TALLMADGE: As Mayor David Kline starts his second term this month, he wants to see commercial, residential and retail development projects that began in his first four years in office completed.
Testa Builders is expected to break ground by early spring on a $45 million, four-story multi-use development located on North Avenue near City Hall, he said.
The project will include commercial office space on the first floor, senior housing on the second and third floors and condominiums on the fourth. The building will be modeled after the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls, another project by Testa.
Tallmadge City Council has approved the first of three phases of the project. Zoning changes must also be approved.
Another Testa project, also located near the Tallmadge Circle at North Avenue, already is under construction at the site of the former Bob’s Big Boy restaurant.
Jimmy Johns, Sutton Bank and Crimson Cup Coffee Shop have signed leases for space in the building, which is expected to open by early spring, Kline said. A fourth space still is available for lease.
Residential development is another priority, the mayor said. The city is trying to sell several parcels for this purpose, including more than 100 acres on East Avenue.
“The city’s development affirms that we are doing things right and people want to invest in Tallmadge,” he said. “It also provides economic stability.”
As development continues, the city is updating its Comprehensive Plan, a land and property development guide the mayor describes as “the bible for how Tallmadge should look.” The plan is scheduled to be completed within the first four months of 2016.
Kline said other concerns during his second term include updating city zoning codes, which haven’t been updated in about 20 years.
Storm water management also is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed, he said. The mayor estimates the city spends about $1 million annually making sure storm water pipes get cleaned and repaired.
Tallmadge is facing hefty sewer bill hikes of 30 percent to 40 percent in the coming years as the city of Akron plans to increase rates to pay for a nearly $1 billion project to fix its combined sewer system, he said.
About two-thirds of Tallmadge’s sewer water is handled by Akron; the other third is treated by Summit County.
Kline said he hopes to reduce Tallmadge’s costs for Akron sewer services by fixing broken pipes and ensuring water meters are accurate.
On the revenue side, Tallmadge is expecting its income tax collections to increase this year, Kline said.
Tallmadge exceeded its $10.5 million anticipated income tax collection for this year by $85,000.00. For 2016, the city anticipates an income tax collection of $11 million.
“We are pretty confident that we’ll be able to make our 2016 goal,” Kline said.