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Goodwill opens new store in Green April 10, 2025 By Staff Writer GREEN — Goodwill Industries of Akron held a ribbon cutting ceremony April 9 for the opening of its new retail store at 3656 Massillon Road. The event began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by giveaways, food and other festivities. Guests received reusable Goodwill shopping bags and chances to win coupons and prizes. https://www.akron.com/articles/goodwill-opens-new-store-in-green/

Fairlawn takes next step on Croghan Park project April 10, 2025 By Abby Cymerman FAIRLAWN — During the April 7 meeting of Fairlawn City Council, Parks and Recreation Director Laurie Beisecker and Service Director Ernie Staten announced Croghan Park will close April 14 for construction. Staten said the park, at the intersection of North Miller Road and Sand Run Parkway, will be fenced off, and the driveways will close to allow for the use of heavy construction equipment. The former park pavilion has already been demolished, and that space will become a seating area with trees for shade. Staten said the tennis courts will be resurfaced and repainted. On Feb. 18, Beisecker said the Fairlawn Board of Audit approved the purchase of new playground equipment for Croghan Park from Snider Recreation of North Royalton. The equipment will include swings for toddlers and children; straight, curved and corkscrew slides; climbing features; a bridge; oversized Adirondack chairs and more. Staten said the park is expected to reopen by Memorial Day. https://www.akron.com/articles/fairlawn-takes-next-step-on-croghan-park-project/

Quaker Square sale in Akron moves forward with state board approval State leaders ask questions before approving request to sell iconic hotel complex owned by the University of Akron by Arielle Kass April 7, 2025 A state board approved the sale of University of Akron-owned Quaker Square to a trio of developers Monday, the next step in the process to get the oat mill-turned-hotel complex into private hands to be repurposed. The approval, by the Ohio Controlling Board, didn’t come without questions. https://signalakron.org/quaker-square-sale-in-akron-moves-forward/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_bJgGJvtQn2zLGyYKM0ccA2-YJSJvUIsx15P1MSc_raLfCQZKBPvBdufry8KlantXQcFIqUPaGDgOAqUzFZI_-yLMaCA&_hsmi=355842993

Visitors enjoy first look inside Akron History Center The center features three floors of curated local history that is free to the public. by Andrew Keiper April 6, 2025 Did you know that during World War II, Akron was likely the biggest producer of condoms for U.S. troops? Or that Emmer Lancaster, an Akron native born in 1900, was the first Black member of the Akron Bar Association? These nuggets of history are among those now on display at the Akron History Center. On Saturday morning, the long-awaited attraction in downtown Akron opened to visitors following the cutting of a “Ribbon of Rubber.” https://signalakron.org/visitors-enjoy-first-look-inside-akron-history-center/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_v6j_Csn6-DTjoir6PvsYH5t1-Cqqk-alsyY5FXaCaG7jfN6vDOA9eeoBPia5bN6KRpQZtC7iobC-8hZGElnoFyf-eMQ&_hsmi=355453618

I think you answered your own question. 😂

Streetsboro to review Chick-fil-A plans during Tuesday meeting Diane Smith Ravenna Record-Courier Streetsboro's Planning Commission will learn April 8 about what could be Portage County's first Chick-fil-A restaurant. The fast-food chicken restaurant is planned for 9250 Shady Lake Drive. The commission, which meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, will consider an "integrated development plan" for the site, a replat of the Shady Lake Subdivision, and site plans for the restaurant. https://www.record-courier.com/story/news/local/2025/04/03/streetsboro-to-review-chick-fil-a-plans-during-tuesday-meeting/82791209007/

Local history: Remember Quaker Square? Architect recalls debut 50 years ago Mark J. Price Akron Beacon Journal The lights are dim, the corridors are empty, the stores are gone. It’s hard to believe that this historic building is the same place that packed in crowds and generated excitement in the 1970s and 1980s. Quaker Square is a husk of its former self in downtown Akron. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2025/03/29/architect-ted-curtis-recalls-quaker-squares-debut-50-years-ago/82650422007/

I like his food. I don't know anything about him personally. The Akron location closed at the end of the year. I am told he was not active in that location.

