The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
CONSTRUCTION BOOM IN REGION
Old Willoughby school, mini-golf sites among redevelopment projects
Some high-profile places in Willoughby are targeted for redevelopment.
Willoughby Union Point — a mix of offices and residential units — is planned in the historic Willoughby Union High and Junior High schools, and surrounding property.
Union High will be converted into 24 residential units, with a fresh market/retail opportunity on the ground floor, Willoughby Economic Development Director Tom Thielman said.
The Junior High redevelopment, which will start this summer, will comprise offices, construction of 24 townhomes and single-family, ranch-style duplexes in the parking area. The high school portion has yet to go through the Planning Commission.
“This multimillion-dollar project will enhance the vibrancy of the (Wes) Point Park area and continue to build on the demand for Historic Willoughby residential and business addresses,” Thielman said.
There also are plans for new uses on the vacant PuttPutt Golf & Games property and the BP station on the corner of Erie Street and Mentor Avenue.
Aligned Chiropractic has approval to construct a 9,253-square-foot medical office building on 1.7 acres at 38882 Mentor Ave. — the former miniature golf site.
“This site is at the border of Willoughby and Mentor, and represents a redevelopment of land that has been vacant for eight years,” Thielman said. “This development will greatly improve the look of Willoughby entering from the east along Mentor Avenue.”
Visconsi Companies Ltd. plans a 3,500-square-foot building on the gas station site for an undisclosed bank.
This project will boost the gateway to Downtown Willoughby and redevelop an underutilized corner property, “bringing it up to a higher use with landscaping, new sidewalks and lighting,” Thielman said. “The city is also in discussion and planning stages to create a ‘Welcome,’ or entrance sign on that corner, which will designate your arrival into Downtown Willoughby.”
Other notable projects include:
• The $60 million campus on Shankland Road combining a new South High School, senior center and YMCA
• Courthouse Square — 64 condominium units starting in the $160,000 range. The four, four-story buildings will be located west of Willoughby Courthouse.
• Chagrin Riverwalk — The mixed-use development continues with new construction of more than 400 apartments and provides opportunities for up to 60,000 square feet of Class A office space on 22.5 acres.
• A 130,000-square-foot manufacturing building being built on 11 acres along Jet Center Drive by Weston, one of Greater Cleveland’s largest privately held industrial property owner/developers. Half the building is to be used by an undisclosed tenant and the rest of the space will be available.
“The project was initiated by the Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority to develop unneeded land owned by the Lost Nation Airport and to add needed industrial space to the area,” Thielman said. “The project has potential users lined up with the prospects of bringing over 100 jobs and millions in new payroll to the city of Willoughby.”
Construction is to begin Aug. 6.
Mentor
Mentor could be another hot spot of commercial development this season. City leaders are anticipating construction
of Meijer’s on the old Kmart site and Menards south of Diamond Centre Drive. Both received final planning approval within the last several months.
Plans have yet to be submitted for Hobby Lobby, announced in February to take over the Office Max site by Great Lakes Mall.
“Another major retailer announcement may be forthcoming,” said Mentor Economic & Community Development Director Ronald M. Traub.
Within the past few weeks, building permits were approved for interior alterations for MUM Industries at 8989 Tyler Blvd., the new Outback Steakhouse at 7785 Plaza Blvd., Cardinal Car Wash at 8698 Mentor Ave., Fastenal at 8240 Tyler Blvd., interior alterations for Accurate Metal Sawing at 7272 Justin Way, and interior alterations for Big Tex at 8647 Tyler.
Mentor staff also recently reviewed ORBIS renovations at 7206 Tyler and the new Giant Eagle at 8383 Tyler — part of the City Market redevelopment project.
Several of the projects were the recipients of Mentor economic development incentives.
Concord Township
Crile Road in Concord Township continues to see a flurry of activity.
The new Holiday Inn Express is now under construction at Gold Court, off of Crile.
“We are excited to have another quality lodging opportunity,” Concord Township Administrator Andy Rose said.
Chipotle and Subway are nearing completion at Crile Crossing II, and Cleveland Yoga plans are under review for the area.
Crile Hardware is finalizing plans to relocate south on Crile near 84 Lumber and the Concord Motor Sports building.
A proposal also is under review for a Verizon-related wireless store on Gold Court and Peace, Love and Little Donuts for the Drug Mart plaza.
“There are several vacant parcels that are generating interest and actively being marketed,” Rose said. “We are looking forward to bringing some new businesses to Concord Township that will meet the needs and wishes of our residents.”
Madison Village
The Interstate 90-Route 528 interchange area has multiple commercial construction projects underway or soon to be.
They include the Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Hampton Inn, both on Water Tower Drive.
“The two above-mentioned projects represent an investment of over $20 million in our community,” Village Administrator Dwayne Bailey said. “These projects will also allow the village to participate in and support the Grand River Valley travel and tourism industry of eastern Lake County.”
Holiday Inn is expected to be open this year with Hampton Inn following in early 2019.
“Many people helped bring these projects to our area, and I think I can safely speak for all of them in saying that we are all very excited to add this vital piece to our regional economy and that this is just the beginning,” Bailey said.
Painesville
The Lake County Administration building expansion is hard to miss on Painesville Square. Aero Fluid Regulators is expanding as well, with the help of a $200,000 development grant from JobsOhio. Additionally, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a six-year, 1.392 percent tax credit for Aero Fluid. The agreement requires Aero Fluid to maintain operations at the location in Painesville for at least nine years.
“Typically, projects of this size only come once every five years,” Economic Development Director Cathy Bieterman said. “It’s great to see these two projects kicking off together here in Painesville this year.”