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By Gina Mace
Special to the Beacon Journal
POSTED: 05:20 p.m. EDT, Jun 28, 2009
CUYAHOGA FALLS.: State Road Shopping Center should be gone by fall.
Cuyahoga Falls is expected to award a nearly $2 million contract Monday to demolish the run-down, vacant plaza.
The council approved the expenditure June 22. The city received $2 million from the state to pay for the demolition.
Falls Community Development Director Sue Truby said 14 companies picked up bid packages for the project.
''We've established an aggressive timeline to meet the ultimate goal of redevelopment by 2010,'' Truby said.
Asbestos abatement is to begin Aug. 3. Before that can happen, utilities must be disconnected and an electric substation must be relocated.
Truby said if everything stays on schedule, demolition should begin Aug. 21.
The city bought the plaza at State Road and Portage Trail last year for $10.2 million after threatening the owners — State Road Associates — to take it by eminent domain as blighted property.
Last month, Mayor Don Robart announced that Cleveland's Stark Enterprises will develop the property. Other projects developed by Stark Enterprises include Crocker Park in Westlake, West Market Plaza in Akron and The Strip in Jackson Township.
The first phase of the project, named Portage Crossing, is a retail marketplace to be built on the site of the south plaza, facing Portage Trail.
Officials hope to lure an upscale grocery store that would anchor the development.
CUYAHOGA FALLS.: State Road Shopping Center should be gone by fall.
Cuyahoga Falls is expected to award a nearly $2 million contract Monday to demolish the run-down, vacant plaza.
The council approved the expenditure June 22. The city received $2 million from the state to pay for the demolition.
Falls Community Development Director Sue Truby said 14 companies picked up bid packages for the project.
''We've established an aggressive timeline to meet the ultimate goal of redevelopment by 2010,'' Truby said.
Asbestos abatement is to begin Aug. 3. Before that can happen, utilities must be disconnected and an electric substation must be relocated.
Truby said if everything stays on schedule, demolition should begin Aug. 21.
The city bought the plaza at State Road and Portage Trail last year for $10.2 million after threatening the owners — State Road Associates — to take it by eminent domain as blighted property.
Last month, Mayor Don Robart announced that Cleveland's Stark Enterprises will develop the property. Other projects developed by Stark Enterprises include Crocker Park in Westlake, West Market Plaza in Akron and The Strip in Jackson Township.
The first phase of the project, named Portage Crossing, is a retail marketplace to be built on the site of the south plaza, facing Portage Trail.
Officials hope to lure an upscale grocery store that would anchor the development.
Comments
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Seminole, FL
Posted 06:18 PM, 06/28/2009
Though it is good that it will be razed, Methinks too many people are too wild eyed and optimistic to think something is actually going to be built there soon. The real economy is going to force it....just my views....
Posted 06:35 PM, 06/28/2009
Even if they just planted grass, it would be better than what exists now. Good job mayor.
Anyway, please make every attempt to relocate burger king, arby's, and the bank ! That would obviously give you a better canvas to paint the future !
cuyahoga falls, oh
Posted 07:11 PM, 06/28/2009
i had a store there for years, and would return with an upscale retail package...let's hope something viable is created
Akron, OH
Posted 10:51 PM, 06/28/2009
Please Please put Trader Joes in there. Tired of driving to Chagrin from Fairlawn
Posted 11:36 PM, 06/28/2009
what? Growing grass? Where is Warner, lets recall this guy!
p.s. Trader Joe's in the Falls? Surely you jest.
Kent, OH
Posted 12:02 AM, 06/29/2009
Trader Joe's would be wonderful. And, why not? The Falls are not that far away from Hudson or the valley.....
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:29 AM, 06/29/2009
Who or what is Trader Joe's?????????????
munroe falls, OH
Posted 05:45 AM, 06/29/2009
All retail buss these days is tough, 8-10 buss fail cause the rent is too high, esp if you are not a chain. Ask a local bank for a loan to start a mom and pop store.You need $5 for every $1 they might loan you.
