Portage Crossing Announcement Delayed; Menards Reportedly Stricken From Contract
In an unexpected move, Cuyahoga Falls officials requested for City Council to postpone any discussion on the proposed retail development; however some details were offered on the negotiations between the city and developer Stark Enterprises.
Updated Nov. 19, 11:44 p.m.
Those eager to find out what's in store for the proposed Portage Crossing development will probably have to wait until early December.
At Monday's meeting, Ward 5 Councilwoman Diana Colavecchio introduced iegislation that would have detailed some of the changes planned for Portage Crossing; however, council members were unable to discuss the ordinance publicly per the request of Mayor Don Robart's administration.
The move to table discussion till Dec. 3 came Monday evening as negotiations between the city and developer Stark Enterprises are still ongoing, said Colavecchio.
"...Just when you believe the plan is set in stone, another change emerges and that triggers other actions," said Cuyahoga Falls Development Director Sue Truby. "...I remain confident that our project will succeed, and that you will be pleased with the final project."
Language in the tabled legislation reportedly suggests two major changes: the introduction of a 40,000-square-foot movie theater and the reported omission of Menards from the language of the Portage Crossing contract.
The mayor offered words of warning to the media to be weary of what it reports on the future of Menards, saying, "There's no indication whatsoever that (Menards or Giant Eagle) are leaving. Now, we can't announce that they're going to be here or where they're going to be because we don't have final contracts..."
On Monday morning, the Akron Beacon Journal reported "the deal with Menards fell through because the owner of nearby outlots, which include fast food restaurants, a bank and a Pizza Hut, wants $3.5 million for the land under Pizza Hut."
According to Truby, Menards required that additional land to build the sprawling 236,000-square-foot, two-story retail structure.
Once plans for the mega do-it-yourself store were reportedly scrapped, city officials' interest shifted to building a movie theater. But since the theater will likely be six times smaller than the proposed Menards structure, the tax increment financing (TIF) plan that would cover the cost of the project must be reworked.
However, per Robart's comments, Menards could be built elsewhere in Cuyahoga Falls, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
While council members urged patience on the deal, a handful of the roughly 100 people in attendance offered public comments and aired frustration.
"This project is kind of like waiting for the coming of Christ," said Falls resident Gary Motta.
As it stands, Portage Crossing is a one-phase, 400,000-square-foot project, which is expected to cost around $60 million.
Giant Eagle, Michael Symon’s B Spot, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Pet Supplies Plus have reportedly signed on.
Plans call for construction to begin where the former State Road Shopping Center once stood at the corner of Portage Trail and State Road.
elliott
8:28 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Thank goodness there will be no Menards. I thought this was to be an upscale retail center. Menards is the bottom of the barrel. A Target would be more welcome.
John Deike
8:39 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Well, residents may still see a Menards, though. It was stricken from the Portage Crossing contract language, but not from Cuyahoga Falls all together.
walter hight
8:59 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
What a Joke!!!!!!
Voice Reason
9:12 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Ridiculous
Tim Hamlet
10:19 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Gee,lets replace Menards and 100 employees making a fair wage with a movie theatre with 20 employees making minimum wage. When is the Mayor and council going to realize Truby is an idiot and Stark is a liar and a crook.
Earl Elevant
10:23 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Now Robart is warning the media on what they can and can't print.
I know there are no tracks scheduled for Portage Crossing, but this is one amazing train wreck in the making.
Wanda Minor
11:34 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
I'd keep my eye on the Woodridge school board if I were an inquiring mind....
Earl Elevant
12:03 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Meaning...?
Wanda Minor
9:04 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Gosh Earl, I thought you knew everything. When the Giant Eagle moves, won't there be a large trek of vacant land just screaming for a tax abatement?
Earl Elevant
12:18 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Yeah, I know most things. You were vague, though. Hard to tell where someone is going with partial thoughts.
Russ Hofer
7:22 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Meaning they would go after the taxes that a Menard's size store could bring in and of course leave the Cuyahoga Falls School district with empty coffers.
