Feb/Mar/Apr 2013 Downtown Developments Newsletter by Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

n Wednesdays in February and March, the Downtown Special Improvement District

F E B R U A R Y

Dine downtown on Wednesdays for deals at your favorite restaurants!

will once again be hosting the “Downtown

First Friday of every month

WHATWHEREWHEN

Spirit of Art | Friday, Mar. 1

It’s almost Spring! And what better way to March into the season than by giving your inner artist a boost at First Friday? The mood will be heavenly, as this foray frolics

For the most up-to-date First Friday information, visit www.CantonFirstFriday.com.

First Friday is celebrated every first Friday of the month from 6 to 10 p.m. in downtown Canton. First Friday is sponsored by Stark Community Foundation, and presented by ArtsinStark, the County Arts Council and the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District.

SPACE AVAILABLE

Music in Me | Friday, Apr. 5 Pump up the jams and blow out the speakers for this month’s ear explosion. First Friday on Friday, April 5, will feature all your favorite music: from country to pop, bluegrass to bebop. Kids can make their own instruments to strum, strut and slap through the streets.

Friday, Feb. 1 It will be “off with your head” if you don’t venture into this month’s winter wonderland of love and luxury! The Canton Arts District is your oasis for all things Valentine this month. Take a dip with Chocolates by Erin, and swoon to the melodies of Ryan Humbert and Tracey Thomas at the Saxton Gallery of Photography, and Pat Masalko and Cassandra Enbelbrach in Translations Gallery. And shop to your heART’s content for that special sweetie.

I s s u e

• Downtown Dining Deals • First Friday Tidbits • Downtown Living • Classes in the Arts District • ArtSplash • Canton Farmers’ Market • Community Garden

Queen of ARTs

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SPECIAL FEATURES

with gospel groups and harpists; a celestial backdrop to the spiritually inspired artwork that will be gracing the galleries and studios.

V o l .

PARTNERSHIP REPORT

First Friday Tidbits

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June 7 & 8

“The Downtown Deals Wednesday promotion is an excellent opportunity to experience some of the incredible local restaurants in downtown Canton,” said Mike Gill, director of the Downtown Special Improvement District. “Diners can experience all types of cuisines and enjoy both casual and fine dining with this exciting promotion.” (continued on page 7)

A P R I L

May 22 & 23

Diners to the participating downtown Canton restaurants will receive one half-priced entrée for each entrée they purchase at regular price. Select downtown restaurants will offer this special discount to diners every Wednesday, from Feb. 6 through March 27. The discount is valid after 5 p.m. only.

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Through Mar. 27

Dining Deals” promotion.

M A R C H

Downtown Canton’s streetscape comes alive with fun festivals!

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2013 Downtown Event Schedule

Downtown Developments is published quarterly by Canton Development Partnership, a department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Downtown Canton Special Improvement District

Michael P. Gill

Opportunities Abound Downtown in 2013

with a head of steam and a bright outlook. We have that in spades as we forge ahead into 2013.

Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO Michael P. Gill Director Annette Rosenberger Office Manager Denise Burton Membership Director Jessica Bennett Marketing Director & Editor Sarah Lutz Graphics Manager The Canton Development Partnership is a coalition of area development organizations and city government that share an interest in downtown Canton’s continual improvement, revitalization, image, and quality of life for its citizens. Its mission is to support and coordinate the activities and programs of its partner organizations in order to encourage and sustain community and economic development in downtown Canton. The partnering organizations include: Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, Downtown Canton Land Bank, Canton Tomorrow, Inc., and City of Canton. Information regarding downtown events and news can be submitted for reprint at the discretion of the Partnership director and publication editor. The Canton Development Partnership reserves the right to edit all copy. Deadlines are the 15th of the month, two months prior to publication (i.e., May 15 for the July/August issue). Statements of fact and opinion within Downtown Developments are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply the opinion of the members of Canton Development Partnership or its partnering organizations. Advertising rates and specifications are available by contacting the Chamber sales department at (330) 458-2067.

But there are some not-so-confidential projects that we can share updates on, starting with the return of the Canton YMCA. The new Eric Snow Family YMCA will create a wonderful new space on the western boundary of downtown. The new YMCA is slated to open in the first quarter of next year. In 2014, the 12th Street/Mahoning Road Corridor Improvement Project will begin. Eventually, this street/sidewalk improvement program will run from Mercy Medical Center on 12th Street, to the city’s corporate limits on the east. One can only imagine the halo affect these improvements will have on some of our challenged areas. Downtown living will become a reality with the creation of six new market rate apartments. Increasing the number of residents in our center city is critical to enhancing the vibrancy of downtown

R e p o r t

222 Market Ave. N. Canton, OH 44702 (330) 456-0468 fax (330) 452-7786 cdp@cantonchamber.org www.DowntownCanton.com

Never have we seen so many positive opportunities coming to fruition for our center city. The projects and developments that are underway will inevitably become game changers for downtown. Some of these projects are still under wraps, but will be revealed in the months ahead.

