I am a City of Painesville real estate expert.  I am also a resident.  I've lived in Painesville for more than thirty years and love it here!  Can't imagine living anywhere else.   We're a community of about 18,000, located approximately 30 miles east of Cleveland.  Painesville is one of the few communities to boast its own electrical, water and sewer plants.  We recently became a college football town with the signing of the agreement between the City and Lake Erie College for use of the football stadium in Kiwanis Park.  Last, but certainly not least, five new schools are being built, replacing all the current schools.  The first new school will open August 2007, with the high school completing the project in 2010 (watch the progress at http://www.painesville-city.k12.oh.us/).

Over these many years, though, the City has lost its clearly defined downtown area.  This happened gradually, starting in the 1970's when urban renewal was all the rage.  From what I gather, federal funding was freely available to cities wanting to make major changes, but the funds could only be used to tear buildings down, not fix them up.  As a result, several previously, and still potentially, beautiful buildings were ripped from their foundations, not only obliterating the buildings, but also destroying the downtown shopping area that had always been the heart of Painesville. 

Skipping all the drama that transpired over the years, let's fast forward to today.  I just learned that a task force was formed several months ago to investigate the possibilities of a downtown renaissance.  I attended a meeting this last week, also attended by community officials, residents, and other business leaders.  Until definitive plans are in place, it is not appropriate for me to put them in print, but I am very excited about the changes discussed.  If the community will pull together to facilitate these changes, GREAT THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN IN PAINESVILLE.  We have a very bright future!

Stay tuned for further developments.  In the meantime, get to know Painesville, Ohio via the following web-link:

http://www.painesville.com/pdf/ecodev_bibro.pdf

If you're looking for a wonderful place to live, that is on the cutting edge of change, consider Painesville.