Gas Update - Hotel Accommodations - November 30, 2018

As Columbia Gas continues to progress on repairs, they have released a list of hotels with whom they are working to provide temporary housing for Elyria residents affected by the gas outage.  Their goal remains to have service restored to 2 out of 3 zones by the end of Friday with third zone being restored on Saturday.

Columbia Gas has provided a list of hotels they are working with to provide temporary housing for those affected by the gas outage:

• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson - 645 Griswold Rd
• Homewood Suite by Hilton Cleveland/Sheffield - 4930 Transportation Dr.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Elyria - 1795 Lorain Blvd.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Cleveland Airport West - 25105 Country Club Blvd.
• Days Inn Wyndham Elyria - 1825 Lorain Blvd. (pet friendly)
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Clevelan Avon - 39050 Colorado Ave
• Woodspring Suites Cleveland Avon - 1610 Moore Rd
• Best Western Inn Elyria - 636 Griswold Rd
• Courtyard Elyria - 1755 Travelers Lane
• Quality Inn Elyria - 739 Leona St.
• Holiday Inn Express Cleveland Vermillion - 2417 OH-60
• Days Inn Cleveland Lakewood - 12019 Lake Ave
• Hotel Oberlin - 10 College St.
• Motel 6 Celveland West-Lorain-Amherst - 704 N Leavitt Rd
• Aloft Cleveland Airport - 5550 Great Northern Blvd
• Radisson Hotel Cleveland Airport West - 25070 Country Club Blvd
• Best Western Airport Inn & Suites Cleveland - 16501 Snow Road
• Hampton Inn North Olmsted Cleveland Airport - 24601 Country Club Blvd 

Elyrians interested in making other housing arrangements at a hotel may call at 1-800-915-9161 or email ohlodging@nisource.com .   The shelter established at Eastern Heights Junior High School -  528 Garford Avenue will remain open until service has been restored to all three zones.

THE UPDATE FROM EARLIER FRIDAY WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ZONES IS BELOW:

The below information is the latest update as of NOON on Friday November 30, 2018 regarding the Elyria gas outage situation.  Columbia Gas is working to restore approximately 2,100 customers currently without natural gas service.   

At this time, there are an estimated 240 Columbia employees and third-party contractors in Elyria assisting with the restoration efforts.

The first step in this process is to shut off service to all affected properties, which has been completed. The next step is to purge the system to remove all air from the lines. After this has been completed, we will slowly reintroduce gas to the system and our technicians will go door-to-door and manually re-establish service to our customers.

In an effort to re-establish service in the most efficient way possible, Columbia Gas has divided the affected area into three (3) zones, which are outlined on the map attached to this email. Columbia Gas is working to re-establish service to Zone Blue (1) first, followed by Zones Yellow (2) and Pink (3).

Zone 1 - Blue

Zone 2 - Yellow

Zone 3 - Pink

Although they cannot give a specific time for when each zone will be restored, they hope to have customers in Zones Blue (1) and Yellow (2) restored by the end of the day. Unfortunately, customers in Zone Pink (3) will likely not have service until Saturday (12/1). Consequently, Columbia is targeting communications to customers in Zone Pink (3) encouraging them to find additional housing arrangements for the evening. (Columbia will reimburse customers for all reasonable housing and meals throughout the outage.)

Elyrians interested in making other housing arrangements at a hotel may call at 1-800-272-5440 or email ohlodging@nisource.com .   Another option is a shelter that has been established at Eastern Heights Junior High School -  528 Garford Avenue.   

COLUMBIA GAS UPDATE TO ELYRIA MAYOR AS OF 11/30/18 AT NOON

The below information is the latest update as of NOON on Friday November 30, 2018 regarding the Elyria gas outage situation.  Columbia Gas is working to restore approximately 2,100 customers currently without natural gas service.   

At this time, there are an estimated 240 Columbia employees and third-party contractors in Elyria assisting with the restoration efforts.

The first step in this process is to shut off service to all affected properties, which has been completed. The next step is to purge the system to remove all air from the lines. After this has been completed, we will slowly reintroduce gas to the system and our technicians will go door-to-door and manually re-establish service to our customers.

In an effort to re-establish service in the most efficient way possible, Columbia Gas has divided the affected area into three (3) zones, which are outlined on the map attached to this email. Columbia Gas is working to re-establish service to Zone Blue (1) first, followed by Zones Yellow (2) and Pink (3).

Zone 1 - Blue

Zone 2 - Yellow

Zone 3 - Pink

Although they cannot give a specific time for when each zone will be restored, they hope to have customers in Zones Blue (1) and Yellow (2) restored by the end of the day. Unfortunately, customers in Zone Pink (3) will likely not have service until Saturday (12/1). Consequently, Columbia is targeting communications to customers in Zone Pink (3) encouraging them to find additional housing arrangements for the evening. (Columbia will reimburse customers for all reasonable housing and meals throughout the outage.)

