Jim Gibbs

The Economic Development Plan for the City of Solon examines the city's economic history, demographics, and existing programs to identify strategies for future economic development. It focuses on industrial and retail/commercial districts, analyzing current conditions, challenges, and opportunities. The plan includes recommendations for marketing activities, incentive programs, and infrastructure improvements to attract and retain businesses, maximize land use, and redevelop properties. It emphasizes maintaining a business-friendly environment, fostering a broad business base, and enhancing the overall quality of life to support economic growth.

The City of Solon Master Land Use Plan is guided by community goals, policies, and objectives that reflect the land use priorities of Solon residents and stakeholders. Key areas of focus include maintaining community character through commercial design standards, developing a pedestrian-oriented "Center of Town," preserving historical structures, and cooperating with the Solon School District to promote quality education. The plan also emphasizes protecting the natural environment, promoting diverse housing opportunities, maintaining property values, optimizing park assets, attracting a beneficial industrial mix, improving pedestrian amenities and traffic flow, implementing alternative transportation networks, and promoting quality redevelopment of the Central Retail District, all while participating in regional collaboration.

The 2022 Solon Parks and Recreation Master Plan addresses the need for improved parks and recreation facilities to meet the growing community's needs. The plan focuses on enhancing existing parks, developing new facilities, improving connectivity through trails, and expanding recreational programming. Key areas of focus include redeveloping Solon Community Park, adding support amenities (restrooms, seating, etc.), collaborating with other agencies, adding parks in underserved areas, expanding trails, improving ADA accessibility, increasing outdoor field and court capacity, promoting healthy living through partnerships, and ensuring consistent branding and communication. The plan's vision is to create an exceptional and interconnected park system that engages the entire community, fostering a sense of pride. The mission is to build community and enrich life through parks, programs, and play. The plan's values include community, engagement, inclusivity, innovation, and excellence.