The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
ORGANIZATION GROWS, DIVERSIFIES
The Downtown Painesville Organization has made quite a few changes in the past year, especially to its Board of Directors.
“We really tried to create a more diverse board, where our community is represented,” said Debra Remington, who is the new board president.
Remington said many business owners and young professionals sit on the board.
In order to grow and generate new ideas, board members now have stricter term limits.
Previously, board members could serve up to three threeyear terms, said DPO Executive Director David Polakowski. Now, they can serve no more than two three-year terms.
“We also expanded the number of board members,” he said. “Now we have 20.”
Efforts to revitalize downtown Painesville are ongoing.
“We had three buildings sold,” he said. “We had the Dollar Bank Building sold, Starfish and Coffee sold and the Gage House sold. Everything we do now is driven towards economic vitality.”
Last year, Painesville welcomed numerous new businesses, including Drifters Fly and Bait Shop and Flowers on Main.
The DPO supports new and existing businesses in many ways.
Economic Vitality Chairwoman Bethany Homrighaus said it is important that everyone succeeds.
“It’s about providing support and pointing people in the direction of the right resources,“said Homrighaus, who is also the owner of Starfish and Coffee.
Meanwhile the DPO continues to work on the four-point approach that focuses on organization, promotions, economic vitality and design .
Polakowski has been named a certified Main Street Manager.
As a Main Street Manager, he participates in a targeted professional development training program aimed to equip leaders with the tools they need to lead results-oriented and preservation-based community revitalization organizations.
Polakowski and Remington agreed that 2017 was a successful year.
“We had three buildings sold. We had the Dollar Bank Building sold, Starfish and Coffee sold and the Gage House sold. Everything we do now is driven towards economic vitality.” — Downtown Painesville Organization Executive Director David Polakowski
“This year, I think we’ve seen a big change in our image,” he said. “Mother Nature was not very kind to us this year, but we still had a lot of activity and interest in the community.”
They said there are many things to look forward to in 2018, including the completion of a new strategic plan.
The Downtown Painesville Organization and city received a $5,000 grant to go toward improving the baseball diamonds in Kiwanis Park.
“This will get the process started,” he said. “There are not many communities where you can walk from downtown to a 78-acre park, so we want to maximize that opportunity.”
An application also was submitted for the Historic District designation.
In addition, residents can look forward to many events, including car cruises, the Wine and Chocolate Walk, Farm and Flea and Restaurant Week.