Independence Businesses

Featured In Crain's

I was among the many guests who joined CBIZ President and CEO Jerry Grisko for the November 2023 unveiling of CBIZ's spacious new office complex in Independence.

Rich Weiser is CSA Group's Executive Vice President for Global Operations.

MAI Capital President Jim Kacic.

Three prominent Independence companies are featured in the March 18 issue of Crain's Cleveland Business. Leaders at CBIZ, CSA Group, and MAI Capital discussed the City's central location in Northeast Ohio, available office space, and assistance with expansion as main reasons they chose Independence for their businesses.

You can read the online version of the article at crainscleveland.com or by clicking here.

Longano Drive Residents

Receive Project Update

I was on hand to address questions Longano Drive residents asked about the project.

L-R: Cornerstone of Hope Founder and CEO Mark Tripodi reviews project plans with City Engineer Don Ramm.

L-R: City Engineering Technician Jacob Dean discusses project drawings with residents Jim DiMarco and Dave Jones.

Work on the Longano Drive Reconstruction Improvements Project began on March 20, one day after residents gathered for an informational meeting and open house in Council Chambers with me, City Engineer Don Ramm, and representatives from Tri Mor Corp., the project coordinator.

I addressed questions posed by residents and Mr. Ramm discussed the Engineering Department’s project drawings and construction schedule. The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2024.

The Engineering Department is working with Longano Drive residents regarding Property Access Agreements and Permanent Storm Water Easement Agreements for the project.

Project goals include:

● Widening road pavement to City standards

● Maintaining existing water main until new main and services are installed

● Providing pedestrian sidewalks

● Improving deficient turn-around at the end of the street

● Avoiding utility pole impacts/relocation

● Minimizing impacts to residents/work outside right-of-way (private property)

● Minimizing impacts to existing trees

● Updating streetlights on the project, provide their thoughts and suggestions, and discuss the project’s next steps and timelines.

To read more about the Longano Drive Reconstruction Project visit the Engineering Department’s page on the City’s website: www.independenceohio.org/departments/engineering or click here.

IPD Promotes Sergeant,

Adds Two New Officers

I was honored to swear in Lt. Shane Bates during the ceremony.

L-R: As his daughter Natalie looks on, Lt. Bates has his badge pinned by daughter Madison.

L-R: Officers Joseph Coyne and Nicholas Amato are official members of the IPD.

L-R: Officer Joseph Coyne, with his son Walker, receives his badge from mom Jackie Kyle.

L-R: Chief Robert Butler, Officer Nicholas Amato's mom Donna Spencer, Officer Amato, grandmother Evelyn Hanna,

and me.

Our outstanding Independence Police Department got even stronger on March 19 when I swore in newly promoted Lieutenant Shane Bates and new Police Officers Nicholas Amato and Joseph Coyne.

Lt. Bates was promoted from his previous position as a sergeant. He has been a member of IPD for 21 years - 19 years full-time.

Officer Amato joins IPD after two years with the Brook Park Police Department. He is a crash reconstructionist and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University.

Officer Coyne joins IPD from Brooklyn Heights, where he spent nine years on the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. He is a skilled hostage negotiator.

Firefighters Reinforce

Safety Around Fires

L-R: Independence firefighters Nicholas Loparo and Lt. Jason Fahl spent time with children reviewing fire safety and how to remain safe around a fire.

Several members of the Independence Fire Department recently spent time with children and the Down Syndrome Association discussing fires and fire safety.

The firefighters engaged children in a variety of activities designed to teach fire awareness. It looks like we may have future firefighters among us!

Food Truck Fridays

Rolling Into Town

Barrio Tacos is among the vendors participating in Food Truck Fridays.

CLE Cookie Dough is a popular way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The City's Economic Development team will launch the 2024 Food Truck Fridays, starting April 5 from Noon to 2 PM in the west side parking lot of Plaza 45 (4500 Rockside Road), weather permitting.

