On Monday, the Falls City Council approved a measure, 10-1, giving Robert Stark more time to purchase city-owned land for the planned Portage Crossing development.
Stark, owner and CEO of Stark Enterprises, asked for the extension while he finalizes leasing agreements and works to sign on eight to 12 more tenants that will occupy the remaining 10 percent of the outdoor retail center.
As it stands, and Giant Eagle will act as the anchor stores for the 400,000 sq. ft. development, and will be joined by the likes of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Panera Bread and Pet Supplies Plus.
Of the 11 council members, Carol Klinger was the only one to vote against the time extension measure.
Before the vote, she read a statement voicing both excitement and concern over the project. One of her main criticisms regarded the planned closure of the Graham Road Giant Eagle to make way for the new one at Portage Crossing.
“More than two years ago, we were promised a development that would bring new businesses and jobs to the city,” said Klinger. “Based on that information, we previously approved significant tax reductions for this development, only to learn that we will relocate one of the larger businesses one block.”
Klinger continued saying the proposed Giant Eagle swap will only create a larger burden for taxpayers.
At an April 16 committee meeting, Cuyahoga Falls Director of Development Sue Truby said the city is working with Giant Eagle in finding a solution to avoid another vacant retail space on Graham Road.
Construction of the $60 million Portage Crossing development is set to begin this summer with a spring 2014 completion date.
What's your take on the plan to move Giant Eagle from Graham Road to Portage Crossing?
As for Kohl's or other like stores that dot the map everywhere in this county, Get new stores into this area. Cabela's was going to build in Boston Heights a few years back. See if there is still an interest there with Cabela's. Bass Pro Shop could be another. Harbor Freight could fill the empty Giant Eagle store. With the same stores dotting Summit County and our economy struggling, another group of like stores shouldn't be part of the equation for this venture. To fill these vacancies before they are even built I can totally understand. To fill these vacancies insightfully would make this project a solid endeavor. To many times chain stores close because of a failing economy, lack of consumers interest or building to close to another of their own chain. Get new stores that will draw in people from all over this area and other areas. Make this mall something that makes people want to come hear and tell others, after they have been here, how fantastic their visit was!
Portage Crossings is overall a win for the city and while I don't like the fact that Giant Eagle is moving, we are still getting Panera, bspot, Menards, etc.....and Acme is remodeling on State road. I think the mayor and council could have probably taken certain precautions to avoid GE/ Acme from just moving but they did not and this is what we are left with. Let's just hope something positive can happen with the empty GE building.
Please just leave Cuyahoga Falls and take this project somewhere else. Hey, we have a long-vacant shopping center in Stow that is run by a slumlord. You can bring Portage Crossing to Stow because it's apparent that the only thing the people in Cuyahoga Falls are able to do is complain and show how unappreciative they are, along with their ignorance.
You are not getting "more of the same." Menards is a destination and the closest one is 45 minutes South. Michael Symon's place is another destination. To further prove how clueless many of you are -- including the Councilwoman-- Giant Eagle is making AN INVESTMENT (open a dictionary to learn what that means) by building a BIGGER store (meaning MORE employees being hired) and this store is a concept-like store; unlike any other they have in Ohio, IIRC. Another thing you people don't seem to get is once this place is up, the retail real estate in the area will become in demand because that area will now become a "draw" -- unlike it was for years! One thing that will NOT go into that old GE store will be a grocery store. It shouldn't be vacant that long.
Take "certain precautions" to prevent GE and/or Acme from just moving? You can't be serious with both of those. Oh, you are. Could you be any more business UN-friendly? (which is an image CF kinda has right now). If a business wants to relocate, they have every right to. Or, you can be very unfriendly to business and watch them pack up and head elsewhere. Taking their tax base with them.
I do feel I am an educated resident of Cuyahoga Falls. If I didn't care, I wouldn't say anything at all. But I do care and have the right to voice my concern. I feel as though you are missing the point that while a move one block by Giant Eagle will produce more jobs (positive) it will leave a vacant building (negative). Does the positive outweigh the negative?... We all hope so. However, due to the fact of the Topps and Sears plaza being vacant, people have their concerns. Of course everyone has a "favorite" store they'd love to see at Portage Crossing and and not everyone will be happy. The big picture is that the city is going to improve, grow and have a beautiful shopping center. Have a good day!
This is why I hate these boards, people really don't respect each others opinions and act like children. P Crossings is great and will be successful, but it's still possibly going to leave a big vacant property, I still think GE may find someone to go in there, fitness center etc....
Miranda, we have had this discussion before about the stores, kinda sorta! lol
From the moment that State Rd. was going to come down, everyone kept bashing and complaining that it was never going to be built and so on. And now that it is & many people are eating crow, and an impressive listing of stores -- thus far -- have been released, now people are complaining because there the stores that are coming are not what THEY expected. OH yeah, I'm being "childish." Get the hell over yourselves. This place will bring in more money to the city than State Rd has in a decade-plus. If you don't want to be referred to as clueless, etc., then don't act like it. Easy peasy.
The "current" GE shouldn't be that difficult to fill because it's a pretty basic structure, per se. No, I'm not missing any point at all. What people are not doing is seeing the BIGGER picture from all of this. As I've said, once Portage Crossing is up and running, that area is going to become prime. Which is why I don't expect the current GE to be vacant long because that area will become a "draw." And, with the increased traffic on Graham between Rt 8 and State Rd this center will bring, it could benefit that Stow-Falls Center, too.