Strongsville Magazine 2023

PROUD Strongsville

WE ARE PROUD OF ALL WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED in the last few decades and continue to work hard for the betterment of the Strongsville community.

As always, safety is our priority, and I’m happy to say our police and fire departments are second to none and continue to proactively protect and serve our community. In addition, through sound fiscal practices, we continue to reinvest in the infrastructure within our community, repaving streets across all four wards.

Our Recreation and Senior Center continue their hard work, with state-of-the-art equipment and literally hundreds of programs for all ages, from learn-to-swim classes to ballroom dancing, from T-ball to pickleball.

In August, we broke ground on the new Strongsville Town Center Enhancement & Walkability Initiative, a project that will add features like a new community pavilion, a large splash pad/interactive fountain, a playground for children

of all ability levels and tennis, pickleball and sand volleyball courts. The Town Center project will also create new community green space that is designed to host community events such as expanded farmers markets, food truck festivals and events of all sizes, from family reunions to kids’ birthday parties. In addition, the area will become more walkable with improvements to existing trails and walkways, including the Freedom Trail.

The funding required to provide the services and amenities detailed is derived from our city’s diverse business base, with four business parks that are home to an array of international companies and world headquarters that continue to create high-quality jobs and provide our city with tax revenue. Through the diligence of local leaders, Strongsville has again retained its AAA bond rating — the highest rating and a symbol of fiscal strength and stability.

With help from our civic groups and faith-based organizations, we’ll never stop working to make Strongsville an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Sincerely,

Thomas P. Perciak Mayor

Correction: In the 2022 edition of Strongsville Magazine, an incorrect job title for Patrick Greco was printed. Patrick Greco is Vice President of Thornburg Insurance.

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Exploring the

Strongsville

For high school students looking to explore their career interests and develop real-world skills, Strongsville High School’s Career Exploration Program (CEP) provides students with those opportunities.

The program features specific courses to develop career skills, incorporates field trips to local businesses and organizations and includes internship and shadowing opportunities.

“We realize the importance and responsibility of providing a solid foundation for our students, as it relates to preparing them for life after high school,” says Dan Foust, communications coordinator for Strongsville City Schools. “Learning about the skills needed for different careers and industries and providing insight to the depth of these careers gives them a distinct advantage when entering the workforce.”

The students involved in CEP are selected during the second semester of their sophomore year and then continue in the program through their junior and senior years.

“We want our students to learn the durable skills that are going to help them be productive and successful citizens in the communities they will eventually live in,” Foust says. “We also want them to understand and be able to experience the many career opportunities that are available to them.”

Strongsville City Schools envisions creating additional opportunities not only at the high school level, but also for middle and elementary school students.

BUILDING BLOCKS FOR SUCCESS

Devon Doskocz, a 2023 graduate of Strongsville High School and alumna of the program, says CEP not only built her confidence and provided her with a better outlook on life, it also earned her an internship at Great Lakes Construction Co. (GLCC).

POSSIBILITIES

Sarah Webb

For the first semester of her senior year, Doskocz attended her internship at GLCC for three hours two times a week, where she completed various rotations in the company’s departments, visited jobsites and learned more about the construction industry.

“I’m going into construction management, and I never would have had that opportunity before graduating high school without the program,” Doskocz says. “I became a lot more confident in myself, and I also created bonds with people in the class.”

She notes that the program also buoyed her self-assurance when it came to speaking up in front of people and participating in meetings at GLCC.

“The program helped me realize the real world isn’t as scary as people make it seem and gave me a further understanding of what life actually is,” Doskocz says. “It encouraged me to take every chance I could get to learn new things and showed me I can do bigger and better things.”

Because of the experience she gained in the class, Doskocz plans to attend Tri-C’s construction management program for two years, and next summer, she will become a paid co-op at GLCC.

High School’s Career Exploration Program equips students with real-life skills and encourages them to explore career opportunities. By

Devon Doskocz on a construction site with Great Lakes Construction Co.

At a Career Exploration Program (CEP) event with the Business Advisory Council (BAC), students received feedback on their resumes, participated in mock interviews and had Q&A sessions about different industries.

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REC RE ATION FOR ALL

No matter your age, activities for fun and fitness abound in Strongsville.

By Sarah Webb

Children, adults, senior citizens and even beloved furry friends — every member of the family can find something that captivates them within the city of Strongsville’s recreational offerings.

