Mandarin House Owner Stands His Ground on State Road Widening Project

The Cuyahoga Falls Public and industrial Improvements Committee, chaired by City Councilman Jerry James, unanimously approved a motion to finalize negotiations between city officals and property owners along State Road to keep the widening project on schedule. 

However, one parcel was pulled by the committee on Monday night from the ordinance to undergo further consideration.

The City Council will review whether or not it’s necessary to install a right-turn lane on Bath Road to accommodate motorists who want to head north on State Road.

Ciry engineer, Tony Demasi,  said it’s necessary, yet committee members James, Terry Mader and Diana Colavecchio, and Ed Hwee -- the owner of the which sits on the parcel in question -- argued against the additional lane.

“I don’t understand the wisdom of wanting to do an easement on that area for a right-turn lane when I don’t think there’s a problem there to begin with,” said James.

Hwee said the widening of Bath Road would cut out about 20 of his 58 marked and unmarked parking spots, which would disrupt his business. 

City officials said Hwee has 38 spaces, not 58, and that the land they want lies in the city’s right-of-way.

In a phone interview on Wednesday afternoon, Demasi said project consultants will revisit the Mandarin House property to get a final determination on the current number of spaces and to figure out how many would be lost if the turning lane was installed. 

Valerie Wax Carr, the city’s director of public service, said alternatives are currently being considered, but wasn’t able to divulge the specifics since negotiations are still ongoing among the city, Hwee and his lawyer, Warner Mendenhall.

Mendenhall said he's optimistic about the ongoing negotiations and looks forward to further talks with the city. 

The $9 million project, funded, in part, by the Ohio Department of Transportation, is aimed at widening a two-mile stretch of State Road from Graham to Quick Road, relieving traffic congestion, reducing car accidents and spurring new retail development, said Demasi.

Want to learn more about the State Road widening project? Click here: