CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cities are opening a dog park, motorsports complex and a First Watch restaurant. See what’s happening around Northeast Ohio.
Cuyahoga County
BAY VILLAGE: The city will receive $2 million in funding from Ohio’s Capital Budget to be applied to the Cahoon Park Lakefront Master Plan. The first phase of the plan will create an ADA-accessible multimodal trail offering access to the shores of Lake Erie. The project will implement innovative, nature-based beach restoration techniques to protect and preserve the lake’s shoreline. For information on the Cahoon Park Lakefront Master Plan, go to cityofbayvillage.com/DocumentCenter/View/2638/Cahoon-Park-Public-Access-Study.
BEREA: The Berea Branch Library, 7 Berea Commons, recently held a party to celebrate its 100th anniversary of becoming part of the Cuyahoga County Library System in March 1924. The library had 3,603 books at the time and was located in a small space on the second floor of the old Berea City Hall at the corner of East Bridge and Seminary streets. The original Berea Library was actually organized in March 1883 as the Berea Library Association. Shares were sold at $1 each and $115 was subscribed. Only members were allowed to borrow books -- one book for each share they owned. The library moved several times. The current building was constructed in 1957 at a cost of $85,000. There have been multiple additions and renovations since.
BROADVIEW HEIGHTS: The city’s entire Recreation Center building on Broadview Road will be closed Aug. 26 through Sept. 2 for annual cleaning and maintenance and renovations to its fitness center. The fitness center, child care and vending lobby will be closed Aug. 9 through Sept. 2. The pool and locker rooms will be closed Aug. 19 through Sept. 2. The planned reopening for the Recreation Center is Sept. 3. Broadview Heights Recreation Center members can use the Seven Hills Recreation Center from Aug. 9 through Sept. 1. They must show their key fob and sign in to use the Seven Hills facility. For Seven Hills rules and regulations including open pool dates go to sevenhillsohio.org/parksandrec or call 216-524-6262.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS: The Long Island, New York development company MPACT Collective has signed a master development agreement with Severance Town Center owner Namdar Realty Group that gives MPACT development rights over the 40-acre Severance site. Mayor Khalil Seren said that the two companies will work together to form a plan to redevelop the struggling retail center. Severance Town Center was Ohio’s first fully enclosed regional mall when it opened in 1963. Eventually, however, it could not compete with newer malls and its retail use began to decline. The center is now anchored by a Dave’s grocery store, Home Depot and OfficeMax. Many of its storefronts, however, are empty. Ryan Porter, managing partner at MPACT, said he plans to spend the next 12 to 24 months developing a plan and identifying what zoning changes need to be made to the site before any construction can begin. The project will likely result in a walkable development with housing, storefronts, restaurants and green spaces, he said.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS/SHAKER HEIGHTS: Officials from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will soon hold public briefings to update residents on the Doan Brook restoration project near the old Horseshoe Lake Park. The design team working on restoring the stream that winds through the park along the Shaker Heights-Cleveland Heights border will hold a July 15 online webinar and then two open-house presentations on July 16 at the Shaker Heights Public Library. Those interested in viewing the 6 p.m. July 15 webinar via Zoom must register ahead of time by going to us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ik-DIuLnQEGqg0dXwEY2vQ#/registration. The July 16 in-person open-houses at the library are at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. No registration is required. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ordered the city to drain the lake after determining that its aging dam was failing. The sewer district offered to pay the cost of demolishing the dam and proposed restoring channels for both branches of Doan Brook through the former Horseshoe Lake.
GARFIELD HEIGHTS: Preliminary sidewalk work has begun on the Garfield Boulevard Rehabilitation Project, The Neighborhood News reports. It is an early stage of a final work that will include construction of an all-purpose trail that will run the length of the northern side of Garfield Boulevard when completed in November 2025. The sidewalks will be replaced and enough room will remain for two-way traffic along a newly repaved Garfield Boulevard from Turney to Warner roads. The project will link the Towpath Trail on the western end of the thoroughfare to the Cleveland Metroparks’ Garfield Reservation on the eastern end. The cost of the endeavor is estimated at nearly $4.5 million, with funding provided by a variety of sources. The city of Garfield Heights will be responsible for just 4 percent of the costs.
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS: City Council has passed a resolution authorizing the city to repurchase the Little Red Schoolhouse property. The 1912 structure, located at the intersection of Sheldon and Fry roads, began as the Old District 10 Schoolhouse. It served children who lived in Middleburg Heights, Berea and Brook Park. The five-room building comprises 2,055 square feet on a .75-acre lot. The building also housed Middleburg Heights’ first City Hall, a railroad way station and a speakeasy during Prohibition. It became a private residence for 30 years beginning in 1940. The city then bought the property before selling it to a local family in 1985. To preserve the historic site, city officials have decided to buy it back for $40,000. “It is certainly our most recognizable historical building in the city,” Mayor Matt Castelli said. “I think it’s time we take that historical site and ensure it looks a certain way and represents who we are as a community.”
