The first deliveries of steel have arrived on site and erection has begun for TownCenter at Firestone Farms. To see the site plan and renderings, please click here
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HOWLAND TWP., Ohio – A plan for reconfiguration will bring big changes for Howland schools, and one key element will give the district something it has wanted for a long time.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Howland Superintendent Kevin Spicher said the strategic planning initiatives are designed to move the district forward.
“I think this is one of those times when we need to realize we’re not the schools of yesteryear anymore,” Spicher said.
As part of the strategic plan Howland will reconfigure it’s four intermediate schools to teach all students in the same grade under one roof. For example, North Road School will be all fifth graders.
School leaders say it will end a long standing system where students have been separated geographically on two sides of the district and met for the first time in middle school.
“Where it wasn’t until sixth grade that everyone met everybody else within the township,” School Board member Justin Kaszowski said. School leaders say one grade under one roof will also benefit teachers.
“Our teachers will be able to meet on a daily basis to drive their instruction, develop a plan, and work together,” said Curriculum Supervisor Erin Pierce.
The changes will also free up space so that Howland will be able for the first time to offer all-day everyday kindergarten. Something Spicher says is needed for Howland to be a viable district going forward.
“We can’t entice all of our students and parents who want to come and stay in Howland schools if we can’t start them here in Howland schools,” said Spicher.
The lack of all day kindergarten has had an impact on Howland enrollment.
“That’s a big factor, we’ve lost a lot of open enrollment students that would have stayed in the district, Board member Kaszowski said.
Another positive from reconfiguration will be the elimination of modular classrooms, which were intended to be only temporary. No schools will be closed and the overall plan will not add any cost to taxpayers. The superintendent says they plan to begin the changeovers at the end of the current school year.
“Because it’s basically an initiative of moving materials, supplies, staffing, and students to the buildings there’s very little else that has to to be put in place to make that happen, that’s why it’s a good thing,” Spicher said.
The reconfiguration will require changes in bus routes but no additional busing.
HOWLAND TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Almost as soon as you reach the limits of Howland Township, it’s impossible not to know where you are.
Along state Route 46, heading into the township center, whether from north or south, you see an array of signs in front yards that declare support for the Howland High School football team. At the Route 46-state Route 82 interchange, large, concrete signs simply read “HOWLAND” on both sides of the expressway.
If you come in from the west along East Market Street, you see Howland banners that feature tiger tracks – the tiger is the high school mascot – in black and orange. Black and orange – the school colors – adorn light posts almost the entire way to Howland Corners, the intersection of Market Street and Route 46.
The community obviously has an abundance of pride, which permeates into the businesses that call the township home. For instance, at Baker Bednar Snyder & Associates, an architecture, engineering and design firm, all three principals are graduates of the Howland school system who returned home after college.
“Howland is home. And that means a lot to all of us who have chosen to come back here,” says Andy Bednar. “We’re all very committed to the community. Both Randy
Bednar also serves as the president of the Howland Community Scholarships Foundation, which last year awarded 52 scholarships that totaled more than $42,000.
The architectural firm has completed several projects in the township, including its government center, the new Akron Children’s Hospital pediatrics unit on Market Street, the Howland Schools athletics complex and the Howland branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. [the firm has also completed the following projects in Howland Township: Akron Children’s Hospital Multi-Specialty Office, Eye Care Associates – Howland, Shepherd of the Valley Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities, Shepherd of the Valley Independent Living Neighborhood, Seven Seventeen Corporate Headquarters]
“It’s a very rewarding feeling,” Bednar says of the work his firm has done. “With our involvement, we have gotten to know a lot of people and leaders. Because of our reputation of getting things done on time and on budget, that’s where their service comes back to us and where the desire to work with us comes from.”
As a township that experienced most of its growth over the past couple of decades, the small-town atmosphere still holds strong as residents are just as likely to turn to a neighbor’s store as go to a chain.
“We like doing business in Howland. The customers give us a lot of support,” says Stephen Sprague, owner of Sprague’s Vacuum Plus. “Of course, with it being a very local community, we try to help out with kids’ sports and the schools, along with the fire and police departments.
“Both [the police and fire departments] buy some of their equipment from us,” Sprague continues. “The people in this community like to support local businesses and we appreciate that.”
Howland, many others note, has always been receptive to new businesses opening within its boundaries. Almost six years ago, during the Great Recession, Stella Angelo opened The Cake Boutique on North River Road.
Customer response was phenomenal from the beginning, Angelo says. What helped customers and her business was that both had to work within the confines of strained budgets.
“We had to have a budget for everyone, which we still do, and that draws people to us. Starting in the recession taught us how to ride the market,” Angelo says. “I have a little more knowledge and a better feel for what I need to do to keep afloat.”
At the beginning of September, Richard Alberini, owner of the former Alberini’s in Niles, opened Alberini’s Trattoria on Market Street in Howland. Almost instantly, the restaurant was full and has enjoyed steady business since, he says.
“The demographics give us the potential for a lot of carry out,” Alberini says. “There are a lot of school sports and things going on where families can come by and grab a pizza or stop in for some pasta while the parents grab a beer.”
