This all sounds great! I drive by the Plaza every day, and have been wondering for a long time what was going on with it. It really is an eyesore the way it is now... I mean, the Montgomery Ward has been vacant for a really long time! It'll be nice to see some changes happen.

State Road is nothing more than an extention of North Main Street. No way will an upscale shopping development work in Cuyahoga Falls. Especially surrounded by low income housing and rentals. The city is changing for the worse and Mayor Robart thinks just putting up pretty buildings and parks will fix it. I have two words...TERM LIMITS!

I'll be happy just to see it razed....

I don't think it is realistically going to be pulled off, in light of the current economic climate. It will just be a fenced in vacant lot for years....

A grocery store too? If the new grocery store turns out to be a success, it will be pulling customers from the Acme and Giant Eagle stores that are near that location... and then we will have to consider their downturn and possible empty buildings.

Personally, I don't think another grocery store in this area is needed. If they insist, they should move Acme into this area and find someone to re-use the current Acme on State Rd so it doesn't become an empty eyesore like the plaza is now.

I will be spending my money there! Yeah C Falls!!!

And I disagree with Geoff to a point. This could work if it is done well - if you define upscale as upscale from the downtown Akron area instead of upscale as in similar to very wealthy areas.

At least it will hopefully be better than the empty eyesore it is now.

no more chapel hill mall

The City plans to send "officials" to Las Vegas? Why more than one? The eyesore in this City is it's roads! Ever get off Route 8 North at Portage Trail and go to the light at Newberry? Your car bounces all over the place ... it's like driving on a washboard! In today's economy, local government shouldn't be sending "officials" to Las Vegas ... vacation time again for our tax dollars!

fter reading some of the foregoing comments I've come, again, to the conclusion that no matter what is proposed those who live in a constant cloud of negativism always find reason to weigh in. I say good for the Falls! This will only lead to more jobs, more tax revenue and a more attractive city.

As foe term limits.. they sure have made Ohio a better state..... NOT!

I am looking forward to the new shopping center. I would much rather spend my money in the Falls then in another city.

I can't wait for the change. This is exactly what the falls needs

A Trader Joes would be GREAT. Being more of a specialty store I think the current Giant Eagle and Acme would not see too much of a loss. Anything has to be better then what we currently have in the space.

The "outdoor people place" is a good idea that has worked in other places, but I have never understood why for areas this far north? I wouldn't want another mall, but as far as being "ahead of the curve", i don't think so.

Agreed that anything is better than what is there now but why settle for something other communities already have? I just think it needs to be more independent, something that would attract outsiders to visit or move here.

Who cares.......more congestion and more taxes. I wish i could sell my house and get the hell outta Cuyahoga Falls.

Akros,

YES! Exactly!


Retired,

How else should they recruit retailers to this location? I'm sure it will make a great pitch if they just mail them some brochures.

I believe that whatever goes there needs to serve the people and I do not believe that the people in this are will be able to afford the kind of upscale stores that are proposed. If Acme moved into the area and was rebuilt as an Acme Fresh Market the local people would still be able to shop. There are already too many retail shopping areas around and I feel that is why that area has not brought in revenue. There is nothing wrong with the dollar store or the goodwill store but the appearance of the buildings is what has made this area an eyesore. I don't think we need to send "representatives" to Las Vegas to figure out what our community needs. Make the area an ice skating rink in the winter or a swimming park in the summer. It doesn't have to be expensive just serve the needs of the community. Make a community center or something that would not be outrageously expensive for the residents to come together and be active as well as attracting other people to the area.

Bear Fan it would be a public service to close the current Acme store. The place is a disgrace, it's a wonder the health dept. hasn't shut it down yet. They could turn it into a car wash w/very little out of pocket. Why bother to fix the roof, just throw buckets & trash cans in the aisle to catch the rain water.

Akros,

I agree with you on the mass negativity. I'm almost surprised no one has called for a recall of the other Mayor Don... Robart, yet.

Quotes from article:
1) "An agreement has yet to be penned with Stark, and a lot of the details will be hammered out.."
2) "No agreements have been made with retailers.."

It seems to me that Donny's little announcement party was a bit premature. I'll believe it when I see it. It would be nice to see him concentrate on retiring the Natatorium's huge debt which is quickly becoming an albatross on the necks of his taxpayers.

