Legal Action Claims that City of Huron Illegally Took Private Property

Did the City of Huron officials illegally take private property in connection with the Showboat development? Sandusky resident Sally McCune claims that the City of Huron knowingly trespassed upon and modified property belonging to her family trust and has taken legal action against the City. McCune is suing the City for damages and unpaid rent dating back to 2013.

At issue in McCune’s legal claims is property located on North Main Street near the Huron Pier known as the “Showboat property.” The Showboat property is made up of six lots. Records show that in 1958, August Kuebler, Jr. and his wife Helen split up the lots. They sold Lots 2 through 6 to Jacob and June Claus, who in 1971 opened the Showboat Restaurant. The Kueblers kept Lot 1. In 1993, the Showboat Restaurant permanently closed and was later demolished. In 1994, the Clauses sold Lots 2 through 6 to an entity known as 10 North Main Street LLC.

In 2013, the City purchased the Showboat Property for $305,000. Lots 2-6 received title insurance. Lot 1 was only quitclaimed. In 2014, City Council approved a $900,000 plan to modify the Showboat property to prepare it for development, including fortification and paving. The project included Lot 1. Earlier in 2020, Council acknowledged that these modifications are already starting to fail and that additional fortification will be needed.

In August 2020, the City filed an action for quiet title seeking ownership of Lot 1. Records show the City has already spent approximately $10,000 in attorney’s fees on legal action relating to Lot 1. At the Tuesday, October 13’s Council Meeting, Council will vote on legislation to spend at least another $10,000 in taxpayer money to litigate against McCune’s claims.

The case is before Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Tygh Tone and is captioned City of Huron v. Michael McCune Family Trust, Case No. 2020 CV 0264. A complete copy of McCune’s legal claims are available on The Huron Sunshine Project Facebook Group.

Huron Insider reached out to City Council for comment. As of 9PM Monday, no Councilmember has responded.

UPDATE 9:50PM: Councilmember Mark Claus responsed, “I cannot comment at this time as this is pending litigation and council has yet to be briefed on the status of this case by our Law Director.”