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What could Great Lakes Mall look like if some of its vast parking areas eventually became places to live, eat and gather?

That long-term possibility is part of Mentor's proposed Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which City Council is scheduled to consider Wednesday, November 4, at 7 p.m.

Ordinance 26-O-101 would adopt the citywide plan. It identifies the mall property as an opportunity for future housing, restaurants, entertainment, additional retail and more walkable connections, while continuing to recognize the mall as an important shopping destination.

The mall concept was discussed during the planning process earlier this year. What's new is that the full plan now appears on Council's agenda for consideration.

Here's the distinction: Wednesday's agenda does not approve apartments, new restaurants or construction at Great Lakes Mall. Any specific redevelopment would require a separate proposal and applicable reviews.

The plan outlines a one-to-three-year period for mall-related planning and preliminary steps. That's not a construction schedule.

Council meets in the third-floor Council Chambers at the Mentor Municipal Center, 8500 Civic Center Boulevard.

⬇️ Could parts of the parking lots eventually be used for homes? What would happen to parking and traffic? Our website explains what the city actually envisions, which major questions remain unanswered and what would need to happen before anything is built.

A construction banner more than 40 times the size normally permitted? That's what city officials will consider for the Uptown Mentor redevelopment.

A public notice issued October 30 identifies a request for a 2,020-square-foot temporary banner at 8677 Mentor Avenue. The maximum allowed under the cited sign rules is just 50 square feet.

Applicant Alison Sikora also wants the banner to remain throughout construction, rather than the normally permitted 90 days.

Mentor's Board of Building and Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing Tuesday, November 10, at 7 p.m. The variance has not been approved.

Meanwhile, another project-related item is on Wednesday's City Council agenda.

GEIS Construction is listed under the City Manager's Report for pavement work involving water-line and storm-sewer improvements at the same address. The agenda does not specify a construction schedule or whether council will take a formal vote.

Uptown Mentor's larger redevelopment calls for a four-story building with 45 apartments and ground-floor commercial space in the Old Village area.

The bigger question is what residents will actually see during construction.

⬇️ Click Below to Read the full story: We compare the proposed banner with Mentor's sign rules, explain the two city reviews, and examine what's still unknown about the banner's appearance and possible road disruptions.

Holiday shopping season is almost here, and one of Mentor's longtime traditions is getting ready for another big year!

Lake Catholic's 42nd Annual Performing Arts Craft Fair returns Saturday, November 7, with more than 150 crafters—and organizers say every vendor space is already filled.

For shoppers, that means plenty of opportunities to discover unique gifts, browse handmade creations and enjoy a festive afternoon. A bake sale, food, raffles and door prizes add to the fun.

But there's more to this tradition than holiday shopping. All proceeds benefit Lake Catholic's performing arts programs, helping support the school's young performers.

The fair runs 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at 6733 Reynolds Road in Mentor. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors 60+, and free for children 12 and under. Admission tickets are cash-only at the door.

A Local Buzz Original Magazine

Before a ranking or reputation tells you what to think about a neighborhood, ask what it measures—and whether those priorities are yours.

“Great neighborhood,” someone says. But what, exactly, makes it great—and for whom?

A reputation can reach us before we ever visit. A ranking calls a place desirable. An acquaintance calls it overlooked. A casual comment becomes the story we tell ourselves about streets we barely know.

The trouble isn't that people have opinions. It's that a label can sound like a fact when it actually reflects someone else's preferences.

Start by asking who supplied the description. Is it based on a specific experience, a measured feature, a marketing claim, or something repeatedly heard? Then ask what matters to your household. Public spaces you can comfortably use? A nearby library or recreation program? A quieter outdoor setting? Different priorities can produce different—and equally reasonable—answers.

Next, separate observations from verdicts. “The path ends before the park entrance” describes something you can check. “This isn't a good place to walk” skips the important questions: Which route? For whom? Under what conditions?

If a neighborhood interests you, visit on an ordinary weekday and again at a different time. Notice sidewalk continuity, sounds, lighting, public-space conditions, and posted facility information. Where a detail matters, confirm it through a reliable source. One afternoon can't tell the whole story, but it can help you ask better questions.

