September 9, 2026

ROADS REPORT

Roads and city infrastructure are the number one thing I hear about, so they lead every issue of my newsletter. Here is where our major road and infrastructure projects stand.

 

 

This year, Cuyahoga Falls has invested over $4 million to repave about 25 miles of roads across 43 streets. Most of the roads are finished. A few are still in progress:

 

Painting of road stripes is ongoing and will continue into the fall.

 

Want to know if your street is on the list? See the full street-by-street paving list at cityofcf.com/2026-street-resurfacing-list. 

 

CITY UPDATE

THE CITY BUDGET

Cuyahoga Falls City Council does not meet in August, so there was no August session to report. We are back to our regular schedule this month, and budget season is officially underway.

 

Mayor Don Walters will present his proposed 2027 City budget to City Council this fall, and Council review and hearings begin from there. Last year, this same process put a record amount of funding toward roads, after so many of you named infrastructure as your top concern. Your input shapes these budget conversations, so mark your calendars for my 2027 City Budget Community Forum (details in "Let's Talk" below).

CITY PROJECTS

New fire station and training complex: One of the votes I am proudest that City Council took this term was approving a new fire station and training complex at Fire Station #4 on Northampton Road, and construction is now underway. This training facility sends a clear signal to our firefighters and their families that we take their safety seriously, and that Cuyahoga Falls is a great place to work.

 

It is also critically important to our residents. When you call 911, whether it is for a heart attack or a house fire, the people who show up are only as prepared as the training behind them. Training improves the care our residents receive in an emergency, and it keeps our firefighters themselves safer on the job. It also helps us compete against neighboring communities for the best recruits. 

 

The new facility includes new apparatus bays and a state-of-the-art training center, complete with a four-story training prop for realistic drills, and the historic Northampton Town Hall stays part of the site. A $3 million state grant is helping fund it, so we can give our firefighters first-class training without putting the full cost on residents. Once finished, it will serve as a regional hub for firefighter training across surrounding communities. See renderings and FAQs at cityofcf.com/proposed-fire-station-training-facility. 

 

Once up and running, I commit to holding a community forum and open house at the new station so residents can tour the new facility, and to ensure it is a good neighbor to nearby homes.

Valley Vista Park: As you know, Valley Vista is getting a refresh. New, accessible playground equipment is on the way, helped along by a state grant, as the first of a series of improvements planned for the park over the next couple of years. It is part of our ongoing work to keep neighborhood parks safe, welcoming, and fun for every family. Watch for more information in my newsletters as each phase takes shape.

 

RiverLoop: The RiverLoop continues to transform our downtown riverfront into a connected place to walk, bike, and gather. The newest section, a boardwalk underpass beneath Broad Boulevard, is now open, letting the trail pass safely under a busy road, with more work continuing along the river this fall. It was one of the projects many of you flagged in the survey, and it is quickly becoming one of the best ways to experience the Falls. You can read a recent Akron Life story about the project here: https://www.akronlife.com/travel/waterfront-refresh/.

 

The Active Transportation Plan: The City is partnering with the Ohio Department of Transportation on a plan to make it safer and easier to walk, bike, and get around Cuyahoga Falls. That means taking a hard look at where we need better sidewalks, safer crossings, and connected routes, especially near the schools and parks where families are on foot every day. The goal is a network that works whether you are walking a child to class, biking down to the river, or getting to a bus stop. A draft is expected this fall, with final recommendations to follow, and resident input is a big part of shaping it. You can learn more, and add your voice, at cityofcf.com/active-transportation-plan. 

 

South State Road and Bailey/North Moreland Business Corridors: The City completed a traffic study for the State Road and Bailey/Northmoreland Business Corridors and held a public meeting in June of 2026. At that meeting, the City announced that there would be no lane reduction on State Road. Design for the South State Road corridor is anticipated to take place in 2027.

 

Mud Brook Trail Phase 2: Work on Phase 2 of the Mud Brook Trail is underway. Once complete, the trail will connect 11 neighborhoods and allow pedestrians to traverse the trail from Pleasant Meadows Boulevard to Graham Road without using a vehicle. Part of this project was paid for through grant funds provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

NEW BUSINESSES

Downtown keeps growing. A few places that have recently opened on or near Front Street:

Beyond downtown, a couple of newer additions to the city include:

Know a business opening soon? Reply and let me know, and I will include it next month.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS: RESOURCES

Several of you have asked what the City is doing about short-term rentals, meaning homes rented out for short stays through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. 

 

As of today, Cuyahoga Falls does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance on the books. This is an active conversation across our region. Summit County has adopted registration and permit rules for the unincorporated areas it governs, and individual cities set their own rules separately. Cleveland, for example, recently passed its own short-term rental regulations after a lengthy debate.

 

I have heard your questions about this, and I want you to know it is on my radar. In the meantime, if you have a specific need related to a short-term rental property today, the city has resources available to you:

FALL IN THE FALLS

FALL RECREATION SCHEDULE

Download and print the brand-new Fall and Winter 2026 Fridge Friend, a comprehensive schedule of activities in Cuyahoga Falls. It is filled with fresh ways to stay active, engaged, and inspired! From family activities to adult and senior programs, there’s something fun for everyone to enjoy.

 

Want to stay informed all year long? You can also sign up for the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation monthly newsletter.

UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS

Front Street Live wrapped its summer Friday-night run in August. Thank you to everyone who came out. Here is what is ahead:

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

NEW PUBLIC ART DOWNTOWN

In each newsletter and on my social media, I  will be highlighting great things and people in the Falls. Do you know a person, organization, or business that your neighbors need to know about? Please send your suggestions to rbalthis@cityofcf.com.

LET'S TALK

 

The best part of this job is hearing from you directly. Please join me at my two upcoming community forums:

 

Tuesday, September 29, 6:00 p.m. — Natatorium, 2345 4th Street

Thank you again to everyone who filled out the 2nd Annual Cuyahoga Falls Community Survey. I do not just collect your responses and file them away. Every year, we get together and talk through what we learned. You are welcome whether or not you filled out the survey, and to bring any questions you have.

 

Tuesday, November 10, 6:00 p.m. — Natatorium, 2345 4th Street

I want to hear what you think City Council should prioritize in the 2027 budget. Please mark your calendars now. This input really matters: last year's feedback resulted in a record amount of funding put into our roads this year. 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

REPORT AN ISSUE

 

One of the most common questions I get is "who do I call?" Here is a quick guide. 

 

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