Major development coming to Medina

MEDINA — A major development project is on its way to the city of Medina, just off the square, that will include 39 loft-style apartments and retail establishments along West Liberty Street. The 47,000-square-foot Liberty View will be located in between the Donald Pease Federal Building and Sully's Irish Pub, with an estimated construction cost of $9.3 million. It is expected to break ground this summer. It will be south of the city's new parking deck. The Rose Company has been selected to construct the four-story, mixed-use building. The Medina City Development Corp., a registered nonprofit, announced the project in a news release Thursday. The developer will enter into a long-term land lease with the MCDC for the property. Upon completion of the building, apartment tenants will have access to the newly completed city parking deck. "The Liberty View project will be only the second new mixed-use building constructed in Medina's Historic District in over 50 years," city of Medina Economic Development Director Kimberly Marshall, also chair of the MCDC, said. "The first was the Raymond Building at the corner of North Court Street and East Friendship Street, built in 2018. As with the Raymond Building, Liberty View fills two needs for downtown Medina: additional retail space and more downtown housing." Brendan Rose, principal with the Rose Company, said Liberty View will fit well into Medina. "(We) believe that it will be a great addition to the city of Medina and a catalyst for bringing more people to our historic downtown," he said. The building will consist of 9,100 square feet of ground level retail with individual storefronts facing West Liberty Street. In addition, a planned restaurant will include an outdoor dining area. The upper three floors of the building are comprised of 39 loft-style apartments, including six two-bedroom apartments, each of approximately 1,100 square feet; three studio apartments, each about 530 square feet; and 30 one-bedroom apartments, each approximately 800 square feet. The building will feature an elevator, and each apartment will include a complete custom-designed kitchen with stainless steel appliances, an oversized walk-in shower, in-suite laundry, secure electronic access entry system and individual temperature control. The building's façade will visually blend well with the historic Medina storefronts and give the impression of four separately constructed turn-of-the-century buildings. "It was important to the MCDC that the new construction be architecturally compatible with the circa late 19th century buildings in the surrounding area," Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell said. "This development team, which includes owner Mike Rose and architect Tony Cerny, has a long history of working with and preserving the historic buildings in Medina. We expect that this new building will fit right in and look as if it's always been there." The now-vacant Porter's Shoe Repair store, which opened in September 1956 at 137 W. Liberty St., Medina, will be torn down. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.