Trader Joe's, PLEASE!

I agree with WSP...the black eye of Cuyahoga Falls is Timbertop, the Waterford, and the AMHA complex behind Giant Eagle and Cardinal. If you really want Cuyahoga Falls to be 'upscale', you need to get the Section 8 people out of those areas and actually make them decent again. I have lived at Timbertop for 7 years, and was horrified to find out that they are accepting Section 8 now. But then again, that would explain a LOT about the people that have moved in around me recently and why the entire property is going to hell. Get out the poor people and moochers...then you might have a fighting chance.

Trader Joe's would be awesome! I hate to drive to Beachwood now to go there!
Cuyahoga Falls needs something to go into that shopping center, it's been too long!

I agree -- the Section 8 housing is ruining Cuy. Falls. I grew up there, and believe me, it sure has changed. I understand how people feel about the whole "upscale" thing, especially when compared to Crocker Park. Westlake is an affluent area, which is why it works so well there. Cuy. Falls is not. So, I hope they are careful as to what retailers they select.

Trader Joe's would be awesome for the Falls. Hudson already has a Heinen's and we don't need another Acme or Giant Eagle. Trader Joe's won't hurt their business -- it offers foods and products the other stores don't carry. It would really draw people in from other nearby cities as well. Let's keep it unique -- we already have the ice skating rink and the outdoor pavilion, so let's go with Trader Joe's!!!!!!!

My job is located on Ascot Parkway (across from the post office).

I would "LOVE" to see a nice restaurant there that I could frequent at lunch time; as would others along State road (North and south).

I've grown a little weary of the fast food joints, day in and day out.

On Tap is pretty busy during the lunch hour and I don't know if Reggie's is still in business on State/Steels Corner.

Nonetheless, it will be amusing to watch it all evolve.

Whooo Hooo!!! Live within walking distance of this and am SO excited! Trader Joes OR Heinens would be awesome and we LOVE Crocker Park but it is too far to get to often. I can't wait until that Mongomery Ward is gone for good and all of the ugliness that is around it. Jumping for joy!

You can cross out many of the places mentioned for this development. The entire development is only 150,000 square feet. Target stores alone equal that. Kohl's are around 100,000, so don't expect them.

The grocery store is 60,000 square feet. That's much too large for Heinen's , Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. Heinen's and Whole Foods stores are around 40,000 square feet, Trader Joe's are only around 20,000. More than likely, this is just going to be a new Acme.

For those wanting a Trader Joe's, have you checked out Krieger's? They are more similar than you might think, although Krieger's is smaller.

Whole Foods would be sweet but still may be a bit pricey for the neighborhood.

The last time i checked, Timbertop is not in cuyahoga falls.

Out here in San Diego, Whole Foods is nicknamed "Whole Paycheck"! Trader Joe's is great. Their stores aren't that big but the prices for many of the items are cheaper than the big grocery stores. I don't understand why people would complain about an improvement to the area. It's nice to give people some local options....maybe places people can walk to.

SanDiegoJoe,

"I don't understand why people would complain about an improvement to the area."

You and me both.

I have a bad feeling about this plan. Acme, Giant Eagle, and Kriegers seem to serve the area well enough. I do not think an "upscale" grocery store is needed. Then again, what is an upscale grocery store? I think that West Point Market defines an upscale grocery. Nationally, there is Dean & Deluca and Whole foods. These place are fabulous and expensive. Heinens is nice as is Traders Joes but they are not as upscale as the first three. On the other hand, Giant Eagle, Acme, and Kriegers provides good products at reasonable prices. I say that we can the upscale idea and stick with the current stores.

@yeah right - Excellent point, Timber Top is in Akron, not the Falls. But it's still in that area, so it's often counted as in the Falls. I've lived there for years and have never once had a problem there, so I'm not sure what the gripe is about. I just moved into one of the brand new buildings and I love it.

It looks fine, but the idea of adding parallel parking along Portage Trail is dumb, dumb, dumb. Somebody might want to point out to these folks that this is a fairly busy street.