Buckeye Residential plans move to South Sycamore Street site in Ravenna Diane Smith Ravenna Record-Courier A business that provides care for developmentally disabled adults will move into a former rubber factory once eyed for a mixed-use development. Buckeye Residential Solutions Inc. plans to move into the building at 228 S. Sycamore St., according to Dennis West, economic development director for Ravenna. https://www.record-courier.com/story/news/local/2025/03/25/buckeye-residential-plans-move-to-south-sycamore-street-site-in-ravenna/81961217007/

How privatizing student housing at the University of Akron may save tens of millions by Andrew Keiper March 20, 2025 The University of Akron is moving forward with plans to privatize its student housing, a strategy leaders believe will satisfy President R.J. Nemer’s push to pay down the institution’s hefty debt. The 40-year deal, which is expected to be finalized in December, will partner the university with Radnor Property Group and Capstone On-Campus Management. The private companies will take over maintenance of nine residential buildings. https://signalakron.org/how-privatizing-student-housing-at-the-university-of-akron-may-save-tens-of-millions/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8daZ_rOAUogpoYF-5doenp2mVmTW4gYyZleFxslzM2FJnk3ZiCjRxsDUxMafbTLUthl97e84kDuM1THk3mxWbFsZM8cg&_hsmi=352962150

Rubber City Heritage Trail will run through disinvested communities on Akron’s east side Phase two of the 6-mile trail is expected to be finished in 2026. by Reegan Davis Saunders March 12, 2025 Work is set to begin this spring on the second phase of the Rubber City Heritage Trail, a 6-mile, multi-use recreational trail that will utilize one of Akron’s abandoned railways. While the former rail line connected Akron’s rubber industry — tire companies such as B.F. Goodrich, Goodyear, General Tire and Firestone — the finished trail will connect some of Akron’s neighborhoods (Goodyear Heights, Middlebury, University of Akron, downtown Akron, Firestone Park, Summit Lake and Kenmore). https://signalakron.org/rubber-city-heritage-trail-will-run-through-disinvested-communities-on-akron-east-side/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9HYiXhbFI7ykwn7w8cmMZbTHWOpxO0IDE0h956jDCaoIpP84NJV1uDdHyXg8nFCaEQ1b-Jnxr4HKQCqIb1K13N1TeS9Q&_hsmi=351355812

Residents evacuated from troubled Akron apartment building still unable to return South Main Street building still unrepaired, tenants in limbo with few options for housing. by Doug Brown March 10, 2025 In the weeks since the residents of a dangerously derelict Akron apartment building were forced out with only what they could carry, displaced renters say they have received little support from the county that deemed their building unsafe or the city that forced them to leave until structural problems are fixed. The landlord, who they say has not returned rent money, has also not started repairing the building. “It has been a really expensive ordeal for us,” said tenant Raina Ward, 54, who donated plasma on Friday to get a $5 Burger King gift card and enough money to pay for another night of shelter. “Many of us paid our rent, and I had just literally gone to the grocery store. All that food has gone to waste and I’ve had to live in a hotel.” https://signalakron.org/residents-evacuated-from-troubled-akron-apartment-building-still-unable-to-return/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_F_Hg2owlWi089cYcjXj0w-j71ZVywpJ-8-FgQTXx33K73ZvGXo-SnJN_0YEDO413uFpbDGcl-lfpmARX_VTNeAa0Rlw&_hsmi=350899190 Akron’s Innerbelt project at risk of losing $10 million in federal funds U.S. Department of Transportation is reviewing grants that didn’t have an agreement in place before 2025. by Arielle Kass March 7, 2025 A $10 million federal grant to help redevelop a decommissioned portion of Akron’s Innerbelt is at risk of being recalled. The money, awarded in January from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, is meant to help the city implement its redevelopment ideas for the Innerbelt, which former Mayor Dan Horrigan said caused “lasting harm” to a once-vibrant Black community. https://signalakron.org/akrons-innerbelt-project-at-risk-of-losing-10-million-in-federal-funds/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9PvUC1fSGTTGQylOQfaDH3UElH-lzci6pjbREPYX7hm9CW7EX587NSiz9Hxcn86bHJiYXpWCrhX6YfRo4mFoqF_-1Shw&_hsmi=350899190

Cleveland’s Celebrezze, Medina’s Pease federal buildings among those GSA may sell Updated: Mar. 05, 2025, 11:01 a.m. |Published: Mar. 05, 2025, 9:02 a.m. WASHINGTON, D. C. - Cleveland’s Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building and Medina’s Donald J. Pease Federal Building are among 320 properties around the nation that the federal government identified Tuesday as potential candidates for disposal, deeming them not core to federal operations. The federal agency that manages government real estate, the General Services Agency (GSA), put seven Ohio facilities on a list of properties it might sell to save money that was posted on Tuesday. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/03/clevelands-celebrezze-medinas-pease-federal-buildings-among-those-gsa-may-sell.html?e=04b384150ba93fa19e5b286d3d9842f4&lctg=5ecf21bc9770376d17022543

Trump Administration Considers Sale of Youngstown Federal Building by Dan O'Brien Wednesday, March 5, 2025 YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Nathaniel R. Jones Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse – a prominent downtown structure that’s known for its standout architectural presence – has been placed on the federal government’s list for potential sale, along with six other buildings across Ohio. That means the government could potentially divest itself of the 43,547-square-foot building through an outright sale, lease-back option, ground lease or “other forms of public/private partnerships,” according to a statement released Tuesday by the General Services Administration’s Public Building Service. https://businessjournaldaily.com/trump-administration-considers-sale-of-youngstown-federal-building/

