I hope the city realizes how much money they have to give away when it comes time for city employee raises...

Can't wait!

Yup, Cuyahoga Falls is going to get all kinds of money from all of the minimum wage jobs. After giving away around 18 million total, and laying off employees and crying the blues about not having enough money!! Folks....this is your money that is being thrown away!!! Giant Eagle has been laying off people and hiring part timers. So has Acme, we are not going to spend more money just because there will be some new stores.We just don't have it to spend. Look at all the empty places around town. Look at the empty stores in Stow at the Graham Rd plaza. It had some good places to shop. (for awhile)

Spoken like a true Bittermen - See above.

Don't think this community has changed much at all to support such a project but hey have it,people who believe it will be successful are not being realistic........look around people the economy STILL sucks! look at Stow Kent shopping center by Macy's......pathetic.

So let's just not do anything and let the city turn into a ghetto.

The people that post on here kill me...they don't know what they are talking about and compare everything they can about this project to struggling areas of other cities. I wish they would move to another city and do some research prior to making uninformed comments.

Earl, how is it a ghetto? Do you even know what a ghetto is? So the economy is NEVER going to turn around? this is the end of the world? Explain to me how the falls or P- Crossings is a ghetto? The falls, just had lower crime rates posted than Stow, Crime has been down since the new Chief and I know plenty of people that like the area and say the opposite. Also, it's more than a yogurt place going in there/ 1. Menards 2. NEW Giant Eagle,3. Pet Supplies plus, B spot, Panera, Menchies, chipotle.

Also the reason the last one did not make it was because the landlord did not keep property up to date and junk stores moved in. These are not junk stores and the research has been done. PEOPLE IN THE FALLS SHOP in Stow, Hudson, AKRON .....That's 50,000 people! They have done the marketing research and posted it online back in 09 - They continue to do it. Also result Acme is remodeling to stay relevant on State road. BY THE WAY this investment from Stark is 58 MIL not to mention the money the retailers are spending on their own marketing, and store launches. Companies are not going to throw away money just shooting from the hip on a gamble. they have all looked at the community and feel it will work.

Talk about doing research, stop listening to all the other old negative people that live here and think they know it all and spout nothing but nonsense.

I live in Stow. Wish someone would level the Stow-Kent Plaza eyesore and do something like you are doing in the Falls. The State Road center was blighted. Good to see this progress. And I'll be a regular Menard's customer ! You have to spend money to make money, and trust that the people steering the ship (you elected them !) aren't headed for the iceberg......

Are you kidding me? I'm looking forward to seeing some progress on the progect.
Does anyone know when the ground breaking will be?

Thanks!
Please let me, and all of Cuyahoga Falls, know when the date is set.

Hey Earl, meth labs are happening all over the country in nearly all cities. I'd advise you to check the crime stats beacuse your numbers are boggled. Also, stockton has nothing to do with this conversation, again check your facts before you spew nonsense. Stockton has been one of the roughest cities in Cali for 2 decades!! All you do is mention things that have nothing to do with the city or this project because you have no clue to what your speaking about. You mention meth labs and stockton cali- that's my point. You're bitter. Cfalls is a ghetto, that proves you're bitter. Cfalls has a good demo. I guess we will agree to disagree. In a year we will see who's right.

"Those who do make peanuts" - are you referring to yourself? You know what I and others make? You sure do make broad statements. I still can't undertstand that you miss the point here. There are 50,000 people in the city and most shop and eat and eat at other places - Menards is a destination store and the restraunts will do great. They are the kind that normally thrive. I am wasting my time because you clearly see things differently.

It's good to see that there are so many positive comments and so many people with a positive attitude toward this project. Those of you who think otherwise should give it a chance and not be so condemning. This is a great city we live in and we should support the effort to improve it even more.

I seriously question the lack of vision of those who would build the Portage Crossing project, let alone anchor it with so-called ‘big box stores.’ Companies that built such stores in the past have shifted their focus to a strong Internet presence, offering deep discounts. Home Depot, Best Buy, Staples and Wal-Mart are just a few of the businesses in the process of making the transition.