The State Road Proposal at a glance looks great.
I am concerned with the walking concept in light of
the fact that Cuyahoga Falls has many senior citizens. Some of these folks have disabilities such as back trouble and spinal stenosis. They are limited in the ability to walk but would like to shop. It seems that there are no accommodations for them.

It seems that there are no merchandise loading areas for some of the retail stores and restaurants.

Perhaps a more detailed map would be of help.

i think a lot of people here are very right i think all the sec.8 people should be moved to BATH,STOW,AND HUDSON that would fix cuy.falls

I think it is a great idea. Anything is better than what it is now. Now if we can get rid of Section 8 housing!!! That is bringing our city down.

Sorry,I didn't realize timbertop was in Akron, how about all the brick multi-units all along State Rd?
Everyone of those is section 8.

Some of the original type stores that used to be there would still be a good draw I think.

Monkey wards had it all, from tractors to prom dresses.

I'd love to see a Macy's or Penney's type store in there.

Remember the old Jewel Mart? Stambaugh Thompson's?

How about a Summit Racing Outlet store? A mix of mid to upper style eateries? Ooh, ooh, big idea here....move the comedy club in there too !!

Now for the next trick...drumroll...what to do with Rex's thingy? (ha) I watched it go up, and so wish it had been finished. What a great local attraction it could have been.

robart is such a better mayor than plusqualor.

Trader Joes and Cheesecake factory? Get real. Places like that don't open in lower class towns like C Falls.. Maybe in Hudson or Fairlawn... C Falls is more of a Save a Lot city than a Trader Joes place...

Trader Joes? Hahaha. C Falls is an Aldi and Save a Lot town. No offense, but Trader Joes opens in places like Hudson, not in the middle of section 8 housing... Trader Joes in C Falls... thats the hardest I have laughed all week!

Rex's "Unit" is a landmark j/k. They need to get rid of that round building as well behind the cathedral. I like the idea of a Cheesecake Factory.

Great posts everybody.

Cheesecake, yum.

Cuyahoga Falls is not a "low class" town. It is a Middle class town.

I am glad they are finally going to do something with State Road shopping center. It wouldn't upset me if they put a park in there. Or say a soccer complex.

I would much rather shop on State road then to go to Howe road to shop.

Where's the liquor store? Didn't the developers look at the local demographics?

Upscale grocery store? What you'll see is another Dollar General, check-cashing joint, and what, an Aldi? Taxpayer money has to be spent sending city employees to Las Vegas? For what? Just another vacation on taxpayer dollars. Plans look just like what they are ... a lot of vacant land planted with trees ... at a cost of $30M plus the $10M the city paid for the property! Robart has totally lost it ... $100,000 for a flower clock!!!! Give me a break ... he can't even take care of flood water problems in his town! Used to be a supporter, but no longer!

Lynne - "Bear Fan it would be a public service to close the current Acme store. The place is a disgrace..."

I haven't been in there for quite awhile because it's not my first choice. I agree you are probably right, which is why I mentioned moving Acme into the new plaza area and building something new where Acme is now.

For those concerned about the quality of life in Cuy. Falls, I am thinking that if we make improvements to draw/keep people, it's a good thing. Be reasonable but don't lower expectations too much or it could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you design a city ONLY building stores, etc. aimed at poor and section-8 people, that's the only ones who will want to live there.

We need Whole Foods!

Once we fix the eyesore that this plaza has become, we need to figure out what to do with the big "Ooops" pointing skyward and the Rick Case building at the other end of the road - what a bad impression to come from Akron into Cuy Falls and see that huge, empty building going to waste.

I don't think we need to send people to other cities to figure it out either. Start talking to the people and find out what they'd like to see there. Personally - either find a use for what is there or turn it into a park to relax at before/after a shipping trip on State Rd. At least that would be pretty.

How long before it becomes the strip mall version of Rolling Acres?

"Upscale" surrounded by section 8?

Good luck with that.

It just isn't an upscale town... which is fine, because lower income people need towns too... But any "upscale" stores will fail in C Falls. I know what will do well- a tanning salon. Seems like all the young women in C Falls are orange... But WHole foods? hahaha. And Cheescake factorY? Ummm.... Lets see, Legacy Village... Not similar to C Falls at all....

Portagr Crossing in Cuyahoga Falls