EDITOR’S NOTE: The Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce hosted officials from its communities last month at La Vera Party Center in Willoughby Hills to discuss the “State of the Cities.” This is one in a series of articles detailing the speeches that were given. Wickliffe Mayor J oe Sakacs has observed that Euclid Avenue is a long stretch in the city, but each section of it now has a game changer intended to bring the city success. At the former middle and elementary school properties, 1821 Lincoln Road and 29240 Euclid Ave., the schools have since been torn down in light of the new campus opening up on Rockefeller Road. A Loreto Development project is now commencing at the properties, which will consist of roughly 36 $400,000 to $500,000 homes. “Everybody said that’s never going to fly in the main section of town by Euclid Avenue,” Sakacs said. “There’s already people wanting these houses, so without a doubt, that is going to change the game right in the center of town.” The former Ponderosa property, 29553 Euclid Ave., was a wide open field prior to Sunset Development commencing its housing project on the site. “Ponderosa had come to town a long time ago,” Sakacs said. “It was taken down in 2007. The property owners wanted a lot of money for that property, so it took a long time, but it finally happened.” Sunset Development has housing locations in Newton Falls and Columbus. “Everything looks good and brand new,” Sakacs said. “I checked out their units that were 15 years old. They still look impeccable, so that’s coming.” On the west end section of town, Online Liquidation Auction opened at the former drive-in, Palisades Palace bowling alley and RollHouse property, 28801 Euclid Ave. “It became a vacant building — nothing but an eyesore everybody said needs to be torn down,” Sakacs said. “OLA is like Amazon meets auction. They attract 1,100 cars a day and that changed everything.” Also at the city’s west end, Nick Mayer Ford opened at 28825 Euclid Ave. “The inventory’s crazy there,” Sakacs said. “He’s filling up those parking lots.” At the former McDonald’s location, 28711 Euclid Ave., a 20-year deed agreement was in place when it sold, which didn’t allow for a food or beverage business to open at the location. “I called McDonald’s lawyers and for whatever reason, convinced to lift that deed agreement for food and beverage,” Sakacs said. “It just cannot be a national chain, which in return, that building sold. A new Circle K is also currently being built in the city at 28817 Euclid Ave. “Everything fell into place and then all of a sudden, new businesses,” Sakacs said. “We had a vacant building epidemic and now, there’s hardly any vacant buildings.” When ABB left Wickliffe between 800 and 900 jobs were lost at 29801 Euclid Ave. and 1400 Worden Road. “Premier Development purchased this at auction and then it sat vacant,” Sakacs said. “There’s two buildings, a little building on Worden Road and the corner of Euclid Avenue, and Worden Road. This building looked nice on the outside, but the inside was falling apart. It was $3 million to demo this building with asbestos removal, so that is happening right now.” The ABB building should be down in the next couple of months and then a spec building will be built for two companies interested in the ABB campus, another game changer for the city, Sakacs said. The city’s finances are in a good place and six roads are on the map for this year. Goals for 2025 include continuing economic growth, road repairs, strengthening community bonds and continuing the city’s amenities. “I’m looking to eventually get a golf simulator at Green Ridge Golf Course,” Sakacs said. The city’s storefront renovation plan is still in place to encourage businesses to update their front facade to help Euclid Avenue. Wickliffe signs have also since been installed to focus on the branding of the city. “We’re trying to get everything uniformed,” Sakacs said. The city continues to meet quarterly with the school board members and superintendent to go over things, and to work together to help people in Wickliffe. Wickliffe also offered a new tailgate event last year they plan to continue. “It was fantastic and organized perfect,” Sakacs said. “We’re going to try it again this year with everybody involved.” ...read more read less