No plans for movie studio at former Geauga Lake property

Former roller coaster at Geauga Lake Park

While Aurora and Bainbridge Township would love to see a movie studio break ground on the former Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom property, there are presently no deals on the table.

“The concept of film studios is ideal,” said Jennifer Syx, president, inSITE Advisory Group. “However, plans are not currently underway for that type of use at the site.”

inSITE is working on a development plan with Cedar Fair on behalf of the city and township. Cedar Fair owns the 650-acre property,

The development plan is a combined effort between Cedar Fair, Aurora and Bainbridge. It will help Cedar Fair market the property to developers.

Both communities had hopes a movie studio might locate there, telling the Aurora Advocate that a studio could be a “game changer.” Figures shared by Syx with the Advocate included the possibility of 1,000 jobs, more or less.

“The communities are certainly desirous of having film studios in this area, as it would serve as a very positive economic driver for the region,” she said.

Still a chance? Maybe

One developer had interest in including a movie studio as part of the comprehensive development plan, said Karen Endres, Bainbridge Township zoning inspector. The property is zoned mixed use planned unit development and movie studios are among the permitted uses in the district.

“I would like to believe there is still interest in constructing movie studios in Bainbridge,” said Endres. She said a studio could provide more than minimum wage jobs and a be a catalyst for economic development.

Comments

Cleveland, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh crowned ‘Best Places to Live and Work' for filmmakers

Filmming 'Fast 8' in downtown Cleveland Cleveland, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh were recently named three of the best cities to pursue filmmaking as a career by MovieMaker . Pittsburgh ranked the highest at No. 10, followed closely by Cincinnati at No. 11. Cleveland came in at No. 18. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati topped Austin, Texas, and Boston, in the results, and Orlando fell far below Cleveland in the annual list. When researching its list, the online publication focuses on livable cities that support filmmaking on every level. “We don’t believe people should have to be rich or well-connected to make movies,” the publication writes. “We think the best place to live is one you can afford — a place where you can be happy, inspired, and financially free to pursue your art.” Netflix's 'White Noise' shot in Cleveland, Oberlin, and several NEO locations Filmed in the CLE Cleveland is a “cinematic powerhouse with Midwestern charm,” writes the pub, adding that Cleveland has ...

Purpose, Passion, and PAs: Meet Lamont Richmond II

Lamont Richmond II > > > A few days after Shooting Stars , the LeBron James biopic, premiered on Peacock, Lamont Richmond II dropped a link to an Instagram post from @MakeItUniversal in my inbox. It was a short feature about working as a production assistant (PA) on the film. “I started in the hospital as a floor tech, cleaning floors,” Richmond tells us in the video. “I did that for three years. Got a call to be a production assistant. She said a P.A. No clue what the letters meant.” And then there he was, on the Akron set of Shooting Stars , handing out call sheets and wrangling extras. I connected with that experience, having worked as a PA on a handful of productions some 20-plus years ago. Which is what stood out to me when Richmond shared the video. Richmond is a young guy. Not like the crew of PAs I worked with. We were all in our early 20s, hoping to make the leap up the production ladder. Beyond his obvious love for the world of film production, why was Richmond work...

Everything we know about Hulu's ‘The Land,’ the Cleveland Browns TV series

Actor Christopher Meloni hanging with the Cleveland Browns (photo Christopher Meloni) >> The Land , once called 17 Sundays , is This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman‘s upcoming Hulu series set in the world of pro football, starring Christopher Meloni and William H. Macy, and featuring a fictionalized version of the Cleveland Browns. Production has now wrapped, scenes were filmed in Northeast Ohio, and Hulu is targeting a 2027 release. In August 22025, Deadline reported that “ The Land … got the largest allocation (of California tax credits) … with nearly $43 million.” Here’s everything we know so far about The Land . What is The Land TV series about? The series centers on the Cleveland Browns, with Macy as team owner Hank Durkin, Meloni as head coach Danny Roarke, and Mandy Moore as Durkin’s ambitious daughter, Lauren, who has spent much of her life preparing to one day run the team. With family succession battles, front-office politics, an Ohio State quarterback becoming...

Midwest Movie Maker

Search This Blog