EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series looking at what Lake County communities, agencies and school districts experienced in 2024 and what is facing them in 2025. Painesville City worked this year to welcome new residents and expand its amenities. Related Articles Local News | United Way of Lake County Emerging Leaders 4 Under 40 winners announced Local News | Wickliffe continues to expand its economy in 2024 Local News | State Sen. Jerry Cirino details accomplishments, notes plans for 2025 Local News | Owners of Simply Beautiful Boutique Hair and Nails enjoying new Madison Township location Local News | Fairport Harbor Village keeping busy with plenty of important projects In July, city officials were among those celebrating the opening of the Tower on Painesville Square. The space, previously the Lake County National Bank and then Chase Bank, was redeveloped by Renew Partners of Montville Township into residential space for 172 Lake Erie College students. The students who live in the Tower can access a workout space and a rooftop deck with views of the city. Two publicly-accessible restaurants are also planned for the site in the future. A couple of blocks away, Munson Township-based developer Payne and Payne is looking to bring new life to the former Lake East Hospital site and surrounding properties. It opened a 1,750-foot dwelling in October on a formerly vacant lot at 73 E. South St. City Manager Doug Lewis described the project, known as Highland Park, as “one of the more exciting projects we worked on in 2024.” Payne and Payne is working on another house right next door, and company representative Brett Dawson previously said that it hopes to complete that house in April. The company then intends to build additional houses along South St. Clair Street and on the former hospital site. Lewis said that Painesville is planning for the start of two new mixed-use residential and commercial developments in 2025. He added that they represent “a combined $50 million in new development.” Marous Development Group is looking to bring 110 apartment units and residential amenities, restaurant space and an outdoor dining area with Grand River Walk, which is planned for the Main Street hill overlooking Kiwanis Recreation Park. Meanwhile, Renew is looking to redevelop Victoria Place into 70 to 80 apartments and commercial space. The county’s jailed population will also have new accommodations in Painesville in the coming years. The new jail will be across the street from the current jail, and Lake County Administrator Jason Boyd said over the summer that it will be “about a three-year build.” Rec, community engagement The city opened two new amenities at Kiwanis Recreation Park just before Memorial Day. Lewis said that the park’s new splash pad “quickly became a popular destination in the community.” “The city’s parks department has plans to improve the landscaping and add shade and benches in 2025,” Lewis added. Meanwhile, Recreation Park’s new dog park features a small dog area and a large dog area. It is located next to the park’s skate park. Community members also worked this past year to create a Painesville Arts and Culture Council, start a Painesville Safety Town and celebrate the 125th anniversary of Morley Library. Next year, Lewis said that the city plans to work on building a community amphitheater at Recreation Park. Painesville is also working with the Painesville Community Improvement Corporation and Painesville Skateboarding Association to seek funding for a new skate park at Painesville’s Morse Park. Visitors talk outside a new house at 73 E. South St. in Painesville before an Oct. 24 ribbon cutting event. The house is the first in the Highland Park development, which has been proposed on vacant land south of the city square. (Bryson Durst — The News-Herald) Energy and other infrastructure Painesville will work to build new solar power and battery storage facilities in the coming years with help from a federal grant. The United States Environmental Protection Agency announced in July that it would award $80 million to the energy project, part of a joint application with Cuyahoga County and Cleveland. Lewis said that the grant will cover the entire project cost. Lewis previously said that the project will serve the peak energy needs currently served by Painesville’s coal power plant. “The city plans to move this project forward over the next four years,” he added. As for its road infrastructure, the city completed the South Park Place streetscape project in 2024. “This $2.1 million investment in infrastructure resulted in improved sidewalks, streetlighting, safety, walkability, parking and provided for outdoor seating to attract more restaurants to locate within our newly-formed entertainment district,” Lewis said. Looking ahead, Painesville City Council has directed the city administration to look at adding parking along a portion of South St. Clair Street by making it one-way between Main and East Washington streets. Lewis added that one of the city’s goals for 2025 is “completing necessary capital improvement projects such as road improvements and improving recreational opportunities.” He added that the city also aims for a project to redesign the state Route 44 and Jackson Street interchange to come to the final design and environmental studies phases. South Park Place in Painesville is pictured on Aug. 13. The road was under construction at the time for a streetscape improvement project. (Bryson Durst — The News-Herald) Business Painesville is planning to welcome new restaurants. The city announced in October that a Wingstop franchise will be coming to 70 Richmond St., in the former Northwest Bank building, with a planned opening in February. Lewis added that a Crowley’s Dive Bar and Jimmy John’s are also planned for the city. In the past year, Avery Dennison began production in a new 32,000-square-foot production tapes facility in its Chester Street campus. Company representative David Collins expects that the new space will add around 36 jobs. “We see more economic development opportunities in 2025 and will continue to work with developers and business owners,” Lewis said. On the other hand, the city said goodbye to two pharmacies in 2024. Both CVS and Rite Aid closed their Painesville locations in the middle of the year, which Lewis said was “unexpected.” Lewis said that the Rite Aid site was purchased by owners who “plan to turn it into a small grocery store.” CVS has not said who it is negotiating with to lease its former store. Budget and legislation Painesville City Council recently approved the city’s 2025 budget. Lewis said that the budget is balanced, except for the Water Pollution Control Plant. He added that the city’s general fund income tax revenue increased. The city expects that to continue due to upcoming construction projects, and it also plans to seek more grant funding. Lewis expects rising materials and capital project costs to be a challenge in 2025. The city has faced a 30 percent increase in overall costs, and it limited its capital projects this past year. The city will also work to hire more police officers and consider how it can increase funding to staff the fire department, he added. Besides approving the budget, other city council actions this year included approving a 2024-27 strategic plan, placing new rules on agriculture and personal gardening and passing new limits for marijuana facilities, vaping businesses and small box discount stores. Looking ahead Lewis said that 2024 “well exceeded” the city’s expectations. “‘It’s happening in Painesville,’” he added later. “We expect the Painesville of the past to improve significantly in the years to come. It is an exciting time to be in Painesville and we want to become a destination for business, entertainment and recreation for the eastern portion of Lake County.”