Traffic patterns on two Painesville streets will change in the coming days as construction projects on South Park Place and Liberty Street reach their final stages.
The city said in a news release that South Park Place will be closed from 7 a.m. Aug. 14 to Aug. 21 as workers finish crosswalks and install storm sewer manholes. It expects that the project will be completed by the end of August.
Members of the public can still visit businesses along the south side of Painesville Square by parking in a lot off of East Washington Street and using the square’s sidewalks, the release added.
Local businesses have been affected since the project began in May, closing parking spaces and tearing up the surrounding streetscape. Eatery Mmm Yummy at 76 S. Park Place lost 40 to 50 percent of its sales when the work began and had to reduce staffing less than one year after opening, founder Belen Flores said in June.
Branches of Wellness studio founder Erin Hill considered closing her 70 S. Park Place studio earlier this summer because of a decline in visitors, so she started a GoFundMe campaign. The campaign had received more than $7,900 of its $10,000 goal as of Aug. 13.
Hill thanked supporters in an update posted to GoFundMe on Aug. 8, describing them as “the force that has held our doors open throughout this construction process.” She asked supporters for “one final push” during the last month of work.
“This has been financially devastating to our business’ usual summer financial flow, and to our patrons ability to access their wellness classes and services,” she said.
The city said in May that the streetscape project is upgrading South Park Place’s concrete and making changes to the neighboring sidewalks, landscaping and parking features.
North Park Place will remain open to traffic while South Park Place is closed over the next week, said Painesville Senior Engineer Robert Vargo. He added that people heading east through Painesville can use Washington Street as a detour.
The city said that people with questions or concerns can contact the engineering office at 440-392-5935.
Another major Painesville thoroughfare is expected to reopen to two-way traffic this week.
The Ohio Department of Transportation told Painesville that Cole Burton Contractors expects to reopen Liberty Street to two-way traffic starting on Aug. 14. In recent months, the road has only been open to southbound traffic.
ODOT District 12 Public Information Officer Brent Kovacs added that flaggers will maintain traffic for the remainder of the project, which has an end date of Sept. 30. Painesville asked drivers to give workers room when passing.
The ODOT-administered resurfacing project has impacted portions of Liberty Street between Washington Street and the intersection with state Route 84 in Painesville Township. The city previously rated the road surface on its portion of Liberty Street as poor.
Originally Published: