MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio – During a Committee of the Whole meeting held ahead of Monday’s city council meeting (August 23), council members received an update on plans for the new pool / community center project from the city.

“The design has changed a bit over the planning process – how much space we need, how much pool area we need,” Mayor Anthony DiCicco said of the current planning.

“We started talking with the Pool Manager and the Director of Parks and Recreation (Sean Ward) about how much pool deck area we want and how much water we need.”

There had been a question as to whether the building would have one or two stories, but plans now call for a one-story building to replace the existing one-story Ross C. DeJohn Community Center at 6306 Marsol Road.

The new building, which will also be named after former Mayor Ross C. DeJohn, will be constructed slightly west of the current building. The new building will house the swimming pool from Interstate 271 directly south.

Another question ahead of Monday’s meeting was whether the new building would include one or two gymnasiums. A gymnasium is now planned, with a single basketball court which can be divided into two courts.

The new building and pool are now expected to measure almost 32,000 square feet. It will also house the city’s recreation department.

The city projected the cost of the new community / aquatic center to be $ 17 million, but there is already a problem with that amount.

“There has been a 20 percent increase in building material costs,” said DiCicco. “We are already a little above the planned budget. We have to stick to that initial number as much as possible ($ 17 million).

The Board has not yet approved the project budget, so there is no need for formal changes to the projected costs at this time.

The aquatic part of the project will likely include amenities such as umbrellas to provide shaded seating, a zero-depth entry to the pool, a slide, a children’s play area in the water, lanes, a wading pool and diving boards. . All of these amenities performed well in a 2020 recreation survey to which 852 residents responded.

The update to the board was provided by Christopher Trotta, of the design / build team Heads of level. DiCicco said the city will conduct interviews this week with potential construction managers.

The City’s goal is to begin construction of the community / aquatic center next May.

Redevelopment of Mayland

The city council meeting included passing legislation to redevelop the site of the Mayland Shopping Center on the south side of Mayfield Road across from Mayfield Ridge Road.

With all of the buildings demolished on the site and a Starbucks set to open soon where the Sonic restaurant once did business, the board heard from representatives of two key companies about to build on the site.

For one of these companies, Sheetz, gas station / convenience store / cafe, council approved a waiver of 52 parking spaces, above the city code maximum of 22 for the site, giving it 74 spaces. The Board also approved, without objection, Sheetz’s preliminary and final site plans.

Sheetz will be built, starting next spring, near the Mayland entrance on Mayfield Road, across from Mayfield Ridge Road, where there is a traffic light.

Attorney Bruce Rinker, of Mansour Gavin LPA, who represents Sheetz, said the Mayfield Heights location will be rare among Sheetz’s 600 or so locations as its awning and gas pumps will be located in the back of the convenience store building, meaning they won’t be visible from Mayfield Road.

He said he might know of another like this in the Columbus area.

DiCicco said he had requested, along with the city commission and board members, that the pumps not be visible when planning begins for Sheetz. The rear of the 3,331 square foot building will face Mayfield Road.

“We understand that a Sheetz component might not be what a lot of people expected for lifestyle type development,” Rinker said, “but Sheetz provides real service.

“I think you all understand that Sheetz’s million dollar investment in it – it’s a ground lease, a long-term lease – it’s a real anchor for the site. . “

In recent years, city leaders have designed and approved design manual for the future development of Mayfield Road, and in particular Mayland, which would ensure that it would be developed as a lifestyle center and make it pedestrian friendly.

Rinker said the Sheetz design, including parking, signage, and building and pump layout, was designed to meet the specifics of the manual.

“By design, this overall layout is intended to meet a large part of the manual’s desires for a more pedestrian, usable, lifestyle, center,” he said.

The Council also approved the monument’s signage for Sheetz.

The other future Mayland affair discussed was Cane Chicken Fingers. The Board approved increasing the maximum number of parking spaces for the company from 19 to 34.

It also approved the preliminary and final site plans for a 6,070 square foot building. The building will include a front patio for outdoor dining for up to 80 people. The indoor dining room will have space for 70 people.

Aerin Ledbetter, from Olio Development Group, who represented Raising Cane’s at the meeting, said of a groundbreaking date: “Right now our target date is September 27th. Whether or not that happens, we don’t know yet.

“I hope everyone will be eating chicken fingers by next fall.”

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