Elyrians interested in making other housing arrangements at a hotel may call at  1-800-915-9161 or email ohlodging@nisource.com .   Another option is a shelter that has been established at Eastern Heights Junior High School -  528 Garford Avenue.   

Columbia Gas Situation Update in Elyria - Nov. 29, 2018

UPDATE: THE SHELTER HAS BEEN MOVED TO EASTERN HEIGHTS SCHOOL - 528 GARFORD AVE. - TO ALLOW FOR HOT SHOWERS.  MORE UPDATES WHEN AVAILABLE.

The City of Elyria Mayor’s Office was informed this afternoon that during routine maintenance by Columbia Gas, air was discovered in a gas line.  Columbia Gas said it did not know how the air was introduced to the line.  As a result, approximately 2,500 Columbia Gas customers will go without gas for between 24 – 48 hours.   

The City of Elyria has been working with Lorain County Emergency Management and the Red Cross.  A shelter has been opened at Eastern Heights School – 528 Garford Ave. for residents.  Those who need assistance or transportation to the shelter should call (440) 284-0357.  The Elyria Fire Department is urging resident NOT to use auxiliary heating methods.  The Red Cross is prepared to open additional shelters if the demand exists. 

According to Columbia Gas, customers in the impacted area who need alternative housing other than the East Park Recreation Center can email ohlodging@nisource.com or call 1-800-915-9161.

 

Click to Enlarge

Customers in the Eastern Heights area are affected.  Please see the attached map for exact boundaries.  Columbia Gas is working to turn off the valves at the customer meters so that natural gas can be reintroduced into the distribution delivery system. Following that, Columbia Gas crews will begin the process of restoring service to customers.

Columbia Gas crews from other locations around the state are arriving in the area to assist with the restoration of service.  Columbia Gas says employees will work non-stop to restore service and relight appliances in homes and businesses.

Restoration of service requires Columbia Gas crews to access impacted customers’ homes to complete a safety inspection and relight appliances. This could take approximately 30 minutes per home. Impacted customers need to be advised of the following:

By law and for your safety, Columbia Gas employees and contractors are capable of restoring service.

An adult must be present at the home to allow Columbia Gas workers to restore service.

Impacted customers are advised to keep their porch light on.

If impacted customers are planning to leave their homes, please leave contact information on your door or with a neighbor so that our crews can gain access to the home to reestablish service.

Columbia Gas employees and contractors carry photo IDs and will be happy to show them on request.

Customers that have special needs or medical concerns should contact Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077. Customers worried about frozen pipes are advised to keep cold water dripping from any faucet in the home. Even a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing.

Updates will be available throughout the day on the Columbia Gas web site here, via Twitter @columbiagasohio, and on Facebook. from my iPhone

Elyria Festival of Lights - December 1, 2018!

Bring the entire family and join the City of Elyria and our partners for a fun-filled day of holiday events and activities designed to bring a smile to every age. All offerings in Ely Square, Elyria City Hall and Finwood Estate

are FREE and open to the public and are being made possible through the generous donations of individuals and organizations and the Findley Trust. This year’s celebration will bring back many of the traditions you remember from the past, including the children’s petting zoo complete with A GENUINE REINDEER, AND NEW THIS YEAR, LIVE CAMEL RIDES!

Events will start at Elyria City Hall at 3:00pm with crafts, caroling, movies, a caricature artist, free gift bags for the first 500 children and Mayor Brinda’s FREE Storybook Giveaway!

Grace Community Church will once again be providing free outerwear for children inside City Hall, and the Elyria ArtWorks on Broad Street will be open until 4:00pm for you to browse the works of local artists!

Downtown Elyria Events

3:00-5:00pm

• Ice Sculpting - Watch a sculptor transform a block of ice into a holiday sculpture before your eyes!

• **FREE GIFT BAGS TO THE FIRST 500 CHILDREN!**


• Kids Crafts - Make a holiday craft in City Hall


• Kids Holiday Movies - Warm up in City Hall to watch some classic holiday movies and specials!


• Caricature Artist - Add some cheer to your holiday with a free caricature portrait of your children or your whole family!

Mayor Brinda’s Storybook Giveaway

• The first 500 children will receive their choice of a FREE book courtesy of the Mayor!

3:00-6:00pm

• Children’s Petting Zoo - Ely Square will come alive with real animals for your child’s petting pleasure, including: a camel, pygmy goats, a yak, Shetland sheep, alpacas , A REAL REINDEER, AND NEW THIS YEAR, LIVE CAMEL RIDES!
• Caroling & Group Performances: Hear the joyous sounds of the season from a variety of choral, dance and music groups!
• Story Time - Meet The Grinch Who Stole Christmas: The Elyria Public Library shares some holiday classics and your favorite holiday characters will be in Ely Square and City Hall

3:00pm

• Coat, Scarf, Hat & Glove Giveaway - Grace Community Church will be providing free outerwear for children in Elyria City Hall
  

5:00-5:30pm - Santa's Arrival!

