National Park Service Awards Construction Contract for Seawall Restoration

28 September 2021 ~ Put-in-Bay Daily

Put-in-Bay, Ohio – The National Park Service awarded a construction contract to ES Wagner Company of Oregon, Ohio for the restoration of the seawalls at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. The total contract value of this work is $24,964,290.

Superintendent Rowles said, “we are excited to reach this milestone and looking forward to working with ES Wagner Company to complete this critical project. We will use the winter months to prepare for the start of work in the spring of 2022 and construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.”

Click to see brilliant new design in detail!

Years of wave action, ice loading and geological processes have deteriorated and undermined the two seawalls resulting in the creation of sink holes and other unsafe conditions. Both seawalls are functionally necessary to protect the cultural resources of the park due to the proximity of Lake Erie and the relatively low elevation of the park. Specifically, the project includes the following:

Rehabilitation of 3,340 linear feet of seawalls
- Partial demolition of the North Seawall – west section; construction of new seawall to raise level of wall up to 12 inches above existing height.
- Full demolition of the North Seawall – center section; construction of new seawall to raise level of wall typically 12 inches above existing height, with a smooth transition to the 24 inches above existing height of the North Seawall – east section.
- Realignment of a 128 linear foot curved section of the North Seawall – center section.
- Partial demolition of the North Seawall – east section construction of new seawall to raise level of wall up to 24 inches above existing height.
- Partial demolition of the South Seawall; construction of new seawall to raise level of wall typically 18 inches above existing height.
- Patch repairs of cracked and spalled concrete on the North and South Seawalls.
Replacement of rip rap with an 80-foot extension of the South Seawall.
Replacement of storm-water systems including construction of two pump stations, drainage pipe, and replacement of existing catch basins to better facilitate water removal.
Installation of a sidewalk along the North Seawall.
Replacement of the existing sidewalk along the South Seawall.
Grading and fill placement to accommodate sidewalks and the new seawall heights.
Temporary construction work-spaces.
Installation of lighting elements within the North and South Seawall.
Installation of interpretive plaza along the North Seawall depicting life size images of the US Brig Lawrence and HMS Detroit.
Installation of new benches and trash receptacles at three new seating areas.

Work is underway now by Ohio Edison to temporarily relocate electric service lines ensuring that power is provided to East Point and the Upper Islands throughout the project. Frontier and Spectrum will also be relocating service lines soon.

National Park Service Announces Virtual Open House for Seawall Restoration Review and Comments

30 November 2020 ~ Put-in-Bay Daily

Put-in-Bay, Ohio—The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Restore North and South Seawalls at Perry’s Victory to Safeguard Site Project for public and regulatory review. The harsh marine environment has deteriorated and undermined the two seawalls resulting in unsafe conditions in the Park. The seawalls are necessary to protect the cultural resources of the Park due to the proximity of the Memorial to the shorelines of Lake Erie and the relatively low elevation of the Park.

The EA has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 USC 4321 et seq.) and evaluates the potential impacts of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. The Proposed Action would restore and extend the seawalls, improve storm water management, protect cultural resources, and enhance the visitor experience at the Park.

Additionally, the EA identifies and considers the potential effects of the Proposed Action on historic properties, as required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR 800). NPS has one historic property—the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial—within the 25-acre Park. The historic property has three resources and six historic view sheds, all of which contribute to the historic property. NPS has determined the Proposed Action will have No Adverse Effects on the historic property.

NPS will be hosting a virtual open house to provide the opportunity for the public to learn more about the proposed project and the EA, provide input on historic properties of the Memorial, ask questions, and share comments. The open house will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. A presentation will be held at the beginning of the meeting. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions an in-person meeting is not planned at this time.

