It’s been a couple weeks since Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters gave his 10th State of the City address, a soaring view on the county’s second-largest city.
In the April 18 speech, Walters talked about the transformation of the city since he became mayor, painting a picture of a growing city that has adapted to its residents’ needs while attracting newcomers.
While Akron’s population saw a 4.3% loss in the 2020 census, shrinking to 190,469 residents, Cuyahoga Falls grew 2.9% to 51,114, becoming the state’s 14th largest city.
Two weeks after the address, Walters remained just as bullish on the city’s prospects during a phone interview.
Here are six things to know about the city’s progress and what’s to come:
Focus on South State Road, Bailey Road corridors
Walters said the city is focusing on two sections of the city that have potential for growth.
One runs on State Road from Portage Trail to Highbridge Road, near the Akron line. On the southern end of the corridor, a former Ponderosa has sat idle for years — along with a small strip center immediately to the south.