Food Truck Fridays will be featured weekly from April 5 to October 25. Food truck updates and menus will be posted weekly on the City's LinkedIn (click here) and X (click here) social media platforms.

Scheduled vendors include:

• Barrio
• Blasian Fusion
• Cedar Grill
• CLE Cookie Dough
• Cheesy Dave's
• Feeed Myyy Bellyyy
• Hatfield's Goode Grub
• Just Us Doggs
• Kona Ice
• Manna Truck
• Metro45
• Smokin' Rock N Roll
• Smooth Rider
• Southern Thangs
• Sweet! The Mobile Cupcakery
• Twisted Grill & Grind

Reduce Reuse Repair

Fair Set For Saturday

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District will hold its second Reduce Reuse Repair Fair on Saturday (March 23) from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Independence Fieldhouse.

For more information visit cuyahogarecycles.org/repair_fair

or click here.

Surprises, Fun Found

Along Bunny Trail

I enjoyed greeting children as they Hopped on Down the Bunny Trail.

Claudia Duhan of the Community Services team hands out stuffed animal toys to children along the Bunny Trail. Special thanks to Wild Republic, which is headquartered in Independence, for donating stuffed toys for the preregistered children this year.

L-R: Officer Cris Collise was on hand to greet Anna Eliasova, her daughter Elizabeth Duchoslav, and son Alexander Duchoslav.

Families experienced the magic of Spring when they Hopped on Down the Bunny Trail, in partnership with Kiwanis Club of Independence, at the Civic Center on March 16. 

Children collected bunny ears, whisker noses, and chocolates from Kiwanis Club members. The event included different games, activities, and two balloon artists. A photographer was on hand to take photos with the Easter Bunny! 

Special thanks to Wild Republic, which is headquartered in Independence, for donating stuffed toys for the 330 preregistered children this year. The weather was picture-perfect, and many families stayed in Elmwood Park to enjoy Liberty Station and Safety Town!

Families were also generous with donations to the St. Michael Catholic Church Food Pantry. We collected 157 canned goods/nonperishable food items and $211 in cash.

Here's Where To Recycle

Your Solar Eclipse Glasses

Due to the mixed material nature of eclipse glasses (cardstock and solar film), these glasses are not recyclable curbside.

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is collaborating with Astronomers Without Borders to collect eclipse glasses during solar eclipse events in Cuyahoga County on April 8.

Collected glasses will be vetted for quality and then sent to Astronomers Without Borders for reuse at future solar eclipse events around the world. Read more about the Astronomers Without Borders program by clicking here or visit: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/recycle-donate

Deals Abound At Annual

Community Garage Sale

Bargain hunters had a field day in the Fieldhouse during the Semi-Annual Community Garage Sale on March 16.

Upcoming City Council & Committee Meetings

April 2

Planning Commission, 5:30 PM

April 4

Civil Service Commission, 9 AM

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

April 9

City Council Caucus, 5 PM

Followed by City Council Meeting

April 18

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

May 2

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

May 7

Planning Commission, 5:30 PM

May 14

City Council Caucus, 5 PM

Followed by City Council Meeting

May 16

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

Historical Society Survey:

Let Your Voice Be Heard

The Historical Society has merchandise available for sale in the Civic Center atrium. Your donations go toward the upkeep and maintenance of Historic Hall and Bramley House and help cover costs of preserving and restoring items of historical significance at the museum.

Members of the Independence Historical Society are working hard to reopen the museum this summer.

You can help to plan future exhibits and events by completing the organization's survey. Complete the survey by clicking here. You could win a $25 Amazon gift card. The winner will be notified April 13.

Check Out The

Weekly Finance Review

Read Finance Director Vern Blaze’s Financial Update for March 22, 2024 by clicking here.

Subscribe Now To Receive

Mayor's Weekly Update

If you know someone who would like to subscribe to Mayor Kurtz’s Weekly Updates, please ask them

to email their name to: cityhall@independenceohio.org.