More than 100 people gathered as Summit County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Summit DD) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house at its Second Street location on May 13.
The Summit DD Superintendent was joined by County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Cuyahoga Falls Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Sara Kline, representing Mayor Don Walters.
The $6.5M renovation and expansion was completed to transform the building from a production floor and classrooms to an office and collaborative workspace. It includes 90 workspaces and 11 conference spaces. It is also outfitted with dimmable LED lighting and HVAC automation to be cost-effective. The building also includes a café and patio space.
“Over the last year you have all watched this building transform into our Administrative Offices and as we open our doors once again, we share the same vision as we did in 2010“, commented Superintendent Lisa Kamlowsky.
“It is our vision to provide our early intervention team, our service coordinators, our intake and referral staff, our provider support group, our investigative agents and all our staff a place where they can make community connections and continue to serve children and adults with disabilities as they work toward achieving their hopes and dreams. It is our vision that this building is an open door to the community and to those we serve. And we look forward to many years innovation, success and dedication to each and every individual we serve”, Kamlowsky remarked
Construction began in 2021 after a comprehensive facilities study on how to best utilize Summit DD’s buildings after a Center for Medicaid Services mandate to privatize day programs for adults to comply with conflict free case management. Summit DD worked with its Board and other constituents to develop plans to renovate its Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls workshops into office space for the Agency’s 315 employees. The renovated Russ Pry Barberton Center was opened at the end of 2021.
Summit Construction served as the construction company for the renovation and expansion, having originally building the facility in 2010. The architect was Hasenstab Architects, Inc. and the owner’s representative was The Triad Group.
The return on investment on the $6.5 M project is estimated to be 12-15 years. Summit DD sold its remaining properties in Akron, Tallmadge and Bath.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a community open house where hundreds of community members, individuals and families served by Summit DD and private disability service providers toured the new facility.
Summit DD Administrative Offices are located at 2355 Second Street in Cuyahoga Falls and their Russ Pry Barberton Center is located at 501 West Hopocan Avenue in Barberton. The offices are open to the public from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday.
