Akron.com

Horrigan reflects on challenges, future plans



DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan delivered his State of the City Address Aug. 9 at the Akron Civic Theatre, highlighting the challenges of the past year and priorities for the year ahead.
The event, originally scheduled at Lock 3 Park, was moved indoors because of the hot weather.
During his address, Horrigan highlighted the economic and social challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created along with the city’s response to them.
“2020 was a year unlike any other,” Horrigan said. “I delivered my last State of the City Address last Feb. 26 — just 11 days before the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Ohio. This past year-and-a-half have pushed me and my staff to the limits of our abilities and beyond, working to respond to concurrent crises of public health, the economy and racial unrest.”
He said while the pandemic revealed some of the worst realities, it also exposed some of the most inspiring and encouraging facets of the community.
“And today, I’m proud to share the beginning of that path forward — what I see as a solid foundation for our recovery,” Horrigan said. “This isn’t about going back to the ways we have always done things, but creating an even better future. One that works for every single one of us.”
Horrigan also outlined plans for a $15 million housing rehabilitation program, as well as a $10 million infill construction program to close the gap between what it costs to build in certain neighborhoods and lending that is available.
“Targeting both these programs to key neighborhoods, we have an opportunity to transform those areas of Akron hardest hit by past and current economic downturns,” he said. “Housing has to be, and will be, a large part of our recovery strategy.”
In addition to housing, Horrigan is focused on Downtown Akron, including proposing a $3.5 million renovation of Lock 3 to begin next fall and allocating $1 million to attract and retain retail establishments along Main Street. He also plans to create a nonprofit real estate organization dedicated to promoting economic development in the central part of the city.
“There is life in Downtown Akron — we are seeing its transformation before our eyes,” Horrigan said.
Other proposed improvements include a renovation of Patterson Park Community Center in North Hill, an $11.5 million renovation of Ed Davis and Perkins Pool in Akron’s Ward 3, renovations to Reservoir Park Community Center and Pool in Goodyear Heights and $2.6 million of improvements to Summit Lake.
During his speech, Horrigan also addressed violence and racial justice.
“As centuries of inequity boiled to the surface, 2020 was a year of protest demanding police reform,” he said. “I want to be clear on what I see as viable solutions. I am not a fan of defunding or underfunding the police. Instead, we have to focus appropriate resources to address mental health care and effective community policing strategies.”
Horrigan said Akron entered the pandemic with the highest number of uniformed police officers in over a decade, but one year later, evolving job pressures have led to a wave of retirements and recruiting efforts have proven more challenging than at any point in a generation. He said this summer the city sought to hire the next class of officers, but only half as many candidates applied to take the police exam as they did in 2019.
“This tells us that all police departments, including Akron, have significant work ahead to develop and recruit a public safety workforce that is qualified, diverse and properly supported to serve and protect our community,” he said.
Horrigan said he is confident in new Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett to be a strong leader.
“For Akron to thrive, it has to be safe,” he said. “I will work alongside Chief Mylett and my public safety leadership team to build new strategies that will break the cycle of violence in our city.”
As a part of the $145 million in American Rescue Plan funding the city is expected to receive, Horrigan is proposing using millions to support youth employment programs and training, improving recreational assets and gun violence interventions for those most at risk of being caught up in violence.
“Through a call for proposals, I received dozens of outstanding ideas to support grassroots initiatives aimed at keeping youth and community members away from violence and on track to achieve their dreams,” he said. “Over the coming weeks I will evaluate each and every proposal and make selections for an initial $10 million investment in violence reduction.”