Promote Reinvestment through Varied Revitalization Efforts
Description
Why is This Important
Repositioning dilapidated properties for reinvestment is an important part of driving Akron’s economy. Blighted and abandoned properties can negatively impact neighborhoods. Removing them opens the door to reinvestment in new homes and businesses. The City is actively clearing sites, establishing redevelopment areas, and preparing brownfields for redevelopment so Akron's neighborhoods can grow and thrive.
Initiative Wins
Demolished 96 blighted residential properties and 4 commercial properties in 2025, including high-visibility sites like Rankin Elementary, Kenmore Annex, and Goodrich Middle School.
Supported successful application in 2025 with Ohio EPA to a US EPA grant for brownfield assessments of sites in the Middlebury area to get properties ready for redevelopment.
Supported a successful Summit County application for $1.2M in US EPA Brownfield Assessment Coalition funding that will benefit multiple Akron neighborhoods: Romig Road corridor, Akron Airport area, North Akron area, Summit Lake, and the Innerbelt area.
Won a 2025 ODOD grant for remediation of property in the Merriman Hills neighborhood (Hickory St), enabling the potential for 9 new homes.
Impact Spotlight
What We’ve Done This Quarter
Completed bidding for 71 blighted residential structures targeted for 2026 demolition, and demolished 5 of them as of March 2026.
Demolished 2 commercial properties in early 2026.
Advanced a proposal, after significant community engagement, to demolish the former Firestone Plant 1 while salvaging and reusing key elements of its historic clock tower to preserve the site's legacy. The Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved the mitigation strategies presented.
What We’re Working on Next Quarter
Pursuing demolition of at least 71 blighted residential structures in 2026.
Presenting the new plan for demolition and preservation of the Firestone Plant 1 to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for approval of a new memorandum of understanding.
Coordinating grant-funded remediation on Hickory St to enable residential development and supporting brownfield inventory and environmental studies as part of the US EPA Brownfield Grant awarded to Summit County in 2025.
Pursuing 5 OEPA Targeted Brownfield Assessment grants to learn more about site history and redevelopment opportunities to inform future redevelopment.
Prioritizing and advocating for Opportunity Zones in Akron with Ohio Department of Development.
Establishing Redevelopment Areas in Sweitzer/South Akron and Mill/University Park to encourage reinvestment.