Revitalizing Conneaut's Waterfront: A Master Plan for Economic Growth, Recreation, and Coastal Resilience

In 2022, recognizing new economic opportunities and guided by a vision for a more vibrant waterfront, the Conneaut Port Authority (CPA) initiated planning for the revitalization of its marina.

CPA retained ECT to develop the Marina Master Plan—a comprehensive vision that integrates economic development, recreation, ecological restoration, and climate resilience into a unified strategy for the waterfront. The Master Plan establishes a framework for transforming the marina into a resilient, accessible, and economically vibrant destination while protecting the area’s valuable natural resources.

The project’s objectives included:

• Protecting critical coastal resources by incorporating resilience strategies that address current and future climate impacts.
• Stimulating economic growth by attracting new businesses, investment, residents, and visitors while creating opportunities for waterfront dining, recreation, tourism, and community events.
• Enhancing public access and recreation through improved transportation connections, pedestrian infrastructure, boardwalks, and amenities for birdwatching, boating, and nature-based recreation.
• Restoring and protecting natural resources in alignment with regional, state, and federal environmental priorities, reinforcing the city’s role as a steward of the Great Lakes.
• Creating a signature waterfront destination that serves residents and visitors alike while providing a model for sustainable waterfront redevelopment throughout the region.

In addition to leading the planning effort, ECT provided funding strategy and grant development support. These efforts helped position CPA to secure a subsequent award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF), advancing the next phase of coastal resilience planning.