2021will be a very busy year in Centerville
What a year 2020 was. Despite the pandemic, I hope you were able to find time over the holidays to celebrate with the people you love, even if it may not have been in person. I know I am not alone in being ready for a new year. Even though 2020 was a difficult year, Centerville is well positioned for a successful 2021. City Council and staff are in the process of planning a robust summer event series with plenty of health and safety precautions. The city has a great deal of development in the works from residential to new commercial activity. We are fortunate to have an engaged volunteer base of residents eager to get involved and help their city.
Here are a few things we are especially excited about for 2021:
More progress on the Uptown Action Plan
Centerville’s commitment to revitalizing Uptown embodies our motto: progress and stability. We will preserve the historic heart of our community while investing in infrastructure, design and usability to make the potential of Uptown a reality.
Citizen input has been critical as Uptown moves forward. We started with a Visioning Committee in 2019. In 2020, we held an Open House and asked for feedback on an early set of concept designs in public meetings. In 2021, you will hear and start to see tangible improvements in the heart of our city at Franklin and Main Streets.
Engineers will focus on the northeast corner of the intersection (think Graeter’s and
City Barbeque) in 2021 and 2022. We aim to redesign existing parking areas to increase connectivity and create opportunities for targeted development while maintaining the historic value and character of the area. I am confident you will like what you see.
Construction at Cornerstone Park
Cornerstone Park is a key component of the Cornerstone of Centerville development, which has been a catalyst for quality development near Interstate 675 and Feedwire Road. For the past several months you have been able to see the high quality housing going up in the development.
Cornerstone Developers
LLC has continued to be a true partner with the city and has committed to constructing all improvements in the 11-acre passive park area in addition to the active area that sits along the water next to Cooper’s
Hawk. It will be a great addition to the city.
A highlight of the park is the 18-foot-tall Celebration sculpture designed by artist Stephen Canneto. It features an image of several figures crafted from stainless steel and dichroic glass and is emblematic of our community, many working together.
The park will add to this already successful development as a destination. Along with expanding the free public programming at Stubbs Park, this shows the commitment of the city to expand, as well as improve, amenities for businesses, residents and visitors.
Sustainable Centerville grows
Sustainable Centerville endeavors to improve the environment in the city by working with local businesses and community members to develop recommendations for policy and initiatives that promote a sustainable future. This committee includes City Council members, residents, Centerville-Washington Park District, Montgomery County Environmental Services, MVRPC and Five Rivers MetroParks.
The year-long advisory group has coordinated Montgomery County’s first-ever Styrofoam Recycling Event. Members have also applied for a grant for upgraded electric vehicle charging stations and significantly increased promotion of smart recycling.
In 2021, you can expect to see more thoughtful work, including a partnership with Kroger aimed at reducing plastic bag waste.
Patience, kindness, a cooperative community spirit and hard work got us all thorough 2020.
With the same approach, 12 months from now, we will look back and say not only did we get through 2021, but 2021 was a great year. We are ready!