Welcome to South Town!
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The South Town District of Medina has been designated to extend the Main Street Medina community development footprint to include Smith Road south to Lafayette Road, and east to west from South Broadway Street to South Huntington Street. The South Town Committee was comprised of residents, businesses and property owners within and surrounding the district to conceptualize and guide its future and is now part of the Design Committee. The vision proposed for South Town is to enhance the shopper and visitor experience by making South Town more "walkable" and by attracting arts-and-entertainment venues beyond what Public Square and the current Historic District offers.
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A Plan for the Future
The South Town Design Plan proposed by the MSM Design Committee is a culmination of concepts derived from the South Town District stakeholder visioning sessions started in 2018, the City of Medina Comprehensive Plan in 2022, public sessions with neighborhood residents, businesses and property owners in 2023, and input from visitors at South Town events in 2023. This plan focuses on three priority areas: 1) Gateway development, 2) Mill Street pedestrian improvements, and 3) Gathering Space. The next step is to find funding to help make this happen. See at the Design Plan HERE or click on the image.
Public Art Proposal
Main Street Medina is working on a Public Art and Placemaking Plan with assistance from Designing Local LTD and funding support from the Ohio Arts Council. The "Main Street Medina: Public Art & Placemaking Plan" provides a starting point to understand and interpret what Public Art could mean to our community. The Plan identified South Town as the southern gateway into the Uptown Historic District and a crossroad for tourism, economic development, culture, and community pride. We identified the district’s history in multiple industries—including grain, freight railways, upholstery, metal smithing, marble, etc. to contextualize a place that celebrates its industrial past through innovative public art and lively placemaking, while establishing a natural connection between Medina’s historic Uptown Historic and South Town Districts. The Placement Strategy identified what "art" can be: a gateway, Iterative patterns, suspended, furnishings, landmarks, etc.; use of materials (paint, light, fiber, mosaic tiles, metal, etc.); installation types (sculpture, multimedia, murals, performance, environmental, etc.); life span (temporary, seasonal, evolving, permanent); and location (rights-of-way, building facades, public access, etc.); and public engagement and intervention (local artists, students, neighborhoods, etc.). Finally, the Plan recommended future considerations for project priorities and policy adoption. The full Proposal for Phase 1 is below (or CLICK HERE). Phase 2 will provide specific concepts for Public Art installations and projects in Medina as well as a Policy recommendation.
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South Town Beautification
South Town Flowerpot Project
Thank you to these South Town District businesses for sponsoring the 13 flowerpots along the tree lawn at Smith Rd., S. Court St., Lafayette Rd., and S. Broadway St.: RJ Vernak Refrigeration Co., Peaceworks/Spokes Cafe, Keller's Exchange Market / 1904 Cafe, JG South Town Market, VCS Salon & Spa, The Farmer's Table / PJ Marley's, Life's Treasures/Hospice of the Western Reserve, Gerber Collision & Glass, and Habitat for Humanity of Medina County / ReStore. And thanks to Bry Cantrell through Jobs for Ohio Graduates for maintaining the flowers through August and Ms. Vanessa through Aunt Val's Crew through October.
South Town Flowerpot Project
Thank you to these South Town District businesses for sponsoring the 13 flowerpots along the tree lawn at Smith Rd., S. Court St., Lafayette Rd., and S. Broadway St.: RJ Vernak Refrigeration Co., Peaceworks/Spokes Cafe, Keller's Exchange Market / 1904 Cafe, JG South Town Market, VCS Salon & Spa, The Farmer's Table / PJ Marley's, Life's Treasures/Hospice of the Western Reserve, Gerber Collision & Glass, and Habitat for Humanity of Medina County / ReStore. And thanks to Bry Cantrell through Jobs for Ohio Graduates for maintaining the flowers through August and Ms. Vanessa through Aunt Val's Crew through October.
Bry Cantrell
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Ms. Vanessa and grandson
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In addition to the sponsored flowerpots, we've added eight self-watering planters in 2023 at the corner of S. Court St. and Lafayette Rd. thanks to a $2,500 matching grant through FirstEnergy Foundation!
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The South Town Vision
The first step in planning development efforts in South Town was to identify neighborhoods, property owners and businesses that are already invested in the district and want to take part in its future.
The South Town Committee formed out of monthly meetings held since October 2018 to gain input and consensus from these stakeholders. Attendees discussed the reasons and goals of district expansion; current projects like the Farmers' Exchange rehab/renovation and the relocation of ReStore/Habitat for Humanity to the former Hawkins Market; and city updates on creating a Community Revitalization District and planned streetscape improvements.
In January 2019, participants conducted a S.W.O.T. Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to determine what issues and priorities were most important. View the SWOT Analysis here. These results of the analysis were reviewed and approved in February:
In April, a Visioning Workshop was held at the Medina Library for stakeholders to review the SWOT Analysis results, learn the history and legacy of South Town, share common goals, demonstrate a "planning exercise," share development ideas, and discuss opportunities for first-step projects. Review the workshop slideshow here.
The results of the Visioning Workshop concluded with a list of recommendations (see the report here) that begins with these projects:
Since the Visioning Workshop, the City of Medina has undertaken streetscape improvements on S. Court St. to Lafayette Rd. and S. Broadway St. to Smith Rd. that include new street trees, light posts, and crosswalks. Flag poles and flags have been purchased for the light posts by Main Street Medina and the City.
