Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sidewalk damage from street trees
Members discussed how tree roots heave sidewalks and whether concrete leveling instead of full replacement could save money, though roots often re-heave new slabs. The fall walk-and-talk with council is meant to surface these concerns directly.
Routes 91 and 59 Construction
Construction is ramped up on the city's two major road projects, mostly south of Graham Road where the corridor is tight. Officials are asking drivers to slow down and be patient through the work zones.
Route 59/Kent Road traffic signals
A $650,000 borrowing will fund new and upgraded traffic signals on Kent Road between Sycamore Drive and Fishcreek Road, with ADA-compliant pedestrian access.
Connectivity, sidewalks and safety priorities for 2026-2027
Stow is working through a list of 31 sidewalk and trail connections to link neighborhoods, parks, and schools. The Stow-Fishcreek roundabout won't be built until 2030, and staff are chasing federal grants to speed up other priority segments.
LED lighting upgrade at Route 8/Steels Corners interchange
Swapping six halogen bulbs for LEDs across four light units should slash maintenance, since each pole takes half a day to lower and raise for a bulb change. The state's reconstruction project didn't cover it.
Winter road salt supply
Ice storms are straining Stow's salt supply: the last major storm used over 3,000 tons, and mine delivery delays of 3-4 hours per truck are slowing restocking. The city has about 2,700 tons on hand — enough for the next few storms.
Traffic congestion on Graham Road
Both the developer's team and commissioners acknowledged Graham Road is already congested, especially at rush hour, and the city has no near-term plans to widen or improve it.
Route 8 guardrail replacement
Lake Erie Construction will replace guardrail and posts along Route 8, with most costs covered by insurance. Feldman pushed to see Stow's own guardrail repairs scheduled soon.