Downtown Painesville Organization to kick off revitalization project

National Park Service providing money through grant program

The Downtown Painesville Organization has announced a kick-off event will take place Aug. 5 at Renew Partners Building, 30 South Park Place.

There will be an introduction at 10:30 a.m., followed by a walking tour at 11.

This project is one of four recipients of the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program, according to a news release. This program assists Ohio’s Main Street communities with the rehabilitation of historic buildings that prioritize economic impact, use of commercial first-floor space and upperfloor residential space and encourage reactivation of vacant spaces.

Ohio was one of eight states to be awarded this funding in August 2020. The Ohio History Connection is re-granting $446,327 to four projects in Main Street communities.

The Ohio Main Street Program, administered by Heritage Ohio, works with communities across the state to revitalize their historic or traditional commercial areas. Based in historic preservation, the Main Street approach was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to save historic commercial architecture and the fabric of American communities’ built environment.

Heritage Ohio will oversee the grant projects working in conjunction with the local Main Street organization, Downtown Painesville Organization.

“We are excited for the opportunity to further the revitalization of Downtown Painesville,” Downtown Painesville Organization Executive Director Joy Severa said in the release. “With this project, we will be able to see a building return to its original beauty and encourage renewed interest in our walkable historic district.

“This grant has provided the opportunity to move this historic tax credit project forward quickly and bring new vibrancy, retain the district’s character and encourage new mixed-use opportunities in the core of our downtown,” Painesville Director of Development Cathy Bieterman added in the release. “This project will also encourage a traditional, pedestrian-friendly connection with our town square that will bring new energy to our community.”

“We are delighted to have been awarded this grant. It provides a valuable added incentive to our project,” said Warren Vickers of Renew Partners. “Our company is excited and eager to revitalize an important historic building in Painesville that will provide renewed energy to the downtown area and be instrumental in generating further investment in the city.”