Try keeping three short notes: what I observed, why it matters to me, and what I still need to verify. That small distinction protects you from treating a rumor as evidence—or someone else's favorite feature as your priority.

The point isn't to prove anyone wrong. It's to understand what you're choosing.

The people who live in a neighborhood are not a rating system. Neither is a stranger's impression.

A good fit starts with the life you actually live, not the label you've inherited.

⬇️ The label is only the beginning. Explore our full neighborhood observation guide, a practical example, and five neighborhood-fit questions to help you look beyond reputation and decide what really matters to you.

From lakefront luxury homes to more practical family-friendly options, here’s a quick look at several new listings that recently hit the market in the 44060 area.

7632 Mary Ln., Mentor, OH 44060
Why it Caught Our Eye: The cathedral-ceiling breakfast room, surrounded by windows on three sides, feels like the perfect place to enjoy morning coffee with a view of the changing seasons.
4 Beds, 3.5 Bath, 2,922 Sqft. 0.38 Acre Lot
Sale Price $499,500
Listed by: Lori Pecjak Brokered by Howard Hanna - Mentor
Link to Property Listing

7572 Monterey Bay Dr., Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH 44060 (Condo)
Why it Caught Our Eye: The private patio with its generous awning and pet-friendly enclosure creates a cozy outdoor retreat where even four-legged family members can relax.
2 Beds, 2 Bath, 1,374 Sqft. 0.55 Acre Lot
Sale Price $340,000
Listed by: Kimberly Fink Brokered by Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan Realty
Link to Property Listing

10161 S. Hampton Ct., Mentor, OH 44060
Why it Caught Our Eye: The expansive deck overlooking a backyard framed by mature trees feels like a peaceful front-row seat to the changing seasons.
3 Beds, 2.5 Bath, 2,236 Sqft. 0.51 Acre Lot
Sale Price $299,900
Listed by: Deborah Kidd Brokered by Glasshouse Realty Group, LLC
Link to Property Listing

9001 Elm St., Mentor, OH 44060
Why it Caught Our Eye: The skylit kitchen with its cozy wood-burning fireplace and direct access to the backyard deck makes everyday meals and gatherings feel a little more special.
3 Beds, 2 Bath, 1,524 Sqft. 0.25 Acre Lot
Sale Price $255,000
Listed by: Timothy M. McMahon Brokered by Pwg Real Estate, Llc.
Link to Property Listing

7033 Buckhurst Pl., Mentor, OH 44060 (Condo)
Why it Caught Our Eye: The private rear patio adds a peaceful outdoor escape to this beautifully updated condo, without the upkeep of a large yard.
3 Beds, 2 Bath, 1,531 Sqft.
Sale Price $189,900
Listed by: Laurie Caitlin Mireiter Brokered by Real Estate Quest, Inc.
Link to Property Listing

All the Home Listings in 44060 (248 in Total) in Zip Code 44060

The Cleveland Browns had a chance to make a statement in the AFC North on Sunday. Instead, they left Pittsburgh with a familiar result — a 27–6 loss to the Steelers and more questions about their ability to compete in the division.

The numbers tell a painful story. Pittsburgh rushed for 200 yards while Cleveland managed just 34. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was sacked eight times, and two early fumbles helped the Steelers seize control.

Despite throwing for 324 yards, Watson couldn't get Cleveland into the end zone. The Browns settled for two field goals and were shut out in the second half. Even a fourth-quarter trip inside Pittsburgh's 5-yard line ended without points.

There were bright spots. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. delivered a career-high 154 receiving yards on 10 catches, while cornerback Denzel Ward recorded his third interception of the season.

The defeat marked Cleveland's 23rd consecutive regular-season loss in Pittsburgh, tying an NFL record for one team's home dominance over an opponent. However, the Browns did defeat the Steelers in Pittsburgh on January 10, 2021, defeating them 48-37 in the AFC Wild Card round.

The Browns (5–3) now trail the first-place Steelers (6–2) by one game. Cleveland won their earlier meeting, but Sunday's performance exposed significant problems with offensive protection and stopping the run.

🐝 Buzz Fact: Real estate photography has an amazing ability to make a laundry room look like a luxury spa. It's still where the missing socks go.

Pardon our … dust! LOL!

Got a tip, event or story idea? Email [email protected] or call 440-256-6115.