Aurora will demolish some Geauga Lake structures and apply for a state grant
- Wendy DiAlesandro ,
On the heels of approving a multimillion purchase of all of Geauga Lake and 48 acres of lakefront property, Aurora City Council on Sept. 30 approved an agreement with the Portage County Land Bank to demolish structures on the newly acquired property.
With the agreement in place, Aurora can apply for a $415,000 state grant from the Ohio Department of Development Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The city has committed $135,000 in matching funds.
The city plans to develop a public park on the property, which includes part of the former SeaWorld/Wildwater Kingdom property.
Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin could not specify how many structures may be slated for demolition. The city has hired MKSK, a Columbus-based planning, urban design and landscape architect firm, to provide advice as to what can and cannot be saved.
Land Bank Executive Director Dan Morganti said some walkways and underground utilities that previously had functional uses when the property operated as an amusement park may also be removed.
Womer Benjamin could not say when grant recipients will be announced.
Wendy DiAlesandro
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.