CUYAHOGA FALLS: An anticipated update of the Portage Crossing development before Cuyahoga Falls City Council this week revealed little new information.
Falls Development Director Sue Truby told council members Monday that a more detailed progress report would come Dec. 12 when representatives from Stark Enterprises will address members.
Truby was asked to update council on the status of the project on the site of the former State Road shopping center by Councilwoman Kathy Hummel, who chairs the finance committee.
Truby said the city and the developer are planning a March 2012 groundbreaking for the major redevelopment of the site.
The city bought the plaza at State Road and Portage Trail for $10.2 million in 2008 after threatening the owners — State Road Associates — to take it by eminent domain as blighted property.
In 2009, developer Robert Stark was chosen to reshape the site. A contract between the city and Stark calls for Stark Enterprises to close on the property by March 2012 or be forced to go before council to request more time.
When the national economy soured and new commercial construction ground to a halt nationwide, Stark exercised an option to extend the closing date with two six-month extensions. The delays in closing on the property was granted by Mayor Don Robart.
Truby said she understands the anxiousness of residents and council members to see something happening on the site.
“The answer is that during a freeze on development projects nationwide, Portage Crossing is not only surviving but has grown in size,” she said.
When Stark signed the contract in 2010, the project encompassed about 279,000 square feet. It has since grown to 479,000 square feet, Truby said.
An increase in square footage translates to an increase in jobs, tax revenue and investment in the community, she said.
“Council approved the development of the project in two stages to be completed by 2015,” she said. “Due to the terrific response Stark has received [from retailers] the project will be completed in one phase.”
Truby said the city has been working on completing its own loose ends related to the project.
“The city bought the BP station in September, with Stark paying half according to the contract,” Truby said. “It will be demolished by the end of the year.”
She added workers will begin dismantling an electric substation on the north end of the property on Dec. 5.
“While external changes appear stagnant, internal work continues at a rapid pace,” she said.
Hummel said she is concerned that it is still not know who the major tenants will be with a groundbreaking scheduled to move forward in just three months.
“I guess I should be optimistic and I hope you will convey this [to Stark] that I would expect to hear on Dec 12 who some of the retailers are,” Hummel said. “I don’t know how they can be on target for a spring groundbreaking and not know who some of the retailers are.”
Truby said she is pleased with the progress behind the scenes.
“I believe we are extremely on target,” Truby said.