It has been a very busy year for the Service Department! This year, we paved 43 streets across the Falls, part of a record investment in our roads after you told us they were your top priority. Here's what's happening now: - Hudson Drive: Kenmore Construction will soon begin curb and apron work on Hudson Drive, from Front Street to Graham Road, to get it ready for paving next spring.
- Bailey Road: The water line replacement is complete, and the road will be repaved in the spring.
Thank you to all the City employees involved in this massive effort. |
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Thank you to the 809 neighbors who took this year's Community Survey between August 4 and September 8, 2026. You didn't just check boxes. You shared about 75,000 words of comments, about 93 words per person, about what you love about the Falls and what you want to see get better. Here's what you told me. |
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The big picture is good news. Most of you love living here, and you feel safe doing it. |
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Downtown and Front Street, Parks & Recreation and Public Safety earned the highest marks, with 83% of you rating each one good or excellent. Roads, schools and communication from City government have the most room to grow. |
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WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THE FALLS |
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When we asked about the best thing about living here, it is clear we love our city: the location, the parks and trails, the small-town feel, and good neighbors. “I love being close to a city but having parks in our back yard. We love hiking and being outdoors.” (Ward 6 resident) “People are generally friendly, the library is a great resource, and people take care of their property.” (Ward 2 resident) “The convenience of what it has to offer… it will always be home.” (Ward 4 resident) |
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WHERE WE NEED TO DO BETTER |
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Roads topped your list again. Last year you told me the same thing, and we put a record of about $4 million into roads in 2026, paving about 25 miles across 43 streets. That work isn't finished, and roads come first again as we plan for 2027. |
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After roads, you most often named development and growth (14%), parks and recreation (13%), schools (10%) and traffic and speeding (8%) as areas to improve. |
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HOW YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM US |
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Email was your top choice, which is why this newsletter now comes to your inbox every month. One in three of you also said text alerts would help, especially for road work and outages. |
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- The full results are being shared with City Council and Mayor Don Walters, as promised when the survey launched.
- 228 of you asked to stay in touch. I am busy calling and emailing everyone who requested it.
- Your priorities will shape City Council’s 2027 budget conversation, starting with the Budget Forum on November 10 (details below).
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DATA CENTERS: NEW RULES UP FOR DISCUSSION |
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City Council is considering legislation (A-60) that would set rules for data centers in the Falls. A data center is a building that holds computer servers and data storage, along with the equipment that keeps them cool and secure. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the rules on August 4, but City Council has not voted on them yet. Here's what the legislation would do: - Keep them small. Only one data center building per property, and no bigger than 5,000 square feet.
- Limit electricity use. A data center could draw no more than 5 megawatts of power at any time, with approval from the City's Electric Department. Any expansion would need the Department's approval first.
- Require approval to use water. Using City water for cooling would need approval from the Water Department.
- Limit noise. Noise at the property line could not go above 70 decibels between 8am and 5pm. The rest of the day, the City's regular noise rules apply.
- Hold them to state pollution standards. Air emissions and water discharges must meet Ohio EPA standards. Any hazardous materials must be reported to the Fire Department.
- Limit where they can go. Data centers would be treated as a type of manufacturing use and allowed only in certain zoning districts, under these conditions.
Interested in hearing more or sharing your thoughts? Join us for a public hearing on this and new proposed senior living rules (A-61) on Monday, October 19, 6:30pm, at the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street. Residents are welcome. If you'd like to speak, please contact me at least 12 hours ahead at (330) 573-1566 or rbalthis@cityofcf.com. |
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Here's what City Council has been working on since September: APPROVED SEPTEMBER 28 - Jobs on Remington Road (A-62): City Council approved a 29,280 square foot addition to Spirol Shims at 321 Remington Road.
- Hudson Drive (A-66): City Council approved the contracts to repair and resurface Hudson Drive from Front Street to Graham Road. Curb work starts soon, with paving next spring.
- Bath Road hydrants (A-65): a contract with Kenmore Construction to replace four fire hydrants on Bath Road. Kenmore was chosen because the hydrants sit unusually deep and need special equipment.
- Smarter purchasing (A-64): the Parks & Recreation Department will join The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS), a cooperative program that lets cities buy products and services at pre-negotiated prices.
REVIEWED IN COMMITTEE OCTOBER 5, WITH FINAL VOTES TONIGHT, OCTOBER 12 - Park Ridge Preserve (A-71): a new subdivision of 11 single-family homes on 2.3-acre lots north of Bellaire Lane, with conservation easements to protect land near the National Park.
- Sidewalks (A-72): $120,000 more for this year's sidewalk, curb and ramp program. That brings this season's total from 175 properties to 227, including new public sidewalks on Hollywood near Alameda Avenue and on Sackett Avenue between Second and Third Streets.
- Dog rules (A-73): updates the City's animal laws to match Ohio's "Avery's Law." It sets clear definitions and stronger penalties for nuisance, dangerous and vicious dogs. Owners of dogs designated as nuisance dogs would need to post City signage and carry extra liability insurance.
- Issue 6 (A-74): a resolution expressing City Council's support for Issue 6, a 5.5-mill, five-year levy for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District on the November 3 ballot.
- Electric storage system (A-75): an investment in battery storage that cuts the City's peak electricity demand, which helps keep electric rates down.
- Silver Lake water service (A-77): renews the City's agreement to provide water to the Village of Silver Lake for another 50 years. The City would supply up to 600,000 gallons a day, Silver Lake would pay the same rates set for Cuyahoga Falls residents, and the Village would maintain its own water lines.
