'Riding a high': Cuyahoga Falls mayor talks about city's prospects, growth

It's been a couple weeks since Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters gave his 10th State of the City address, a soaring view on the county's second-largest city.

In the April 18 speech, Walters talked about the transformation of the city since he became mayor, painting a picture of a growing city that has adapted to its residents' needs while attracting newcomers.

While Akron's population saw a 4.3% loss in the 2020 census, shrinking to 190,469 residents, Cuyahoga Falls grew 2.9% to 51,114, becoming the state's 14th largest city.

Two weeks after the address, Walters remained just as bullish on the city's prospects during a phone interview.

Here are six things to know about the city's progress and what's to come:

Focus on South State Road, Bailey Road corridors

Walters said the city is focusing on two sections of the city that have potential for growth.

One runs on State Road from Portage Trail to Highbridge Road, near the Akron line. On the southern end of the corridor, a former Ponderosa Steakhouse has sat idle for years — along with a small strip center immediately to the south.

The other corridor is Bailey Road from Myrtle Avenue to Saxe Avenue.

The mayor said he expects public meetings, probably this summer, on plans developed by OHM Advisors.

What about the dam?

Prep work for removal of the 1911 Gorge Dam is already taking place, with sediment removal an early step.Walters said he anticipates the big work of removing the structure will take place in 2026.

"It's kind of a lengthy process," he said.

When removal is complete, the city will sport first-class whitewater rapids.

"Nothing east of the Mississippi is close to [it]," he said.

A booming Front Street

Front Street has seen a renaissance in recent years since it reopened to traffic.

The city hopes to extend that growth with the South Front Street Streetscape project, which will add a lighted welcoming arch and infrastructure improvements from Broad Boulevard to Grant Avenue.

The project begins this summer.

Targeting young homeowners

Walters said he began immediately when elected for his first term to concentrate on making the city appealing to current and future residents.

"My goal from Day 1 was to increase demand for people to move into the Falls," said Walters, who became the mayor in 2014.

With an aging population and the need to draw young professionals, the city had to add housing stock they wanted.

"I knew we had to start building housing for the future," he said.

That means more townhouses and condominiums, including 51 units planned on South Front Street.

Recreational activities like kayaking and canoeing play a key role, too, he said.

"I learned [that] you better cater to the young professionals or they're gone," he said. "We're always looking at how do you retain the next generation."

Under the boardwalk

Boardwalk improvements expected to start this year include an upper boardwalk and a new river-level stage under the Portage Trail bridge.

Strong finances, low utilities

Walters said the city's financial position remains strong, with record revenues.

The city's utility rates are the lowest in the region, Walters said, in part because the city is a public power community.

"We're really riding a high right now," he said.

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters talks about city's transformation