A  Lakeshore Vision

Focusing on providing unparalleled infrastructure and amenities along an enviable shoreline

Along Ohio’s northeastern shoreline, where Lake Erie meets the community of Conneaut, an ambitious transformation is taking shape. Through this evolution, the Port of Conneaut is emerging as a vibrant combination of economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community renewal. 

“We are a Port Authority, which basically means that we have the ability to act as a means for economic 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, who are challenged with erosion issues at Turkey Creek Park, a popular destination. “It’s a beautiful wooded area. They’ve got plans for improving with more trails, but one of the issues that they’re having is beach erosion,” Trisket explains.

“Some of the things that we’re looking at as possible components to our Coastal Resilience Plan would be very applicable for their property.” The focus is on preserving natural areas and ensuring a vibrant community for residents and visitors. “And it will have a benefit overall for tourism,” she adds. 

Reimagining Conneaut as a Destination

Beyond these preservation efforts Kline shares his excitement around what this redevelopment means for the city’s future as a destination. A new marina area designed to welcome larger boats is one immediate enhancement. “It’ll allow us to bring in folks in a couple of different ways,” he explains. 

“If they’re sailing the Great Lakes, they can stop, enjoy Conneaut’s lakefront and the commercial developments we’re envisioning along the marina. Or if they want to come vacation, they can trailer up their boat and dock at one of our transient docks for a night or a month, take in the fishing, the natural beauty,  and the commercial aspects of the area.” 

Conneaut has much to discover, from its plethora of scenic trails to the world class fishing opportunities. “In Lake Erie you have walleye and perch fishing that’s exceptional,  and then steelhead fishing in Conneaut Creek,” Kline relays, sharing the story of a Japanese visitor who flew across the globe for a chance to fish for steelhead. The port supports this type of tourism with tenants like Conneaut Float and Fly, which offers guided fishing tours, fly-tying services, and kayak rentals.

The city and Port Authority have also taken steps to unify the waterfront with Conneaut’s historic downtown through the creation of the Port District. “That encompasses the neighborhoods that are immediately adjacent to the lakefront,” Kline details. 

“There’s several blocks, and within those blocks we have a number of restaurants, taverns, local shops, and bait and tackle opportunities. We have the boat rental, we rent kayaks down at the marina. We have boat repair opportunities. So, it gels nicely for the Port District to have commercial as well as residential connectivity.”

Growth, Infrastructure, and Livability

The larger goal is to make Conneaut not only a more livable city but also a place to invest, grow and raise a family. According to Trisket, there’s already a growing interest from individuals drawn to the area’s beauty and opportunity. “We’re still really early, we’re still working on the infrastructure piece to this development, the resilience plan is still in the planning stages. So, I think it’s early to say, yes, we’re going to start seeing some growth from this, but I definitely think it is the direction we’re headed,” she says. 

As far as commercial and industrial development, Trisket highlights, “We have, in my opinion, a gold mine, if you want to bring in a bigger industry. We have water access, we have major highway access, and we have rail access, all right there, in addition to natural gas pipelines and major power lines going through. If you want to bring a business to Conneaut, the infrastructure is there.”

A Deliberate, Phased Approach

On the planning side, both Kline and Trisket emphasize that the work ahead will unfold in well planned phases. The coastal resilience planning document is expected to be finalized later this year. “From there, we can take some of those ecological projects and really start working on which ones make the most sense for us feasibility wise, and which, as far as permitting and engagement with stakeholders, is going to be our best starting point,” Trisket expands. “And then from there, design, engineering, funding strategies and get them built.”

“In tandem, we are working with a couple of private developers on the next two major projects on our horizon,” adds Kline. These include the construction of a new marina section, which he says will have shovel ready drawings by the end of 2025, and a mixed-use development along nearby Naylor Drive, one of the city’s prime lakefront corridors. Additionally, city planning studies, recently updated from an earlier 2018 report, suggest that demand for hotel and boutique accommodations has grown since the pandemic pause, reinforcing the momentum behind these projects. 

“The demand has continued to grow over the years, and I think that’s going to fuel some real opportunities for development,” Kline conveys. “The city did work to get some development done at the intersection of Route 7 and Interstate 90, and those two growth opportunities are starting to spawn some subsequent growth. We have some pretty exciting opportunities here in the Conneaut area.”

A Culture of Collaboration and Growth

Kline reflects on the Port Authority’s internal evolution and the valued partnerships that continue to shape the vibrant vision for the Port of Conneaut. “Terri is an example of somebody who came to the Port Authority looking for an opportunity but then has blossomed in such an incredible way in a relatively short period of time,” he shares. “We have a new city manager, and he has been able to bring a renewed sense of excitement for development in the area.”

He also remarks on  the strength of broader collaboration, mentioning the importance of key partners like the City of Conneaut and the Ashtabula County Commissioners. “They are constantly beating the drum about Ashtabula County, Conneaut in particular, and we are seeing more and more people coming in, seeing the advantages of doing business in the area. There’s a sense of excitement, along with the potential that we see here.”

As the Port of Conneaut continues to move forward, it is propelled by people who believe in its future. Trisket imparts, “There is so much potential for what this can grow to be. In the height of summer, I would say it’s bustling and vibrant. It’s busy down there in the best possible way. When I look at our lakefront, I see this gem waiting to be polished. It is ready. It has all of the natural beauty. And if we can just add a little bit here, spruce a little bit here, we could have something that is a showpiece.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Conneaut Port Authority

What: A hub of economic development and environmental stewardship, poised for vibrant transformation.

Where: Conneaut, Ohio

Website: www.conneautportauthority.com