The open house will be held as follows:

December 17, 2020
10 AM to 11 AM EST

Link to the Public Open House:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZjllOTgwZDAtZTAyYS00OTgyLTkxNDUtOTE4Mjc3YTI2YzRj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2237247798-f42c-42fd-8a37-d49c7128d36b%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22e0f8c7d9-02d4-4078-83d4-7c7f9a53be47%22%7d

Call-in Number to Public Open House:

+1 469-214-8538,,204026749#

Phone Conference ID: 204 026 749#

The EA will be available for public review and comment for a period of 30 days from November 30, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Hard copies of the EA will be available at the PEVI visitor center and the Erie Islands Library. Please go to https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=62176 to view the EA and comment electronically. You are also welcome to mail comment directly to:

Office of the Superintendent
Barbara Rowles
P.O. Box 549
Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial Delays Opening

13 April 2020 ~ Put-in-Bay Daily

Put-in-Bay, Ohio – Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is announcing a delay in the opening date of the park to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is our number one priority.

The opening date for the Visitor Center and the start of ranger programs will be changed from May 16 to June 13, 2020. The June 13 date is also the 105^th anniversary of the Memorial opening to the public. The park’s reproduction 32-pound carronade will be on full display providing demonstrations on June 13 and 14. “We have worked so hard over the winter to prepare for the season and even harder the last few weeks responding to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation. It’s very disappointing to delay opening the park and cancelling some events but necessary to do our part to prevent the spread of the disease. Like so many others, we are looking forward to getting back to a semblance of normalcy when it is safe to do so. The staff, volunteers, and partners of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial look forward to opening the park, welcoming visitors once again, and celebrating the 105^th anniversary of the Memorial opening to the public with a huge boom from the carronade!” Superintendent Barbara Rowles said.

A further delay in opening the Visitor Center could still be possible depending on COVID-19 developments. We will continue to closely monitor federal, state, and local guidance and adjust plans if necessary. Updates on Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial’s opening will be posted on www.nps.gov/pevi/ and our social media channels.

The Memorial and Observation Deck will remain inaccessible indefinitely due to the size and space limitations of the Memorial column including the stairways, elevator landings, and the elevator which do not allow for adequate physical distancing. The park will continue monitoring federal, state, and local health guidance related to COVID-19 and will open the Memorial column as soon as possible.

Outdoor spaces remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance. While enjoying the grounds everyone should maintain the required physical distancing to help slow the spread.

The National Park Service encourages people to take advantage of the many digital tools already available to explore Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial including online activities and Virtual Visitor Passport Stamp on the Memorial’s website.

The following events have been cancelled:

May 16 Opening Day; Planting Seeds of Peace

May 19-21 Perry Education Days – We will be doing virtual programing these dates

May 23-24 Carronade firing demonstrations

May 25 Memorial Day Service

June 6 Music Festival – Celebrating Peace through Music/Women Rock the Vote 19th Amendment Celebration

June 10 Voices of Victory

June 13 Maritime Exposition

June 20 Summer Solstice Sunset Tour

June 22-25 Arts on Erie

We encourage all visitors, particularly the most vulnerable, including the elderly and people with underlying conditions, to follow CDC guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. These measures include following routine precautions like washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, please stay home if you feel sick.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.htm. Updates on Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial opening will be posted on www.nps.gov/pevi/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

Barbara Rowles

Superintendent

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial Monitors Latest Health Guidance

30 March 2020 ~ Put-in-Bay Daily

Put-in-Bay, OH – Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial reminds visitors that the Visitor Center and Memorial column are still closed as part of our normal seasonal closure. However, the grounds remain open for your enjoyment. It’s important to note that the park, the Village of Put-in-Bay, and local businesses on South Bass Island are operating in compliance with the State of Ohio guidance and currently the Put-in-Bay community has very limited public services. Family attractions, restaurants and bars, and public restrooms are closed. The Miller Boat Line, in accordance with the Ohio Stay at Home order, is running a reduced schedule Monday-Friday and only accepting essential travel. For details visit their website at https://www.millerferry.com.

National Park Service Senior Pass — Click image for current pass availability!

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. If it becomes necessary to make any changes to our planned opening on May 16th and any planned special events or programs, we will post information on our website and social media channels.

The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and others; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.

For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.