What’s New in Erie: Developments & Projects to Watch in 2026

Feature Image Credit: City of Erie

From downtown investment to new housing and community improvements, 2026 is shaping up to be an important year for growth across Erie. For current residents, future homebuyers, and property investors, there are a variety of developments that provide a clear sense of where our lakeside city is heading. Here’s what to watch in the year ahead.

Downtown & Bayfront Development

Erie’s core continues to gain momentum, with both downtown and the Bayfront seeing steady investment.
Organizations such as the Erie Downtown Partnership (EDP), Erie Downtown Development Corporation (EDDC), and Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) are driving improvements through business support, placemaking, and redevelopment initiatives. In the past year:

• Eight new businesses have opened.
• Seven vacant storefronts have been filled.
• Four existing businesses have expanded.
• 46 women-owned businesses are now in operation.

Together, these initiatives are breathing new life and energy into downtown Erie.

To encourage more business owners to make the most of their storefronts, façade improvement programs are available to support downtown's physical transformation. These grants help fund building upgrades, preservation work, and storefront improvements, enhancing Erie’s appearance while attracting new businesses and investors.

On the Bayfront, the second phase of Scott Enterprises’ Harbor Place Development project is underway, including plans for an eight-story AC Marriott hotel on East Front Street with 139 hotel rooms, three restaurants, expanded waterfront lodging and tourism space, and additional commercial activity along the bayfront. Supported by CRIZ funding, the development is designed to continue building out Erie’s waterfront as a regional destination for tourism, entertainment, and hospitality.

Another major project to watch along the bayfront is Erie Events’ planned $14 million market house near the former GAF Materials site on the city’s west bayfront. Construction on the 27,000-square-foot space is expected to begin in 2026, with completion projected for late 2027.
The project is expected to include:

• Erie-based food, retail, and specialty products
• Rotating indoor and outdoor farmers’ markets
• Live music and family-friendly entertainment
• A teaching kitchen for cooking classes and wine tastings
• Year-round community gathering spaces

Imagine the West Side Market in Cleveland or the North Market in Columbus, but Erie’s version.

Image Credit: VibeMap

Digital Tools & Business Support

As downtown Erie continues to grow, EDP is investing in two digital tools designed to support long-term business activity and accessibility.

• EDP’s recent partnership with VibeMap, a mobile platform featuring downtown events, a business directory, and an interactive map that will add a new layer of connectivity to downtown Erie.
• EDP is also launching BOOMS Tracker, a tool to help address downtown vacancies and support business growth. Tracking vacant storefronts and available spaces more efficiently can connect property owners with tenants and encourage reinvestment.

These tools reflect a broader effort to support downtown activity, making it easier for businesses, locals, visitors, and investors to engage with the city.

Infrastructure & Public Investment

Erie’s growth is not just happening through new buildings and development projects, but through improvements in how people move throughout the city. Most notably:

• Active Erie's master plan includes safer, more accessible bike and pedestrian infrastructure that connects residents to downtown, parks, schools, neighborhoods, and the waterfront without relying on cars.
• The Central Bayfront Parkway Project includes new dual-lane aroundabouts, expanded trails, and an overhead pedestrian bridge between downtown and the waterfront. Other projects in the works include adding bike lanes, bike-share, upgraded sidewalks, improved lighting, and landscaping, further supporting safe, connected travel throughout Erie.
• The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority announced it will reinstate the free Presque Isle Express for the summer. The Route 33-Presque Isle Express is EMTA’s free ride from downtown Erie to Presque Isle State Park. This route travels from Downtown Erie and across Millcreek, with stops at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and around Presque Isle State Park.

Together, these efforts focus on strengthening connections among downtown, surrounding neighborhoods, parks, and waterfront areas while improving accessibility, safety, and overall quality of life.

Public Sector Movement

Beyond private development and infrastructure upgrades, Erie’s public sector is also preparing for a more coordinated approach to growth. In Mayor Daria Devlin’s 2026 Transition Team Report, the City outlines several action items focused on:

• Housing
• Economic development
• Public communication
• Internal coordination

One of the most relevant recommendations for future development is the call to streamline and modernize City development services, including permitting, licensing, and land development. The report specifically calls for clearer timelines, defined roles, and more predictable points of contact to better support business growth and investment.

Housing and neighborhood development are also major priorities. 2026 marks the starting line to:

Realign the City’s housing plan with community-led initiatives

• Strengthen neighborhood partnerships
• Improve code enforcement around blight and vacancy
• Create a dedicated neighborhood development leadership role

The report also connects economic growth to workforce development and housing availability. Medium- and long-term recommendations include:

• Establishing a New Economy Agreement among the City, Erie’s Public Schools, higher education institutions, employers, and workforce partners
• Supporting entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized businesses
• Strengthening site readiness and redevelopment
• Aligning economic development strategies with housing

While many of these changes will take time, they hopefully signal an important shift: Erie’s next phase of growth is not only about new buildings and major projects, but also about building the public systems needed to support long-term investment, neighborhood stability, and quality of life.

Two New Residential Developments

Maleno is also preparing for two residential developments that will add new homebuilding opportunities in Erie County. Boulder Springs, located in Harborcreek Township, is planned as a patio home condominium community with 21 total units. The homes are expected to range from approximately 1,600 to 1,900 square feet and will include four new design styles.

What makes Boulder Springs especially notable is that it represents a refreshed approach to Maleno’s patio home designs. The community will be set in a wooded location and feature open-concept floor plans, rear concrete-covered porches, and updated design details shaped by decades of experience building patio homes throughout the region. Land development is expected to continue through the summer, with home construction anticipated to begin in the fall.

Maleno is also moving forward with Hamot Village in Summit Township, just south of Robinson Road. The project includes 40 total lots across two phases, with 20 lots planned in each phase. Unlike Boulder Springs, Hamot Village will offer more flexibility in home design, including current Maleno floor plans, a few new options, and the ability for buyers to bring their own plans.

Together, Boulder Springs and Hamot Village reflect continued demand for new construction in Erie County, especially in well-positioned communities like Harborcreek and Summit Township. For buyers considering a custom home or new construction, these developments are worth watching as more details become available throughout 2026.

What This Means for Homebuyers

As Erie invests in downtown, the Bayfront, digital tools, and infrastructure, these efforts impact property values, neighborhood appeal, and investment potential.

For future homeowners, opportunity exists, but timing is key. Watching where growth and investment are happening helps guide smarter decisions about where and when to build or buy. Combined with access to outdoor recreation, four-season living, and a growing sense of momentum throughout the region, Erie is increasingly appealing to both local buyers and those relocating from outside the area.

The Future of Erie

Erie’s growth is steady, intentional, and increasingly visible. If you’re building or buying, having someone local who understands Erie’s past and future can make a difference. Whether you're planning a move or just starting to look, Maleno is here when you’re ready. Contact us to discuss your future in Erie.