Lakefront dining idea still in works

Leaders meet to talk about leasing the building

Plans to transform the Mentor Beach Park Pavilion into a potential restaurant are still in the works.

Mentor Economic Development Director Kevin Malecek recently met with the Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority to discuss the property and the possibility of leasing the building for an eatery.

“The Port Authority provided a preliminary lease agreement and we had some feedback on some of the terms, and they are working on changes to it before we consider it again internally,” Malecek said.

The meeting was mainly to discuss the city’s collaborations with the agency, said Peter K. Zahirsky, the Port Authority’s director of coastal development. Malecek replaced retiring Ronald M. Traub as economic development director over the summer. The proposal was largely idled by the transition and other more pressing projects, Zahirsky said.

“We met with new director Malecek to bring him up to speed on things we’re working on with the city,” he said. “The city would like information on similar arrangements and more indepth market research on lakefront dining, restaurants like that and what the potential is for revenues and demand.”

The lease would include the parking area around the building, which is often rented for events. Mentor City Council would have to approve the lease agreement.

“We would then look for a developer and operator to come in and perform the renovations to transform the space into a restaurant,” Zahirsky said.

This, too, would be subject to city approval.

Mentor-on-the-Lake leaders also would be consulted as they have zoning authority over the property, primarily used by its residents. The land, at 7779 Lake Shore Blvd., is in Mentor-on-the-Lake but is owned by Mentor. The remainder of the park would remain open to the public.

Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor David Eva said the city is considering potential zoning changes, such as creating an entertainment district or a mixed-use area including the park.

“Once we have a firm proposal for redeveloping

“Once we have a firm proposal for redeveloping the property, we will work through our planning and zoning process, and work with council to rezone the property.” — Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor David Eva

the property, we will work through our planning and zoning process, and work with council to rezone the property,” Eva said.

Zahirsky said lakefront dining is among the top requests he receives.

The Mentor administration and City Council in February held a work session about the use at Mentor Beach Park.

“It is one of our more popular rental facilities,” City Manager Ken Filipiak said, noting that it is in use about 80 nights a year, on average.

In 2016, it generated more than $37,000 in revenue. That fell to $28,400 last year, in part, because a church was no longer renting it on a regular basis.

However, the facility is operating at a loss based on maintenance and manpower costs. Mentor spent about $150,000 on replacing the roof in 2017.

The meeting between Malecek and the Port Authority also included discussion of countywide business retention and expansion visitations, and how coordination could be improved between city and Port personnel.

SUBMITTED The pavilion at Mentor Beach Park may be marketed to restaurants.