......, Oh
Posted 07:31 AM, 06/29/2009
@Sick of politicians
Trader Joe's is a privately owned grocery store.
http://www.traderjoes.com/
Barberton, Oh
Posted 08:43 AM, 06/29/2009
Although I do agree that nearly anything in that location is going to be an aesthetic improvment, the city should try to think outside the box when choosing an overall plan. A large movie complex might be nice. I would love an Ikea-type store. Trader Joes would be awesome however I believe they would wish to build nearer a highway. A series of nice bar/restaurants with an established following may bring the people. I would think the first rule should be to know your audience. There are still good people in this area with some spending money, but the vast majority are people below the poverty line or residing in subsidized housing. It is too bad but it is the reality. Hopefully a mix that any income group can enjoy becomes the overall theme.
uniontown, oh
Posted 09:21 AM, 06/29/2009
Nice!
How soon till they make their way to Rolling Acers Mall?
Of course...after they tear that place down the only thing suitable to take its place would be a militarily post or perhaps a police sub station with a S.W.A T. force to take down the bad element.
San Diego, CA
Posted 10:16 AM, 06/29/2009
A Trader Joe's would be awesome! They are very popular where I live.
Columbus, OH
Posted 10:23 AM, 06/29/2009
Plo wit, plant grass and trees and make it a public park. Nothing you put in that dump will succeed, just make it a park, it will lokk nice and be free to the public. Plain and simple, done and done.
akron, oh
Posted 11:01 AM, 06/29/2009
Upscale ? Ritzy ? Too much for this poor area.
akron, oh
Posted 11:02 AM, 06/29/2009
Hudson people coming over here ? I don't thins so!
Dream on...
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 11:08 AM, 06/29/2009
I agree with quikey...Hudsonites are NOT going to come to the fall to shop..unless maybe a Trader Joe's is put in. I think it would be nice to put in some retail shops (for everyone not high end specialty stores) and lots of grass & trees. Don't try to copy Hudson as Hudson has copied the outlet stores. Let's be different and Go GREEN!
Posted 11:09 AM, 06/29/2009
quikey: maybe you are referring to AKRON as poor area. The falls is not a POOR area & we deserve to have nice grocery stores & a nice shopping center. If there was somewhere worth going i do please people from hudson would come this way. If your going to be negative. take it elsewhere or leave it in crakron!!
Farmington, NM
Posted 11:45 AM, 06/29/2009
Trader Joe's is a privately owned grocery store.
http://www.traderjoes.com/
Trader Joe's is owned by a German partnership. The other CHAIN owned in this brotherly partnership is Aldi's. They def have the market squared fo cheap prices with quality goods.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:48 AM, 06/29/2009
When a retailer like Trader Joe's scouts a new location, they review the demographics of the entire trading area, not just isolated pockets. Alas, this area just doesn't make the cut. Besides, Trader Joe's has put a hold on new openings for the next two years due to the recession.
stow, oh
Posted 12:04 PM, 06/29/2009
NUKE CAUCASIAN FALLS MAKE IT A NUCLEAR WASTE SITE!! WHAT A PATHETIC TOWN! NOTHING BUT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHITE TRASH!!!!
stow, oh
Posted 12:07 PM, 06/29/2009
KNOW WHY ALL THE BUBBAS FROM CFALLS MOVED TO STOW? IT WAS EASIER TO SPELL!!!
akron, oh
Posted 12:17 PM, 06/29/2009
These comments about Hudsonites are rediculous. Hudsonites were the only thing that kept Chapel Hill Mall alive during the 70's, 80's, and 90's. They do shop down here, often. The state rd. plaza is going to be a residential district when the city is done with it.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:43 PM, 06/29/2009
I don't think State Rd is accessible enough to get any kind of destination, specialty grocer. My bet is that Acme relocates into the new complex. Besides, a Trader Joes would pull sales from Krieger's, which is better than Trader Joe's in many respects and is locally owned. I make the trek to that place quite often.
Hudson, OH
Posted 12:47 PM, 06/29/2009
I'm wondering if they will put a Buehlers or Heinens. They are more local upscale groceries. Trader Joes or Whole Foods would be great, but that is just wishful thinking.
