Erie residents, business owners, and community leaders gathered Thursday for the first One Bayfront Public Open House, offering ideas and feedback that will help shape the future of the city’s waterfront.
The meeting is part of an ongoing planning process led by Infinite Erie and planning firm WSP to create a long-term vision for Bayfront development. Organizers say the project is still in its early stages, with efforts currently focused on gathering public input, reviewing existing conditions, and studying previous waterfront plans.
“Very early in the process,” said Kim Thomas, executive director of Infinite Erie. “The way the team, our partnership with WSP has been working, is they’ve been spending a lot of time reviewing existing conditions of the area, of the market, as it is today. They’ve also been working to understand the many plans that have already been created over the years.”
The public open house follows a community survey and is one of several opportunities for residents to share their priorities before a formal development blueprint is created.
During the meeting, attendees discussed a range of topics, including maintaining public accessibility to the waterfront, promoting equitable development, and protecting the Bayfront’s ecological environment.
City leaders said community input will play a central role in determining what future improvements look like.
“If, for example, we heard upstairs, the youth. What is there for youth to do? Well, let’s ask the youth–what do you want? What would you like to do on our waterfront?” said Erie Mayor Daria Devlin. “Is it park spaces? Is it a space for concerts? And I think if we hear more of that, we can work it all into the plan. And this is an opportunity not to have a plan presented to you at the end, but for you to come and collaboratively help us build a plan for this waterfront.”
Representatives from the City of Erie, Infinite Erie, and WSP also highlighted the economic opportunities associated with future Bayfront development, while stressing that preserving long-standing local businesses remains a priority.
“We’re really prioritizing and protecting those small businesses that have been here for generations and that are a core part of our economic environment here in the community,” said Lori Radderspicer, the City of Erie’s chief of staff.
Organizers say additional public engagement opportunities will be held as the planning process continues, with community feedback helping guide the final vision for Erie’s Bayfront.
The next public open house will be held in the fall, and residents are encouraged to provide feedback through the virtual open house and surveys on Infinite Erie’s website.