By Don Jovich
Record-Courier staff writer
MANTUA -- The newly-formed Downtown Mantua Revitalization Committee has named E. G. & G., Inc. as the lead consultant to assist with planning public improvements in the village.
Committee vice president Michelle Barnauskas said the selection of E. G. & G., Inc. followed many months of effort by individuals, community groups and government entities in and around the village.
E.G. & G.'s goal in community revitalization is to recreate prime real estate value in worn-out areas by enhancing the appearance of public areas.
The Akron-based firm specializes in planning, landscape architecture and civil engineering.
Committee president Edie Benner said in addition to public-input sessions sponsored by the Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce and Mantua Village Planning Commission, civic-minded individuals who were most interested in pursuing revitalization eventually formed a separate entity to continue the work they had begun -- the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Committee.
Represented on the committee are members of Rotary Club of Mantua, Mantua Historical Society, Mantua Village Council, the Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce, business owners, property owners and residents.
"(We) all share a common goal -- improving the appearance and infrastructure of downtown Mantua to make it a better place to live, work and play," Barnauskas said.
She said many residents moved to the Mantua area from neighboring towns and suburbs to get away from noise, pollution and sprawling development.
"Residents of the area say they like the rural charm and small town character of Mantua," Barnauskas said.
Following the guidelines of a 2001 S.R. 44 corridor study for the Mantua-Shalersville area, Barnauskas said the committee hopes to create a climate conducive for business within the village as one step in steering development away from rural areas and into a commercial corridor.
"With gas and food prices leaving consumers with little disposable income, the area's small businesses especially need our support," she said.