The History of Downtown Cuyahoga Falls

The History of Downtown Cuyahoga Falls. Front Street Downtown Revitalization Project. Our beautiful city was founded in 1812 along the banks of the Cuyahoga River, with downtown being the focal point of commerce and trade. In the 1970s, once thriving downtowns across the country fell victim to the popularity of the large indoor shopping malls. Locally, Downtown Cuyahoga Falls steadily declined to become a desolate area of empty storefronts. In 1978, the City decided to try something new; Front Street was closed to vehicular traffic and was converted to a pedestrian mall. This venture proved unsuccessful and Front Street stagnated for four decades. Ironically, with the emergence of online shopping and the newfound popularity of historic downtowns, nearby Chapel Hill Mall permanently closed its doors., In 2018, after countless public engagement meetings, the brick pedestrian walking mall was removed, and a new street with fun and modern amenities was constructed, opening Front Street to vehicles for the first time in 40 years. The $13.7 million-dollar revitalization project you see before you was approved unanimously by City Council and brought the residents' vision and our downtown to life. Thank you for visiting historic Downtown Cuyahoga Falls. We hope you enjoy it!, The City wishes to thank all the residents that participated in the planning process, the city administration, and the city council members that supported the project:, City Administration , Russ Balthis - Law Director . Tony Demasi - City Engineer , Fred Guerra - Planning Director . Bryan Hoffman - Finance Director , Diane Sheridan - Development Director . Anthony Zumbo - Service Director, City Council , Ward One - Vince Rubino . Ward Two - Mary Ellen Pyke . Ward Three - Vic Pallotta , Ward Four - Mary Nichols-Rhodes . Ward Five - Mike Brillhart . Ward Six - Adam Miller , Ward Seven - Jerry James . Ward Eight - Russ Iona . At Large - Paul Colavecchio , At Large - Jeff Iula . At Large - Carol Klinger