“Our mayor likes to say that we have offerings from the cradle to the grave,” says Bryan Bogre, parks, recreation and senior services director for Strongsville. “We have classes for infants all the way up to our senior center offerings. They’re for nonresidents, too. Anybody can join them — the pay structure may just be a little different depending on whether someone is a resident or not.”

Bogre and Sheena Wright, senior services coordinator for Strongsville, map out the multitude of activities Strongsville’s recreation department currently provides.

Fun for Kids

In thinking about the array of programs presented through the city of Strongsville, parents should never have to worry about their kids uttering those dreaded words, “I’m bored.”

“All the activities we offer here help keep kids involved and active,” Bogre says. “It’s all about getting them off of their video games and encouraging them to be out and about. Plus, they’re making new friends in the process.”

For children as young as 6 months old, Strongsville’s recreation department presents aquatic lessons on water safety. From there, children can advance to stroke clinics to refine their skills and move up to join the swim team.

However, swimming isn’t the only sport the center offers — it also dabbles in leagues for baseball, soccer, karate, volleyball, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball and more.

“We offer almost every sport except football,” Bogre says.

The scope of the recreation center’s programming moves beyond physical activities.

For example, the “mad scientist” preschool programming broaches STEM activities.

The summertime day camps, many of them focusing on a theme, also roll all summer long.

RECREATION FOR ALL

Each camp includes a field trip every week that’s centered around the theme. Some of the field trips have included trips to see the Akron Rubber Ducks baseball team in action, check out the animals at the zoo and reach new heights at Sky Zone.

“Parents are looking for somewhere for their kids to go during the day when

Summer camp

they’re at work, so those activities have all been popular, as well,” Bogre says.

The recreation center also offers American Red Cross online courses in babysitting, first aid techniques and more.

Adults Get Moving

Children aren’t the only ones looking for fun physical activities to try.

Whether adults are interested in taking classes in yoga, Pilates, barre, spinning or step — the Strongsville Recreation Center has it all.

Additionally, the center includes a weight room, 75 pieces of cardio

equipment and an indoor track.

“There’s going to be something for everyone to work out,” Bogre says.

Additionally, the sports leagues aren’t only for the kids — for those adults looking for a little camaraderie and team spirit, the center offers leagues such as softball, basketball and volleyball.

Parents and guardians who would like to partake in the city’s recreational offerings but who can’t find childcare need not worry — the center has that covered, too, in the form of Miss Katie’s Playroom, a structured environment where parents can pay a monthly fee to drop their kids off while they exercise.

“There is a little bit of free play, but it’s structured in the sense that they’re learning things and being read books,” Bogre says.

Seniors Stay Active

Strongsville’s Senior Center puts forth a lot of effort to ensure the area’s senior citizens are not left out.

“We’re a great place for seniors to meet new friends, keep their minds and bodies active and get out of the house and have a social life,” Wright says.

The senior center puts on exercise classes for varying levels of fitness. “We like to say we have something for everyone from the beginner who wants to start exercising or who is recovering from an illness or surgery to people who are looking to build their heart rate up and keep it up,” Wright says.

Additionally, Strongsville’s recreation center offers aquatic classes.

“Those are good for people who may have arthritis, because the water is a lot easier on the joints,” Bogre notes.

Bogre says the Silver Sneakers

Rebecca was skeptical about college. She knew she was smart, but didn’t know if the college experience would be right for her. Then she came to Tri-C, where she quickly discovered a valuable support network of faculty, staff and fellow students who not only helped her succeed academically — they helped her find a purpose and a future.

Sky Zone field trip

program that runs through insurance companies also encourages seniors to be active and get moving.

“We will see a lot of seniors who come up here, and they don’t do it just to work out — they come up here also for the fellowship and camaraderie of other people,” he says.

The senior center also offers art classes such as watercolor and classical painting, as well as computer classes. Instructors can cater classes for beginner artists all the way up to those looking to perfect their craft.

Speaking of hands-on activities, the senior center’s wood shop provides a space for seniors to work on wood-carving projects — and even includes a program where seniors can bring in items for repair.

“Our wood shop is great, especially in the wintertime when people don’t want to work out in a cold garage,” Wright says. “For people who don’t want to work in a wood shop, they can bring in repairs, and they’ll fix it up for you.”

Finally, Bingo, Bunko, Bridge — you name it, the center hosts rounds of

games traditionally associated with the senior population, and for people unfamiliar with the games, instructors teach players the ins and outs.

To educate the senior population and provide outreach services, the center also offers classes on how senior citizens — a vulnerable population often targeted by scams — can defend against them.

