To create a community by choice rather than chance, throughout 2020 and 2021 our community gathered both in person and virtually to determine a shared vision for the future. Well over 600 stakeholders, including business and educational leaders, government representatives of the Village of Hartville and Lake Township, as well as the general public voiced their needs and imaginations through a thoughtfully led community engagement process by architecture and design firm, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative.

Our initial project, the West Maple Corridor Revitalization Project Development Guidelines, is the product of that effort. The purpose of these recommendations is to help guide the development process of Hartville’s “Main Street.” Capturing many voices to drive neighborhood change, these guidelines set our community’s goals and ensure we do not stray from our core principles. It is a living document to be re-examined, revised, and updated regularly.

Our second project was to install a meaningful gateway marker at the eastern end of the West Maple Street corridor in the square of Historic Downtown Hartville at 110 North Prospect Ave. This project transformed an underutilized downtown space into a distinctive community landmark while serving as a key component of a planned wayfinding signage system. Together, these improvements will strengthen the sense of arrival in Hartville, enhance visitor navigation, and reinforce the community’s unique identity. Learn more: HARTVILLE/LAKE Gateway Project

Our third project is the launch of the Downtown Hartville Civic Improvement Fund (CIF), a reimbursement grant program that helps downtown commercial property owners invest in exterior façade restoration and property improvements. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to offset eligible project costs, encouraging reinvestment, preserving community character, and enhancing the appearance of Downtown Hartville. Learn more: Downtown Hartville Civic Improvement Fund

Community-Driven Goals

Purpose:
The overall purpose of the West Maple Revitalization project is to beautify and connect the community along West Maple Street from Historic Downtown Hartville to the roundabouts at the Hartville Hardware, Kitchen, MarketPlace & Flea Market.

Community Consensus:
We have gathered input from stakeholders; including business and educational leaders, government representatives of the Village of Hartville and Lake Township, as well as a survey of the general public. This process has allowed us to reach a consensus for the future vision plan for West Maple Street.