Jean
7:49 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I thought the Portage Crossing development was in the cuyahoga falls school distict. (Tax reasons )
Dave L
7:55 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Funny that no one was objecting when the Falls school district was going to take Giant Eagle from the Woodridge school district.
Suddenly, a rumor of Menard's building in WSD has people whining.
Debbie
8:06 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Now there's a big stink about the windows on the new Acme addition. Robart, Truby, and Valerie Car Wax all need replaced. Who cares about the windows? Get the Acme finished, and get the parking lot fixed - that's much more important than the silly windows, plus they look nice IMHO
Wanda Minor
9:08 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I absolutely LOVE Acme's windows. The city's just upset that Val didn't get to take credit for them. You people need to learn to stifle your autonomous thinking if you want to live here.
Terry
10:27 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
If Robart doesn't want articles on Portage Crossing stores coming and going, who is releasing the POSSIBLE tenant list before a contract is actually signed. Could it be the City ???? It would be interesting to read the RELEASE clause in this total contract with Stark.
Doug Norton
10:37 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
How and why was the Pizza Hut owner allowed to blackmail the City of Cuyahoga Falls? Boycott Pizza Hut.
Earl Elevant
12:22 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Shame on them for owning property. They should be forced to give it up to whoever wants it whenever they're asked to do so.
What are they doing, trying to possess something the Falls monarchy wants? Let's just take it from them and be done with it. [/sarcasm]
Stephanie M
11:22 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
My neighbor recently said " I don't think Portage Crossing will ever end up being built", and I laughed that comment off. Now I'm wondering if he is correct. Between Windowgate at Acme and the wildly disorganized planning process at Portage Crossing, I'm completely disgusted with the city and Stark.
Darla DeNiro
11:37 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I love "Windowgate." Those windows are beautiful. Worry about getting that monstrosity and State & Portage finished. What's it been? 4 years since Monkey Wards was torn down? Let's get moving on this project that may or may not even exist at this time...
Earl Elevant
2:05 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Do you think "Windowgate" might be just a diversion while they gut 50% of the main attractions to Portage Crossing?
Ronald Frogge
10:04 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
There seems to be only one way to get Portage Crossing finished and that would be get rid of Stark Interprises and get a legitimate company to do it. Might be time to get rid of Robart too.
o
10:25 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Mr. Frogge, well said. In addition, Susan Truby seems to be in way over her head. Let's just drop Stark and start from scratch.
Scott Gatrell
9:23 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
My Wife and I moved to Cuyahoga Falls 2.5 years ago. We chose to live in CF because this city offers so much for its residents. Ex.own electric grid w cheaper electric, the Nat.,Riverfront, excellent safety forces. I would also like to point out that Mayor Robart and City Council have been very foreward thinking in ways of renewing this city and creating business opportunities when the economy has not been able to create them. I stead of waiting for the old State Road Shopping Center to collapse on itself, the Mayor and Council took an aggressive approach because they realized the potential of developing this area. I do not have any connections to this project, but I am familiar with the type of planning, as well as the monumental task of finding solid tennants for a site like this. Its an incredible challenge and I feel that the Mayor, and Council have and still are performing at an extremely impressive level, showing great determination in achieving their goals with the Portage Crossings project. I would like to point out that there are too many ellected officials in other cityies, states, and federal offices that are content to sit behind their desks and do nothing to help their constituants. We should, "in my opinion", be thankful that our elected officials in Cuyahoga Falls are trying so hard to make our city and our lives as residents better. This kind of effort is all too rare these days. Thank-you to Mayor Robart and CF City Council for your diligence! Scott Gatrell
Wanda Minor
8:39 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wow! Swallow?
David Kearns
5:45 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
Everyone I know has all kinds of home theater equipment and the big TV, theaters are so expensive!! That's the last thing we need. Supplying low paying jobs. Gee Thanks for thinking of my kids needs for milk money. Should have had firm agreements with business that wanted to come in, prior to demolishing the place.
David Kearns
5:49 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
So I get a reply from @PortageCrossHog Nov. 21st. telling me @troop1028 and @davek0101, Easy there. I'm enjoying my $11 million pile of dirt. Thank you for paying for it.
Jeff
10:15 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Put in a Cosco and be done with the whole thing!