ELYRIA GETS FINAL APPROVAL ON MALL AREA PROJECT; TWO NEW BUSINESSES OPEN; 9/11 REMEMBRANCE WEDNESDAY

The City of Elyria received fantastic news this afternoon!  The Ohio Turnpike Commission gave the final approval to Elyria’s Route 57/49^th St. Bridge Reconfiguration project slated to begin in 2014 and be completed in 2016.  The $28 million infrastructure project will remedy a high crash zone by modifying the existing I-90/SR 57 interchange, incorporating a diamond interchange with traffic signals at ramp intersections that will move 620 feet north, removing the 49^th Street Bridge overpass by Midway Mall and the ramps to Griswold Road and Midway Mall Boulevard. It will also widen SR 57 to six lanes between the Ohio Turnpike and I-90, widen Midway Mall Boulevard to four lanes and a left turn lane, bring Griswold Road to current design standards and add sidewalks and relocate the existing frontage roads.  Moreover, there are a number of anticipated job creation and long-term economic benefits to the project as well.  Here are the details:

Project Cost/City Investment:

• Total anticipated cost: $28 million
• City of Elyria’s investment: $1,880,369

Vital to Safety and Helpful to Our Economic Future

• Improvements to safety to remedy high crash zone
• Improved access/barrier removal between I-90 and the Turnpike
• Improved access to Midway Mall, local hotels, restaurants and strip retail areas
• Improved access to industrial park
• Improves the appears and function of a commercially viable area as demonstrated by new or improved businesses in the past three years: McDonald’s, Olive Garden, Verizon, Chipolte, Hampton Inn and others
• Aesthetic improvement to City and Mall entrance will retain and expand retail and other development
• Opens the westside of Elyria to future development of 140 acres
• Local and regional employment opportunities in construction trades
• Sales increases to local and in-region construction firms
• Increase in City of Elyria tax base from construction
• Serves as a catalyst for the Mall area Redevelopment Plan

Todays’ Topics: Reducing Energy Costs, Summer Fun and Great Employees

Energy Saving

Carl recently emailed to inquire about how the City of Elyria is addressing energy costs.  Here is what I explained to him. The City of Elyria has entered into two cooperative purchasing agreements with North Shore Energy.  The first agreement was entered into in 2012 to purchase electricity for our larger consumers like wastewater treatment and the water plant.  This agreement saved the City $36,000 in 2012 and is expected to save the City $903,935 through 2015. 

I signed a second agreement last month with North Shore Energy for cooperative purchasing of natural gas.  The intent of this agreement is to lock in a cost for the City for three years, as the price of natural gas is expected to rise.  Forecasters are expecting natural gas prices to increase as Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is exported and Compressed Natural gas (CNG) is used for truck fleets and other purposes.  In addition, new electric power plants are being constructed that run on natural gas.  This will create a huge demand.  By the City fixing the price for an extended period, we can remove the risk of volatility and allow for better budget planning.  While an analysis found that the City is likely to save $5,650 over the next three years – which is not much, without price-fixing we could see a much greater risk of escalating costs based on a historic look back at Natural Gas Commodity bare prices.      

More Summer Fun in Downtown Elyria

While the summer is winding down, the fun in Elyria Square continues in downtown Elyria.  Mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:

• August 15:  Summer Concert from 11:30am – 1:00pm featuring Rich Gallo
• August 30: An Evening of Bluegrass Music featuring local bands – 5:00pm - dusk
• August 31: Warm-Up Music followed by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra – 5:00pm - dusk
• September 1: St. Andrews Jazz & Blues festival – 1:00 – 7:00pm
• September 20 – 22: Elyria Apple Festival

Don’t wait.  Start thinking about what you are going to enter in the pie baking contest Saturday, September 21 at 10:00am at First Place Bank.  The first place prize is $25.00, second place is $15.00 and third place is $10.00.  Bragging rights – priceless!  For more information call (440) 324-2000. 

Vibrant NEO 2040

You’re Invited to Create a More Vibrant, Resilient and Sustainable Northeast Ohio

This Weekend it’s Classic Cars, Great Music and Little League Bliss

Photo courtesy of the Chronicle Telegram.

The skies have cleared and the weather has cooled down a few degrees, and that means it’s going to be a great weekend to spend some time in downtown Elyria!  A couple of annual events have lined up again this year to provide all the entertainment you need on Sunday, July 28^th.   Donna’s Diner Classic Car Show starts off the day and runs from noon until 3:00pm.  If you have a classic car you want to show off or just want to see some vintage Detroit steel, bring your friends and family downtown on Sunday.  Cars will be displayed on the street around Ely Square, and Donna’s Diner will have hot dogs, a 50/50 raffle, and music by Johnny Aces and the Wingmen.

At 6:00pm on Sunday, The Elyria Parks and Recreation Department is proud to bring you “Rockin’ in the Park,” a FREE CONCERT in The Square featuring Massillon-based band LA FLAVOUR in the Ely Park Gazebo, performing a medley of favorites from the 50’s, 60’s,  Disco Era and more!  Hershey’s Ice Cream will be on site to keep everyone well-fed and full of energy for the show. 

 Finally, we want to say congratulations to the Elyria East 11 and 12 year-old Little League Softball Allstars.  They won two big games on Thursday to secure a Regional Championship and a chance to play in the Little League World Series!  They have a few weeks off before heading to Portland, Oregon to play the host-team on August 8^th.  Great job, girls!  The entire City of Elyria will be rooting for you!

PS- There will be some parking/driving changes downtown on Sunday to accommodate the car show.  Second Street between Court and West will run as a two-way street on the day of the show to give access to Ely Square, similar to the setup for the Apple Festival. Have a great weekend!