commonality regarding goals and objectives.

Ballpark Feasibility Study - In concert with the City of Lorain, the LPA provided $10,000 in funds to complete a feasibility study to attract independent or minor league baseball to Lorain.

Riverwalk - The LPA was recently awarded funding for the Riverwalk Project through ODNR - Office of Coastal Management. The project will include an 8-foot walkway/bike trail that will be graded, asphalted, and extending 1,200 feet from the existing walkway at Black River Landing. A 2,000 square-foot wood deck with multiple levels and a pergola roof will be constructed for public use. Land clearing is complete and construction will begin in the Spring of 2008. The LPA has contracted with Bramhall Engineering for the project. Riverwalk project will directly implement the top near-term waterfront development project priority, as identified in the ERA Waterfront Development Strategy Report. The project will improve public access to the waterfront and feature coastal habitat aesthetics. The ultimate goal of the project is to connect Black River Landing to the Lorain County MetroParks trail and north along the City’s west harbor property on Lake Erie.

Black River Landing Rail Corridor and Site Access Study - The NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency) Governing Board awarded the LPA with a $60,000 grant from TLCI (Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative) program funds for State Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the various transportation modes available and proposed to the site, and to formulate recommendations for their interconnection and implementation. The TLCI award will allow the LPA to plan for improved accessibility and circulation between the Downtown area and the waterfront, as well as potential rail interconnects throughout the region.

Joint Waterfront Development - The LPA has partnered with City Council and the City Administration to contract with the global real estate advisory firm Staubach to assist in the RFP process for waterfront development encompassing over 100 acres of City and LPA property along the waterfront in Lorain.

PROJECTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Black River Landing Phase II - Phase II of Black River Landing is envisioned as a mixed-use development consisting of restaurants, housing, office, and retail/commercial uses. The property will be part of the Port/City joint RFP for Waterfront Development.

Transportation Projects - One of the goals of the LPA is to open up the waterfront and connect it to downtown through the pursuit of three major types of access — rail line, trolley and water.

Commuter Rail - The LPA has been a strong proponent for the development of commuter rail service in our area. In addition to participating in numerous stakeholder meetings, the LPA staff has hosted All Aboard Ohio for the past two years at the transportation building. This group is the grassroots advocacy organization for commuter rail service between Lorain and Cleveland. The LPA staff attends numerous meetings with the Lorain County Alliance, Congressional representatives, and the Ohio Rail Development Commission regarding this project.

Excursion Rail - The Wellington-based Lake Shore Railway Association is working to develop an excursion rail line. They currently own the right of way to 17 acres of track and wish to bring the line up to the Lorain waterfront.

Trolley Service - Another group, Lorain Heritage Trolley, would like to develop a trolley system in the city on the LPA parcels to help develop downtown. Communities such as Kenosha, Wisconsin have demonstrated how streetcar lines can be used to enhance waterfront access and as an economic tool for redevelopment.

Excursion Vessels - The LPA is pursuing a large, high-speed excursion vessel, similar to the Jet Express, and has received partial funding to purchase one. We hope to some day have service to the Lake Erie Islands and to Cedar Point. Such a vessel would likely act as a catalyst for further development and economic activity in the area. Objectives that the LPA considers for this type of project are generation of tax revenue for the city and schools, job creation, improvement to the quality of life in Lorain, and the ability to attract more businesses, residents, and visitors to Lorain.

ON-GOING PROJECTS

Development Finance Program - The LPA has partnered with the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority to offer customized lending tools that can be used for equipment, construction, land and building acquisition, and facility improvements to accommodate the individual needs of businesses. Please visit our Economic Development page for more information. In addition, the LPA has partnered with the City of Lorain and the Lorain County Port Authority to enhance the economic financing tools available to businesses and industry.

Black River Landing Park Improvements - Shade trees, International flags, landscaping, walkway improvements, Ohio Historical Society marker for Underground Railroad Station 100, African American Heritage Monument and Walkway, and permanent decorative perimeter fencing.

Black River Landing Stage Project - The newly-constructed 40' x 40' permanent stage facility received the 2006 award for "Community Revitalization" at the 15th Annual Lorain County Visitors Bureau "Lorain County Beautiful Awards". The LPA invested in the structure to promote public access to the waterfront and to offer a greater variety and quantity of entertainment performances for the public to enjoy.

