Mayor Theaker highlights what happened in 2022 in final State of the City address
Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker touted his accomplishments in his final State of the City address.
Theaker will leave office this year at the end of his third term.
"Eleven years ago, when I was first elected mayor of Mansfield, I inherited a city that had been placed in fiscal emergency by the State of Ohio in 2010," he said in the address, delivered as a printed statement. "Our city was overwhelmed by dilapidated structures, and we struggled to maintain manning levels in our safety forces.
"Today, I am pleased to present the 2022 State of the City highlighting significant changes and growth our city has seen over the last year. Some were welcome transitions, and while others were hard-fought battles, we continued to take productive steps toward building a better future for Mansfield."
The mayor credited the cooperation and collaboration of community leaders, city council members and city employees.
"Eleven years ago, I pledged to make Mansfield the best city in which to live, work, worship and raise a family, and as I enter my 12th and final year as mayor, I hope the results of those efforts have left Mansfield succeeding and in a much better place now and for the future," Theaker wrote.
ARPA funding helped in a number of areas
He noted Mansfield's continued recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and how funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has helped in those efforts.
Some of larger amounts given out include $1.5 million for the North End Community Center, $750,000 for small businesses, $750,000 for bike path work on Trimble Road and $500,000 for the Westinghouse demolition.
ARPA money also helped or will help with work at the Clearfork Reservoir dam, city building renovation and front foundation work, police and fire department facility upgrades and replacements, and website redesign in IT.
Theaker highlighted economic development, which included a $12.3 million investment by M&D Real Estate Investments for two additions to the company's Newman Street facility. The investment enables Edge Plastics to expand its manufacturing capacity. Thirty-five full-time jobs are anticipated.
Airport West 1 LLC acquired 15 acres at Airport West Industrial Park and constructed a 160,000-square-foot facility. Owners are negotiating with a prospective tenant and hope to secure a lease soon. The total project investment will be $10 million.
1027 Trimble LLC began construction of a 12,200-square-foot office building that is expected to house medical providers. Of the space, 50% will be leased to Akron Children's Hospital, while the balance will be available for lease. The project investment will amount to $4.9 million and create five full-time jobs in the first year.
Another million-dollar investment by Ohio Valley Stamping & Assemblies projects to create 20 full-time jobs in the next two years. Ohio Valley acquired the former Rable Machine property at 137 Touby Court to expand its business. The company invested in new machinery and equipment necessary to produce fabricated parts for Newman Technolgies.
Regarding city operations, 62 structures were demolished throughout the year in the continuing bid to rid the city of blight.
Community Development completed 21 emergency home rehabs and expended more than $1.96 million in block grant funds and $90,000 in HOME funds. It also collaborated with the Richland County Foundation for a downtown incentive grant to provide funding for housing rehabilitation in the downtown area.
Engineering oversaw the resurfacing of 142 streets and alleys, totaling 25.89 miles, at a cost of $4.5 million.
City police handled more than 30,000 calls in 2022
The police department handled 30,111 calls for service in 2022. Robberies and burglaries decreased by 33.3 and 6.8%, respectively.
Body-worn cameras were put in use for patrol officers through grant funding, along with a technician for the crime lab.
Grant funding also expanded the coverage area of ShotSpotter from 1 to 3 square miles as police use audio technology try to track gunshots.
The fire department responded to 12,204 emergency calls, including 2,074 fire responses. MFD added two rescue squads.
In addition, renovations to station No. 1 provided separate bedrooms for firefighters in response to COVID-19.
The fire department added an assistant chief to oversee EMS functions, and the fire prevention bureau brought in an administrative assistant.
"In closing, I am proud of the work we have accomplished together as a community over the years to improve Mansfield and make it a place we are all proud to call home," Theaker wrote. "It has been an honor to serve you as mayor."
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield mayor Theaker highlights accomplishments in final address