P a r t n e r s h i p

Everyone likes to start the New Year

Canton. Read more about these new apartments and the complete downtown living plan on page 3. As the oil and gas industry continues to gain momentum here in Canton, The Utica Capital™, we will benefit in the form of jobs, real estate activity, community wealth, office occupancy and retail sales. Our Downtown Master Plan update is progressing well. I am convinced that the plan will provide the roadmap for the next level of activity and energy downtown. And, of course, we look forward to welcoming Stark State College to our city. The added foot traffic bodes well for our downtown retailers and restaurants. All of these opportunities, plus the ones that are not public at this point, have the capability of moving the needle upward. Let’s hope they all become reality. Thank you for your support of downtown. Remember to visit our retailers, restaurants and art venues.

Canton Development Partnership project kicks off new downtown living units This Spring, downtown Canton will have six new market rate

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apartments thanks to the Canton Development Partnership (CDP) through a partnership with the Downtown Canton Land Bank. These organizations have collaborated to take a leadership position in developing new rental units and

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promoting the idea to other developers. The CDP knows that downtown living is one of the critical elements in making a downtown vibrant. In 2012, a downtown living subcommittee was established as part of the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District Master Plan Committee. The purpose of the committee was to research and understand the various aspects associated with downtown living. The committee identified 11 aspects to study. The following are some of those considered and developed by the committee: • • • •

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The committee discussed the need to view downtown as a community, like other Canton neighborhoods, with an eye to how to get people living here. A complete inventory of living units was created, which included the number of units, rental prices, location of units, photos of units and mapping of units. Possible sites for new units and buildings that could be repurposed for living space were identified and mapped. The committee began to analyze the market by conducting a countywide survey. Results indicated that 21% of the county population is very interested to somewhat interested in downtown living space. A focus group was also conducted to better understand the needs of downtown apartment dwellers. A marketing plan will need to be developed to create demand for future living units.

Below: Architectural rendering of the six new market rate apartments at 400 McKinley Ave. NW.

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Financing options are critical to providing downtown living. Financial institutions need to understand the importance of the purpose and provide useful financing options and packages. Performance targets for downtown units need to be established and matched with anticipated demand. The committee researched other downtown living models/projects by visiting Hamilton and Wooster, Ohio. Over time, infrastructure components will need to be addressed (parking, security, retail). Once the committee information is gathered, a short and long-term strategy will need to be developed.

With this committee’s work in place, it was decided by the CDP to ask the Downtown Canton Land Bank to sponsor the first market rate apartment project. The DCLB agreed to use a building owned by the land bank to develop six new living units. Project costs are expected to exceed $1,000,000 to renovate the building, located at 400 McKinley Ave. NW and Fourth St., and create first floor retail space and six new apartments on the second floor. The project location is on the western edge of the Canton Arts District and will have its own parking. The six units will range in size from 584 to 783 sq. ft. The project completion date is scheduled for the end of April 2013. The CDP and the DCLB are excited to be part of this downtown living initiative. We hope our proactive position will encourage others to sponsor projects in our downtown.

Expand your horizons in 2013 Sign-up for Classes in the Arts District!

eat the winter blahs by signing up for a variety of art classes

in the Canton Arts District. Whether your interests are in dance, theatre, glassblowing or other visual arts, downtown Canton offers plenty of classes and workshops with

Canton Glass Works 429 Fourth Street NW 330-494-6258 www.cantonglassworks.com Hand blown glass workshops by John Boyett

Maria Parasson Fine Arts 306 Market Ave. N 9th floor of Renkert Building (614) 595-9215 www.mariaparasson.com Belly dancing classes

Canton Museum of Art 1001 Market Ave N www.cantonart.org Art classes year round for all ages, including the popular “Girls Night Out” workshop.

Players Guild Theatre 1001 Market Ave. N (330) 453-7619 www.playersguildtheatre.com Three sessions per year and then summer workshops. Theatre classes for all ages.

Creative Ohio 332 Fourth St. NW (330) 456-0477 www.creativeohio.org Offers classes and creative parties

Translations Gallery 331 Cleveland Ave. NW (847) 456-2030 www.translationsart.com Occasionally offers workshops in relation to current exhibit

our talented artists. Check out the list of possibilities below and call to reserve your space. And contact Tricia Ostertag, community arts manager for ArtsinStark, at (330) 209-9638 or tricia@artsinstark.com, for updates throughout the spring on these and other artists that have upcoming classes. Andrew Fulmer Dance Studios 300 West Tuscarawas (330) 353-8882 www.andrewfulmer.com Ballroom and other types of dance lessons

Lynda Tuttle’s Art Center 209 Sixth St NW (330) 452-8211 www.lyndatuttle.com Offers art classes

ArtSplash Ahoy mateys! It’s time again for ArtSplash, the free family fun event at The Cultural Center for the Arts. Bring your kids, your grandkids, or any kids you can find for a free afternoon of arts activities, entertainment, hands-on learning and more. Experience activities from the Canton Museum of Art, Canton Idol, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Mercy Medical Center, Nationwide, Aultman Health Foundation, Camp Tippecanoe and more. And performances by the Canton Ballet, Players Guild Theatre, Voices of Canton, Spotlight Theatre, Canton Symphony Wind Quintet and much more.