OLMSTED TOWNSHIP: The Olmsted Township Dog Park and Nature Trail, 27180 Schady Road, opened June 29. The 30-acre site includes the dog park that covers about 24,000 square feet and features two fenced areas: a two-acre site for large dogs and a one-acre location for dogs under 30 pounds. Xtreme Excavating completed the roughly $900,000 project, which includes the dog park, nature trail and parking lot. Olmsted Township used a $300,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant to help cover the costs.
SOLON: The city is planning to receive $1.5 million from Ohio’s 2024 capital budget to support improvements at Solon Community Park. The funding of such facility projects across the state is enabled by House Bill 2, which has been sent to Gov. Mike DeWine for final approval. The house bill would support enhancements to the park including a new stage, pavilion, plaza, concession stand and 12 pickleball courts. Total cost of the Community Park project has been estimated at about $30 million. Construction recently began on the multi-phase endeavor, including renovations to the playground, upgrades to Cisar Field and site improvements. That work is anticipated to be completed Oct. 1. Other additions and improvements scheduled for later this year, next year and beyond include construction of a competition swimming pool, bocce courts and a maintenance facility and renovation of the youth fields, recreation fields and parking lot.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS: The city will receive $700,000 in state funding for sewer work in and around Meadowbrook Boulevard. University Heights is also seeking $1.1 million in federal funding for the project, which will help bring the city in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act.
Geauga County
CHARDON: The Fire Department recently began its Community Risk Reduction program, with the goal of reducing preventable injuries and deaths through community outreach programs. The department provides fire and emergency medical services (EMS) to the city of Chardon, Chardon Township, Aquilla Village and half of Claridon Township 24 hours a day every day. As part of its new program, the department now offers free voluntary home safety inspections to residents. The inspection will mitigate fall hazards – falls are the leading cause of preventable deaths for people 65 and older -- identify the need for grab handles, ensure smoke detectors are working and properly placed, assist with key box installation and perform a general fire safety inspection. Those who would benefit from any Fire Department programs can call 440-285-4665, option 6.
MIDDLEFIELD: The Marketplace Mall has moved to 15596 W. High St. from its former Nauvoo Road location. Its new home building formerly housed a Rite Aid store. Marketplace Mall features a variety of new, homemade, repurposed, artisan, vintage and antique items, many from numerous local vendors who can rent space within the Marketplace Mall building. Its shelves also include a variety of locally produced foods.
Lake County
KIRTLAND: Dr. Wayne Rodehorst, who became the first president of Lakeland Community College when it opened in 1967, died June 27 at age 94, the News Herald reports. He served as president until 1981, except for a brief stretch in 1977. Lakeland’s play and musical productions are held in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center.
LAKE COUNTY: Several organizations and entities in Lake County are receiving Capital Budget funding from the state, the News Herald reports. The Lake Metroparks Lakefront Trail at Painesville Township Park is being awarded $1 million. Receiving $500,000 each are Alliance for Working Together in Mentor; Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake, the home of the Lake County Captains, the High Class-A minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians; The Fine Arts Association, which has locations in Painesville and also in Chardon in Geauga County; the Tri-County Response Center Project, which has Lake County affiliates. The Mentor Lagoons Marina is receiving $300,000.
Lorain County
AMHERST: University Hospitals (UH) has opened UH Urgent Care Amherst at 900 N. Leavitt Road (Ohio-58), just north of Ohio-2, the Morning Journal reports. The urgent care facility is equipped with advanced medical technology and provides care to patients of all ages. Health care services include on-site X-ray, lab, EKG, medication dispensing and more. The new center, like most UH Urgent Care facilities, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, with special hours on some holidays. UH Urgent Care now has 23 locations in Northeast Ohio. “Having easy access to urgent care locations provides a more affordable option than emergency departments for patients who don’t have a primary care physician but need immediate, non-life-threatening medical attention,” UH Chief Operating Officer Dr. Paul Hinchey said.
LORAIN: A groundbreaking was held June 24 for the Lorain Ohio KartPlex, a 37.5-acre motorsports project in the Cromwell Park area on the city’s east side, the Chronicle-Telegram reports. The facility, planned to open next May, will include a .82-mile competition track, a .43-mile race track for rental karts and a .35-mile indoor track for electric karts. It will also feature an esports arena with a focus on motorsport simulators, a restaurant and brewery, an event center, a radio-controlled track, an on-site storage facility, a motorsports retail store and a lounge and fitness center. Kris McCrone, owner of Ohio Motorsports Park, and his associates have worked on the project for the past four years, garnering $8 million in private support that with $4 million from the city and county will fund the $12 million complex.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE: The city will receive state funding for two upcoming capital projects. A $700,000 state grant will go toward the Cypress Avenue Extension Project, which will extend the avenue from Lear Nagle Road to Lorain Road in North Olmsted. A second grant for $500,000 was awarded for the Root Road Park Improvements Project, which will help fund parking, stormwater management, landscaping and other enhancements to the community park.