5:30-7:00pm - Meet Santa in the Sunrise Rotary Santa House on Ely Square!

11:00am-4:00pm

•  The Elyria Arts Council Gallery- 336 Broad Street – locals artists and craftspeople will display artwork, jewelry, crafts and sculptures for display and sale!

Holiday at Finwood Estate Events (799 N. Abbe by LCCC)

6:00-9:00pm: December 1 thru December 23 - (drive-thru through January 2)


North Park Ice Arena Events

December 3rd - 901 Duffy St.

1:00 – 3:00pm & 7:00 - 9:00pm: Open Skate: Youth $3, Adults $4, Skate Rental $3

A Thanksgiving Message from Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda

Another year is passing, and on behalf of the City of Elyria and all of our employees, we would like to express our most sincere appreciation to our residents, businesses, organizations and others for all of your support during this special season of Thanksgiving and all year long.

As volunteers work with our employees to help us prepare for the holidays here at City Hall, it is easy to remember how fortunate we are to live and work in this caring community.  There are so many wonderful people who go the extra mile to make Elyria a very special place to call home.  If you are an Elyrian, you are part of the Elyria family.  We take care of each other.  

Your Mayor, and all of your city employees, recognize that we are here to serve you, the citizens.  Please know, we take this charge very seriously and make every attempt to carry out our duties with care, compassion, enthusiasm and great humility.  I feel privileged to work with the committed and hard-working City of Elyria employees every day, and we feel that same privilege serving the proud, hard-working citizens of Elyria.

The Holidays are just beginning, and I wish you all a wonderful season full of joy, hope, peace and some well-earned time with the people most important to you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elyria: Thank You for Supporting Issue 25

On behalf of the City of Elyria, I would like to express our most sincere appreciation to our residents for their support of Issue 25.  Please know, your vote of confidence is taken very seriously and we pledge to continue to do all we can to provide the highest quality city services at the most affordable cost. 

It is a very exciting time to be a resident or business in Elyria.  Our community continues to invest in itself and as a result, others are investing in our community.  In all, there is over $400 million of development happening in Elyria right now! 

The resurgence is real and the momentum is growing with new public schools and a new stadium; new and renovated library facilities and the courthouse; new infrastructure including roads, streets and streetscapes, bridges and sewers; renovated parks; a new downtown arts district and more. 

The Midway area is improving with better Mall access, two new hotels, a new power sports business, and a new commercial development about to start on the former bridge property.  The Chestnut Commons area will see another major development in the next 18 months.  And, for the first time in many years, Elyria will see 350 new housing starts. 

And even more significant, our overall business climate is improving, our manufacturers are booming and our residents are working.  With your continued support, your city stands strong and ready to evolve, grow, innovate and make way for the new.  The best is yet to come!

    

Holly C. Brinda, Mayor

City of Elyria

131 Court Street, Suite 301

Elyria, Ohio  44035

(440) 326-1402 

2018 Leaf Pickup Program - Including Raking Services for Seniors

The City of Elyria FALL 2018 LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM is underway and will run from Monday, October 22 through Saturday, December 1.  Leaves should be raked to the curb in piles, but not in the street.  No brush, twigs, or other materials should be mixed with the leaves, as these items may cause safety hazards and will clog the vacuum equipment, slowing the collection process.
 
A special service will again be provided this year.  If you are a senior citizen unable to rake your leaves because of an illness or physical disability you are eligible to sign up for FREE LEAF RAKING SERVICE by calling the Mayor’s Office Leaf Program Hotline  at 326-1415 by November 2.  This service is being made possible through the generosity of student volunteers from Elyria High School and Elyria Catholic High School.  It was the brain-child of Keenan Williams, assistant manager of the Elyria Street Department.  Mr. Williams has been working with the schools to coordinate the effort.  The first 50 citizens to sign up will be eligible for the service.
 
As for the community-wide leaf collection October 22 – December 1, crews will cover the entire city and will concentrate first on areas with mature trees.  There is no set schedule for collection, as weather conditions, equipment and personnel fluctuate day-to-day.  We ask for your patience and understanding.  Regardless of the weather, no leaves will be collected after December 1.  Any leaves remaining on the curb lawn after December 1 must be bagged (brown bags only) and left with the weekly trash pick-up.  FREE brown compost bags are available at the Mayor’s Office or the Public Utilities Office, 131 Court Street.
 
Residents are encouraged to dispose of their leaves at the Elyria Compost Center, 45 Chestnut Street.  The Center is managed by Barnes Nursery.  Details regarding their hours of operation and services can be found on the City’s website under the Sanitation Department at www.cityofelyria.org.  Leaves collected by crews are composted and not dumped into area landfills.                                                                                                                             
Please remember these important safety tips:

• Do not allow children to play in the leaves near the street or curb
• Do not place braches or other debris in the leaf piles – doing so may result in the non-collection of leaves
• Do not park vehicles on or near leave piles