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By Ed Hauser
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| Photo: © 2000 Ed Hauser and Friends of Whiskey Island |
What a difference 2 months makes! In the March/April newsletter,
I wrote a brief history of Cleveland's lakefront and about the
continued threat of losing the county's Whiskey Island public
property to the Port Authority. The article covered the time
from Cleveland's founding over 200 years ago through the activities
over the last 2 years. I am happy to inform you that after nine
years, the debate regarding the future land uses of Whiskey Island
was finalized. Cleveland's waterfront renaissance began March
1, 2007.
County Commissioner Tim Hagan put the Port Authority's plan
to build a gravel dock on Whiskey Island Marina to rest during
the public comment period at their March 1 board meeting.
Commissioner Hagan told me, "Ed, it's not going to happen;
everybody is opposed to it. All three commissioners are opposed
to it.
So you can leave here comforted by the fact the marina is
not going to be buried in. The mayor has already signed off on
it. We're all done with that. The issue is over with. So,
please
don't give us a lecture about it again. We're done with it."
The county owns Wendy Park, a 20-acre parkland with the only
natural beach in downtown Cleveland, and Whiskey Island Marina,
a 500 recreational boat public access marina. Finally, the
county can continue its Great Lakes restoration success story
without the constant threat of the Port Authority trying to
build a gravel dock on the marina, which would have destroyed
this wonderful public waterfront. However, the Port Authority
postponed releasing its Port Relocation Study until this summer,
which will address the expansion on Whiskey Island.
Cleveland's Waterfront Renaissance Begins!
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| Photo: © 2000 Ed Hauser and Friends of Whiskey Island |
After nine years of debate, everyone agrees Wendy Park, Whiskey
Island Marina, and the historic Coast Guard Station will
be used for public purposes - forever! Everyone also agrees
to extend the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail through
the Flats to Wendy Park and terminating the 110 mile trail
at the historic Coast Guard Station, where our American
Heritage River greets our Great Lake!
This is a huge breakthrough because the synergy between all
these Whiskey Island assets is essential to realizing the full
potential of this urban oasis in the heart of Cleveland and
for our waterfront heritage. The completion of the parkland
and beach restoration along with the eventual restoration and
public access to the historic Coast Guard Station will truly
be the beginning of Cleveland's waterfront renaissance.
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The City of Cleveland's 
Do you know of a local environmental issue in need
of attention? Do you have inside information on what's
going on in your city or township? With over 5,000
members in Northeast Ohio we count on you to be the
Club's eyes and ears of the region. While the Federal
government and large corporations continue to wreak
havoc on our environment, it is more important than
ever before to act as watchdogs in our own backyards.
For those new to
calling state or federal representatives, it's easier and
less confrontational than it sounds. You will never
speak directly with your rep or senator - an aide
will answer the phone, take brief notes plus your name and city (sometimes), and that's it.