Future Concepts Open House: Coke Site
Port Authority shares three possible layouts for the remediation project with the public
On Oct. 8 the Erie Port Authority hosted an open house at their office to further discuss plans and receive input on the redevelopment of the former Erie Coke site from the public and port stakeholders. The organization held the first meetings last February, gathering ideas and concerns from the community about the site.
Deputy Executive Director Anna Frantz explained the three possible layout plans which were introduced at the open house, created in part from the ideas shared during the meetings in February. The three plans presented included a recreation-focus, a recreational and industrial mix, and a balanced mix. Since there was a repeated desire for recreation space during the meetings in February, green space took up some portion of the area in each plan.
Attendees were encouraged to place pins on the parts of the plans they liked, disliked, or were uncertain about and had the opportunity to explain their reasoning or write other comments on sticky notes.
Based on the feedback, community members reacted positively to the possibility of an expanded waterfront park at the northmost point of the site and the expansion of the bayfront parkway bike path and trail.
Director of Planning and Development of Millcreek Township Matthew Waldinger expressed concern about overt industrial development on the site. "Maybe we want to move away from that and open it up for the public," Waldinger said.
Democratic nominee for County Executive Christina Vogel also weighed in, emphasizing that the community seems most interested in green space and recreation.
According to the notes left by attendees, people's concerns center around the safety of the area, the cleanup, and funding opportunities. "The remediation of the site and fixing the damage – it is going to take quite a while before they can do any of this," Waldinger said.
The Erie Port Authority has an online form to continue to collect feedback on the proposed plans until Oct. 30, 2025 at Former Erie Coke Site Scenarios.