Even better than the foot traffic, he notes, is the relatively low volume of traffic that passes his restaurant. While fewer cars go by, the less daunting traffic attracts more customers.
“The location is much better here than on Route 422 because of the traffic. The accessibility here is wonderful,” he says. “The surrounding rooftops and families are something we really want to appeal to.”
Longtime shops have developed and kept a base of loyal customers over the years. At the intersection of Route 46 and Market Street, Andrews Shopping Center has been a mainstay of Howland since before World War II.
“We’re certainly seeing a new group of people come in, but the old adage of ‘If you can’t find it anywhere, you can find it at Andrews’ is still something I hear from people,” says owner Harmon Andrews.
“The older people in the community like the fact that nothing changes. They can come here and it’s the same as it was 30 years ago.”
With the arrival of big box stores such as Lowe’s and The Home Depot, Andrews has had to adjust to a shrinking customer base. Andrews has become a Lionel model train franchise and it now offers antiques.
“When Lowe’s and Home Depot came in, they took a big piece of the pie, so I started looking at other things to do,” he says.
“I’m not sure that we are as relevant as we once were. It’s basically word of mouth [that keeps us going]. We have a pretty loyal following that’s getting aged, for sure. We’ve got the antiques and other things that give us a pretty nice draw, too.”
Often mentioned as what distinguishes Howland from other communities in Trumbull County is the mix of residential and commercial properties, not just in number but location.
“Part of the difficulty in these developments is that you have homes next to office buildings on the main drag. That’s just the way older communities develop,” says Carter Lewis, CEO of Lewis Construction. “In planned communities, everything is in a proper place. We have a healthy mix; it’s just the nature of being a community that started in the 1800s.”
Lewis is quick to point out that his company often looks to do business with others in the township, a shared value in Howland.
“We make a genuine effort to do business with local companies. The obvious answer is for the convenience,” he relates. “Beyond that, it’s because they’re the people you know outside of work and want to help support. I believe a great deal in reciprocity.”
Among the companies Lewis has worked with is Baker Bednar Snyder. The two have worked together on four projects in Howland, including Akron Children’s Hospital and on the Howland Tiger Pride project. That project renovated several athletics and extracurricular facilities for the school system.
“I’ve always enjoyed being able to give back to the community,” Lewis says. ”It’s probably an overused phrase, but I like to ‘pay it forward.’ Giving back has always been important to us. I didn’t just do it for my kids, I did it for the greater good of the community.”
And that sense of community continues to attract families and help business in Howland, says Baker of Baker Bednar Snyder.
“There are quality schools and a good quality of life to raise our families in. For me, another reason is because of my dad being a contractor in Howland,” Baker says. “That created a familiarity with the contractors, suppliers, subcontractors and other people in the business. So when I graduated and was choosing a location to establish a new firm, Howland just made a lot of sense.”
BBS Project Coordinator Lauren Kramer volunteers with Habitat for Humanity
From The Vindicator:
The facility has been open more than a month, but Akron Children’s Hospital’s second Trumbull County pediatric primary-care office at 661 Mahoning Ave. NW got a public reveal Thursday.
The office has 12 exam rooms and three medical providers. It is in the remodeled former American Red Cross Building.
The site has historical significance, being in front of the Pioneer Cemetery, an early Connecticut Western Reserve burial grounds dating back to 1804. It is the gravesite for 12 Revolutionary War veterans, among others.
Akron Children’s Hospital turned the building into a modern architectural structure that one hospital official said he believes is pleasing to “the eyes and mind of a child.”
“It’s just really remarkable,” Dr. Norman Christopher, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics for the hospital, said of the building’s new look.
The hospital has a facility at 5000 E. Market St. near Howland High School that serves about 10,000 children annually and opened in 2011.
The newest facility is expected to serve about 3,000 patients.
But Dr. Christopher said he expects the new facility to be “bursting at the seams” before long and need additional space in the same way the other Warren location has been “wildly successful.”
The hospital also has 25 pediatric facilities in Northeast Ohio, including the Beeghly Campus on Market Street in Boardman.
Both Warren locations offer services such as well-child visits or routine checkups, immunizations, sports, school and camp physicals, treatment for illness and injury and chronic disease management.
From WKBN 27:
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Akron Children’s Hospital will celebrate the opening of a new pediatric primary care office in Warren.
Approximately 3,000 patients are expected to receive primary care in the remodeled historic building on Mahoning Avenue Northwest. The location is the second office in Warren.
“We got a wonderful staff. You can see this facility has been designed through the eyes of a child, and it’s very welcoming. And, most importantly, it’s going to be focused on doing the very best for the children that come through our doors,” said Bill Considine, CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital.
Some of the services the office will provide include routine check-ups, immunizations and physicals for sports and schools.
COLUMBIANA, Ohio (WKBN) – Work has begun on a new development in Columbiana.
The location near the intersections of state Route 7 and state Route 14 will be transitioned into a shopping and dining area. Developers have expressed preserving one particular decade for the new design and they also wanted to keep local Harvey Firestone in mind.
