Gannon University has received the unanimous consent from Erie City Council to build a new dormitory on the lower east side campus. The 12-15 million dollar project will provide another 250 beds. Construction will start in the spring and be ready for occupancy in 2011.
The Erie County Convention Center Authority has invited proposals from several construction management firms to oversee the major upgrade to the Tullio Arena. Pa. Governor Ed Rendell has pledged 32 million dollars toward the project.  I don’t quite see how he can give this much cash to rebuild the civic center, and at the same time slash millions from health and human services. Priorities?
Another cool million in state dollars has made its way to Frontier Park to construct new trails, bridges, an ice skating trail and a green building.
Meanwhile, Second Harvest Food Bank has seen a nearly 50 percent increase in the number of families who have sought help to feed their families. Thank goodness there are people like Karen Seggi, who are dedicated to helping the poverty stricken survive. Erie is also fortunate to have several facilities who provide meals for the hungry, and shelter them from the cold.
Erie City Council passed off maintenance responsibility for several bay front locations, including parts of the Bayfront bikeway and promenade, the Land Lighthouse, Ravine Drive, and State Street between the Bayfront Parkway and Dobbins Landing. The agreement is expected to save the city a couple hundred thousand dollars in upkeep expenses.
On a side note, that section of State Street will be undergoing a 1.1 million dollar makeover, beginning this spring. It’s a good thing we citizens have deep pockets.
Erie County Executive Barry Grossman has asked for a spending freeze for all non-essential purchases and travel expenses in response to the state spending moratorium. City Council Chairman Kyle Foust expects council to be in agreement with Grossman.
On a more exciting subject, ErieBlogs received a note from one of our long-time readers, Phil Causgrove. Phil ran across an article in the LATimes which mentions our own Ravine Flier II, Waldameer Park’s outstanding new wooden roller coaster.  The local coaster is ranked among the top ten wooden coasters in the country.  Of course we think it’s number ONE!!! You can check out the article here. There is also a link to vote in a poll for the number one spot.
Just a reminder to stay off the ice dunes that have formed along the lake front. We don’t want to lose any readers.
Sports
In Wednesday night basketball,
Gannon’s third-ranked Lady Knights overcame Mercyhurst 66-52 .
Mercyhurst men defeated Gannon 58-46, with the loss forcing Gannon into a tie for third place.
The Edinboro Fighting Scots fell to Wooster 85-72, breaking a four-game win streak.
The Iowa Energy zapped Erie’s Bayhawks 101-87.
Events
Check out the “Jewels, Jazz, and Jive Valentine Party” at The Jive, 1014 State St. The party starts at 11 am on Saturday, February 6.
“The Wiz” takes flight again tonight through Sunday at the Erie Playhouse. The show has been a sellout so far, so reserve your tickets early!
The 2010 Auto Show opens today at noon and will continue through Sunday at the Bayfront Convention Center. Free parking, and admission is only $3.00.
In my opinion the Tullio Center should be torn down. It was outdated, inefficient and poorly designed when it was build. Come to think of it it was a perfect testimony to the man himself. Mr. Tullio held Erie back decades.
Maybe the P.A. Won’t run the sprinklers in the Bayfront while it’s raining.
People can help out the Second Harvest Food Bank right now at Wegmans. I’m there often enough I simply have the cashier round up the change. It’s not much but it all adds up.
I do want to see what is done at Frontier Park as well; it’s a beautiful city asset that should see more use.