City voices support for stadium upgrades

Timing, money could be tricky, mayor says

The city of Lorain could help Lorain City Schools pay for a makeover to George Daniel Field — if the money is available.

But the timing could be tricky as school district and city officials work out their budgets, said Mayor Chase Ritenauer, and funding is not guaranteed.

On Oct. 16, Ritenauer discussed a project to remodel the Home of the Titans in his report to Lorain City Council.

He cited conversations with Lorain Schools Chief Executive Officer David Hardy Jr. and Superintendent Dr. Jeff Graham, who did not attend the meeting. In September, school district officials acknowledged they are pondering ideas and partnerships about a stadium project.

Lorain Schools could apply for a $250,000 grant from the National Football League to pay for a rehabilitation of the stadium located at 2601 Oberlin Ave., Ritenauer said.

The NFL would match up to $250,000 for the stadium if local money is available, he said.

The repairs to George Daniel Field could cost an estimated $650,000, the mayor said.

The city of Lorain does not

have general fund money to commit, Ritenauer said, but he noted Lorain could use future Community Development Block Grant money to match the funding needed for the stadium, with the school district contributing about $150,000.

The school district aims to apply for the grant soon, so Ritenauer said he wanted to know Council’s feelings about the issue.

Councilman-at-Large Joe Koziura, who is chairman of the Finance and Claims Committee, said he would consider supporting the project.

Koziura also commended efforts of the new Lorain Schools Alumni Association to raise money to help the schools.

Ward 8 Councilman Joshua Thornsberry, Ward 7 Councilman Joe Faga, Ward 3 Councilwoman Pamela Carter, Ward 5 Councilwoman JoAnne Moon, Councilwoman-at-Large Mary Springowski and Councilman-at-Large Mitch Fallis, a former school board member, all voiced their support for such a plan.

Ward 6 Councilman Angel Arroyo Jr. said the stadium renovation could be great, but noted the city is committing federal block grants to Oakwood Park in South Lorain.

“That’s my only concern, with taking some of those funds from Oakwood Park,” Arroyo said.

Depending on what happens in Washington, Ritenauer noted Lorain has no guarantee of future Community Development Block Grant money.

City officials in Lorain and around the nation have pondered what might happen to the program, known as CDBG funding, under the direction of President Trump, Ritenauer said.

The city does not know how much Block Grant money will come until a federal budget is approved, he added.

Graham confirmed the NFL offers a grant of $250,000.

“But I can’t speak to anything specific as it relates to Lorain City School District,” he said, referring further questions to Hardy.

Hardy said nothing was confirmed for the district this year.

“We have additional financial priorities — like stabilizing the health care costs that I inherited — to take care of first,” he said. “I want to make sure the wellbeing of all of our employees is prioritized.”

Lorain attorney Anthony Giardini, who with attorney Henry Patterson heads the Lorain Schools Alumni Association, said he is not sure about a possible grant from professional athletic organizations.

Reporter Carol Harper contributed to this story.