Akron City Council held extensive public hearings July 14 addressing business development, housing assistance and public safety initiatives during a packed agenda that stretched across afternoon committee meetings and an evening special session.
Council Approves Consolidated Housing Plan
Council unanimously approved the city’s $8.2 million consolidated housing strategy for 2025-2029, prioritizing assistance for low and moderate-income residents. The plan allocates $5.8 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $1.5 million in HOME Investment Partnership funds, and $514,000 for emergency solutions grants.
Helen Tomic from the planning department outlined the strategy’s goals to “assist primarily low and moderate income people to improve existing housing conditions, to develop affordable housing, and to expand economic opportunities and to aid the homeless.”
The funding represents slight adjustments from 2024, with CDBG funds decreasing 0.3 percent while HOME funds increased 8 percent. The 2025 budget totals approximately $8.2 million, supporting housing rehabilitation, new construction development, and emergency shelter assistance.
Jackie Hemsworth from Access Shelter emphasized the critical need for continued funding. “The consolidated plan is so important to many of the people that are served by access shelter and we have been very privileged to receive ESGP funds for many years here in our community in order to serve 300 to 400 women and children each year with emergency shelter services.”
Business Development Draws Mixed Reception
Two vape shop applications highlighted community tensions over business development priorities. Council approved one location at 1328 Copley Road by an 11-1 vote after heated debate, while rejecting another at 1252 East Talmage Avenue.
The Talmage Avenue application failed due to zoning violations and lack of representation. Planning staff noted the proposed location was less than 2,500 feet from an existing vape shop, violating spacing requirements designed to prevent clustering that “can lead to blighting conditions.” Additionally, no petitioner appeared to represent the business or present a business plan to council.
Chloe Britain, representing the approved Copley Road location, addressed safety concerns by outlining extensive security measures. “We do enforce very strict ID requirements to not only enter our facility, but also to make purchases. So, we have an electronically locking door system, and we have a camera system that’s very high-tech and monitored from the workstation.”
The decision sparked passionate opposition from community advocate Reverend Pamela Pinkney, who cited health concerns from secondhand exposure. “I have a lung disease. I don’t want to breathe anymore in my lungs that are severely damaged already as a result of injustices that I’ve been receiving through the system. I don’t want smoke in my clothes, in my hair.”
Ward 4 Councilwoman Jan Davis ultimately supported the Copley Road application, emphasizing minority business ownership opportunities. “When we allow them to open up in our own neighborhood, it’s all about equity. It’s about ownership and revitalization.
Infrastructure and Public Safety Advances
Council approved multiple infrastructure initiatives, including a $590,000 contract with G. Stevens Incorporated for lead service line replacement program oversight. The project addresses health concerns while creating local employment opportunities.
Additionally, council authorized emergency management consulting services through a $108,000 contract with All Hands Consulting. Former Police Chief Joe Natko outlined plans to establish a comprehensive emergency operations center.
“What we’re trying to do is to build a professional emergency management office for the city of Akron. Akron wants to be not beholding or not dependent upon another organization.”
Business Expansion Gets Green Light
Council unanimously approved commercial building construction for Repro at 1518 Copley Road and a high-rise sign installation for J&J Plumbing. Both applications received planning commission recommendations and demonstrated job creation potential.
Nathan Revesz of J&J Plumbing emphasized community investment during his testimony. “We’ve been in Akron for 35 years. We’re proud of the city. We plan on being there for a long time. We bought a pretty rough vacant building there and we’ve done a lot of renovations to it.”
Public Comment Addresses Ongoing Concerns
The evening session featured public comments highlighting persistent community issues. Harrington Hargrove raised concerns about economic development distribution, while Reverend Pamela Pinkney continued advocating for transit worker contracts and addressing housing conditions affecting her health.
Council meetings continue through the summer with committee sessions scheduled for various times throughout the week, addressing ongoing city business across multiple departments and community needs.
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