Aurora Plans Mixed Use District

Would Require May 2014 Election

Former Park Property Still Not Sold

Cedar Fair Said To Want To Retain Wildwater Kingdom

No Mention of Big Dipper

http://www.auroraadvocate.com/news%20local/2013/12/25/aurora-plans-mixed-use-district-for-former-geauga-lake-property

Terp comment: There is much more here than meets the eye. Watch this space. Watch what they do, not what they say.

Interesting, however the area has no need for more retail. The land next to the park has several half vacated shopping centers, this one would sure meet the same fate. As for entertainment, what is better than an 86 year old Miller.

Interesting, however the area has no need for more retail. The land next to the park has several half vacated shopping centers, this one would sure meet the same fate. As for entertainment, what is better than an 86 year old Miller.

Having helped in some small capacity some KICers attempt to purchase the Big Dipper from the current owner a few years ago, I can tell you that the owner has no interest in selling that ride in the near future to anyone, unless that purchaser comes calling with wads of cash and a reckless abandon.

And I'm not even sure it's the so-called owner's ride to sell at this point.

I can't imagine what the right answer is for this plot of land.

Locals and their businesses lambasted the idea of a mega theme park for clogging their roads. Now half are shuttered because there's no one to visit their businesses. The idea of yet another high end outlet mall seems silly for that exact reason - the area is littered with closed businesses. The property doesn't have the accessibility to draw from the large urban areas, and the area doesn't need another outlet mall or strip mall.

Certainly the goal here is for the land owner to make money, but it gets me thinking: just because a piece of land used to have some thing doesn't mean it needs some thing else now.

In other words, if this parcel of land had always been unused swampy property alongside the lake, wouldn't it just be overlooked as some old grassy piece of unwanted real estate?

But because it used to have an amusement park, something has to go there? What sense does that make? The area doesn't need a thing and can't support a thing, but because a thing used to be there, let's try to build some thing else?

Because the property owner wants to sell the property, preferably for a gain? Because the owner wants to be shut of the potential liability and carrying costs? Because the local governments want to collect tax monies? Because the locals are jealous and resentful of Erie and Mason counties?

Terp, who likes to ask questions

Of course I understand why they'd want to unload the property. But for years its been this search for what should go there. Ultra-modern housing, outlet malls, strip maps, amusement parks... The area doesn't need it.

Highest and best use (along with location) determines value. Cedar Fair is trying to get the permissive uses of the proprty broadened in order to enhance the local quality of life, or to enhance the property's selling price. It's like why did Cedar Fair buy Geauga Lake. More than one interpretation is plausible.

I think that question may never be answered or believed if it is answered. The facts are: CF bought the property. CF closed down the dry side of the park. CF shipped out those rides.

When I lived at Kent I enjoyed driving out there to see the area, legally from the road. There is absolutely nothing bringing crowds into that area. With no traffic it took a good time to just drive out there. Another outlet mall/kohls/mall wouldnt bring many non-locals to the area.

There was a strip shopping center directly across the street. Last time I was there, it wasn't doing at all well.

Its owners and tenants were notorious for complaining about the park and the traffic it generated. They do not have that problem now.

I was there about 3-4 years ago and the area looked like a dying city.

I believe on the road toward GL from the Kent area, about 10 mins outside of Kent is a great outlet mall. Not to mention the outlet mall off of 71.... Even an outlet mall wouldnt do well there because of the lack of direct access....

What's especially telling is the constant state of construction that's surrounded the property for the last decade. Ten years ago, it was to turn one lane nameless county roads into three-lane mega highways. Today, it's to turn those mega highways back into one lane roads.

Geuaga Lake rezoning will be on the May ballot.

http://www.wksu.org/news/story/38731

http://www.co.portage.oh.us/election/20140506-Primary/11%20NTOE%20-%20Aurora%20City%20-%20Zoning%20Map%20Amd%20-%205-6-14.pdf

The official filling for those interested in such things.

The rezoning issue has passed.

http://www.auroraadvocate.com/news%20local/2014/05/06/aurora-multi-use-zoning-issue-schools-renewal-levy-portage-park-district-tax-pass

Developers eyeing up the property. Some want part of the land, others want the whole parcel.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140511/SUB1/305119983/developers-are-sizing-up-massive-geauga-lake-land

They better not tear down that waterpark!

^I'm more concerned about the 89 year old Miller acrcoss the lake.