Streetsboro working on splash pad, prepping for City Hall
Construction is moving along on recreational amenities at the center Streetsboro, and the city will soon turn its attention to the long-awaited City Hall.
Streetsboro, which has gone more than five years without a permanent home for city operations, has been undergoing a building boom in recent years, opening a community center earlier this year.
Now the city is turning its attention to the City Center project, which will include the new city hall, a field house and splash pad near the new fire station on State Route 43, where the former city hall was located.
"They're working every day, and they're working hard," Mayor Glenn Broska said. The progress includes curbs, work on the "oval" driveway, and footers for the restroom building and splash pad. "They're making good progress."
Making a splash
If you're wondering what's being built near the fire station on State Route 43, the answer is a lot.
The City Center project, which includes a splash pad, restroom and infrastructure to support it and the future city hall, is now under way. Eventually, a playground is planned for the site.
Broska said in addition to the splash pad and playground, the site will feature an "oval," a large open space that will be a little bigger than a football field. The space is expected to host events such as farmers markets, and there is talk of a gazebo.
"It's going to totally transform those 9 acres," Broska said. "It's going to give us something everyone in the city can be proud of."
City Hall progress
The city's administrative offices have been in temporary housing since 2018, when the City Hall building next to the fire station was demolished. City offices are at 555 Frost Road. The parks department, including the senior center, recently moved into the community center that opened in March.
City Council recently approved seeking up to $6 million in bonds to fund the city hall. Broska said because plans haven't been finalized, that's not the final cost of the building. Right now, he said, the city is working with the architect to apply a process called "value engineering," in which officials work together to reduce construction costs.
"We've been somewhat successful, but we're not there yet," Broska said.
The city also has a meeting in late June to try to increase its bond rating, which he said could reduce the cost to borrow money.
Other than the potential $6 million bond, all parts of the City Center Project will be paid from the city's budget, Broska said.
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Streetsboro working on splash pad, prepping for City Hall
