work together,” he adds, emphasizing the tight-knit camaraderie that defines local governance. But the mayor doesn’t stop there. He quickly shifts the spotlight to Huron’s residents, describing them as the city’s “golden nugget.”“It’s always been a tight community,” he says. “Huron’s population of just under 7,000 residents jumps significantly during the summer months. It’s that much vacation time here.” Whether attending events, enjoying the markets on Main Street, or relaxing at the parks and beaches, locals and visitors form the heartbeat of Huron’s identity. The city’s position along Lake Erie provides natural beauty and year-round recreational opportunities, but Mayor Tapp is keen to note its broader advantages. “We’re centrally located,” he says,“basically between Cleveland, Toledo, and Columbus.” This accessibility attracts families looking to settle down and bolsters the city’s thriving tourism industry. In fact, the mayor points to the growing popularity of Huron’s sports facilities and fishing tournaments, which draw visitors from across the region. “We don’t just have local fishing tournaments,” he explains. “In recent years, Huron has hosted both national and regional fishing tournaments, such as, Cabela’s National Walleye Tournament and the Master Walleye Circuit, and regionally, the Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament and Championship.” BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO DOWNTOWN HURON Huron’s downtown is experiencing a transformation that blends its historic charm with a vision for the future. City Manager Matt Lasko acknowledges the challenges Huron faced after much of its original downtown was torn down during urban renewal.“We had a great historic downtown that was unfortunately dismantled during that time, and we’ve been at a disadvantage since,” he explains. Recognizing this, the city prioritized downtown redevelopment, integrating it into its Vision 2020 plan. One of the flagship projects of this revitalization is the downtown streetscape initiative, a $3 million investment focusing on the southern portion of Main Street. According to Lasko, this effort includes “widened sidewalks, outdoor dining areas, landscaping,” and a critical connection to the city’s bike path, linking two previously separate segments. These infrastructure upgrades are designed to support community interaction while attracting more foot traffic to Main Street. Lasko notes that the city prioritizes infill development, such as townhouse projects and mixed-use buildings, to ensure a wellrounded downtown that meets diverse needs. Huron’s Main Street tells a story of two halves. Lasko describes the northern portion as an area already benefiting from infrastructure revitalization, with 175 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 HURON, OH
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