Developer buys Geauga Lake land, announces Menards coming to Bainbridge
Pursuing an amicable resolution of authorized action above zoning with Bainbridge Township, Industrial Business Homes LLC has ordered the 377-acre home that was the former property of Geauga Lake Amusement Park and Sea Environment of Ohio in Bainbridge and Aurora.
The to start with corporation to be element of The Geauga Lake District will be Menards, a national household advancement store, which will occupy 24 acres and will open up in early 2022.
The Menards retail outlet will signify a multi-million-dollar expense in the district and will be the retailer’s third retail store in northeast Ohio and the company’s to start with on the east aspect of Cleveland. Existing shops close by are situated in Cuyahoga Falls and Brimfield, and a distribution and producing facility is planned for Ravenna.
>> Extra:Bainbridge, Aurora JEDD opens Geauga Lake land to redevelopment
Bainbridge Township Trustee Jeff Markley mentioned the legal motion was in no way confrontational and was required mainly because the township’s board of zoning appeals did not want to approve large variances building it probable to construct the Menards.
“We went into it understanding we would work it out,” he spelled out. “Between the township and ICP, we knew we ended up heading to get issues attained.”
The variances at challenge ended up a person permitting development of a massive box shop on the house and a further allowing a multi-story residential developing with no professional or retail on the first ground, he described.
On Sept. 28, Bainbridge and Aurora the two unanimously accredited the development of a Joint Economic Improvement District for the internet site that results in an profits and tax sharing arrangement concerning the communities and phone calls for Aurora to offer h2o and sewer utilities to the house.
“ICP was instrumental in facilitating the finalization of a joint financial improvement district agreement concerning Bainbridge and Aurora, which lays the groundwork for the long run redevelopment of the Geauga Lake and Sea Planet property in Bainbridge,” mentioned Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin. “I am happy that the company has now successfully obtained the home, and my hope is that the land can, as soon as yet again, turn into an economic producer to profit the whole region.”
In accordance to the consent judgement entry from the Geauga County Popular Pleas Courtroom, the functions intend to amend the agreement, adding a landscaping program for Menards and additional information in the potential as strategies develop into clearer.
“It is with a excellent faith belief and intent of the functions that a much more thorough CJE with much more detailed reveals regarding acquiring the balance of the property will be submitted to the court for acceptance within just somewhere around one particular hundred twenty (120) times from the day of the submitting of this CJE,” states the judgement entry published by Geauga County Popular Pleas Decide Carolyn Paschke.
Bainbridge trustees also introduced a statement saying the public private partnership in between the township and ICP.
“The board is aware that the house will under no circumstances be the very same but are mindful of the tens of thousands of people that celebrate the heritage and keep the reminiscences of Geauga Lake and Sea World alive on social media,” reads information launch from the trustees. “Bainbridge is fully commited to reclaim this discarded house and help to generate a tribute to what was at the time a beloved place for so several.”
The residence will be rebranded as The Geauga Lake District with components of style and design that will fork out homage to the background of the site and the former amusement park, which operated from 1887-2007.
“We are reigniting this legendary landmark,” claimed Chris Semarjian, proprietor of ICP. “The redevelopment of this web site will not only develop a entirely functioning district exactly where people today can are living, function, dine and recreate, but it will also have a broader impact on economic growth and position creation for the region.”
The Geauga Lake District will include things like retail, places to eat, residential and other commercial employs. The construction of a new Geauga Lake Boulevar will join Route 43 to Depot Highway and will element a roller coaster style feature in the median.
“Many of us that grew up in northeast Ohio have fond memories of the park, and it was vital to our progress group, the trustees and the mayor [of Aurora] that we respect the extraordinary historical past of the house and get excellent treatment in creating design and style elements like the signage, landscaping, lighting and other public improvements at the web site,” mentioned Chris Salata, ICP’s main operating officer. “With higher residential density prepared for our residence and Pulte’s undertaking underneath design in Aurora, the desire for commercial customers will be potent.”
ICP is actively advertising the web page to stores, restaurants, residential and other business consumers.
Reporter Bob Gaetjens can be achieved at 330-541-9440, [email protected] and @bobgaetjens_rc.
