GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE —
The Ashtabula County Convention Facilities Authority (CFA) on Friday approved spending up to $5,500 to move forward on two aspects of the Chestnut Grove project.
Chestnut Grove is a green space to the east of the lodge and part of the grounds the county leases from Ohio. It draws its name from the many chestnut trees that once stood on the lakefront parcel. Many of the trees there are dead or dying.
The CFA last year began discussing ways to improve the area, which is used by both lodge guests and the general public. Building and grounds Chairman James Pearson suggested a new strain of disease-resistant chestnut trees be planted there, along with other hardwood trees native to the state.
But Commissioner Dan Claypool told the CFA that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources must sign off on any plans and the agency needs to see an engineering’s plans and rendering to do that. Claypool said Smolen Engineering has agreed to prepare those documents at a cost estimated between $2,500 and $3,000.
The plans will take into account tree plantings, sidewalks and restrooms, but not the detailed engineering required to build and connect the restrooms to existing sanitary sewer lines.
The authority approved spending up to $3,000 for the service. It also took up the question of building a sidewalk between the lodge parking lot and the Chestnut Grove lot. The 100-foot stretch is estimated to cost about $2,500. CFA members plan to seek funding and in-kind assistance with the project from the village.
“The worst case, we’re out $2,500 to $3,000,” Chairwoman Holly Mayernick said.
The CFA wants to have the rendering ready by mid-July, when the Chestnut Grove Reunion will be held at the resort community (July 18-22). The reunion is a re-connection opportunity for baby boomers who spent many carefree summer days staying at Chestnut Grove with their parents. The CFA sees the reunion as an opportunity to raise cash for the grove’s restoration by soliciting donations and memorials from the nostalgic crowd.
Claypool told the CFA members that the restroom will cost between $30,000 and $40,000, plus the cost of connecting it to public sewers. He said a grant with a maximum award of $19,000 has been identified, but it requires a 1:1 match.
The CFA probably would be called upon to provide those dollars. The grant won’t be awarded until spring 2013.
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