City Of Stow Announces Major Capital Improvements Initiative

Press release from the City of Stow:

March 23, 2021

By Tracie McNutt

City of Stow Announces Major Capital Improvements Initiative

City of Stow Mayor John Pribonic has announced a major capital improvements initiative for the city, one that will bring about much-needed projects to be completed throughout the community. Upgrades and improvements to city parks, city buildings, the water, and stormwater systems, and the purchase of vehicles and equipment are all slated to get underway in 2021.

Over the next year or so, Pribonic, with the help of city leadership and workforce, has planned to execute several successful projects that will improve the lives of residents.

“Our Road Improvement Project that was announced last month is already underway,” said Pribonic, “and in addition to that, we intend to get started on many projects immediately. This extensive list of projects and initiatives is going to keep us very busy, but the upshot is that our residents will have a greater quality of life because of them.”

One large area of focus for the Mayor and city leadership is the City’s many parks. A projected project budget of close to $700,000 is slated. “The City is constantly reviewing and updating its park priorities in terms of safety, upkeep and beautification to ensure that parks are sustainable for years to come,” said Pribonic. “The spring and summer months are a key time for these improvements.”

Scheduled improvements to the parks to be completed in the coming year include:

• Installation of new main entrance signs at community parks, including Oregon Trail Park, Wetmore Park, Adell Durbin Park, and Silver Springs Park
• Renovation of Silver Springs tennis courts
• Resurfacing of basketball courts at Meadowbrook Lake Park
• Installation of new restroom building and shelter at Adell Durbin Park
• Improvements to the main large parking lot at Silver Springs Park, with the installation of outdoor lighting and paving of the entire lot.
• Completion of new siding installation at Silver Springs Lodge
• Demolition of one building at Bow Wow Beach, and conversion of two others.
• Improvements to the sports fields at Oregon Trail Park
• Upgrade of the ballfields and restroom building at Silver Springs Park
• Addition of air conditioning and restroom renovation at Heritage Barn
• Upgrades to various playgrounds throughout the city
• Enlisting a consultant to undertake a Master Plan study for the parks system

Larger plans set in motion by the Mayor and his team include accelerating improvements and upgrades to the city’s stormwater system and the city’s water system to the tune of over 4 million dollars, and a significant investment in a residential sidewalk program that will include replacement and new construction, with a budget of $200,000 dedicated to it.

The purchase of vehicles and equipment include replacement snowplows and salt spreader, leaf truck, ambulance, vehicle lift, utility truck, dump truck, and aerial bucket truck.

Rounding out the list of projects are:

• Installation of new audio/visual systems at the safety building and city hall council chambers
• Upgrade to the alarm system in city buildings
• New speed trailer and upgraded radios for the police department

“We have overcome a lot in 2020 despite the pandemic and its impact on our City,” said Pribonic. “I continue to be very optimistic about Stow’s future and our long-term success, and look forward to putting the pedal to the metal to get back up to speed with our planned projects. Our sound fiscal management over these years has allowed us to make this investment in infrastructure in our community.”

This press release was produced by the City of Stow.The views expressed here are the author’s own.