As 2025 comes to a close I want to share some highlights from what has been an exciting and transformative year for the City of Avon Lake. The foundations are being laid for an amazing new chapter in our community's history.

First, we have nearly completed the second phase of the long-awaited Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) project. It will be open in December 2025. I know families are going to absolutely love their new park even as the temperatures get chillier. When the snow is flying, I hope to see families out enjoying the park's all-seasons sledding hill and the beautiful views from Laker's Lookout.

Second, we have made significant infrastructure improvements throughout the City - perhaps most notably the resurfacing and widening of Walker Road between Miller and Moore Road. But we also realize more improvements are needed. We continue to pursue innnovative funding sources for our infrastructure projects, including grant funding and the use of tax increment financing (TIF).

Last, but not least, we have made significant progress toward realizing the vision of a beautiful lakefront park at site of the former power plant. Council recently voted in favor of a real estate purchase agreement with Avon Lake Environmental Research Group (ALERG) - the company that owns the property. This is a critical first step that will give the City control of the site, bringing us closer to transforming it into an extraordinary lakefront asset for generations of Avon Lake residents, and a catalyst for further economic development. There is still much work to be done, but we are moving in the right direction.

In this challenging economic environment we have to be creative, recognize opportunities, and make smart investments to keep our City moving forward. I know there has been some misinformation about the use of TIF to finance the power plant site acquisition, particularly how it will affect our schools. I invite residents to visit our Power Plant Updates page for accurate information and a complete history of this one-in-a-generation opportunity.

My family history goes back more than 100 years in Avon Lake. This community is my home, and I feel truly honored and privileged to serve as your mayor. Thank you for your continued support.