Painesville may be one of the oldest communities in the Western Reserve and the State of Ohio, but it is not showing its age in this Historic City. Painesville is becoming younger, with a median age of 31. Young families and professionals are drawn to the city due to its low cost of living and proximity to the lake. In recent years, Painesville has experienced significant economic growth, with several major projects underway that will transform this charming county seat of Lake County.

"One of our main goals is to improve the quality of life for our residents and become a destination in eastern Lake County," said Doug Lewis, Painesville City Manager. In 2024, Painesville opened its first city splash pad in Kiwanis Recreation Park, a new dog park near the Grand River, and two new youth soccer fields. "We are looking to make additional improvements to Rec Park, including a potential zip-line park, pickleball courts, and upgrading our skatepark," added Lewis.

"The splash pad is a perfect getaway for summer afternoons, where families can bring their young ones in a safe environment and relax," said Public Lands Director Michelle LaPuma. "Both the dog park and splash pad were highly suggested amenities by residents when we conducted surveys and asked for feedback. I think it's a wonderful use of public land."

In 2024, a significant project was completed: the new student housing at Lake Erie College, located on the southern side of Painesville Square. This project was a collaboration with Renew Partners, transforming the former Chase Bank Building at the corner of Liberty Street and S Park Place into modern living quarters for undergraduate students. The revitalized building has retained much of its mid-century modern architecture and now houses 171 students. Additionally, it features a fitness floor, shared study spaces, and two new restaurants set to open on the ground floor.

The Tower's restaurants, El Paladar de Mexico (offering Mexican cuisine) and Pho Sunshine (serving Vietnamese cuisine), are the latest dining options to join the city. Another addition in 2024 was Zapp's Custard and Mustard on S State Street, which revitalized a previously forgotten corner into a neighborhood hotspot. LayR, a new, elegant event venue in the charming Main Street area, opened its doors in 2024 as well. The venue boasts 5,675 square feet of event space and can host weddings and events for up to 150 people. Crowley's Dive Bar, known for its award-winning smash burgers, is set to open on S St. Clair Street in 2025. Meanwhile, the City's Economic Development Office is working to bring a new brewery to the downtown area. While these new establishments contribute fresh energy to previously underutilized areas, Painesville is primarily renowned in the region for its outstanding authentic Mexican restaurants, five of which are part of Lake County's Taco Trail.

Renew Partners is undertaking several projects around Painesville Square, including revitalizing the large 191,000-square-foot Victoria Place building. This former mall, converted into an office space, will be transformed into a mixed-use development featuring 75 to 80 market-rate apartments on the upper floors and commercial office space on the first floor.

"The renovation of Victoria Place will be a great addition to Painesville by attracting new residents to our downtown and providing additional office space for new tenants," said Lewis.

Painesville Square is undergoing significant changes, and the Main Street area is no exception. Marous Brothers is moving forward with plans to build a new 149,000-square-foot apartment complex, including a restaurant and an outdoor seating area overlooking Kiwanis Recreation Park, situated off the Main Street hill. This project will connect to a new city-owned amphitheater that will be constructed on the hillside, providing views of both the park and the Grand River.

"We are thrilled that developers and builders are showing interest in Painesville. We also deeply appreciate the support from our Lake County Commissioners and our state and federal elected officials. By collaborating, we have made significant improvements," said Lewis. "Exciting things are happening in Painesville! We invite visitors and Lake County residents alike to come and explore.”

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