Look at the empty storefronts in the Riverfront Square. Drive down Portage Trail or State Road. Compare the number of thriving businesses with vacant properties and For Lease signs. If these spaces can’t be utilized, why does the city want to facilitate unnecessary new sites? Who will support a Menards and a bigger Acme, when our citizens can’t or won’t sustain existing stores?

Most Cuyahoga Falls residents are diligent, blue-collar families or retired individuals living on fixed incomes. Annual incomes average around forty-three thousand dollars. Many residents earn less—literally, one paycheck away from assistance. Minimum wage jobs created by more retail spaces will not solve our problems.

LACK OF VISION CONT.
This brings me to another question. What does the city of Cuyahoga Falls do for its homeless, hungry and unemployed residents? Why won’t they donate a place for Good Neighbors--the agency that attempts to alleviate the hunger and lack of necessities in our town--something on a bus line with handicapped-accessibility? A storefront with space for a food pantry and used clothing disbursement. Perhaps, even big enough to accommodate a kitchen that could serve hot meals occasionally, and a small clinic where local doctors, nurses and dentists might volunteer time. Why does the mayor expect the churches to shoulder the burden? Is it an admission of failure for him and our city to recognize these needs?

Let’s find a realistic way to help make life better for those who live and work here, rather than build new places from which a very few will benefit.

WOW - Donate money for people that are homeless or in need? That's not the cities job, Home Depot has shifted the business to strong internet presence? Walmart has too? NO - While both have had some success from the internet, both will always get HEAVY HEAVY foot traffic "door swings" Menards will be a success and the fact is we don't have enough retail in the falls. The reason the other failed in the past is the plaza and store was JUNK. You're saying to open a soup kitchen and medical clinic for the homeless? LOL - WOW - That will make the city profitable. This is not Cleveland, It's 50,000 person city.

These negative and people and some of their visions are disturbing.

Who would support a bigger Acme? I don't know - ummmm the residents? It's been here 60 years and teh company has made a fortune on state road over the last several decades.

another misinformed comment - Where are you getting this information from? is this your perception or have you actually looked at the city data? I would guess it's the former since the actual data does not support your theory.

Most Cuyahoga Falls residents are diligent, blue-collar families or retired individuals living on fixed incomes. Annual incomes average around forty-three thousand dollars. Many residents earn less—literally, one paycheck away from assistance. Minimum wage jobs created by more retail spaces will not solve our problems

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-30/the-era-of-big-box-retail-dominance-is-coming-to-an-end.html
http://cfo.cityofcf.com/web/our-city/community-profile
Unfortunately, The city has not seen fit to update it's employment and wage data since 2010. You'll have use your imagination and consider how kind the last three years have been to most of us.
wmfr: It's too bad you are afraid or ashamed to list your full name. I like to know who I am talking to, especially when it's someone who relies on personal attacks rather than verified comments. Do your research, my friend. This is a town in big trouble and the predictions are for even more vacancies. How many units are sold or leased in the newest jewel across from the Sheraton? Most senior citizens do not think they can live with the roving gangs of teenagers( however small they may be) and loud music on weekends. Another case of poor planning.
If you don't think there are hungry, jobless and desperate people in this town, try volunteering at Good Neighbors one Tuesday or Thursday. No, that kind of help doesn't make a profit for the city, just lends a helping hand to those in need.

MAK cont. Get back to me after you take those trips I suggested. Portage Trail, State Road and River Square. Why do you think those places failed? Because we don't have enough retail here? Really?
Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Best buy are laying off a large percentage of their work forces. Just stop in one of the stores and ask a clerk or cashier. There is no more heavy foot traffic as you suggest and they are not even accepting applications.
Sad to say, but you sound like one of those "I've got mine and the hell with everyone else."

check the census site for data - Some big box is strugggling, yes - BUT NOT ALL, best buy is not going on P Crossing by the way- The businesses by the riversquare are not doing the best, that's true. Also, I actually shop at Home Depot and it's always busy when I go, I don't need to talk to the cashiers. We don't have enough retail here in the falls.
Finally, you DO NOT KNOW ME, so stop with "I've got mine and the hell with everyone else." - I never said that and don't act like I did, I do volunteer 2-4 days a month average to my community....So stop with your assumptions.