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:11 PM, 06/29/2009
Its the falls , They really could use a used YUGO dealer , Rick Case could come run it
Munroe Falls, Oh
Posted 01:42 PM, 06/29/2009
Total of $12.2 million of tax payers' money. How long will it take to recover that amount. How long will it take for people to figure it out that government should not be in competition with private enterprise nor should it subsidize private business.
Barberton, Oh
Posted 02:24 PM, 06/29/2009
Gonna show my age here...but, when I was a kid growing up in the falls, the plaza was the place to go. It was really one of the only places my dad would let me ride my bike to. Now however, I wouldn't let my 15 year old nephew hang out there, too much crime, too many black hoodies (aka, theives, etc)!!
Posted 03:48 PM, 06/29/2009
Ah, the ups and downs of a city. When I graduated from Falls, we had over 1000 in the graduating class.
I remember watching Rex's tower go up. Monkey wards, Rick Case motorcycle shop, the Red Barn, Leow's theatre, the Ember's two, Brown Derby, Jewel Mart, the carnivals in the plaza parking lot, etc.
Memories.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:57 PM, 06/29/2009
I like how the person talking trash about the Falls (cflit2002) is from Stow. Like the pot calling the kettle black.
Anyway, it'll be nice to see the plaza gone finally. Since the stores there either moved or went under, it's been an eyesore for some time. It'll be nice to get some revitalization in the area.
Canton, OH
Posted 04:13 PM, 06/29/2009
hahaha madman! the rick case joke made me choke on my coffee!! :)
which plaza are they talking about? there are two on state road and portage trail. the one with montgomery wards in it, or the one thats behind arbys and burger king?? or do they mean both?
Akron, OH
Posted 04:38 PM, 06/29/2009
@ Jason. I was in Kriegers a few weeks ago saw moldy bread and moldy berries. Gross. I won't be going there again.
Akron, OH
Posted 05:00 PM, 06/29/2009
childofmoon,
Really? I don't know, I've never had that experience. Maybe you caught them on a bad day. I love that place.
Front Line, KC
Posted 05:39 PM, 06/29/2009
maybe the don of akron can take note and do the same with rolling acres or maybe he will just plant more trees in the middle of main street,
akron, oh
Posted 05:46 PM, 06/29/2009
Too bad Rex's tower doesn't come down too. Hey, does this mean I can't get my warrantee honored at Monkey Wards?
Akron, Oh
Posted 06:52 PM, 06/29/2009
No need to recall him Pac Man, he's doing something good for the community.
east of Akron, AA
Posted 07:15 PM, 06/29/2009
It's all Obama's fault!
Kandi, SL
Posted 08:09 PM, 06/29/2009
Trader Joes is the MOST overrated store I have ever shopped at. Now if you could get a Whole Foods, or even Wild Oats, that would be different. Good luck, dream big.
mooresville, nc
Posted 08:19 PM, 06/29/2009
Y'all need a Harris Teeter!!! You guys would love it!!! www.harristeeter.com This is really upscale and people from Hudson would go gaga for it.
Canton, Oh
Posted 08:48 PM, 06/29/2009
I love Harris Teeter. I go there when vacationing in HH SC. I would drive from Canton FOR THAT. Or COSTCO.
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 10:36 PM, 06/29/2009
childofmoon14 Wrote... "@ Jason. I was in Kriegers a few weeks ago saw moldy bread and moldy berries. Gross. I won't be going there again."
You must either work for Kriegers competitor or have a personal grudge to make such an outrages statement... I personally don't like Mike Krieger but he runs a good business... I shop there and know people who work there and there is no moldy food in the store.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 12:20 AM, 06/30/2009
Alan,
Acme's berries were moldy too... I think it's a Falls berry conspiracy. Hudson doesn't want us to have good berries.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 08:06 AM, 06/30/2009
Some people act like the Falls is this decaying wasteland. What actually happened is that Chapel Hill went bonkers in the late eighties and added the Plaza. Montgomery Wards couldn't compete with Twin Valu et al, so one by one they went under. The business didn't leave the Falls, State Road Plaza just couldn't keep up with Chapel Hill.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:00 PM, 06/30/2009
I know what I saw Alan. BTW, I work for a phone company, some competition for a produce stand