“We have two different attorneys who come in monthly to give free consultations and answer questions, and we have a Medicare counselor who comes in to answer questions and help them select a Medicare supplement plan,” Wright adds. “The person comes through the Ohio Department of Insurance and is nonbiased. It’s all for educational purposes, and no question is too silly.”

The center even offers activities outside its four walls, including day trips like Put-in-Bay and Chautauqua, and excursions to wineries, shows at the theater and more.

Outside of day trips and excursions, the center’s transportation program, which boasts 700 registered riders, will take residents to doctor’s appointments,

RECREATION FOR ALL

hair appointments, grocery shopping and even to nearby nursing homes so seniors can visit loved ones.

“Our service keeps seniors independent so that they’re not relying on family or friends or having to cancel doctor’s appointments because they can’t find a way to make it there,” Wright says.

Family-owned and operated since 1984

COURTESY STRONGSVILLE PARKS, RECREATION AND SENIOR SERVICES

Line dancing at the Senior Center

To inquire about any program at the senior center, call 440-580-3275 or visit the website at Strongsville.org/ departments/senior-center. The center is open to those age 50 or older, and while Strongsville residents will pay the lowest membership rate ($20 per year); nonresidents are welcome to join as well (at a membership rate of $45 per year).

“We’re here for the older adults in our city for whatever they need,” Wright says.

Pet Friendly

People aren’t the only ones benefiting from Strongsville’s robust recreation offerings. Back again at the Strongsville Recreation Center after a hiatus due to COVID-19 are pet training classes.

The multiweek courses cover commands such as heeling and sitting, sit and stay, down and stay, stand and stay and coming when called.

All of it is designed to help pet owners bring out the best in their pets.

Fun for Everyone

Activities that the entire family will enjoy include movie screenings over the football field, parent-child events and an all-day Zumba event that mirrors a line-dancing jamboree event that is put on for the senior citizens.

“For that line-dancing event, it’s an allday event, and people can take a break to eat and chat and things like that,” Bogre says. “We’re still in the planning stages for a similar Zumba event.”

While in the past, the center has also hosted traditional father-daughter or mother-son dances, it hopes to encompass a broader audience with a new parent-child event.

“We’re looking at doing some sort of parent-child night of fun with different sports and activities in the fall,” Bogre says. “It’s something cool for everyone.”

Senior exercise classes

TOWN CENTER UPDATE

The concept for Strongsville’s Town Center project was developed with two goals in mind: connectivity and improved quality-of-life amenities, according to Brent Painter, director of economic development for Strongsville, and Strongsville Mayor Tom Perciak.

“The Strongsville Town Center project will feature new family-oriented amenities while making the area more walkable for residents by better connecting existing amenities and creating new walkways and trails,” Perciak says.

To improve the amenities, the Town Center will include a new playground that’s Americans with Disabilities Act accessible, an interactive water feature and a new community pavilion.

“The updates will be there for people who want to go out and listen to the community band on a Friday or go to a yoga class in the common space or even go to the food truck area next to that for festivals,” Painter says.

Painter adds that the area will also include sand volleyball and pickleball courts, both of which have been requested by residents.

Every new amenity will be well-marked by color-coordinated signs, so visitors are able to

find what they’re looking for with ease. Previously, Painter says, the center’s signs and branding appeared disjointed and confusing.

“We’ve done about a decade’s worth of research studying the area, and we did our master plan which focused, in part, on how to improve our town center,” Painter says. “We’ve done walking studies in the area and surveys of our residents for the types of amenities they’d like to see.”

To make the entire plan come into shape, Painter says the city selected contractors in mid-July 2023 and hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in midAugust 2023.

While construction remains hard to predict with supply chain issues, Painter says the city would like to have many of the new town center’s components open to the public and usable by summer 2024.

Perciak adds that the updated space is meant to boost the dayto-day life of residents.

“From our civic groups’ special events to food truck festivals to farmers markets and birthday parties within the new community pavilion, the space has been designed to further enhance the quality of life of Strongsville residents,” Perciak says.

Growing STRONG

Discover how economic development is booming in Strongsville. By Sarah Webb

Diversity of high-quality businesses within the city of Strongsville is key to continued economic success, according to Strongsville Mayor Tom Perciak.

“The city of Strongsville is home to a growing base of international companies that provide critical tax revenue to the city while creating high-quality employment opportunities to our residents,” Perciak says.