I've wasted enough time with you already. Have a good and misinformed time on here blogging nonsense.

I'm torn on how I feel about the Portage Crossing project. While it will be great to have a B-Spot in town, I'm not convinced that this new development, on the whole, will do much for Cuyahoga Falls beyond cost it money. Our city needs a pick-me-up, that much is true, & 500 jobs sounds great in theory, but we have to assume they'll be mostly min-wage jobs or thereabouts. I worry that this will be a beautiful, costly development with cons outweighing pros. I'd rather see investment in the Riverfront area, which was beautifully redone years ago but still remains virtually untrafficked save for events like Rockin' on the River - which cause as many problems (delinquents, trashy people) as they do benefits (money). Cuyahoga Falls is in dire straits economically & reputation-wise, & I fear it's going to take more than a few big-box stores to remedy that.

Kate, I'm somewhat concerned that perhaps the mayor has been mayor too long. I lived in Chicago and know how this kind of power can create problems and corruption. His vision seems clouded by "the way things used to be". Who is it that said "In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve?" The city appears to be racing backward at a rapid rate. If its citizens are happy, so be it. Acme? Really? I wonder if he has ever heard of Costco? The following video shows just how out of touch with reality Mr. Robart really is.
http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2011/04/05/cuyahoga-falls-mayor-is-scared-of-goth-kids-piercings

Robart was out of line there. But the Scene is nothing more than a troll paper. I agree Rocking on The River is not really needed here and we can do more with that area, especially since it's close RTE 8

Re: LACK OF VISION BY CITY PLANNERS
"Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Sears, the Container Store and Best Buy are turning their stores into extensions of their own online operations, the paper reports. These retailers are stepping up efforts to add online return centers, pickup locations, free shipping outlets, payment booths and even drive-through customer service centers for online sales to their brick-and-mortar buildings, the Times report said.
The news comes as retailers report tepid sales numbers, particularly at big-box retailers. A report Thursday showed shoppers reduced spending in June in the face of a deteriorating economy. Results from the likes of Costco, Target and Macy’s missed estimates." NYT

Re: LACK OF VISION BY CITY PLANNERS
"...should move away from strip-mall locations where many...stores are currently located. These locations are seeing declining foot traffic...NYT

Oh boy, lol - none of those stores are opening in p-crossings and there's no general theme that's applies to every city, every retail outlet etc... When it boils down to foot traffic. Why do you continue to post the same things over and over?

Here's an idea! Why can't we make something out of all the vacant retail places in CF instead of building new retail space that will be vacant in five years???
an abandoned Wal-Mart building becomes a sweet library: http://www.good.is/post/discarded-by-walmart-a-box-store-becomes-a-thriving-library-in-a-texas-town/

Can you provide me the winning lottery numbers for tonight's drawing since you can predict he future?

They wonder why some bloggers are mean to other's on here but geeez,,,,When you see iilogical posts time and time again it's hard not to come across as negative towards others.

@wmfr seriously wondering if you have given any thought to what should happen to all the vacant, abandoned and for lease sites in CF? If you have a solution, why don't you share it with us?

Yea, kick out section 8 housing and make those people flee the city and attract actual tax payers by forcing the apts owners to actual have to market toward working adults and enforce buliding and sign codes to make the owners of vacant retail space and to step it up and improve properties. That should attract business owners large and small.

If you're a resident in the city Maryanne, the mayor will meet with anyone 1 on 1 to discuss concerns with citizens. Why don't you scedule a meeting with his office and provide him your ideas / opinions. I am being serious, he meets with the residents.

Mr. Robart knows who I am and exactly how I feel. But, I'm afraid Kate is right. He only has time for the people who agree with him. He like things here just the way they are.

Figured a cop out response.

Yawwwwwwn..........Very lame response.