Saturday, March 2 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cultural Center for the Arts 1001 Market Avenue N in downtown Canton As the kickoff to ArtsinStark’s Annual Arts Campaign, ArtSplash is filled with maken-take art projects, live performances and learning stations from SmArts schools. Everyone is welcome. Admission and parking are absolutely free. Food will be available for purchase. For more information, visit ArtsinStark.com or call (330) 453-1075.

Space Showcase FOR LEASE Stern & Mann Building 101 Cleveland Ave. N Total Sq. Ft.: 48,000 Total Retail: 4,000 | Available Retail: 0 Total Office: 44,000 | Available Office: 6,000 Space is available at a range of $10/sq. ft. Contact Al Carranza at (330) 492-4555. FOR LEASE 500 Cleveland Ave. Building 500 Cleveland Ave. N Total Sq. Ft.: 6,400 Total Retail: 0 | Available Retail: 0 Total Office: 6,400 | Available Office: 6,400 Space is negotiable. Contact Tim Belden at (330) 209-9242. For more office and retail space in downtown Canton, visit the online building inventory at DowntownCanton.com.

Showcase your products at the 2013 Canton Farmers’ Market

Community Garden, Ready, Set, Grow!

It’s time to get those seeds planted! The Downtown Canton Summit Neighborhood Community Garden is ready to roll with more spaces available than ever before.

he 2013 Canton Farmers’ Market is looking for new vendors! Locally grown and produced items are needed to fill out the offerings of the

market. Favorite vendors will return and help create an

For a fee of just $10, gardeners will have access to an 8’x 9’ garden plot, tools, water and assistance in getting started.

incredible assortment of foods, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods and plants. This year’s market will be hosted every Saturday morning, from Jun. 22 through Oct. 19, in downtown Canton. Vendor applications are available now! Please visit www.CantonFarmersMarket.com to download. Vendor spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and a fee discount is available to early applicants through Apr. 19. Volunteers needed! The market is also seeking volunteers to help with a variety of activities. Please contact Jess Bennett, director of marketing and events, at jessb@cantonchamber.org or (330) 458-2071 with vendor or volunteer inquiries.

Our garden management partners at Project REBUILD are planning some exciting enhancements to the garden this summer. Project REBUILD was a recent recipient of the Foundation for Community Betterment’s Annual Rocktoberfest event. Funds received will be used toward garden improvements as part of Project REBUILD’s Life Skills Healthy Living program. Improvement ideas include adding a new garden shed with bulletin board and mulching between garden beds. For more information about the garden, and to learn how you can get growing in your very own plot, contact Joanna James, executive director of Project REBUILD, at (330) 588-3205 or jjames@projectrebuild.org. And be sure to check out and “Like” the Downtown Canton Summit Neighborhood Community Garden on Facebook! See you in the sunshine!

Downtown Deals ... (continued from cover) In order to receive the discount, a coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Coupons can be downloaded from DowntownCanton.com, or clipped from upcoming issues of The Repository. Downtown Deals will feature 13 downtown Canton restaurants, including:

Arcadia Grille, 321 Court Ave. NW, 330.454.6055 Bender’s Tavern, 137 Court Ave. SW, 330.453.8424 Corporate Downtown Bar & Grille, 401 Cherry Ave. NE, 330.454.4745 Desert Inn, 204 12th St. NW, 330.456.1766 Lucca, 228 4th St. NW, 330.456.2534 Napoli’s Italian Eatery, 221 Market Ave. N, 330.452.7456 *Picciano’s Martini Lounge, 410 Market Ave. N, 330.454.3800 Primo’s Downtown, 216 Fourth St. NW, 330.456.2511 Sports Therapy Bar and Grill, 201 Cleveland Ave. N, 330.453.8278 Thatsa Wrapp, 600 Sixth St. NW, 330.452-9727 The Lion’s Den, 111 Cleveland Ave. SW, 330.454-5466 Thorpe’s Market Avenue Grill, 320 Market Ave. S, 330.580.5873 Tozzi’s Restaurant Downtown, 218 Court Ave. NW, 330.471.8000 *Appetizers only available.

PRESENTED BY

For details about Downtown Deals Wednesday, visit DowntownCanton. com, or contact Annette Rosenberger at annette@cantonchamber.org or (330) 458-2092. The Downtown Deals promotion is presented by the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District and sponsored by The Repository.