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Mayor's Message by Craig A. Stough
January 20, 2022
"City of Sylvania Update"
(read the last Mayor's Message)
Simply sylvania Ohio news

Why Sylvania? Often at this time of the year, I am asked for an update on the City of Sylvania and  how I see things moving forward for our community in the coming year. 

Mayor Craig Stough

City of Sylvania Mayor,
Craig A. Stough

We have excellent educational opportunities, great recreation programs and venues, desirable  neighborhoods and housing stock, quality local healthcare, a vibrant downtown, an active senior  center, two modern libraries, solid infrastructure and efficient city services.  


Even with the current COVID-19 pandemic, Sylvania’s quality of life continues to be among the  highest in the region. Many people and families are looking to improve their home environment  where they are spending more time, and Sylvania is benefiting as more people want to move to  Sylvania, increasing Sylvania home sales and raising Sylvania home values.  


This has been a challenging two years during COVID-19 for our Sylvania Schools, but our schools  remain a draw to attract and keep families in Sylvania. We are also fortunate to be a college town with  Lourdes University sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis.  


In order to remain competitive with newer outer ring communities, we have ongoing programs to  improve all the great amenities Sylvania has to offer. We keep our streets paved, our utilities up to date  and our services efficient and responsive. 

Over the last few years, $36.3 million of grant funds have been awarded to the City of Sylvania to help  finance many current and future infrastructure projects including the 2022/2023 Monroe  Street/Harroun Road Intersection Improvement, 2023 Monroe Street/Silica Road Intersection  Improvement and Silica Road Bridge Replacement, and the 2025 US 23/Monroe Street/Alexis Road  Intersection Improvements.  


The City of Sylvania is also working to identify and redevelop old or underutilized sites in our  community. Redevelopment land was created a decade ago by clearing old buildings east of the  downtown hotel. The now occupied SOMO Flats were built on that land with 202 luxury apartments  and indoor parking below, in total a $36 million investment. Other properties are being studied and  prepared for additional improvements and development along Monroe Street.  


A wonderful synergy of the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce, Sylvania Arts Commission,  Redbird Downtown Sylvania Association and Heritage Sylvania continues to make for a vibrant  downtown and attract new businesses and community activities. We have an Art Festival, a Fall  Festival, a holiday celebration, parades, a weekly summertime Farmers Market and Art Walks the first  Friday of each month.  


Sylvania's DORA, or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, permitting alcohol consumption outdoors  on Main Street downtown, has been a great success attracting visitors and making Sylvania a  destination, and is being studied by City Council for expansion.  


The City of Sylvania has also completed an updated Downtown Masterplan. The city has done these  visioning exercises every ten years for the last 40 years. Previous studies lead to many of the  improvements and new investments downtown. This update has great ideas to continue the growth and  improvement of our downtown. State capital improvement funding has been applied for to help  rebuild the downtown streetscape and extend it farther to the north. 


Sylvania City Council approved a 25% rate reduction for water customers in Sylvania for 2020, and  that rate remains unchanged for 2022. After years of work and negotiation with Toledo, a Regional  Water Commission was formed to equalize and stabilize water rates, and meets regularly to review  water safety, operations, and rates. We are also meeting with Lucas County officials for improvements  at the Lucas County Waste Water Recovery Facility in Waterville.  


The 2022 City Operating Budget is balanced with no services cut, no employees laid off and no taxes  raised. Operations are regularly reviewed to make them more efficient, reduce overtime and extend  equipment life. With the help of Ohio grants, the Capital Budget is funding many infrastructure  improvements without the sale of new bonds.  


All in all, the future looks bright for Sylvania! Sylvania continues to be a great place for families and  businesses! 

City Update 1-20-2022
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Additional Resources:

 

Visit the City of Sylvania official website:

www.cityofsylvania.com

Follow the City of Sylvania on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/SylvaniaOH

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