Volume 2 | August 2019

Economic Development eNewsletter

Rezoning Issue

City Council voted to place an issue on the November ballot to create a new mixed-use zoning district at the former Liberty Ford car lot site and adjacent properties on Aurora Road. The mixed-used district, which is the area inside Aurora and Solon roads, Station Street and Melbury Avenue would allow for uses that include, restaurants, retail, residential, hotel and green space.

Solon Broadband Survey The City of Solon is interested in your opinions regarding a high-speed broadband network that could enhance the availability and performance of broadband services to the community. Examples of services that could be made available with a broadband network include high-speed Internet service, cable television and telephone service. The anonymous results from this survey will help the City determine where the need is greatest and help guide us on how to ensure that all citizens and businesses have affordable and adequate access to broadband services. Municipal broadband deployments are broadband Internet access services provided either fully or partially by local governments. Businesses - Click here to participate in the survey Residents - Click here to participate in the survey

New Construction Updates

Chick-Fil-A Grand Opening The grand opening on September 5 th begins with a "First 100" camp-out party that will feature games and activities for children and meals after the restaurant opens. Registration for the event will begin 6:00pm on September 4 th . Adults will also have the chance to win a year’s worth of free Chick-Fil-A meals. This new location on 6150 SOM Center Road will feature a retro, vintage interior design, a two-story playroom for kids and dual drive-thrus that merge into a single pick-up lane.

Construction set to begin on Wendy's The old Pizza Hut at 34165 Aurora Road has been demolished and construction is set to begin next week on a brand new Wendy's. The new building will be constructed in brick with stone accents, and have a covered patio.

Aldi and Hobby Lobby will open in the fall Both the interior and exterior storefronts continue to be worked on at the upcoming Aldi and Hobby Lobby at 6217 and 6221 SOM Center Road.  A grand opening event for Hobby Lobby is anticipated on October 7th. Aldi is expected to open in November.

Yours Truly Yours Truly has been under construction at the former Donato’s Pizza and Dave’s Cosmic Subs property on Kruse Drive. They are doing exterior modifications to this property, which include the addition of a back patio. The interior is being remodeled to look similar to the Chagrin Falls location. It is scheduled to open in October.

Omni Senior Living & Global Headquarters The Omni Senior Living project has been underway on Bainbridge Road, which includes an independent senior living facility, assisted living units and memory care units. Omni Corporate Headquarters will build a 15,000 square foot building on the property adjacent to the senior living facility in the former Poly-Carb Inc. site.

Mobil Gas Station The new Mobil gas station on the southwest corner of Aurora Road and Solon Blvd is expected to be finished in early October.   The new Mobil Station will include a 386 sq. ft. addition to the rear, replacement of the gas pumps and canopy, a convenience store component and new façade.

Loan Protector expands in Solon Congratulations to Loan Protector on the grand opening of their new office on 6680 Parkland Blvd. Pictured (L-R) Mayor Edward Kraus, Vice Mayor Nancy Meany, Councilman Doug Magill, and Loan Protector's CEO Dennis Swit at the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on August 19th. Loan Protector has been in Solon since 1990 and has over 250 employees.

All Hail the Chiefs!

Solon Chief of Police Christopher P. Viland will become the City of Cleveland’s first Police Inspector General , a position mandated through a federal consent decree aimed at reform efforts in the department. After 9 years as Chief and 32 total with the Solon Police Department, Viland’s last day will be September 3 rd . Mayor Kraus shared these words with Chief Viland at his last council meeting, “from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your leadership and for taking this department to a whole other level,” Kraus said. “Thank you for your trust and your friendship and your 32 years of putting yourself second and the community first. That’s what it’s all about with you.” Solon's Fire and Rescue department received an improved ISO rating score of 3. ISO stands for Insurance Services Office and evaluates how well a city’s fire department is doing. The score ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. Solon was last rated a 4 in 2014. "The move to regionalize operations through the Chagrin Valley Dispatch Center and the increased funding for training and staffing, including an extra person on each shift all lead to the improved rating," stated Fire and Rescue Chief Bill Shaw.

Ohio Auditor of the State Award The City of Solon received the Ohio Auditor Of The State Award With Distinction. This award was presented to Mayor Edward Kraus, Vice-Mayor Nancy Meany and Finance Director Matt Rubino for excellence in financial reporting for our comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended 2018.

Solon is in Business!

‌ Contact Angee Shaker for business development inquiries: 440.337.1313 ashaker@solonohio.org