City Seeks Grant to Extend Foltz, Start Developing 500 Acres

The city is asking the Ohio Department of Development for $3.5 million to extend Foltz Parkway to Boston Road to serve 500 acres of industrial land.

Strongsville would match that grant with a $1.5 million contribution toward the $5 million project.

This is the third time the city is seeking a grant from the Ohio Job Ready Sites Program for the road.

"We're hoping the third time's the charm," Mayor Tom Perciak said.

Once the road is in place, development a the 500-acre industrial park can start, potentially bringing hundreds of jobs -- and new income tax revenue -- to town.

The city owns 169 acres there, with the rest privately held. 

The existing Foltz Parkway extends into 43 acres of the undeveloped land and stops.

Perciak said the city could try to market its 169 acres as raw land -- with no road or utilities -- but would be able to charge much less than for improved property.

The mayor has said was the first step toward gettng the land developed.