The new year is bringing some new looks to Copley as the township gets rolling on some heavily anticipated projects. From a new hiking path to a voter-approved safety center to more parking options at the heart of the community, here are five big changes in store for Copley in 2023:
New trail in the works for Ridgewood Road
Area residents who like to take an outdoor stroll can look forward to an upcoming trail along Ridgewood Road.
The 1.2-mile Ridgewood Road Trail would be completed in two phases, according to information provided by the township. Phase 1 would connect neighborhoods from Hametown Road to Copley High School, as well as south along Cleveland-Massillon Road to Glacier’s Edge Trail.
The cost of the project is estimated to be a little less than $2.6 million. The township was awarded $750,000 from the state for the trail, and plans to use money slated for projects from the general fund to finance the remainder.
“We have hired Environmental Design Group to complete the design of this project which will begin in the next several weeks,” said Loudan Klein, director of community and economic development. “Our target is to complete a portion of the trail by summer of 2024.”
New parking lot near Copley Circle
Those who’ve wanted to shop or grab a bite to eat near Copley Circle but have been frustrated by the limited parking will be happy to hear that more parking spaces are coming soon.
The township recently entered into a 99-year lease with Copley-Fairlawn Schools to lease approximately 1 acre on the northwest corner of the Copley Middle School property. Copley has designed and engineered a 85-space public parking lot that will be accessed from Copley Road, Klein said.
“The lot will help serve the businesses around Copley Circle that have substandard parking available,” Klein said. “Additionally, the lot will help support concerts and events held at Copley Circle by providing safe adjacent public parking that currently does not exist.”
Copley officials plan to complete construction in the spring, Klein said.
More residences, businesses arriving in Montrose area
Copley could be getting some more residents in the near future.
Phase 1 for a mixed-use development is at 444 and 506 Rothrock Road, just south of Montrose. The plans include construction of 28 town homes called The Ridge, which are scheduled to be built next year. The drafted site plans were designed and submitted by Mann Parsons Gray Architects in Fairlawn.
“The developer is currently working through construction plan approval of the 28 town homes for construction in 2023,” Klein said. He added that the Architectural Review Board approved Phase 1.
The proposal also calls for four mixed-use buildings, which would include restaurants and retail on the ground floor, office space on the second floor and a parking garage, according to the site plan provided to the township.
West of the four mixed-use buildings, which are a part of Phase 2, would be a 156-unit residential structure called The Rock, which also would be part of Phase 2. The Rock would include one- and two-bedroom dwellings. West of these structures would be 18 single-family homes in a development called The Woodlands, which is part of Phase 1B.
A third phase, Copley Point at Montrose, proposes two two-story commercial and office buildings, a building for retail and/or restaurants, and a third building for office space.
New safety center will start to take shape
Copley officials are getting ready to construct a new safety facility after voters approved a bond issue funding the project in the November general election. The $20.5 million in revenue generated over 26 years will fund the construction of a new, joint safety facility for the township’s fire, police and first-responder personnel off Sunset Drive. It also will provide the township with a community center and green space, as well as an access road to the new facility location off Sunset Drive.
Construction is expected to begin sometime in September 2023, wrap up around November 2024, said Klein. He added that the projected timeline is subject to change.
For details, visit https://www.copley.oh.us/425/Safety-Facility-Levy#Overview.
Sewer extension project along Copley Road
While sewers may not be as exciting to talk about as business and residential development, central sewer services are coming to the commercial district along Copley Road.
Copley Township has entered an agreement with Summit County to pursue Ohio EPA Waste Water Prevention Loan Funds for the project, which will cost about $6 million and will build out sewer along Copley Road from state Route 21 east to Copley Circle, Klein said. The project will continue east of Copley Circle approximately another 3,400 feet.
“The last phase of the project will be extending sewer at the intersection of Copley and Jacoby Road to the commercial business at all four quadrants of the intersection,” Klein said. He added that design work is expected to begin in early 2023.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com