Harbor East Side Basin Dredging - The LPA received a $40,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and provided partial funding of its own to complete dredging in the Harbor East Basin area, in the vicinity of the East Side Boat Launch. Spitzer Marina also contributed to the dredging project, which was completed in July 2005 at a cost of about $55,000.

Fish Shelf / Riperian Area - After building a 400-foot dock along the Black River for excursion boats and tall ships, the LPA worked with the Black River Remedial Action Group and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to develop a fish habitat area, called a fish shelf. The LPA provided rocks and plantings for the fish habitat to improve the fish species and diversity. It was the first one on the Great Lakes in the United States and it has been a tremendous success. It promotes more game fish, such as bass and blue gill, in the Black River.

Marine Patrol Program - The LPA annually secures grant funding from the ODNR Division of Watercraft to operate a Marine Patrol program in the harbor and lakefront. The program is in partnership with the City of Lorain Police Department. It consists of four marine officers who are current or retired police officers. The program provides safety and education for boaters on Lorain’s waterfront.

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS

Lighthouse Shuttle Boats - The LPA purchased two shuttle boats with $200,000 in federal funds to take passengers to the Lorain Lighthouse and upriver for Black River nature tours. The Lorain Lighthouse tours are provided by the Port of Lorain Foundation, Inc. and the nature tours are provided through a partnership with the Lorain County MetroParks. Each shuttle boat can accommodate 20 people at one time. Earlier in the year, a contest was held to name the two shuttles and the winning names are “Pride of Lorain” and “Lady Charleston”. The LPA and the Port of Lorain Foundation also are considering a group tour to three lighthouses — Lorain, Marblehead and Ashtabula — in one package. The lighthouse is roughly 80 percent renovated. The LPA leased a small building at Riverside Park to the Foundation to use as a museum, gift shop, and snack bar.

Black River Landing Stage Project - The newly-constructed 40’ x 40’ permanent stage facility received the 2006 award for “Community Revitalization” at the 15th Annual Lorain County Visitors Bureau “Lorain County Beautiful Awards”. The LPA invested in the structure to promote public access to the waterfront and to offer a greater variety and quantity of entertainment performances for the public to enjoy.

Lakefront Urban Renewal Plan - The Lakefront Urban Renewal Plan (Gould Study) was initiated in order to determine if the area was blighted and thereby qualify as a TIF district for funding purposes. The LPA provided $25,000 towards the overall $125,000 cost for the Lakefront Urban Renewal Plan.

ERA Waterfront Development Strategy Study - The ERA Study essentially combined the waterfront planning efforts of both the city and the port to provide commonality regarding goals and objectives.

Ballpark Feasibility Study - In concert with the City of Lorain, the LPA provided $10,000 in funds to complete a feasibility study to attract independent or minor league baseball to Lorain.

Harbor East Side Basin Dredging - The LPA received a $40,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and provided partial funding of its own to complete dredging in the Harbor East Basin area, in the vicinity of the East Side Boat Launch. Spitzer Marina also contributed to the dredging project, which was completed in July 2005 at a cost of about $55,000.

Fish Shelf / Riperian Area - After building a 400-foot dock along the Black River for excursion boats and tall ships, the LPA worked with the Black River Remedial Action Group and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to develop a fish habitat area, called a fish shelf. The LPA provided rocks and plantings for the fish habitat to improve the fish species and diversity. It was the first one on the Great Lakes in the United States and it has been a tremendous success. It promotes more game fish, such as bass and blue gill, in the Black River.

PARKS AND FACILTIES - BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS

Black River Landing - Before and After

Lakeside Landing - Before and After

Riverside Park - Before and After

Spitzer Lakeside Marina - Before and After

Black River Wharf Boat Launch Ramp - Before and After

In addition to these projects, the LPA has completed many other maintenance projects such as breakwall construction, dredging, and restoration projects that are necessary to protect and preserve our waterfront resources. For a complete listing of projects, please visit our History page on the web site.

EVENTS

In addition to these projects, the LPA has programmed numerous waterfront events over the years, most being free of charge for the public to enjoy, including: 4th of July Fireworks, Concerts in the Park and Movies Under The Stars (partnership with Lorain Palace Theatre), Port Fest, Navy Vessels and Tall Ships, Black River Landing Farmers' Market, and direct assistance with all other events that occur on LPA property. The LPA retains the services of LPD and Auxiliary officers to ensure safety and security for our event attendees and park property. We feel that these events help to promote the waterfront and contribute positively to the quality of life in our community.