development in the area, not just on the waterfront,” explains Port Authority Chairperson, William Kline. “But recently, our primary focus has been on the waterfront. We have a marina that we take care of, we have several rental properties that we oversee, and we are working with private investors to bring about a new marina area and some mixed use development along the lakefront.” This revitalization is guiding the identity of Conneaut’s waterfront, blending economic opportunity with sustainable planning in a way that serves residents, attracts visitors, and draws interest from developers who see the promise in this lakeside gem. With a plan that includes a focus on environmental impact and an authentic sense of place, the Port of Conneaut is positioning itself as a destination of choice. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP At the heart of the development efforts lies the Conneaut Coastal Resilience Plan, a blueprint that integrates lakefront growth with environmental priorities. Administrative Assistant, Terri Trisket outlines, “As we develop this lakefront we need to ensure that we’re being good stewards of this beautiful natural resource that we have, and as such, we have to actively plan to have this development work in a way that is environmentally friendly.” The plan encompasses the full stretch of the Conneaut coastline and is designed with the hope that its strategies can be adopted by other lakeside communities as well.The development is thoughtful, avoiding the construction of massive stone barriers and instead opting for solutions that enhance aquatic habitats and allow natural features to flourish. Trisket notes that this includes bioretention to catch stormwater runoff and constructing features that encourage fish habitat rather than disrupt it. “We want to marry economic development with environmental protections,” she asserts. “It’s very broad, but we’re looking at erosion protection, sediment management, stormwater runoff, and wetlands protection, enhancement and development.” Public and stakeholder engagement is also a priority for the Coastal Resilience Plan, including a partnership with Ashtabula County Metro Parks, 87 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 05 CONNEAUT PORT AUTHORITY
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