Lorain backs Black River Landing upgrades

LORAIN — Upgrades to Black River Landing won the city's financial support Monday evening. Lorain City Council voted unanimously to allocate $995,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds toward a proposed amphitheater and other upgrades to the Lorain Port Authority's Black River Landing site. The project, first unveiled in August, could see a new oval-shaped stage closer to the river and space to accommodate 20,000 people, as well as improved green space and a connection to Broadway. In September when Lorain Port Authority Executive Director Tom Brown presented to the county commissioners, the renovations estimated $12 million to remake Black River Landing. Council also approved an agreement between the Lorain Port Authority and JATT Riverside LLC for the use of the Riverside Park Marina Building on Alabama Avenue. Formerly home to the LoCo 'Yaks, the Port Authority began accepting proposals for the new space last year, spurred by calls the Port Authority received about the building. The Lorain Port Authority has a long-term lease on Riverside Park Marina from the city of Lorain. As part of that lease, LPA is able to sublease the property to other entities. The new lease for the next five years is owned by Jeffrey Neal, who plans to have a commercial venture in the space, including a slushie bar and restaurant, with dockage for boaters. The restaurant and slushie bar would plan to serve alcoholic beverages, and the park itself, including its parking lot, would remain open to the public. South Lorain bank Council members also discussed Northwest Bank's decision to close its Pearl Avenue branch on April 13. Rey Carrion, D-6th Ward, said the south side has seen 100 years of neglect, and the branch's closure will only compound the issue for residents who bank with Northwest and lack transportation. He requested the same energy the city put into its economic development projects, to be put into bringing a local banking industry to South Lorain, alongside other needs like a full-service grocery store. Mayor Jack Bradley noted the city was one of nine in the country to receive a Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a plan to revitalize Lorain Metropolitan Housing's Southside Gardens. That planning grant could eventually net the city $50 million to implement improvements to the housing authority's property and the surrounding neighborhood. Mary Springowski, D-at Large, asked council to draft a letter to Northwest Bank expressing its concerns, and threatening to pull their personal accounts from the company if it leaves the underserved community. Mitchell Fallis, D-at Large, who worked for the local predecessor to Northwest Bank, said banks look at their branches and the number of deposits they want to see, and consolidate based on how utilized a branch is — but noted a smaller institution may be a better fit in that area. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.