- Downtown DORA: City Council held a public hearing on Monday, October 5 on the downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. There are now 15 businesses taking part, and DORA cup sales have raised $11,760 so far this year for signage, police presence and cleanup.
NEW AND PENDING LEGISLATION - Senior living rules (A-61): proposed Development Code changes would update which zoning districts allow nursing homes, assisted living and independent living facilities, and add extra review for larger facilities. Public hearing October 19.
- Riverbank lighting (A-81): a contract for light fixtures to light City property along the banks of the Cuyahoga River.
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The 2027 City budget process is underway. Mayor Don Walters proposes the budget, and City Council reviews and votes on it in December. Come share your priorities at the Budget Forum on November 10. More information is below. PROJECT UPDATES - RiverLoop: I am so pleased to report that the RiverLoop project is nearing completion. Please join us for a grand opening on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 11am at Cuyahoga Falls Pavilion and Amphitheater.
- Active Transportation Plan: the City is still gathering resident feedback on its plan for safer walking and biking. A draft is expected this fall. If sidewalks and walkability matter to you, please fill out our survey: cityofcf.com/active-transportation-plan
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Curbside leaf pickup runs Monday, October 26 through Friday, December 4. Every household gets three pickups. - Rake leaves onto the tree lawn by 7am on your scheduled day, in a long line, not a pile.
- Please don't rake leaves into the street, and keep out branches, grass, and debris.
- No plastic bags, trash carts, or recycling carts.
Questions? Call our Leaf Hotline at (330) 971-8031. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS |
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TRICK-OR-TREAT Saturday, October 31, 6 to 8pm, in neighborhoods across the Falls. Want to make your street the talk of the town? Register your decorated home for the Spooktacular Halloween Display Tour by Wednesday, October 21 at cityofcf.com/halloween-displays, by email at necco@cityofcf.com, or by calling (330) 971-8208. Updated tour addresses are posted weekly online. QUIRK-O-WEEN Friday, October 23, 4:30 to 6:30pm, Quirk Cultural Center, 1201 Grant Avenue. Mayor Walters hosts this free, family-friendly evening with costume trick-or-treating, Halloween crafts, festive snacks, and an inflatable haunted house. No registration needed. Questions? Call (330) 971-8225 or visit cityofcf.com/events/quirk-o-ween-1. MORE FALL EVENTS - Mon., Oct. 12, 6:30pm: City Council Meeting, the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street.
- Sat., Oct. 17, 3 to 8pm: Nightmare on Front Street, 2085 Front Street. Free entry; costume contest at 5pm.
- Mon., Oct. 19, 5 to 6pm: Office hours with Councilmembers Brian Ashton, At-Large, and Rachel Loza, Ward 1, Lincoln Room at the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street.
- Mon., Oct. 19, 6:30pm: City Council Meeting, including a public hearing on new rules for data centers and senior living centers, the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street.
- Fri., Oct. 23, 1 to 2pm: Office hours with Councilmember Marie Willis-Guarneri, Ward 7, Lyla's Family Restaurant, 1911 Bailey Road.
- Sat., Oct. 24, 10am to 2pm: Drug Take Back Day, the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street. Pill-form medications only; no needles or liquids.
- Sat., Oct. 24, 11am: Grand opening of the RiverLoop project at the Cuyahoga Falls Pavilion and Amphitheater.
- Sun., Oct. 25, 12:30 to 2:30pm: Office hours with Councilmember Nikki Cebula, Ward 3, Dunkin', 1760 State Road.
- Mon., Oct. 26, 6:30pm: City Council Meeting, the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street.
- Tue., Nov. 3: Election Day. Find your polling location here: Summit County poll finder.
- Tue., Nov. 10, 6pm: Community Budget Forum with Council President Russ Balthis, the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street.
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WELCOME, TOTALLY BAKED PIZZA |
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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. |
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DON'T MISS THE CITY BUDGET FORUM |
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This is the most important conversation we'll have this fall. Join me Tuesday, November 10 at 6pm at the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street, for the 2nd Annual City Budget Forum. Your survey answers told me roads, neighborhoods, and communication matter most. Now let's talk about how the 2027 budget can reflect that. See you there! |
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I am here to serve you. Feel free to reach out to me at any time with any concerns or questions you have. My cell is 330-1577 and email is rbaltis@cityofcf.com. |
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Which fall City service matters most to you? |
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One of the most common questions I get is "who do I call?" Here is a quick guide. - Pothole Hotline: (330) 971-8FIL (8345)
- Leaf Hotline: (330) 971-8031
- Trash and recycling: (330) 971-8010
- Water service: (330) 971-8130 (same number for after-hours emergencies)
- Electric service and outages: (330) 971-8050
- Streetlight outage: report online
- Property concerns and code enforcement: (330) 971-8135
- Police non-emergency: (330) 928-2181
- Police, fire or medical emergency: 911
- Neighborhood concerns: your ward councilmember
- Don’t know where to call or not getting a response? Contact me. (330) 573-1566 or rbalthis@cityofcf.com
- Basic needs, housing and utility help, health and well-being, and financial or legal support: Call 211 or visit 211summit.org (24/7). 211 is a service of United Way of Summit & Medina Counties.
- Mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to: Call or text 988 (24/7).
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VIEW THE CITY'S FRONT STREET LIVE WEBCAMS! |
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2310 Second Street
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, United States |
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