Brent Painter, director of economic development for Strongsville, adds that the numbers also support that stance: While 82% of Strongsville’s funding comes from income tax, the top 10 taxpayers only comprise 12% of the total collection, with the top taxpayer only making up 2.34% of the total collection.

“Many suburban communities have one or two big payers, but Strongsville’s strength lies in the diversity of our business community so we’re not relying on just one income tax payer to pay most of our income tax,” Painter says. “For example, if you have one income tax payer who is paying up to 20% of a city’s income tax and they close up shop, that’s a really bad day. It also protects us in the case of some type of economic downturn.”

Strongsville has focused on creating a diverse business base for many years, and yet, the city hasn’t let up in creating opportunities for new businesses to flourish.

“We have general industries areas and four business parks in our community that allow for light manufacturing and research and development,” Painter says. “The community has embraced it, and we’ve seen tremendous growth within those parks that has benefited our financial situation significantly.”

Here’s a look at some of the city’s new developments:

Schaeffler ribbon-cutting ceremony

Momentive Technologies

Momentive Technologies, a leader in producing quartz and ceramic technologies, will bring 97 new jobs, $7 million in new annual payroll and a $25 million investment to Strongsville.

Redevelopment Projects

The conversion of The Village Inn and the Super 8 Motel into a Dunkin Donuts and Sheetz, respectively, also promotes the redevelopment of Strongsville, Painter says.

Schaeffler

Auto parts manufacturer Schaeffler opened a 250,000square-foot building that will encompass its new North American headquarters for its automotive aftermarket division.

The facility is slated to bring 110-plus jobs to the city.

CCL

CCL, a large label manufacturer, is opening a new North American headquarters in Strongsville.

The headquarters will include 212,766 square feet of manufacturing, office and R&D facilities within the Strongsville campus.

“It’s getting rid of a building that’s seen better days and promoting redevelopment within those locations,” he says, noting that neither project has gone through the full approval process yet.

Housing Developments

Camden Woods, a 31-acre parcel, will be transformed into 82 new luxury two- to three-bedroom townhomes.

A $31 million investment, the new development will bring in housing stock for younger professionals who may not yet want a single-family home or even empty nesters who want to stay in the community but who aren’t ready to move into a senior living facility.

“We’re really excited about this project and the type of housing it’ll introduce into our community,” Painter says.

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Faces of STRONGSVILLE

Get to know retiring Police Chief Mark Fender and incoming Police Chief Thomas O’Deens.

MARK FENDER RETIRING POLICE CHIEF

Q: Could you tell me about your experience with the Strongsville Police Department?

Fender: I was sworn in as the chief of police on Jan. 6, 2017, but I’ve been with the city since 1988. My experience has been highly rewarding, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have led this organization.

Q: What have been some of the highlights of your career?

Fender: One highlight has been to see very professional men and women respond to their calls and interact in a very professional and compassionate manner.

Q: What areas were you most focused on as chief of police?

Fender: The biggest focus for me as the chief was succession planning. We sent our people to all different areas of leadership development, and that has produced the strongest bench that we could ask for.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

Fender: I enjoy my family. I have a granddaughter who is gifted at volleyball, so my focus will be on helping her. I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife. I plan to spend some time with my son who lives in Florida and travel to Italy to officiate my daughter’s wedding. I also enjoy fishing. I don’t plan to stay retired — that’s just a word we use when we transition out of one profession.

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Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Fender: It’s a team effort to keep our community safe. If we lose the trust of our community, we lose the respect we need as law enforcement. We want people to feel comfortable so they can call when they see something that doesn’t look right.

THOMAS O’DEENS INCOMING POLICE CHIEF

Q: Could you tell me about your experience within the Strongsville Police Department?

O’Deens: I’ve been here for 27 years and worked my way up through patrol in the detective bureau. I was promoted to sergeant and then promoted to lieutenant.

Q: What does it mean to you to have been promoted to police chief?

O’Deens: It’s very humbling considering what great men and women we have working for this department. I look forward to all the challenges and keeping our department the best around.

Q: What are some of your goals as police chief?

O’Deens: We’re always trying to keep the bar as high as possible, and our relationships with schools, businesses, churches and residents are a priority. Safety is a top priority.

Q: Are there any improvements you’re looking to make?

O’Deens: We’re always trying to upgrade our technology to stay ahead of the curve.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

O’Deens: I like to spend time with my family and my grandchildren. I like going to sporting events and fishing.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the Strongsville Police Department?

O’Deens: We’ve got great men and women in our department, and they’re so professional, intelligent and passionate about law enforcement. It makes my job easy.

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