Council Revitalizes Main Avenue: Facade and Infrastructure Plans Set for 2026

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ASHTABULA, Ohio – Ashtabula City Council has launched a major downtown revitalization effort by approving the Main Avenue facade program and a $110,000 paving engineering contract. During the March 2, 2026, meeting, officials authorized a subrecipient agreement with the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments to administer the Main Avenue facade program, funded by the Appalachian Community Grant Program. This initiative, paired with a new contract for the 2026 paving program with GPD Group, represents a coordinated push to upgrade city infrastructure while preserving the historic aesthetic of the downtown district. The council also greenlit memorial signage to celebrate local legends and the city’s industrial legacy, including its historical connection to the fiberglass Corvette body.

Main Avenue Facade Program and Application Process

The Main Avenue facade program is part of the “Downtowns and Destinations” initiative, supported by Ohio’s $500 million Appalachian investment. The program provides critical funding for building owners to restore storefronts and repair commercial roofs, aiming to highlight the “industrial character” of Ashtabula.

Key Application and Project Details:

• Application Review: Applications are typically reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Property owners must demonstrate a need for improvement or substandard conditions.
• Funding Tiers: While specific local caps vary, similar programs in the region offer reimbursements ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per taxable property address.
• Timeline: The city expects to begin bidding out individual projects this spring and summer. All projects exceeding $75,000 must comply with state prevailing wage rates.
• Eligible Improvements: Funding covers exterior painting, window/door replacement, masonry tuck-pointing, signage, and decorative lighting.

Infrastructure and the 2026 Paving Program

City Manager James Timonere addressed council concerns regarding road durability by confirming that the $110,000 contract with GPD Group includes strict oversight. Inspectors will be on-site to verify that milling and asphalt depths meet contract specifications before the city releases funds from the paving levy.

Council members specifically discussed the condition of East 17th Street and Harmon Road, emphasizing that high-traffic areas must be built to last more than one season. Timonere also noted that the city is working with utility companies to ensure “road cuts” made during the winter are permanently repaired as soon as asphalt plants reopen this spring.

Preserving Ashtabula’s Legacy

In a move to bolster local pride and tourism, the council authorized new signage for two major landmarks:

1. Jerry Manis Memorial: A sign will be installed at the Ashtabula Harbor Topky Pickleball Courts to honor his community contributions.

2. Fiberglass Corvette Heritage: New signage at the city’s main entrances—including US Route 20, Route 84, and State Route 11—will commemorate the Robert Morrison Foundation and Molded Fiber Glass (MFG) Corporation for their role in producing the original fiberglass Corvette bodies.