Restaurants, park additions, more to debut in 2026 in New Philadelphia
NEW PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Joel Day is looking forward to a busy 2026, with several government and commercial projects that started last year set for completion in the new year.
On the city side, that includes the downtown quadrant redesign and restrooms, a pavilion at the Southside Community Park soccer fields, and the first leg of the Roswell Trail from Hillandale Road east to State Route 39.
Day says nonprofit groups will be funding improvements at Tuscora Park, including three new kiddie rides and an inclusive playground.
On the commercial side, Day is expecting several ribbon cuttings at Chick-fil-A and Dunkin’ on Blue Bell Drive, and at Hobby Lobby at New Towne Mall.
Day is optimistic some new commercial projects will begin to take shape. He says the state has lifted land restrictions on the old canal land along Commercial Avenue, making those parcels more accessible for new businesses.
He also believes the Joy/Howden property will become more attractive to developers if the city can get a grant this year to remove concrete and asphalt from the site. He says business developers are interested in the site but need to know what’s under the ground where the factory buildings were located.
Day says work will continue on the redesign of the Interstate 77/US 250/SR 30 interchange and the establishment of a truck route to minimize semi and oversized load traffic through the downtown area.
In his Mayor’s Report, Day says other grant funded projects scheduled to begin in 2026 include: