Initial ideas revealed for project to bring business and community events to Hinckley's town center

HINCKLEY TWP. — AoDK Architecture presented its initial ideas for a project that intends to combine local businesses, green space and community interaction in Hinckley's town center during a township trustees meeting Tuesday. Shawn and Caryn Gaffney from Cadence Realty LLC purchased about 9 acres of property that were formerly owned by Hinckley Center Inc. and a taxidermy shop, said their attorney, Bryan Penvose. The property is near the northeast intersection of state Route 303 and Ridge Road next to S&S Heating, Cooling and Sheet Metal Inc. and behind the Hinckley Ridge Plaza. The Gaffney family is interested in having small businesses such as restaurants, boutiques, a winery and more on the property, President of AoDK David Krebs said. They do not want national brands or big-box stores. "It would enhance the daily life of people in Hinckley, but also could bring some traffic in from outside areas where people would want to go for a destination," he said. AoDK plans to use vernacular architecture when styling the new buildings, Krebs said. Therefore, the buildings would be designed to fit in with the rest of the town center to give the property a small-town feel. "The vision is not to compete with other businesses already established in the area (such as) Fosters, Hoppy Dudes, Stefanecs and others," Penvose said. "Rather, the goal is to create something new to complement them." The plans also include a large amount of green space for people to interact with nature and each other, Krebs said. "We're trying to do things that (allow) people to socialize together," he said. The developers will continue to look at site plans for the project moving forward, Krebs said. They are determining whether to have activity from the businesses and green space be visible from Ridge Road or not. Also during the meeting, information was presented on how the project could bring public water to the town center. Executive Director of the Medina County Economic Development Corp. Bethany Dentler said public water could be brought to the property without costing other residents using tax increment financing. TIFs are used to help pay for new public infrastructure and can be put in place by the township, she said. The developers would pay for the upfront costs of bringing in public water, and the township would reimburse them. Dentler said a percentage of taxes from parcels within the TIF district would be redirected into a fund for a specified amount of time. "The county auditor (would have) an agreement that instructs him what to do with those taxes," she said. "Let's say it's at 75 percent and 10 years. He will take 75 percent of the check that he gets from the developer and redirect it back to the township." The township could work with the county's sanitary engineer to create an agreement for interested, nearby residents to gain access to the public water because of the infrastructure, Dentler said. "They would be able to tap in," she said. "There wouldn't be a cost for them." Trustee Monique Ascherl said the town center project itself is a unique opportunity for Hinckley and that it is something for residents to be excited for. "This is a very community-minded project," Trustee Melissa Augustine said. "I think that the synergy reflects Hinckley in that we have a lot of green space in the concept as well as potential uses that a lot of our residents are looking for." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.