The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Despite ‘pandemic hangover,’ projects are on the horizon
Mayor Robert Fiala presents updates at State of Cities meeting
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce hosted officials from its communities on Feb. 14 to discuss the “State of the Cities.” This is one in a series of articles detailing the speeches that were given.
Over the last 20 years, Willoughby’s operational expenses have increased between 2% and 4% per year. This year, it has increased to 8% while their revenues are only expected to increase by 4%, according to Mayor Robert Fiala.
“It doesn’t take a mathematician to do the math on this,” he said. “We’re still suffering through pandemic hangover. What that means for us is we’re going to have to tighten our belts. We’ll know better probably by mid year to see how we’re going to get through this. We’re hopeful income tax revenue will exceed what we project it will be.”
The arts and cultures initiative in Downtown Willoughby will continue as it stimulates economic development, Fiala said. This past summer, “The Bridge to Willoughby’s Future,” which has become an iconic entrance piece, opened up, and chalk art throughout downtown was another highlight.
The city is still in search of one final funding source for the Chagrin River trail, a project that will create a one-mile trail connecting Daniels Park to Todd Field. The city is hoping to see the conclusion of the project by the end of this summer.
“The larger vision is to connect to Eastlake and Lake Erie,” Fiala said. “Some mapping that was done by Chagrin Connect shows how a trail could exist beyond Willoughby. It goes to the North Chagrin Reservation and all the way to Lake Erie.”
To make river crossings on the trail, the city is in need of two bridges, which are about $500,000 each.
Planning for Osborne Park continues and is based on erosion control, as well as slope stabilization and reconstruction of native habitat.
“We’ve lost about 40 feet of Willoughby over the past years,” Fiala said. “We see this being back down to the lake where you can put your toes in the water. What’s really exciting is the long-term plan — a pavilion structure where we can continue the concerts and have a terrace step down to the lake, and the view is directly due east right where the sun sets.”
Another project on the forefront for Willoughby is its new police department. Two years ago, the city initiated studies for a station. The current building where the department is housed was built in 1975 and other than routine maintenance, not much has been invested in the building.
“The codes are constantly changing and the building now is functionally obsolete,” Fiala said. “There’s different codes for jails and we have a much larger police force than we did in 1975. As we studied this, we looked at several options — build new, the Y site. Last year, Meister Media scaled down from 120 people to 30 and decided to move out of Willoughby, and put their building for sale.”
In conversation, Economic Development Director Tom Thielman said the Meister Media building would make for great police station. It was then that Thielman and Fiala went to the police chief, and the assistant police chief.
“At first, they were a little hesitant, but once they toured the building, they thought it was a perfect match,” Fiala said. “We purchased the building on Dec. 16 of last year, a $2.5 million buy, which is about $80 a square foot. If we would build that today, it would cost $11 million.”
The new police station would be more central to the city and would allow an easier entrance and exit. The city is going to look toward its voters to help fund, through a safety levy, the renovation and additions for the building to become the new department.
“It’s going to create an ongoing fund for capital for our police and fire departments, and capital means fire trucks, police cruisers, vests, equipment for our firefighters and ambulances,” Fiala said. “That is a 2.5-mill levy and that generates, for $100,000 home, $88 per year.”
Another exciting project for Willoughby is the Van Gorder Manor being renovated into a bed and breakfast and fine dining restaurant.
“Many people have probably driven by this a thousand times and have never noticed it,” Fiala said. “Two brothers, Paul and Mike Neundorfer, purchased this building. They’re now renovating it and if you know the Neundorfers, they don’t do anything on the cheap.”
Dante Boccuzzi will also be an addition to Willoughby’s fine dining experience. The Michelin Star chef is on schedule to open a country western-themed bar and restaurant on Erie Street.
“Another big catch for us is Dukes ‘n Boots,” Fiala said. “They’re nearing completion.”