With the arrival of 2025, local entities will be focusing on achieving goals that they established in previous years. Many of those plans have been revealed in a recent series of stories written by News-Herald reporters. In keeping with an annual tradition that generally spans from the middle of December through early January, The News-Herald asked leaders of local communities, school districts and organizations to reflect on major achievements of 2024 and look ahead to key projects for 2025. The stories highlighted some interesting and significant initiatives that are slated for the new year which just started. Painesville The city of Painesville is planning for the start of two new mixed-use residential and commercial developments in 2025. City Manager Doug Lewis added that two projects 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 Partners is looking to redevelop Victoria Place into 70 to 80 apartments and commercial space. Fairport Harbor Village With the demolition of the village water plant in 2024, Fairport Harbor Village is working with the Lake Development Authority to determine the best uses for the 2.6 acres between Lakefront Park and the village Port Authority’s boat launch. “A request for proposals is expected to be released in spring 2025,” Village Administrator Lukas Darling said. “The eventual development on the water plant site will be a catalyst for growth along the community’s shoreline.” Euclid In Euclid, construction is expected to begin in February on the city’s new Recreation and Wellness Center. The pre-engineered building will be built on the former skate park. Once the center opens next year, Recreation Director Mac Stephens can look to expand the capacity of programs they currently offer and potentially add new ones, Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail said. The goal is not just producing star athletes but also increasing community ties, she said. “Our recreation director does such a great job and his whole philosophy and the way he does things is, that it’s not just about the sport, it’s about building character,” Holzheimer Gail said. “In his football programs or the basketball programs and all of the programs he does, they incorporate some sort of mentoring, they incorporate study tables, and even some interaction with the parents to help engage them in a different way.” Mentor-on-the-Lake The city hopes to have a completed comprehensive plan in place by the middle of the year, Mayor David Eva said. Mentor-on-the-Lake put out bids for consulting groups to develop a comprehensive plan that will be used for future development plans in the city over the next several years. They have hired the Envision Group to develop that plan. “We have had several steering committee meetings which consists of eight to 12 residents and business owners in Mentor-on-the-Lake,” Eva said. “We held a public forum meeting using ideas gathered from the steering committee meetings to get more input from our residents. These ideas will be compiled and presented on Jan. 9 back to the steering committee.” Concord Township The township plans to offer new recreation programming for children and adults in 2025. Township officials attributed new programming to increased sponsorships. Township leaders also want to work on improving park amenities in 2025. “We will be reviewing our park and recreation facilities to plan for much-needed improvements to our playground equipment,” township leaders stated in a written summary. As for roads, the township is planning an “aggressive road repair program” next year. “We will also be increasing our road repair budget,” officials wrote. “Regarding road repair, we will again partner with Lake County, Painesville Township and Leroy Township in a joint road repair program which should improve pricing for asphalt replacement.” These are just some of the significant 2025 projects that The News-Herald has mentioned in its series. We commend leaders of local cities, townships and villages; school districts; and public-service agencies for the plans they’ve developed to carry out major endeavors in 2025. In addition, we look forward to keeping readers apprised on all of these projects throughout the year.