On Tuesday, March 15, the fourth in a series of meetings between Community Development and the business owners and stakeholders in the State Road community was held. As well as Community Development Director Diana Colavecchio, in attendance were council representatives Mary Nichols-Rhodes, Mike Brillhart, Susan Spinner, Meika Penta, Russ Balthis and Brian Ashton. As a result of the recent ward redistricting this year, the State Road area gained a second ward council person. This meeting, Colavecchio reminded business owners, allowed citizens and business owners to voice their needs for both the east side of State Road (represented by Spinner) and the west side (represented by Penta).
Mayor Don Walters took some time to give updates on projects that will benefit the area, including the connector bike trail at Cascade Valley Metro Park. This connector between the National Park and Cascade Valley, Walters explained, makes it possible to bike from the area down Chestnut Blvd. to Sackett Ave. and Cuyahoga St., reaching the trails once inside Cascade Valley. This will also allow riders and pedestrians from the valley to travel to businesses in Cuyahoga Falls.
Also in attendance, Peggy Szalay, the city’s Entitlement Administrator for CDBG funds, explained to business owners that CBDG (Community Development Block Grant) money is still available for facade replacements, equipment and supplies, providing contact information to discuss those funds to all that were present.
For the State Road shopping & dining area, a name and logo type, similar to the manner of branding of the downtown area, was discussed, with ballots circulated and mailed to businesses on the street, having funds allocated for two large signs or banners are in the 2023 budget.
Other news in the area came from Joe Paradise, Deputy Director of Engineering Services from the Summit County Engineers Office and project manager for the replacement high level bridge project. Originally estimated at $40 million, they are currently at the environmental impact part of the replacement project and this process could take approximately two years. During this time, they will decide on routing and bridge design. Paradise stated that the new bridge could be either east or west of the current structure and it is his preference that the current bridge remain until the replacement is complete. Colavecchio thanked him for attending the meeting and his info will greatly shape how things progress in the area closest to the bridge and the Akron border.
While no date has been announced for the next meeting, a narrowed selection of the branding and logo process will be discussed at that time.
