FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- After purchasing a strip center located on the south side of Lorain Road between West 223rd and West 221st streets last year, new owner Leon S. Sampat recently came forward with a roughly $150,000 plan to renovate the property.

“We’re raising the façade of the building by 8 feet so it will have a taller stance to it,” said Sampat, who also owns Fairview Park-based engineering services firm LS Architects. “It’s going to have all new signage, awnings and storefronts. It’ll be all new materials to give it a modern look.”

Mayor Eileen Ann Patton added: “The plan he submitted took our breath away. What he intends to do for the little strip mall looks beautiful.”

The owner said the property was purchased with the renovation in mind. Among the current tenants in the center, which was built in 1968, are a laundromat, a collectible card store and Hylan Dental Care. The latter is set to open next month.

The irony for Sampat is that LS Architects is located across the street from the Lorain Road strip center.

“I would go by there every day for the last 10 years and didn’t even know it existed,” Sampat said. “It’s one of those buildings that’s only 12 (feet) tall. You drive by it and don’t realize it’s there. So it needs some curb appeal. I think a lot of these buildings in Fairview Park need that.

“Right now, it’s a little difficult to rent in Fairview. It’s hard to find tenants. I think part of it is because all of the buildings look old, distressed and tired.”

Construction is expected to take place in the spring. Sampat hopes his efforts spur other Fairview Park property owners to follow suit.

“Considering Lakewood has gone beyond being affordable, Fairview Park is kind of your next up-and-coming area.” Sampat said. “That’s kind of how I’m looking at it and willing to put the investment in it.

“There’s a lot of opportunity here for businesses that you don’t get in other communities. I think eventually it’s going to help increase the rent, which in turn gets my return on investment eventually and also increase the property values.”

Patton said she’s excited to see such an investment in the business community.

“It’s very important,” Patton said. “We just put a beautiful streetscape in front of that shopping center, as well. So now with the new design of the building, which adds curb appeal, we’re very excited he’s making this investment.”

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