By Julie D’Aloiso
BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT
During a recent visit to downtown Ashtabula on June 10, I was struck by the remarkable transformation taking place on Main Avenue. As someone who grew up in Sheffield Township and attended Kent State University’s Ashtabula campus, I have deep connections to this area that go back decades.
I remember walking these same streets years ago when I was looking for work after graduating from Kent Ashtabula, and I have fond memories of attending Union Carbide Christmas parties at the historic Shea’s Theater. The changes happening now represent just a snapshot of the broader revitalization efforts underway in Ashtabula – and I didn’t want to be late for lunch with two friends who also attended Kent Ashtabula with me, so this represents only a small portion of what’s actually happening in the city.
Main Avenue in downtown Ashtabula is experiencing a colorful transformation as city officials and community organizations work together to revitalize the historic corridor through beautification projects and new business development.
The City of Ashtabula is moving forward with its Main Avenue Streetscape Project, with City Manager Jim Timonere saying the city is “ready to roll” on the initiative. In February, Ashtabula City Council authorized the city manager to enter into an agreement with GPD Group to provide design engineering services for the project, funded through a $1,642,695 Appalachian Community Grant Program award.
The streetscape improvements will focus on infrastructure upgrades including new sidewalks, concrete replacement and underground conduit installation for future utility burial. City officials identified sidewalks as the first priority, followed by installing conduit underneath sidewalks for future cable and power line burial, with streetscape features and lighting as close third and fourth priorities.
Mural Projects Add Color to Downtown
The artistic transformation of Main Avenue has been particularly visible through several mural initiatives. The Ashtabula Foundation provided a grant for a mural on the Ashtabula Parking Garage, created by artist Julene Schwarz as part of the Public Mural Project aimed at brightening Main Avenue.
In summer 2021, the Ashtabula Arts Center led a community painting project creating murals in three crosswalks on Main Street in Downtown Ashtabula. Using traffic paint and stencils created by Visual Arts Director Nancy Nelson-Brotz, volunteers transformed the crosswalks into vibrant images of swirling water and animals native to the Ashtabula River. The project was funded through a Dominion Energy grant with support from the Ashtabula Downtown Development Association.
The crosswalk mural painting returned in May 2023, with more than 20 volunteer artists gathering to create brightly colored fish and salamanders using traffic paint and stencils. The project was supported by NOPEC funding provided by the city. The community crosswalk painting continued this year, with another event held on June 22. More information about ongoing Main Avenue activities can be found on the Save Main Ave. Ashtabula, Ohio Facebook page.
Additional mural activity includes a Main Street Mural Painting Party in September 2024, where community members joined artist Tessa LeBaron to paint a mural designed for Main Avenue.
The “Art Alley” mural, located between 4619 and 4633 Main Avenue, was completed in October 2024 following community paint parties on September 22-23. Created by artist Tessa LeBaron with the Ashtabula Arts Center, the project received Planning Commission approval in April and featured public participation during the painting events. The Greater Ashtabula Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the mural’s completion. View walkthrough video here.
Historic Architecture Preserved
During my June 10 visit, I was particularly drawn to the former Farmers National Bank building at 4641 Main Avenue. The building, constructed from 1903-1904 with Indiana limestone, represents one of Ashtabula’s most architecturally significant structures from the early 20th century.
The original bank featured rich mahogany interiors, stained glass windows and English veined Italian marble floors. When it opened in August 1904, people came from across the region to marvel at its arched stained glass ceiling and intricate stone and wood details. The building housed the largest vaults in Ashtabula County during its banking era.
Originally opened as Farmers’ Bank of Ashtabula in 1848, the institution operated from this location until 1976, when Farmers National Bank built a new facility and moved down the street. The historic building later housed Casa Capelli Restaurant, and a new restaurant is planned for the former Casa Capelli location as part of ongoing Main Avenue development.
Another notable historic structure is the former Peoples Building and Loan Company building at 4438 Main Avenue, which showcases the classical architectural style typical of early financial institutions that once lined the corridor.
Originally opened as Farmers’ Bank of Ashtabula in 1848, the Farmers National Bank operated from its Main Avenue location until 1976, when the bank built a new facility and moved down the street. The historic building later housed Casa Capelli Restaurant, and a new restaurant is planned for the former Casa Capelli location as part of ongoing Main Avenue development.
The ADDA has also developed a Downtown Ashtabula Exterior Color Guide to help unify and brand the downtown environment through consistent color choices for building upgrades.
Made on Main Initiative Brings New Businesses
Urban planner and project consultant Jamie Baker spearheaded the “Made on Main” project to recruit small makers businesses for Main Street. Baker described Main Avenue as offering “great places for maker businesses to launch, collaborate and be supported as they grow,” with $100,000 committed to new businesses on Main Avenue. Baker described Main Avenue as offering “great places for maker businesses to launch, collaborate and be supported as they grow,” with $100,000 committed to new businesses on Main Avenue.
Recent business developments include the opening of DG Market on Main Avenue, which City Manager Timonere described as a smaller grocery store featuring meats and fresh fruits, addressing what had been a food desert in the area.
Shenanigan’s Sports Hall, a new sports recreation center, is expected to open by the end of July at 4620 Main Avenue in the former Salvation Army building. Owner Dave Clint, who also owns Dublin Down Irish Pub and Eatery, said the two-floor venue will offer recreation including pickleball, bocce, simulated golf and shuffleboard, alongside a bar and food service. Clint said Shenanigan’s will give people something to do in the winter and “a place to go, some activities and socialize in a fun atmosphere.” The venue will feature murals painted by artist Tessa LeBaron and will include office space for rent on the third floor.
Other projects mentioned by city officials include a new restaurant coming to the former Casa Capelli building on Main Avenue, potential renovations to the Carlisle Building and the former Salvation Army building on Main Avenue, and renovations currently underway at Shea’s Theater which I wrote about earlier.
Long-term Vision
The streetscape improvements stem from the Ashtabula Downtown Development Association’s 2013 Action Plan, which identified “the appearance/beautification of Main Avenue” as one of three top priorities for downtown revitalization. The ADDA commissioned McKnight and Associates to develop a comprehensive Streetscape Plan, which was formally approved by Ashtabula City Council. The Greater Ashtabula Chamber of Commerce has also been actively involved in downtown development efforts, co-sponsoring community presentations and organizing ribbon cutting ceremonies for completed projects.
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