Lorain County approves $900,000 loan to speed Creekwood housing, county engineer says project could support 700+ homes

Lorain County commissioners on March 13 approved a $900,000 county loan to Creekwood Development LLC to facilitate land acquisition and necessary public improvements tied to a long-planned Creekwood housing project.

County staff explained the loan would secure land assembly and allow the county to accelerate bidding and construction of drainage and utility improvements while the developer seeks a separate $2.5 million Residential Economic Development District grant from the state. The loan will be secured by a mortgage guarantee and is expected to be repaid in full by Aug. 26, 2026, the county said.

When commissioners asked about project scale and sewer capacity, the county engineer (addressed in the meeting as "Don") replied the project footprint for ditch improvements would cover about 2.1 square miles and that the Creekwood development and adjacent parcels could accommodate in excess of 700 housing units; the engineer said the county, the developer's engineer and local sewer providers have a plan to ensure adequate sanitary capacity as the area grows.

County staff said the loan is intended as an alternative or bridge if the state grant is delayed, not awarded or is smaller than requested, and that the loan proceeds will be repaid and secured by recorded mortgage instruments. The board approved the loan and authorized county staff to move forward with related stormwater and ditch improvements.

What happens next: staff will finalize loan documentation, coordinate design and bidding for ditch improvements, and monitor state grant award status. Commissioners said accelerating the project will support housing supply in areas already served by sewers.