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Akron Council OKs office space for Land Bank



Site is former home of John S. Knight

AKRON — During the July 6 Akron City Council meeting, members approved a conditional-use permit to establish office space for the Summit County Land Bank at 400 S. Portage Path in West Akron.
Akron Zoning Manager Mike Antenucci said the Summit County Land Bank currently owns the vacant residence and property, which was the home of former longtime Akron Beacon Journal editor and publisher John S. Knight.
He said the Summit County Land Bank, which is a nonprofit community improvement corporation, plans to renovate the basement, first and second floors of the house into 6,710 square feet of office and community space.
Antenucci said the renovations would respect and maintain the historic aspects of the structure, which was built in 1921.
The home has had several owners over the years, but has been unoccupied for at least 15 years and has fallen into disrepair, he added.
“This is a really exciting project,” said Patrick Bravo, executive director of the Summit County Land Bank. “We are looking forward to bringing some much needed development to this area of town.”
He said the Summit County Land Bank is working with some partners around the community to create a walkable historic corridor to include the John S. Knight House along with the nearby Perkins Stone Mansion, Grey Lodge and John Brown House.
Bravo said in addition to office space in the house, the plan is to open the house during certain periods to be used as public meeting or gathering space.
He thanked Council for the support received so far for the project.
Councilman Jeff Fusco (D-at large) said this property is in “very good hands.”
Also during the meeting, Councilwoman Tara Samples (D-Ward 5) said she would introduce legislation at the next meeting regarding a mask mandate in public spaces within the City of Akron. She said this legislation is something she has been working on since the end of April and the city’s law department is reviewing it.
Samples said cities such as Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton have already passed mask mandates along with 21 states throughout the U.S.
She encouraged any Council members with questions or concerns to reach out to her to discuss them.
In other business, Council approved:
• an ordinance establishing the Public Art Program and authorizing the Akron art master plan. The Public Art Program, which creates a new nine-person Public Art Commission, creates the framework for an equitable process for selecting artists for public art projects, details maintenance and de-accession of public art and includes 1 percent of Tax Increment Financing revenue to be used for public art. For more information, visit akronpublicart.com;
• an ordinance approving the 2020 Consolidated Action Plan and the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan, including applications and certifications for the Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Investment Partnership and the Emergency Solutions Grant;
• a conditional-use permit to construct an oversized detached garage at 2626 Nesbitt Ave.;
• a contract with Lifesize Inc. for the purchase of videoconferencing equipment for use at Akron Municipal Court;
• a contract to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Summit Lake Community Center. Service Director Chris Ludle said the system upgrade includes replacing the rooftop unit and placing it on the ground instead. He said by making this change, the gym will have air conditioning;
• a contract with PSX Inc. to upgrade revenue control equipment at all city-owned parking decks. Ludle said this project has been looked at for several years, as currently the city’s systems are not consistent. He said this change would enhance the systems and make for a better experience for customers;
• a contract with Protech Oilfield Services to plug and abandon two city gas wells and to remove the surface equipment from an additional city gas well;
• an ordinance to apply for a loan, execute necessary documents and enter into Water Pollution Control Loan Fund agreements with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Development Authority for the planning of the northside sewer separation and conveyance program management;
• a contract with Milestone Solutions LLC to purchase video-surveillance software licensing for use at the Akron Water Plant; and
• an ordinance to apply for funding from the 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program administered through the U.S. Department of Justice to provide funding for costs associated with preventing, preparing for and responding to the COVID-19 health emergency.
Akron City Council will next meet July 13 for committee meetings beginning at 1 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be conducted via the Zoom videoconference application. The public can view the livestreamed meetings on the Akron City Council YouTube page. For a link, visit www.akroncitycouncil.org.