Medina County
BRUNSWICK: First Watch has opened a restaurant along Center Road at the Town Center. The company has more than 500 locations across the nation. Brunswick’s 4,000-square-foot First Watch seats more than 160 guests and features a covered patio and indoor-outdoor bar. Restaurant favorites include Avocado Toast, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Million Dollar Bacon. Five times a year, First Watch offers a rotating seasonal menu including specialties such as the Barbacoa Quesadilla Benedict, Elote Mexican Street Corn Hash and Watermelon Wake-Up fresh juice, among others.
CLOVERLEAF SCHOOLS: Construction of the Cloverleaf School District’s new joint high school and middle school building is nearing completion, The Gazette reports. It is anticipated that the facility will be ready in time for the start of the school year. “This is the race to the finish right now,” construction consultant Barbara Shergalis told the Board of Education. “We have had good success because the county has given C.T. Taylor (Construction) the go-ahead for temporary occupancy. That is right on schedule.” The facility is being constructed south of the former middle school on Buffham Road. The high school and middle school spaces will measure 158,000 and 72,000 square feet, respectively. The old middle school building is in the early stage of demolition while demolition of the former high school building on Friendsville Road is scheduled to begin this month.
SEVILLE: The Seville Preservation Project has been formed to highlight and maintain the history of the village’s downtown area, the Gazette reports. The nonprofit organization, run by Jonathan Hacker and his parents, David and Jackie, is dedicated to an ongoing preservation, historic restoration and thoughtful renovation of the community’s buildings and spaces. The organization is currently working to restore the 50 Center St. building, which used to house the Seville Weekly Times, a newspaper published from 1871 to 1914, and other tenants. For information on the Seville Preservation Project, go to sevillepreservation.org.
Portage County
GARRETTSVILLE: Village council recently approved a resolution banning residents from parking cars on their front lawns, The Portager reports. “There have been complaints about people using their front lawns as parking lots, which does not look very appealing,” Mayor Rick Patrick said. Violations will be handled by the village’s zoning inspector.
Summit County
AKRON: City Councilman James Hardy submitted his resignation Monday, effective immediately. He was elected to the Ward 8 seat last November. Hardy said in a news release that it has been an “honor and privilege” to serve Akron, his hometown, but that recent developments in his professional life have made it difficult to “provide the time and responsiveness” required of the position. Hardy had previously served as deputy mayor and chief of staff for the city and on the Akron Public Schools Board of Education. “(Hardy’s) love for the city of Akron and extensiveness of his service to the residents has left an indelible mark that cannot soon be forgotten,” Council President Margo Sommerville said. Council has 30 days from Hardy’s resignation to appoint a replacement. Ward 8 residents who have lived in the ward for the past year or longer can submit a letter of interest and resume to sbiviano@akronohio.gov by noon on Monday, July 22. Ward 8 voters will elect a permanent replacement for Hardy in 2025.
HUDSON: Local businesses will remain open while a section of Ohio-91 is closed for 16 days beginning Monday to repair the deteriorating bridge over Brandywine Creek. For information, including detours, go to hudson.oh.us/1405/ODOT-N-Main-Street-SR-91-Culvert-Bridge.
RICHFIELD: The village has been awarded $175,000 in Summit County Transportation Improvement District funds to support development of the Crossroads District, Akron.com reports. The money will help pay for construction of new public roadways and public utility extensions on undeveloped land off Wheatley Road. The Crossroads District is defined as the 550 acres intersected by Wheatley and Brecksville roads and bounded by Interstate-271, I-77 and the southern boundary of land parcels on the south side of Congress Parkway. The infrastructure work will be in advance of a Crossroads District development project featuring construction of a 100-room hotel, a 7,500-square-foot free-standing restaurant adjacent the hotel and a 5,000-square-foot event center.
SPRINGFIELD SCHOOLS: The Springfield Local Schools Board of Education has approved putting three renewal tax levies on the November election ballot, Akron.com reports. Passage of the levies would not result in additional taxes, as the district’s taxpayers have been paying each of the three levies for years. “We need to pass the renewal levies -- they will make the district fiscally sound for over five years, and everybody involved, including students and teachers, will benefit,” District Treasurer Christopher Adams said. All three current levies will expire in collection year 2025. If the renewal levies are approved by voters, the collection for them will begin in January 2026. All three are five-year levies.