Council OKs parking lot improvements
By Stephanie Kist
DOWNTOWN AKRON — After weeks of debate, Akron City Council passed an ordinance authorizing the “reconfiguration and renovation” of a parking area on Copley Road.
The project, estimated to cost $106,272, will reconstruct parallel parking as angle parking, improving access to the lot. According to Councilwoman Reneé Greene (D-Ward 4), in whose ward the lot is situated, parking issues have gotten bad enough to cause altercations between motorists.
She appealed to council members
to approve the ordinance to support economic development
in the Copley Road Business District and to alleviate
the hazard.
Councilman Mike Freeman (D-Ward
9) cast the only no vote.
Councilman John Conti (D-at large),
who at first opposed the legislation because he didn’t
think the city should expend its money and assets to
improve a private lot, signed on to sponsor the ordinance
after adding an amendment that the affected property
owners will enter into an agreement with the city that
they will make reasonable efforts to keep their buildings
occupied. Councilman Mike Williams (D-at large) also
added his name as a sponsor.
In other news, Council agreed
to authorize the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
to restore the pedestrian and bike trails at Stan Hywet
Hall & Gardens. The city will serve only as a liaison
between ODOT and Stan Hywet. No city funds will be involved
in the project.
The $163,800 project is expected
to start in June and finish in October 2007.
Council also passed two pieces
of legislation in tandem with Summit County Council,
which passed the same legislation Oct. 16.
One ordinance authorizes an agreement
among the city, the county, Summit County
Port Authority, Akron Community Service Center, the
Akron Urban League and Fifth Third Bank in connection
with a new community service center for the Urban League.
The second ordinance provides for the transfer of the
Hudson Water System from the county to the city.
Council also approved a $637,000
project to demolish the Landmark Parking Garage on Bowery
Street. Deputy Service Director John Valle said it is
more cost effective to demolish the garage than to attempt
to repair it. The project is scheduled to begin in January.
In other business, council:
• OK’d a $120,000
contract with the Butch Reynolds Care for Kids Foundation
for after-school and summer programs;
• approved the $85,000 purchase
of property at 989 Greenwood Ave. for the construction
of the Schumacher Community Learning Center. Relocation
costs are included;
• approved the $16,895 purchase
of a pick-up truck for use by the police department
to transport evidence and/or bicycles and the $19,395
purchase of 14 new tasers and related equipment;
• set public hearings for
the next Council meeting, which will include a request
for a conditional-use permit for the construction of
a storage facility on property on North Hawkins Avenue,
south of Garman Road.
The next Council meeting is scheduled
for Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the
third floor of the municipal building, 166 S. High St.
in downtown Akron. Committee meetings are scheduled
to begin at 2 p.m. that afternoon, also in Council Chambers.
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