The first step in planning development efforts in South Town was to identify neighborhoods, property owners and businesses that are already invested in the district and want to take part in its future.
The South Town Committee formed out of monthly meetings held since October 2018 to gain input and consensus from these stakeholders. Attendees discussed the reasons and goals of district expansion; current projects like the Farmers' Exchange rehab/renovation and the relocation of ReStore/Habitat for Humanity to the former Hawkins Market; and city updates on creating a Community Revitalization District and planned streetscape improvements.
In January 2019, participants conducted a S.W.O.T. Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to determine what issues and priorities were most important. View the SWOT Analysis here. These results of the analysis were reviewed and approved in February:
- Need for expansion of business district/development of South Town
- Build on historic legacy & unique niche of South Town
- Unify South Town business district & neighborhoods with common goals
- Encourage development of vacant properties
- Encourage rehabilitation of available building stock
- Improve land use of underdeveloped space to address public needs
In April, a Visioning Workshop was held at the Medina Library for stakeholders to review the SWOT Analysis results, learn the history and legacy of South Town, share common goals, demonstrate a "planning exercise," share development ideas, and discuss opportunities for first-step projects. Review the workshop slideshow here.
The results of the Visioning Workshop concluded with a list of recommendations (see the report here) that begins with these projects:
- Hold a Key Event Celebrating the Legacy of South Town.
- Make South Court Street Redevelopment a priority.
- Hold South Town Cleanup Events.
- Hold Champion Creek Cleanup Events.
Since the Visioning Workshop, the City of Medina has undertaken streetscape improvements on S. Court St. to Lafayette Rd. and S. Broadway St. to Smith Rd. that include new street trees, light posts, and crosswalks. Flag poles and flags have been purchased for the light posts by Main Street Medina and the City.
Take a Walking Tour of South Town
Take this short walking tour through historic Medina’s “south end” and learn about its industrial and commercial roots. The tour begins at the intersection of S. Court St. and Smith Rd and ends on Broadway St., but you can walk back to the Farmers Exchange through the parking lot.
Click on the image below for the tour handout ...
Take this short walking tour through historic Medina’s “south end” and learn about its industrial and commercial roots. The tour begins at the intersection of S. Court St. and Smith Rd and ends on Broadway St., but you can walk back to the Farmers Exchange through the parking lot.
Click on the image below for the tour handout ...
The History of South Town
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South Town Industrial History Brochure
This brochure highlights the industrial roots of the South Town District from the 1880s to the 1920s when the Industrial Age sparked construction of the railroad to serve emerging grain mills, lumber yards and a coal company. As the City expanded, the south end grew to accommodate public utilities, warehouses, and building supplies. Today, the South Town community is reimagining its identity to be more pedestrian-friendly, with unique business opportunities and a new creative energy, while honoring its industrial roots. Thanks to historian Robert Hyde for his in depth research and many resources. More can be found at his "Beyond the Storefronts" website, www.medinasquare.org. |
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Here are some tidbits ...
In its beginnings, South Town was just the south end of the Village of Medina. The area was populated by about a dozen residences by 1885, with several businesses congregating along Smith Road and the newly constructed Pennsylvania & Akron-Canton Railroad. Industries like the B.H. Wood Supply Co., Hickox Planing Mill and the Medina Carpet & Rug Works sprang up to serve local development. Businesses began sprouting up to service villagers and residents at the Union House Hotel like Fenn's Livery & Stables and the Holben, Eggelston and Benford Blacksmith Shops.
The Village of Medina built its Water Works building at 325 S. Broadway on Champion Creek at the site of an old ashery. At that time, Champion Creek provided water north to Public Square. The Water Works plant moved to Rocky River in 1911 and the site became the Clement Concrete Co.
Medina Farmer’s Exchange was built at its present location in 1904, but was rebuilt twice due to fires in 1915 and 1935 that destroyed both the original structure and its first reconstruction.
The Village of Medina built its Water Works building at 325 S. Broadway on Champion Creek at the site of an old ashery. At that time, Champion Creek provided water north to Public Square. The Water Works plant moved to Rocky River in 1911 and the site became the Clement Concrete Co.
Medina Farmer’s Exchange was built at its present location in 1904, but was rebuilt twice due to fires in 1915 and 1935 that destroyed both the original structure and its first reconstruction.
The 1920s witnessed South Town’s emergence as a distinct quarter within the Village. Focusing around W. Smith Rd. and the railway line, South Town thrived as the industrial center of Medina. South of Mill Street was still three-quarters residences.
By the 1930s, as automobiles eventually would replace horse & carriage, dealerships and filling stations began to change the identity of South Town from an industrial to a commercial district. Most notably, the growing City of Medina continues to thrive amidst the Great Depression.
By the 1930s, as automobiles eventually would replace horse & carriage, dealerships and filling stations began to change the identity of South Town from an industrial to a commercial district. Most notably, the growing City of Medina continues to thrive amidst the Great Depression.
By the 1960s, South Town continues to develop its automotive presence similar to today, with four filling stations at the intersection of Court Street and Lafayette, and several auto repair shops and dealerships. South of Mill Street continues to change, with businesses and apartment complexes replacing homes from the 1910s and 20s.
More of the history of South Town is available from the Visioning Workshop presentation (left) and the Beyond the Storefronts website noted below.
More of the history of South Town is available from the Visioning Workshop presentation (left) and the Beyond the Storefronts website noted below.
Photos courtesy of Bob Hyde, Beyond the Storefronts
