Painesville approves property purchases

City council authorizes the spending for two upcoming projects

Painesville City Council recently authorized the purchase of properties that officials hope to use for two upcoming projects — a proposed freeway interchange redesign on West Jackson Street and the construction of a new promenade near Painesville Square.

One of the two properties is located on Shamrock Boulevard, bordering the existing Sunset Ridge Apartments.

City Communications Coordinator Kathleen Sullivan said that officials will need the property’s right-of-way as part of a proposed reconstruction of the State Route 44 and West Jackson Street interchange, allowing drivers to enter and exit the freeway going both directions.

Officials have also proposed rerouting West Jackson Street from Nye Road in Painesville Township to the new freeway interchange, according to a summary from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.

Sullivan added that the proposal is currently undergoing a justification study.

City Manager Doug Lewis noted that Yates offered to sell the 1.96-acre property because density requirements prevented it from adding additional apartment units.

The city agreed to purchase the land from Yates Land Holdings for $100,000, using funding set aside for capital improvement projects.

He noted that the purchase price is below an appraisal value of $130,650.

The agreement also includes a request for the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals to provide variances allowing Yates to continue operating or rebuild the existing apartments, while the Planning Commission will need to vote to split the lot.

The second property is located on East Washington Street, and Lewis noted that the lot will be part of a proposed promenade connecting the former Lake East Hospital site to Painesville Square.

“The promenade was recognized as an important feature of the Painesville downtown master plan,” he said.

Lewis noted that the property’s current owner agreed to sell for $50,000, above the $40,000 appraisal value. The funds will come from $125,000 in capital improvement funding that the city has set aside for part of that project.

The promenade will be designed by the city and Renew Partners, he noted, which is also working on new student housing and a proposed mixed-use development for Painesville Square.

“The plan is for an aesthetically pleasing area that will include a flat surface with landscaping, and areas for seating,” Sullivan said, noting that city officials and Renew Partners have not drawn up specific plans yet.

“Walkers and bikers coming down Washington Street from the Lake Metroparks Greenway Trail will be able to cut through and end up in Downtown Painesville,” she added. “When the old hospital property is developed, this will also give easy access to the town’s center.”

Sullivan noted that construction is expected to take place next year.

Council approved both purchase agreements in 6-0 votes on Feb. 21, with Council President Christine Shoop excused on leave.