Patchers Divided Over French Mill Run Development

What do you think of the proposed apartment and retail complex that could be constructed off State and Bath Road?

Portage Crossing Update; State Road Widening Nearly Underway; Local Star Interviewed: Week in Review

Catch up on seven days worth of Cuyahoga Falls news with our Week in Review update.

1. Commuters beware: A two-year State Road widening project is only weeks away from getting started. Click here for all the details on the $9 million plan. 2. City officials are working with a developer to construct an $18 million retail and residential development at State and Bath Roads; however, a city councilwoman and several Patch readers aren't to keen on the initial details. What do you think about French Mill Run? 3. Many updates to report on Steven Woods, the Falls man who was arrested after allegedly downloading large amounts of child pornography. 4. Hey, Mad Men fans, did you know Rich Sommer (Harry Crane) lived in Cuyahoga Falls for nearly a decade? Click here and listen to an NPR interview he gave earlier this week.  5. …

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LOOK: McDonald's Back in Business on Graham Road

In just three months, the old burger joint was demolished and rebuilt into a modern, fast food restaurant.

They don't make 'em like they used to; and in this case, that's a good thing.  The new Graham Road McDonald's, which opened its doors on Dec. 27, is a nice improvement from its somewhat cramped predecessor. The 5,000-square-foot fast food restaurant is a customer-friendly upgrade, which features a much larger dining room and dual drive-thru lanes for even quicker service, said manager David Girard. The flat screen TVs, large windows and sleek look blend together well, but the biggest advantage of the new location is the 32 additional employees needed to run it. 70 employees now work at the local McDonald's, up from 38 before the rebuild, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.   The reconstruction at 1050 Graham Road ran from October to December…

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Planning Commission OKs Acme Glass Block Windows

The Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission voted unanimously to keep the new windows that had been installed by Acme developers without the city's knowledge.

The Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission came away pleased following Tuesday's walkthrough of the Acme Fresh Market #10 construction site.  The tour, and subsequent meeting that proceeded it, were held, in part, to get a look at and determine the fate of glass block windows that had been installed across the east side of the new building.  Plans submitted by Acme had called for plate-glass windows and awnings versus glass blocks, and the city wasn't notified of the design change, which drew the ire of several commission members.  However, after seeing the changes, the commission voted 6-0 to keep the newly installed windows, which will become an integral part of an artistic concept approved by Steve Albrecht, owner of Acme's parent company …

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Acme Construction Under Falls Planning Commission Microscope

The Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission will tour the Acme construction site Tuesday after learning the grocery chain had executed major design changes without notifying the city.

The Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission will take a look around the new Acme Fresh Market #10 to ensure the grocery chain is abiding by its construction plan that was submitted to and approved by commission members.  The tour was scheduled after Acme recently completed a major design change without notifying the city, reports the Falls News Press. The change included installing rows of glass blocks in place of plate-glass windows and awnings that were going to face State Road.  According to Cuyahoga Falls Planning and Zoning Director Fred Guerra, Acme said the glass blocks were chosen for artistic reasons and are intended to complement a sculpture that will be hung on the east side of the building.  An Acme representative will guide the …

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joe

5:34 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

@Jason, way to be pro business, got an axe to grind over that ham, go to the new Giant Eagle at Portage Crossing, the ex-mayor will be working their soon, he'll cut the ham in half for you!!!!!!!! Oh, that's right that project is flat DOA   more ›

Traffic Alert: Stretch of Akron-Peninsula Road Shutting Down

Detour signage will be posted.

Cuyahoga Falls motorists may want to rethink their commutes given the announced closure of Akron-Peninsula Road from Northampton Road to Quick Road in Boston Township.  The Falls News Press reports the major traffic artery will be closed from Oct. 8-15 due to nearby bridge maintenance.  Traffic will be re-routed and the detour will extend from Bolanz Road to Riverview Road to State Route 303 to Akron-Peninsula Road. Detour signage will be posted. Though Oct. 15 is the announced completion date, the reopening of the road will be contingent on how well the weather cooperates during the repair work. For more information, visit the Summit County Engineer's website. 

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Snapshot of the Day: Portage Crossing Prep Work Underway

Preliminary construction is underway along Portage Trail and elsewhere to prepare the surrounding infrastructure for the incoming Portage Crossing development.

The Portage Crossing groundbreaking isn't quite here yet, but infrastructure improvements have begun to help make way for the much-anticipated shopping center.  Chances are, you've seen the preliminary work firsthand while motoring down Portage Trail, State Road and Lillis Drive.   The improvements include: construction of roadways, adding turn lanes, traffic light, curb and sidewalk installation, sanitary and storm sewers, street lighting, landscaping and so on, according to Cuyahoga Falls Development Director Sue Truby. Truby expects most of the prep work to be completed by the end of the year, but noted some of the work may extend into the spring.  The construction will cost the city over $3 million, with about half the money coming …

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Traffic Alert: Second Round of Route 8 Lane Closures, Delays Coming This Weekend

Use the real-time Patch Commute map and stay ahead of the traffic in and around Cuyahoga Falls.

Traffic Alert: Expect Several Closures, Delays This Weekend

Read on and stay ahead of the traffic.

Construction season is in full swing, which is good for local infrastructure, but discouraging for drivers trying to motor from point A to B.           To avoid the congestion and traffic jams, make note of the closures and construction below: • State Route 8 southbound from Howe Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls to East North Street in Akron will be reduced to two lanes for asphalt resurfacing from 7 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday. The same stretch will be narrowed to one lane on Aug. 18-19, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.   •  The Route 8 Howe Avenue entrance ramps will be closed from 7 a.m. Aug. 17 through 6 a.m. Aug. 20. • The State Route 8 Glenwood Avenue entrance ramps will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday due to bridge repairs. …

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Caution: Falls Bicentennial Celebration Interrupting Traffic

Find out what roads will be closed in August for the Cuyahoga Falls Bicentennial Parade.

There will be multiple road closures associated with the Bicentennial Parade on Saturday, Aug. 11. The State Route 8 northbound exit ramp at Portage Trail will be closed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to cityof.com.  Portage Trail from Munroe Falls Avenue to State Road will be closed, east and westbound from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Route 8 southbound exit ramp at Second Street will be open, but Second Street southbound will be closed at Wadsworth Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to avoid downtown Cuyahoga Falls.   The Cuyahoga Falls Bicentennial Parade steps off Saturday at 10 a.m. at Bolich Middle School and ends at Front Street and Oakwood Drive.  Emergency vehicles have been notified.

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