Latest news with #ErieEvents
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie City Council unanimously OK's zoo property transfer to Erie Events. What it means
Erie City Council has unanimously signed off on transferring just shy of 100 acres of city-owned property, including the Erie Zoo, to Erie Events as part of a long-range plan to help the financially-struggling zoo. Council signed off on a resolution approving the transfer at its regular meeting on Aug. 6 in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall, following more than an hour of public comment about the issue. Prior to the start of the meeting, City Council members agreed to shelve another zoo-related resolution, one that proposed pledging city support of at least $500,000 a year for the zoo moving forward. Council members, in their pre-meeting caucus, decided to pull that resolution from the agenda because there was not enough support on the seven-member panel for it. Councilmember Tyler Titus, the panel's liaison to the zoo, said prior to council's vote that the city 'is in no position to be able to meet the zoo's needs. Nor should we try. 'I do not think Erie Events has an easy road ahead of them on this,' Titus said. 'But I think this resolution puts us in the best position.' Council's vote now allows the city, zoo officials and Erie Events to finalize a new arrangement regarding zoo operations. Zoo officials had stressed urgency in recent weeks because of the zoo's precarious financial condition. In a letter to Erie Mayor Joe Schember dated Aug. 1, zoo officials gave formal notice of their plans to terminate a zoo management agreement that's been in place since 1964. The letter, signed by Erie Zoo CEO Melissa "Roo" Kojancie and Jeffrey Beach, chairman of the Erie Zoological Society, sets Aug. 1, 2026, as the formal termination date for that agreement. Zoo officials had also said publicly that absent a new arrangement regarding zoo operations, they would begin to slowly shut down the zoo and have animals transferred to other facilities. Gus Pine, Erie Events' executive director, attended City Council's meeting. Asked about the vote, Pine said: 'Honestly, I'm even more happy as a citizen of this community. If the zoo goes away, it's a hit to our morale as a community. It's the type of amenity that is critical to attracting businesses and our quality of life. I'm really pleased that we could collaborate and make this happen.' A proposed new agreement Both resolutions were proposed as city officials, Erie Events and zoo officials are working to come up with a solution to the zoo's financial crisis and create a plan for managing the zoo moving forward. Officials from Erie Events — which owns and operates the Warner Theatre, Bayfront Convention Center, UPMC Park and two bayfront hotels — have said the organization is willing to provide $500,000 a year in operating income and serve as a partner to stabilize zoo operations. In exchange, both zoo officials and Erie Events asked the city to transfer ownership of the zoo, Glenwood Golf Course, Flo Fabrizio Ice Rink and Glenwood Park to Erie Events. The agreement, in total, involves 96 acres of property. The resolution council approved Aug. 6 does that, with various conditions/restrictions on how the property can be used. Those restrictions include: Erie Events must commit to providing a $500,000 yearly payment to the zoo. Erie Events 'shall maintain a zoo on the property.' Erie Events must commit to maintaining a nine-hole golf course within those 96 acres, and the city would continue to operate the course. Erie Events would lease the golf course back to the city for free. Erie Events is prohibited from selling or transferring 'any portion of the property without the approval of the city of Erie.' Erie Events may not sell or transfer ownership of any portion of the Property without the approval of the City of Erie. If Erie Events fails to maintain a zoo and a golf course on the property, 'ownership of the Property shall revert back to the City of Erie.' The city would continue to operate Glenwood Park's picnic grounds and horseshoe courts, which Erie Events would lease back to the city for free. Erie Events will take over operation of the Flo Fabrizio Ice Center. Utility costs and insurance for all 96 acres would become the responsibility of Erie Events. During the citizen comment portion of City Council's meeting, a number of people, including current Erie Zoo employees, asked council to help ensure the zoo's long-term future by transferring control of the property to Erie Events. One of those who spoke was Darren Julius, a zookeeper at the Erie Zoo for the past eight years. Julius said the zoo creates more than $21 million in annual economic impact for the city, and it supports and sustains more than 200 city jobs, according to a 2022 zoo study. Transferring property to Erie Events, Julius said, makes sense in terms of tourism. 'Erie Events is much more sustainable,' said Julius. 