Council lauds planning department for Smart Growth
awards
Akron City Council
By Stephanie Kist
At the conclusion of Akron City Council’s Nov. 6 meeting, Councilwoman Tina Merlitti (D-Ward 7) commended the city’s Department of Planning and Urban Development, which recently was honored by the Smart Growth Education Foundation.
Smart Growth Community Excellence Awards were given to the Cascade Village, Canal Town and Hickory projects in the city, with Cascade Village taking best of show.
Department Director Warren Woolford said he always thought highly of his department and that it’s nice to be recognized for their work.
In routine legislation during the meeting, Council:
• authorized an agreement with the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area to reimburse the city for the cost of leasing seven vehicles;
• authorized the acquisition of a parcel of property on Hartford Avenue to assist with the construction of the Schumacher Community Learning Center;
• authorized application for funding in the amount of $750,000 from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund for the environmental cleanup of two parcels in East Akron and one in South Akron; and
• approved legislation declaring it necessary to make improvements to Kenmore Boulevard. The project is estimated to cost $1.6 million, and construction is expected to begin in April and conclude in November 2007.
Councilman Dan Horrigan (D-Ward 1), chairman of the Public Utilities Committee, said the committee will hear a presentation at its next meeting regarding the status of Akron Thermal, which provides steam heat and chilled water to several large downtown entities, such as The University of Akron and the three major hospitals. Akron Thermal is several million dollars in debt to the city.
The next regular Akron City Council meeting will take place Nov. 13 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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