Around the Community
by Sue Serdinak
Painted by hand
It was surprising to see two people on a scaffold, using rollers, painting the 238-foot-tall water tower that was built over the last two years. Village officials chose the sky blue color to blend in with the sky.
“Richfield” will not be painted on the tower. Mayor Michael Wheeler explained that Cleveland Water will be responsible to maintain the paint on the tower but the village would be responsible for the maintenance if words were painted on it.
The water tower is expected to be operational this fall, after the pump station on Brecksville Road is also online.
At 238 feet, the tallest water tower in the country, is getting its first coat of paint. The painters seem to be dangling in the air as they are rolling on the paint. Photo submitted.
Brewery
It was also surprising to see The Richfield Brewing Co. sign being hand painted on the new building. While many hoped to be eating on the outdoor patio of the brewery this summer, construction is wrapping up, but not complete.
Residents have expressed concerns about the news that other breweries are closing in the region. Mike Lytz, owner of the brewery, responded to the concerns.
The sign on The Richfield Brewing Co. was hand painted on the bricks. Photo by S. Serdinak.
“We are not building a wholesale distribution brewery. Our establishment will be a high-end brewpub,” he said.
He added that the brewpub will also offer wine and mixed spirits and the menu will include everything from beer pretzels to steak, seafood, wood-fire pizzas and family-recipe sauces and meatballs.
Lyzt is now hoping to open the brewery in mid to late August, to take advantage of the outdoor patio. He added that the overhead glass porch doors opening to outdoor terraces would provide an outdoor atmosphere, even in the winter.
Tennis/pickleball courts
As promised, excavation for the village’s pickleball and tennis courts has begun. Two tennis courts and six pickleball courts are being constructed.
The construction of six pickle ball and two tennis courts, south of Town Hall, has begun. It is anticipated that they will be finished by the end of summer. Photo by S. Serdinak.
The courts will be located south of Town Hall and will be separated with some immediately north of the ball diamond and some immediately east of the pavilion. Although lights will not be installed in the first year, conduit will be put in for future wiring for lights.
Fellowship Hall
The Fellowship Hall was built as a Baptist church, circa 1838. It once had a tall pointed steeple. It has been remodeled and modified many times since it was built.
The building is getting new siding, windows to improve insulation and a handicap ramp.
The handicap ramp of the Fellowship Hall was replaced. The building is getting new windows and siding. Photo by S. Serdinak.
Oviatt Museum
On May 4 Oviatt House was opened up for visitors to see the restoration of the building to its original state. Volunteers have begun to research how to turn the 1836 building into a museum in recognition of Mason Oviatt’s participation in the Underground Railroad as a conductor.
Ken Bowman demonstrated to guests at an Oviatt House open house some of the techniques that have been used in restoring the 1836 building. Photo submitted.
Oviatt House Inc. received a $50,000 grant from the state plus a $3,338 grant from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History organization to research the lives of abolitionists in Richfield.
A University of Akron student concluded 45 hours of research for the museum. ∞