Merriman Valley Schumacher Master Plan
The City of Akron and the City of Cuyahoga Falls are collaborating on a master planning process for the Merriman Valley and Schumacher areas of our cities. These areas are in need of a new vision for responsible land use in both previously-developed and undeveloped areas. The master plan will include urban design, transportation, economic, zoning, environmental, and recreational components.
The two cities have hired Farr Associates - a nationally recognized planning firm that specializes in urban design, sustainable architecture, and environmentally-sensitive design – to engage residents, businesses, and other stakeholders in developing the master plan. Ample opportunities to get involved in the planning process will be provided, with both in-person and online engagement activities. The master planning process began in April 2021 and is expected to conclude in early 2022.
Through this planning process, the two cities hope to ensure that the Merriman Valley and Schumacher neighborhoods will become more walkable, healthy, equitable, beautiful, and resilient places to live, work, and play.
Master Plan Final Report
Merriman Valley - Schumacher Area Master Plan
Merriman Valley, Commercial Target Market Analysis
Merriman Valley, Residential Target Market Analysis
Merriman Valley, Target Market Analysis Appendix
Ways to provide feedback:
Send an email: [email protected]
Call us: 330.375.2090
Public Participation
Meaningful public participation is a key component of a successful planning process. Therefore, the Cities and Farr Associates are inviting the public to participate in the study through the following workshops:
PUBLIC WORKSHOP 1 – PROJECT INTRODUCTION & BUILDING BLOCKS
was held virtually on Thursday, July 15th at 5.30 pm
Public Design Charrette August 17-19, 2021
The cities of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls held a design charrette in the Merriman Valley Schumacher study area. A charrette is a focused period of design activity that takes place over several days. The consultants worked on site and held two public meetings and offered open studio time for the public to share ideas with the design team and see the planning process in action.
The charrette took place at Todaro’s Party Center located at 1820 Akron Peninsula Road in Akron. View recordings from the public sessions below:
PUBLIC CHARRETTE VIDEO RECORDING: TUESDAY, AUGUST 17th
PUBLIC CHARRETTE VIDEO RECORDING: THURSDAY AUGUST 19TH
Public Meeting December 15, 2021
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters hosted a virtual public meeting on December 15, 2021 to discuss the draft Merriman Valley - Schumacher Area Master Plan.
Following a presentation of the draft Master Plan by the urban planning consultant, Farr Associates, meeting participants were able to ask questions of a panel made up of Doug Farr, Diana Colavecchio, City of Cuyahoga Falls Community Development Director, and Jason Segedy, City of Akron Planning Director. The panel discussion was moderated by Dan Rice, President of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and Chair of the Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission.
The meeting was well-attended, with over 200 participants. The feedback and discussion from the meeting will be used to further revise and refine the draft plan, which will be issued to the public in early 2022. After the draft plan has been released, there will be opportunity for the public to provide further feedback. The Cities plan to present recommended zoning code changes to their respective City Councils in 2022.
The key findings and recommendations of the draft plan are included in the meeting presentation found here: DRAFT PLAN FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS
A recording of the public meeting is available here: PUBLIC MEETING VIDEO RECORDING: WEDNESDAY DEC 15TH
