Condos to soar sky high on west side

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - A newly proposed condominium complex on the west side will go a long way toward improving the city's housing stock.

Developer Robert W. Schaefer announced Wednesday his plans for a 12-story high-rise along Sandusky Bay at Monroe and Huron streets.

The $30 million-$40 million high-rise will join the West Cove townhouse complex already on the 20-acre property being developed by RWS Development and Robert W. Schaefer Construction.

Construction on the proposed gated condo complex will start in the spring and be finished in the latter part of 2007.

"I am ecstatic about this project," Commissioner Dave Waddington said. "If we get one or two more of these developments, it will help the economy. This is great, great news."

The original plan was to build more townhouses, but because of the demand for condos, it made more sense for a high-rise with 140 units, Schaefer said at Wednesday's city press conference.

Schaefer said the popularity of the Chesapeake lofts was not as deciding as market studies indicating tourists and boaters want condos. However, year-round living will be encouraged, he said.

Condos start at $211,000, and range in size from 1,200-square-foot to 3,500-square-foot penthouses.

"There is an interest of local residents to live on the west side," Vice Mayor Dan Kaman said at Wednesday's press conference.

Kaman said potential buyers will also like the proximity of the nearby Sandusky Harbor Marina.

Six of the 12 townhouses are owned by local residents, Schaefer said.

Architect George Poulos, of Poulos + Associates Architects, Inc., said the concept is in the preliminary design stage, and still needs planning and zoning approval. Part of the 20 acres is still zoned light manufacturing, and Schaefer will need a variance to go beyond the six-story buildings currently allowed on the property, he said.

Currently, the complex will include two floors of inside parking, a fitness room, media and meeting rooms and an outdoor swimming pool with a pavilion.

Poulos said RWS wanted to go public with the project before getting final approval because it intends to advertise the condos at the upcoming North American Sail & Power Boat Show at Cedar Point Marina.

Schaefer said he still intends to build four more townhouses to complete the proposed 16. Eventually, he wants to add to that as well.

The 20-acre lot also includes plans for 21 lots for houses. The townhouse complex was a $4.5 million investment.

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