Port of Lakewood Set for Some Major Improvements

The city of Lakewood is expected to begin an overhaul of the Port of Lakewood this summer.

Much of the work — totaling an estimated $150,000 — includes repairing an aging wooden bulkhead along the Rocky River, and replacing it with steel.

The city already has the permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers to begin the work.

“The furthest we’ve gotten is engineering teams drawing up the plans,” said Kevin Butler, the city’s law director.

City council approved $225,000 for the proposal, however, city officials expect to keep the cost of the work around $150,000.

City officials have said that once the work gets wrapped up, a small public park would be considered.

It’s not much land — enough for a couple of picnic tables and a bench or two — but the city is looking to open it up to the public.

The space, about 50 feet along the Rocky River next to the Emerald Necklace Marina, is currently fenced off and growing weeds.

According to the deed agreement with Cuyahoga County, the city is supposed to open the land up to residents.

“We intend to make it public,” Butler said recently. “We want to turn that area just north of the bridge into public land.”

While small, the adjacent Port of Lakewood is active, as boaters use the area to dock their vessels.