'We've seen what they've done with the Warner Theatre and all the properties that they manage.' City Council reacts Council President Mel Witherspoon said he initially intended to vote 'no' on the Erie Events resolution, because he was wary of giving up city-owned property. 'I don't believe this is a good business deal, from a business perspective,' Witherspoon said. However, discussing the issue with his colleagues convinced Witherspoon that Erie Events' involvement was best for the zoo's long-term sustainability moving forward. Councilman Ed Brzezinski seconded that sentiment. Brzezinski said "we had to come to some kind of conclusion' regarding the zoo, and direct city funding regarding the zoo was not the answer. The property transfer and a collaboration with Erie Events, Brzezinski said, makes the most sense. 'Let's give it to the pros,' Brzezinski said. Councilwoman Jasmine Flores said the zoo is a community asset that other municipalities should also support. 'It is a regional asset and the county should help support (it),' Flores said. 'We know that everyone uses the zoo… I think it's going to be time that we find ways to make sure that everyone's paying their fair share for these amenities.' Councilwoman Kathy Schaaf agreed. 'I really think it does take a community collaboration… All of our surrounding municipalities really should invest in the zoo as well,' Schaaf said. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at@ETNflowers This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Zoo: City council approves land transfer to Erie Events Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Historic first concert at new Rebich Investments amphitheater
Liberty Park offered up an evening of music and fun. Country music star Rodney Atkins made a stop in Erie. The artist is known for such hits as Take a Back Road and It's America. Shows continue for Pizza Bomber play benefitting NWPA Mental Health Association And the show was the first under the new agreement between Erie Events and the port authority. It also marks the first concert under the newly renamed Rebich Investments Amphitheater. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City officials commit to resuming talks on Erie Zoo ownership transfer
Tuesday, we told you conversations surrounding the Erie Zoo and a potential partnership with Erie Events had stalled as the situation gets more and more urgent for the future of the zoo. But on Wednesday, city government officials said they'll resume meetings on the issue as soon as this week and remain committed to finding a solution. Erie Zoo asks city to transfer 106 acre property to Erie Events Tuesday morning, the president and CEO of the zoo, along with other supporters, advocated for the transition of ownership before city council and the mayor's administration. Advocates of action involving the Erie Zoo are feeling hopeful after hearing from public officials at Wednesday morning's Erie City Council meeting. We reported on Tuesday that conversations surrounding a transfer of land ownership to Erie Events had fizzled out, but parties are agreeing to come back to the table. 'The comments we were hearing from city council and the administration today were very encouraging. It shows that people are willing to come to the table to discuss and find that path forward. We have presented a very clear and viable solution and it's great that we're hearing comments that people want to come to the table to continue those discussions,' said Roo Kojancie, president & CEO of the Erie Zoo. Paul Miller Law goes into effect soon, here's what to know The proposition requests that 106 acres of land be sent to Erie Events at no cost. It includes the Glenwood Golf Course, ice arena, Glenwood Park, horseshoe pits, and the Marsh Street areas. Zoo advocates said it's needed to improve the size of the land-locked zoo for years to come, but also to earn back accreditation. 'To be able to expand the zoo up to about 30 acres would allow us to expand some of the exhibits that we have at the zoo, and be able to not only meet AZA standards, but also exceed those standards,' Kojancie said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News But asking for all of the adjacent property is deemed risky by the city. . . Saying they need to do their diligence with these public assets before committing to this. 'Anytime you transfer that property, you lose that control. I'm not saying anybody has bad intentions; that's not at all the case. It's just that city council and the mayor are treading very carefully,' Edward Betza, the City of Erie Solicitor, explained. 'We would need to have some protections as to know what would happen. Also, what happens if it doesn't work financially?' After a spotlight was put on the situation, both the city solicitor as well as the mayor's staff said they're scheduling meetings with board members of the zoo and Erie Events representatives to work on an agreement. 'The zoo is doing everything it can to keep its head above water. The staff are working above and beyond and going above and beyond for the animals and to make sure that the region has this great asset,' Erie City Council Member Tyler Titus went on to say. Lawsuit moves forward against Project NePTWNE lease Zoo officials said they've been operating on a shoestring budget for years now and are confident that Erie Events can help them develop a stronger infrastructure and long-term strategic support. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie Zoo asks city to transfer 106 acre property to Erie Events
