Millcreek Township has acquired five properties within the Presque Isle Gateway District. 

The properties acquired are the now vacant Bel Aire Hotel, Grasshopper, Joe Roots Grill, the Manor Motel, and the SandBar Draft House & Grill. 

The Board of Directors of the Millcreek Township General Authority approved the purchase during a special meeting on Monday, January 30th.

Additionally, the purchases were made financially possible through RACP grant funding and the sum acquired from the Township's sale of water assets several years ago to Erie Water Works.

Kim Clear, Millcreek Supervisor, says she wants visitors to come to Presque Isle all year-round. "I do not want Presque Isle to just be seen as a destination for three summer months, I want it to be a 12-month destination," Clear said.

"We are going to demolish the buildings and after that the Municipal Authority is going to be looking for developers to come in with plans to develop the properties," Clear said.  

The township said the acquisition of these properties is a major step towards the goal of redeveloping the Presque Isle Gateway District. 

Furthermore, the Board of Directors has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with the Erie County Landbank. The Landbank has agreed to help fund any demolition costs. 

More information on Millcreek Township's property acquisition can be found here.