Brunswick City Struggles with Vacant Lots as Council Pushes Failing Business Ventures

BRUNSWICK, Ohio — March 29, 2025
In Brunswick, Ohio, a city of 35,426 residents nestled 20 miles southwest of Cleveland, a paradox unfolds: vast swathes of vacant lots dot the landscape, yet the City Council persists in championing new business developments that often falter. As Medina County’s economic hub grapples with empty parcels and unrealized potential, questions mount about the council’s strategy and the sustainability of its growth ambitions.

A Landscape of Vacancy

Drive along Brunswick’s main arteries—Center Road or Pearl Road—and the sight of undeveloped lots is hard to miss. Despite its prime location near I-71 and State Route 303, the city struggles to fill these spaces. While exact figures on vacant lots are not readily available, the city’s own Community and Economic Development Department touts a “fluid stock of commercial opportunities,” including buildable land from private owners. Yet, many of these parcels remain untouched, a silent testament to stalled progress.

The Brunswick Town Center, a 107-acre mixed-use project anchored by Home Depot and Giant Eagle, stands as a rare success story. Its charming Main Street of specialty shops offers a glimpse of what could be. But beyond this flagship, the city’s commercial landscape is pockmarked with empty storefronts and unstarted projects, raising doubts about the council’s vision.

Council’s Push for New Business

Under the leadership of Vice Mayor Nicholas Hanek and the Brunswick City Council has doubled down on economic development. The city boasts a pro-business stance, high-speed fiber networks, and workforce alliances, positioning itself as “a great place to grow a family and a business.” Recent efforts include promoting retail storefronts in 18 shopping plazas and high-profile out-lots for stand-alone stores.

Yet, these initiatives often stumble. New businesses—heralded with fanfare—frequently close within months, leaving behind vacant spaces and frustrated residents. A lack of detailed public data obscures the exact failure rate, but community chatter and the persistent emptiness of commercial zones suggest a troubling trend. From shuttered eateries to abandoned office spaces, the council’s push for growth seems to outpace market demand.

Market 42: A Beacon or a Burden?

The upcoming Market 42, a mixed-use development at 2099 Pearl Road set to open in spring 2025, exemplifies the council’s ambitions. Led by developer Nick Kyriazis, it promises over 25 vendors, 100+ jobs, and a vibrant community hub. Hanek has been linked to the project as a potential shareholder, though public records don’t confirm this, while Lambert is rumored to be launching Pasta Fresca LLC within it—claims equally unverified.

Across the street, a family’s plan for a truck parking lot met resistance, with Hanek raising concerns about noise and traffic in the Medina-Gazette. The family, now winding down their towing business, backed off after pressure from “the city,” hinting at council influence. If Hanek and Lambert’s alleged stakes in Market 42 drove this push, it could signal a conflict of interest, though evidence remains anecdotal.

Why the Failures?

Several factors may explain Brunswick’s string of business flops. Over-saturation of retail in a city of modest size could be one culprit—18 shopping plazas may exceed local spending power. The council’s focus on new construction rather than revitalizing existing vacant lots might also misalign with market needs. Economic Development Director Grant Aungst champions growth, but critics argue the approach lacks a cohesive strategy to sustain it.

Community sentiment, reflected in petitions against high-density projects, reveals a divide. Residents value Brunswick’s safety and family-friendly vibe—ranked among Northeast Ohio’s safest cities—but question the council’s priorities. The vacant lots, some say, could serve as parks or affordable housing, not more risky commercial ventures.

A Path Forward?

As Brunswick navigates this crossroads, the council faces a reckoning. Hanek’s leadership on issues like the I-71 interchange opposition shows responsiveness, but the vacant lot conundrum demands a rethink. With Market 42’s debut looming, its success or failure could set the tone. Will it fill the gap, or join the graveyard of Brunswick’s business missteps?

For now, the city’s vacant lots stand as silent critics of a council eager to build but struggling to succeed. Transparency on council members’ financial ties and a data-driven development plan could restore faith. Until then, Brunswick remains a city of promise—and unfulfilled potential.