In 2023, when the Cleveland Metroparks purchased a barge, best known as the former floating restaurant Hornblower’s, officials said it represented a “one-of-a-kind opportunity” that would someday expand the park system’s programming and amenities.
To date, the Metroparks, which primarily relies on tax dollars to fund its massive operations, has sunk $2.8 million into the barge, according to a review of board meeting minutes from the last three years. The park system plans to open a portion of the 8,500-square-foot vessel to limited public use by year’s end.
But the project is just in phase 1 and it is unclear how much the barge, built in 1892 and upgraded over the years, will cost to fully make over and maintain. The Metroparks is tapping at least $940,000 in corporate donations to help cover the current planned construction costs. Neither Metroparks officials nor the park system’s board members ever publicly stated a budget for turning the barge into their vision of a dynamic education and community space…