Conversations continue to escalate surrounding the potential transfer of ownership of the Erie Zoo, which has been owned by the City of Erie since 1964. But before city officials agree to turn things over to Erie Events, the authority looking to help finance and manage the zoo, they've had to have some difficult discussions. The Erie Zoo lost AZA accreditation in 2021, citing insufficient funding as well as a lack of modern exhibits. Since then, the zoo has been working to earn it back. Part of their latest plan to get back on track is through a partnership with Erie Events, which they said would allow them to expand and evolve into a new era. Earn+Learn program, formally Summer Jams, makes return to Erie in coming weeks 'We initially had conversations with the zoo back in January of 2024, so it's now been, gosh, going on a year and a half now, and the financial situation for the zoo is only getting worse, I would say,' said Gus Pine, executive director of Erie Events. The accreditation process requires the zoo to have a certain level of trained staff in relation to the care and medical needs of the animals. Pine said that it's been a struggle for the zoo's current salary capabilities. The plan also calls for the construction of a brand new vet hospital, which would serve not just zoo animals, but the pets of local people as well. Blind Tiger receives investment of nearly $200K thanks to PA program And yet, conversations have stalled between the city government, the zoo and Erie Events. Why is that? 'The request right now from Erie Events and the zoo is for the city to transfer 106 acres of property completely at no charge,' said City of Erie Solicitor Edward Betza. That 106-acre request came as a shock to the city, as it includes the adjacent golf course, ice arena, picnic area, horseshoe pits and land near Marsh Street. Under a land transfer like this, the city has no guarantees in terms of the future use of the property. And it's not taken lightly by the city government, which is looking for more assurances of a new financial plan for the space now and in the future. 'I firmly believe that the zoo is a regional asset, and because it is, it doesn't belong to the city; it belongs to the people of the city,' said Ed Brzezinski, an Erie City Council member. 'There are questions and concerns from the administration and council end. We need to make sure that those questions get answered, but that's not going to happen if we're not convening,' said Tyler Titus, another Erie City Council member. Everyone involved wants the zoo to succeed, and with all of the pieces aligned, it's a matter of things falling into place. 'The zoo does need to grow. Now, where the zoo grows its footprint in terms of animal enclosures has yet to be identified,' said Pine. 'It's gotta be done with a keen eye on how that land is currently used.' UPMC Children's Hospital expands, pediatric specialty care center opens on Peach Street 'Whatever we do, we have to make sure that this is successful. We have asked the zoo and Erie Events for long-range planning financially, and what are they going to do with the property,' said Betza. We were unable to interview zoo representatives on the situation on Tuesday. However, Titus said the zoo will have to start making tough decisions internally if conversations don't move forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New signage seen around Liberty Park, Highmark Amphitheater takes new name
The new sponsor for the amphitheater at Liberty Park has put up new signage around the park. The Port Authority and Erie Events are now working alongside Rebich Investments in a three-year agreement. Oliver's Beer Garden set to reopen Thursday The venue will now be called the 'Rebich Investments Amphitheater.' President Todd Rebich said it's a privilege to be a local sponsor. Love to laugh? Check out the 2025 Flagship City Comedy Festival lineup 'The offerings Erie has in both sports and entertainment is amazing for a small city. As far as I'm concerned this is one of Erie's biggest assets, and I really think it's one of the most underused and underknown assets. So I think it's a big opportunity for the Port Authority, Erie Events and myself to really bring attention to Erie, and hopefully we can do that,' said Rebich. The venue has been known as the Highmark Amphitheater since 2017. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