“As part of the project, we also are going to move Harvey Firstone’s barn, beside us here, which I am really excited about. It was built in 1880 when Harvey was a young man growing up in Columbiana, before he went off to Akron to start the Firestone Rubber Company,” said developer Tom Mackall, owner of Firestone Homestead LLC.
Firestone Homestead purchased the undeveloped property at sheriff’s sale in April 2012.
About 39,000 square feet of the project is planned to be opened by the fall of 2016.
“We have been working for three years to get started and I have said all along it is a 10-year project. So, it will take 10 years to build out all the buildings that we are going to build here,” Mackall said.
He said all the buildings will look like it is 1930.
“We are going to have a Firestone-themed restaurant in our first building. So I think that is the most important part, the most exciting part for me, to teach the wonderful history and legacy Harvey Firestone left Columbiana,” Mackall said.
Firestone’s barn also will be preserved and made into a pub or museum. Columbiana City Manager Lance Willard said this will bring people to the community.
“I hope people get to experience Columbiana. It will be a nice draw for that and at the same time, attract jobs,” Willard said.
One resident is excited about the new development.
“I think this new development is going to be one of the best things to hit Columbiana. And should help Columbiana County too. If they are going to put high end stores in here, I believe it might be the new Boardman,” Patricia Moore said.
From WKBN 27 News:
COLUMBIANA, Ohio (WKBN) – Construction of a new multi-million dollar retail and office complex in another part of northern Columbiana County could begin in a matter of weeks.
For months now, land has been cleared near the corner of State Routes-7 and 14 on the east end of Columbiana for the proposed Town Center and Marketplace next to the Firestone Farms housing development and the Links at Firestone Golf Course.
WKBN is told that the first phase of building could get underway sometime next month, with new office and restaurant space ready in about a year.
A major shopping plaza is expected to be located on the southeast corner of the project.
ALLIANCE
As symbolized by Stark State College’s red, white and blue logo mounted on a recently constructed building, higher education has a new location in this city.
The college’s recently constructed Alliance Satellite Center debuted this week inside this 10,000-square-foot facility.
The center, located a block north of Alliance Community Hospital at 1725 S. Arch Ave., contains three lecture classrooms, three computer laboratories and a multipurpose laboratory.
There also is a student lounge equipped with 13 desk-top computers so students can study while not in class. The building also contains some offices on its east side.
Alliance Community Hospital actually owns the building and has a 10-year lease with the college.
This is one of Stark State’s satellite projects, giving the college a presence in downtown Canton, Barberton, Carrollton and Alliance. Stark State’s main campus is in Jackson Township.
“Our thrust is we are bringing high-quality education in an accessible way,” said Marisa Rohn, public relations officer for Stark State. “I think people appreciate having the opportunity to attend college right in their backyard. It is based on the demands of the community.”
It is the school’s introduction to Alliance. The college has been operating a satellite outreach in this city at leased space in the 1200 block of W. State Street.
“All of the summer sessions that were on State Street have moved here,” said Jessica Grimes, coordinator of Stark State’s Alliance satellite. “We still have computers and stuff in the building that will be moved here.”
The new satellite center sits on a portion of the site of the former Alliance Community Hospital complex. That old complex was razed. Alliance Community Hospital moved out in 2006 and operates in the new facility in the 200 block of E. State Street.
A Warren-based architectural firm, Baker, Bednar Snyder & Associates, designed the facility. Prime contractor was an area company, Fred Olivieri Construction.
“It was done to sort of match the character of the hospital campus,” said Nathan Aleskovsky of the architectural firm that designed the project. “It is the exact same brick and stone. We tried to use the same proportion for the windows.”
The largest chamber is the multipurpose laboratory. That room is about 1,225 square feet and is in the center of the structure.
“It is multipurpose lab,” Aleskovski said. “Any sort of science-based classes that are hands-on I would assume go in that room.”
From WFMJ:
WARREN, Ohio – On July 8th, Akron Children’s Hospital will open its newest primary care office just off Mahoning Avenue on Warren’s west side, providing families, who live in that area of town, access to pediatric services.
“There is a physician that is a pediatrician, Dr. Cecil Desai, that had a practice in Warren for over 30 years and he is retiring and he is partnering with us at the end of his career and we are expanding and taking over his practice and moving to this location,” said director of primary care services Ben Teske with Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics.
The pediatric primary care office will employee two physicians, as well as two nurse practitioners and a number of other medical personnel, who all will work to perform routine check-ups, administer shots and conduct physicals. They’ll also treat illnesses and injuries and will help children and their families manage chronic diseases.
“As we’ve looked at the market here there is not a lot of pediatric services on this side of Warren. So, it made sense to stay in this area where he (Dr. Desai) had his practice and where there is a lack of pediatric healthcare available,” said Teske.
Finishing touches are being made to the 5,000 square foot facility, which will have 12 exam rooms.
“We would have the ability to serve up to probably about up to 10,000 patients with four to five providers working out of this office and we plan to extend our hours into the evening and on weekends,” said Teske. “So, we expect it to be a very busy practice.”
Medicaid and most insurance plans will be accepted at the new office, which is accepting new patients.
