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North Royalton committee hears commercial project updates, contaminated site assessment and sidewalk-grant progress
Summary
City staff reported on several local projects — an industrial expansion, nursing‑home plans, a new drive‑through, and interest in land‑bank parcels — and said assessment work is needed at an abandoned gas station that could require substantial cleanup funding; multiple sidewalk grants and an ODOT scoping process remain pending.
The North Royalton Building & Building Codes Committee on Jan. 20 heard a wide‑ranging economic development report that covered new commercial proposals, interest in industrial‑park parcels, and environmental work needed at an abandoned gas station.
Mr. Jordan, who presented the city’s economic development report, said Pavlin’s Landscaping plans to erect an accessory building and expand its operations in the industrial park, and Pavilion Nursing Home has submitted building plans although residents ask frequently when work will begin. He said the Human Bean drive‑through coffee kiosk was approved and is expected to operate primarily as take‑out next to the Speedway on Royalton Road.
The report also described progress on other commercial sites. Mr. Jordan said Jimmy John’s has completed Planning Commission approvals and awaits engineering sign‑off before submitting building plans. Two land‑bank parcels in the industrial park have attracted broker interest but no finalized sales were reported. Crews have begun trail and internal pathway work at Elek Springs, including an access drive and a small parking area.
Mr. Jordan described recent activity at the abandoned gas station at Wallings and State Road: ‘‘the tanks were removed,’’ he said, but a city‑funded assessment confirmed remaining contamination. He said a further assessment would likely cost between $6,000 and $12,000 to scope cleanup, and the eventual remediation could run ‘‘hundreds of thousands’’ of dollars depending on findings. The city is working with the owner and a newly engaged broker who has experience redeveloping contaminated properties; Mr. Jordan said the owner may be eligible for public assistance during cleanup.
On pedestrian infrastructure, Mr. Jordan reported several sidewalk grants: a segment installed between Akins Road and the turnpike in 2025, a $150,000 grant intended to extend the stub toward the turnpike overpass, and a pending ODOT scoping exercise for a larger, roughly $500,000 sidewalk project from Wallings Road to Lisa Lane. He said ODOT is reviewing the city’s scope and that a more detailed engineering phase and interagency agreements would follow if the project proceeds.
The committee also heard that North Royalton has become eligible under Phase 2 for a four‑station fast charger at Memorial Park, which Mr. Jordan estimated would cost about $300,000 to install. He noted the city’s existing charger at the YMCA—installed with grant funding at an approximate cost of $30,000—has recouped its grant investment and produces a small ongoing net return; Finance Director Jenny Esarey later said that revenue averages about $20–$30 per month for the city.
Why it matters: the items reported combine near‑term local construction (commercial and institutional), potential long‑term infrastructure projects (sidewalks, Route 82 planning) and a brownfield cleanup that could require substantial public and private investment. Mr. Jordan recommended continuing engineering work and pursuing grant opportunities where feasible.
The committee did not take formal action on most development items; staff said they would return to council or Planning Commission as specific site plans advance.
