Economic Development

What is a Community Reinvestment Area and when might it be right for you?

A Community Reinvestment Area, more commonly referred to as a CRA, is a tax abatement program for those performing major improvements, additions or new construction that cause a change to the tax valuation. The CRA can be used for either residential or commercial property.

The 50% tax abatement occurs on the difference between the original value of the property and the improved value, as determined by the Lake County Auditor. The number of years for the abatement depends on the type of improvement and whether it is residential or commercial.

The CRA process differs between residential and commercial. A commercial CRA agreement MUST be in place prior to construction to be eligible for the abatement. A residential CRA must provide proof of investment when applying for a CRA. Due to the criteria, an application may be accepted up to a year after a project has been completed.

The information sheet below provides more details about the program. If you think that you are interested in applying or if you have questions about whether your project would qualify for the program, please contact Economic Development Manager Monica Drake at mdrake@cityofwillowick.com or (419) 345-0242. The CRA application is below.

Willowick-Community-Reinvestment-Area-Information-Sheet (2)
Willowick CRA Residential Application Form
CRA Willowick Map Attachment E-2

Commercial Properties

Willowick Properties For Lease May 2022
Willowick Properties For Sale May 2022

2200 square foot space available for lease at the corner of E 305 St and Euclid Ave.

31008 Lake Shore Blvd, Willowick, OH 44095
Commercial Property corner Vine Lakeshore

30510-31000 Lakeshore Blvd, Willowick, OH 44095
Northshore Mall Willowick Ohio USA

Vine Street Corridor Planning Study

Laketran is co-hosting a series of public meetings with NOACA and cities of Willoughby, Eastlake, and Willowick to receive public feedback on ways to enhance the Vine Street corridor in terms of multi-modal connectivity and streetscaping.

The first public meeting was held at the Willoughby Senior Center.

The second meeting will be held Monday, May 16 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Eastlake City Hall, 35150 Lakeshore Blvd., Eastlake, OH 44095. Public transit options: Local Route 3 or Dial-a-Ride.

Traffic Light Vine St. & E. 317 St.

We have received several complaints in regards to the traffic light at the Vine St. and E. 317 St. intersection. The light is in recall mode due to a loop that was broken when Lake County Utilities repaired a water break there. This light will be fixed when LCDU begins their Waterline Project on Vine St. We have no time estimate on this project and appreciate your patience please use caution.

Lake County Special Collections

Appliances, Electronics, Monitors, TVs, & Tires
Unloaded by Resident
Collection Season: June 6 thru August 31
Lake County Landfill & Recycling Center
2039 Blase Nemeth Rd. Painesville Twp.
Monday – Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hazardous Waste Event Dates
Unloaded by Collection Team
June 11 and September 24
Lake County Fairgrounds
1301 Mentor Ave., Painesville Twp., enter via Mentor Ave.
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Please follow the link for special collection details:

2022-Special Collections Detailed Flyer

2022 Road Repaving Project

Willowick’s Road Repaving Project for 2022 is tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday, April 19th and last roughly through the end of June. These times are all weather dependent and the schedule is very fluid. Crews will begin with asphalt milling and pavement planning on the following streets: Dickerson Rd. from Bayridge Blvd. to Royalview Dr., E.310th St., Mildred Dr., Gilchrist Dr., Arlington Circle and E. 285th St. Some concrete slab repairs will also be done on Carrington Court. In addition to these streets, work will begin on the intersection of Fairway Blvd. and Forestgrove Rd. the same week. Please be patient as some traffic delays may arise.

Todd Shannon
Service Director
City of Willowick
31230 Vine St.
Willowick OH, 44095
(440)585-0963

First Energy Tree Pruning

First Energy has contracted Pennline Tree Service to prune trees around electric wires in the City. Crews will be working throughout the City for the next few weeks. A representative from Pennline confirmed that notification will be taped to a homeowners door to inform them that crews will be in their area working.

If you have questions or concerns please contact: Ty Pugh with Pennline Tree Service at 724-787-8458

Hometown Hero Veteran Banner

Hometown Heroes Veteran Banner Program

The City of Willowick’s Hometown Heroes Veteran Banner Program is a tribute to recognize and honor our residents and their immediate family members who are currently serving or who have served our country in the armed forces. Banners are hung from Memorial Day in May through Veterans Day (November 11). New applications will be accepted starting January 3, 2022 and will end March 31, 2022. The cost for a new banner is $125.00. If you have any questions please contact Angela Trend in City Hall at 440-585-3700 Ext. 230.
Please click on the link below to download an application.

Hometown Heroes Application 2022
Hometown Heroes Application - Service Era Listing

Building & Service Departments

DUE TO DEPARTMENTAL WIDE COVID-19, OUR OFFICE WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. PLEASE USE THE INBOX (LOCKED) TO DROP OFF PERMIT REQUESTS AND OTHER ITEMS FOR REVIEW AND THE OUTBOX FOR PICK-UPS.

WE WILL CALL YOU WHEN YOUR PERMIT IS READY FOR PICK UP.

THANK YOU,

BUILDING AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT

Residents to Receive NOPEC Natural Gas Enrollment Letters Soon

Eligible residents and small business owners in the City of Willowick will be receiving a natural gas enrollment letter for the City’s natural gas aggregation program through NOPEC. NOPEC is required by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to send these letters to all eligible residential and small business customers in NOPEC member communities every two years. Letters will begin mailing in early November for enrollment into the natural gas program for the period beginning January 2022 through June 2023.
If you want to enroll in NOPEC’s Standard Program Price, you don’t need to take any action when you receive your enrollment letter. You will automatically be enrolled. Additional program options including fixed term and monthly variable pricing can be viewed online at http://nopec.org/checkrates or by calling NOPEC’s Customer Care Center at 1-855-667-3201. If you don’t want to enroll in the natural gas aggregation, you must return the opt-out form included with your enrollment letter to NOPEC by mail or by fax to 440-774-4422 by no later than December 13, 2021.

SID – Shoreline Special Improvement District

We have received the first round of funding for the Special Improvement District (SID). If you would like to be a part of this program and have not yet filled out the petition please click on this link SID Petition. Please read and fill the petition out. Once complete please drop the paperwork off at City Hall, 30435 Lakeshore Blvd., Willowick or email to atrend@cityofwillowick.com . More information will follow.

Recordings of the July 28 and August 11 virtual meetings regarding the Lakeshore Boulevard and Lakefront Redevelopment TLCI Project are now available on the website.