SHELBY – Shelby Mayor Steve Schag gave his 10th consecutive State of the City address at Monday’s council meeting.
Schag said he was happy to report Shelby is “solid and fiscally sound.”
He began by thanking each member of Shelby’s 2023 City Council, including Ward 3 Councilman Garland Gates, who recently retired in December.
“The numerous achievements of last year are a testament to their (city council) competence, experience, and skill in creating and passing legislation in a very timely fashion,” Schag said.
“We will miss the most senior member of that council, Mr. Garland Gates. We will miss his wisdom and wit.”
Schag also applauded Gates’ successor Councilman Eric Cutlip, amongst other city officials and employees.
“I do not have the time or space to properly recognize and express my appreciation to all the hard working men and women who make up the extraordinary team that serves the citizens of Shelby on a daily basis,” he said.
State of the City highlights local businesses
New businesses, improvement projects and downtown revitalization provide evidence of Shelby’s continued growth.
In August 2023, Damien Beauford, owner of 419 Barbershop, opened his third location in Shelby.
Additional grand openings from last year include:
– Life Is Sweet Cakery, 218 Mansfield Ave.
– Black Fork Brewery, 38 Mansfield Ave.
– Nationwide Children’s Hospital school-based health center, 109 West Smiley Ave.
Lloyd Rebar installed a one-half mile stretch of sidewalk along the west side of Technology Parkway.
The steel fabricator’s expansion project, which will double their footprint, is underway and includes a $10 million capital investment. Schag said they anticipate adding at least 10 employees to their workforce.
More 2023 accomplishments
Near the end of October, Black Fork Commons Plaza was unveiled in the heart of downtown. The celebration included fireworks, live music and remarks from some of the park’s supporters.
Shelby voters approved a five-year, 1/4-percent income tax fire levy in November. The measure will generate $500,000 annually for the fire department.
“As you can see, we were truly blessed in 2023,” Schag said.
Other successes shared by Schag include:
– interior and exterior rehabilitation was completed at the Edward Jones building.
– renovations to the units at Park Village.
– the annual “Business First Breakfast” at the Kehoe Center.
– introduced the Bert Davis Mobile Outreach Unit in collaboration with Marvin Memorial Library.
– created a disc golf course at Seltzer Park.
– hosted the annual Shelby Bicycle Days festival.
– Family Dollar, 17 Mansfield Ave., revealed extensive interior renovations.
Mayor gives 2024 blueprint
Providing a business-friendly environment, which fosters job retention and creation, will lead Shelby’s 2024 efforts.
Schag said the administration is working with Jessica Gribben, economic development manager, to attract private entrepreneurs to repurpose and develop vacant structures around the city.
Growing relationships with Avita Health System and Third Street Family Health Services, who’s in the early stages of a $1 million renovation to their Main Street facility, will also be a focus.
“We are blessed to have such a wide variety of health services and locations in the city of Shelby, including our own OhioHealth Hospital,” Schag said.
The city is also partnering with AEP OnSite Partners to install a 10-megawatt battery energy storage system, which will compliment the existing 2.5-megawatt solar array.
“Both projects, solar and battery storage, have and will put Shelby on the renewable energy map in the state of Ohio,” said the mayor.
Shelby is securing funding to resurface walking paths at Shelby Reservoirs 2 and 3, and is dedicated to maintaining the “marvelous momentum” of downtown revitalization, he added.
Housing and Black Fork Commons development
The city is currently collaborating with a team of developers who are finalizing plans for a “transformational” project in Shelby’s Third Ward.
“This major investment will involve the complete removal of an existing trailer park and the development of affordable modular housing – owner occupied – that is truly needed in the city of Shelby,” Schag said.
“We are also working with a local contractor who intends to establish a sub-division featuring five owner occupied doubles on the east side of town.”
The Shelby Community Improvement Corporation’s Black Fork Commons project will continue into phase three, referred to as the “Black Fork Commons Southlands.”
“This is our vision of developing the fifteen-acre parcel into naturalized areas, walking/biking paths and trails, an adventure playground, and riverbank naturalization,” said the mayor.
Additional 2024 projects
Other anticipated projects include:
– the Mansfield Avenue Mickey Mart/Dunkin’ Donuts project.
– a Verizon cell tower to be located between the Shelby Justice Center and Shelby Fire Department.
– updating the 2010 Shelby Strategic Plan.
Schag said he looks forward to the events ahead and the challenges which come with them.
“As public servants living in a vibrant community, may our ambitions and actions be guided by conviction, common sense, and compassion,” he said.
“Let us continue to write the Shelby story together – creating a legacy that will echo for generations to come.”
