by Steve Wiandt

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- The demolition of the Prospect Mold and Die building March 18 marked the beginning of urban renewal efforts on South Front Street.

As a light rain fell, a crowd of local officials and residents watched as Mayor Don Robart, wearing a white hard hat, mounted an excavator and took the first "swing" at the old factory that was built in 1945.

"I'm deeply honored and delighted to take the first ceremonial swing ... a swing that represents a change in our landscape forever," Robart said moments earlier in a ceremony inside the building.

"To many, today represents the last chapter in the Industrial Age," said Robart, "when manufacturers routinely spewed pollution and debris into the Cuyahoga River." This was before the EPA, he said, when rivers were "receptacles of rubbish."

Robart continued, "For others, today marks a new beginning. The creation of a new neighborhood. Not just any neighborhood ... a new and exciting neighborhood."

The mayor said plans for this new neighborhood include townhouses, condominiums, a gazebo, a floral clock and a new overlook bridge. He also said he can picture a bookstore, ice cream parlor, newsstand, convenience store and a dry cleaner.

"I see a neighborhood built around a pedestrian-oriented theme," said Robart.

Robart said further plans include removing dams in the river to allow for whitewater rafting, pontoon boats and gondolas.

The city received more than $3.5 million in grants for this project. Community Development Director Sue Truby recognized Jennifer Syx, deputy director of development, and Fred Guerra, the planning director, for "all their hard work on the grant process."

Truby said this project has been several years in the making, going back to 2003 when the city received a $300,000 matching grant from the state to purchase the Prospect Mold and Die building. In 2004, $200,000 was received from the U.S. EPA to conduct environmental assessments.

A firm from Chicago was hired in 2005 to create a master plan for the redevelopment of South Front Street. Last year, a $640,000 grant was received through state Rep. John Widowfield's efforts to be used toward the construction of what will be called New Glens Park, Truby said. The project will include a new pedestrian bridge, new overlook and walkways to the Gorge, new urban park including gazebo and a floral clock.

The cost of the entire construction project budget is $1.8 million, said Truby, and the city has picked up the balance ($1.2 million) in the 2008 Capital Budget.

Also in 2007, the city received a $2.4 million grant from the state for the demolition and clean up of four buildings: Prospect Mold & Die, Industrial Tool and Machine Co., the Morgoch building and H & M Metal. These structures are in the corridor south of Sheraton Suites Hotel. High Bridge Glens Park was in this area in the 1800s.

"This [the $2.4 million grant] was remarkable beyond words," Truby noted, "To my knowledge, [it is] the largest grant ever received in the history of the city." Truby thanked Widowfield who was also in the audience.

Prospect Mold combined with Akro Mold (now known as Prospect-Akro Mold Inc.) and is located at 1100 Main St. in Cuyahoga Falls (near The Plaza at Chapel Hill).

She also thanked Steve Hamit with McCoy Associates for planning and design work and Mike Weinstein with SRW Environmental, the project oversight company.

"A lot of people think this is a small step, but this is a huge step toward the revitalization of the south riverfront corridor," Mary Ellen Pyke (R-2) told the Falls News-Press following the ceremonies. Pyke represents Ward 2 where the Prospect Mold building is located.

"It amazes me how many people who live here and have never been on this bridge," Pyke said, while standing on the Prospect Avenue overlook bridge, slated for replacement. Because of its picturesque view of the Cuyahoga River, Pyke said when she has guests in her home she always makes it a point to take them to the bridge.

"It is always exciting to finally see a project that we have talked about for years get started," Amy Alduino, the brownfield coordinator for the Ohio Department of Development, said during the ceremonies.

E-mail: swiandt@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3915