What's new in Streetsboro? Mayor reviews accomplishments, previews projects Diane Smith Ravenna Record-Courier The new city hall, the upcoming major road construction in 2026, and updates on commercial and industrial construction were just a few topics mentioned by Streetsboro Mayor Glenn Broska in his State of the City address. https://www.record-courier.com/story/news/local/2025/02/26/whats-new-in-streetsboro-mayor-notes-progress-projects-in-the-works-city-hall-road-construction/79341242007/

Education Akiva Academy Plans to Add a Middle School https://businessjournaldaily.com/membership-levels/

Warren OKs Deal with Developer for $150M ‘Transformational Project’ by George Nelson Friday, February 21, 2025 WARREN, Ohio – Public and private sector leaders predict a $150 million-plus mixed-use project will transform the city and the greater Mahoning Valley. The city of Warren announced in a news release Thursday afternoon that it had signed an agreement with Springboro-based Dillin Corp. to redevelop the area near downtown known as the Peninsula. The… https://businessjournaldaily.com/warren-oks-deal-with-developer-for-150m-transformational-project/

Capital budget approved by Akron City Council — highlights include trees, sidewalks, lead abatement Affordable housing, community centers, roads join sewer and water infrastructure on the list for 2025. by Reegan Davis Saunders February 10, 2025 Akron City Council gave the green light Monday to Mayor Shammas Malik’s $368 million capital budget for 2025, with members voting unanimously in its favor. Some of the highlights include residential and commercial demolition, tree planting and maintenance, sidewalk repair and plans to reduce the number of lead lines in Akron, said At-Large Council Member Jeff Fusco during Monday’s meeting. He added that this budget represents the end of ARPA funds, which had to be allocated by the end of 2024 and must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. https://signalakron.org/capital-budget-approved-by-akron-city-council-highlights-include-trees-sidewalks-lead-abatement/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_tUA5UeRCFW81iVMGiK11rF9qLU2whaCUwegVI5d6Ld60xGhsNL_I1CSlIc4FP985crGBVSgZ8emNbspKl8McsWzXWRw&_hsmi=346966604

Akron likely to increase spending toward affordable housing, home repair, demolitions Funding part of capital budget proposal set for approval Monday by City Council. by Arielle Kass February 9, 2025 Akron Mayor Shammas Malik wants to support new affordable housing in the city, help with minor home repairs and help fund needed demolitions, among other housing priorities in the capital budget City Council is due to vote on Monday. The budget proposal includes new programs, like one that would provide downpayment assistance to new homeowners in the city and another that would help some homes in Akron get solar panels, reducing energy bills. https://signalakron.org/akron-likely-to-increase-spending-toward-affordable-housing-home-repair-demolitions/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--NGfPLrwEex2VVUsXylTAuuQIWUbQQpXRldqWbghpR58jqjPTFtXlXLPY_gBBZToQAPzkyTM0lD1677gLAEd_OE2Xv-A&_hsmi=346472808

Building, Riverfront Projects Will Help Transform Downtown Niles by George Nelson Saturday, February 8, 2025 NILES, Ohio – The planned renovation of the former Niles Masonic Temple building and a riverfront revitalization project both will contribute to downtown revitalization efforts, the city’s mayor said. A final design should be completed by early summer on a riverfront project at the southern entryway to downtown, funded by $3.5 million from the state’s Appalachian Community Grant program, Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz said. https://businessjournaldaily.com/building-riverfront-projects-will-help-transform-downtown-niles/

Summit Lake Vision Plan Creating an equitable, accessible and welcoming park for everyone https://www.akronciviccommons.org/summit-lake-vision-plan

Developers Aim to Capitalize on Downtown Residential Demand by George NelsonWednesday, February 5, 2025 YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – In Youngstown, 72 new downtown apartments should be available to rent by spring 2026. The units will be in the former Mahoning Bank building, one of two downtown residential apartment projects being worked on by architect Annissa Neider. In Warren, a long-discussed plan to transform the former downtown YMCA building into residential space is advancing, with work expected to get underway by spring. https://businessjournaldaily.com/developers-aim-to-capitalize-on-downtown-residential-demand/

Junior Achievement Eyes Eastwood Mall for Educational Center by George NelsonMonday, February 3, 2025 NILES, Ohio – Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio plans to open an educational center and offices on the second floor of Eastwood Mall, its president said. Expected to open in spring 2026, the proposed JA BizTown/Finance Park center would provide educational resources for a population ranging from JA’s traditional school-age demographic to young adults, Michele Merkel said. The JA chapter serves Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, though the new center is expected to service students in a 60-mile radius. https://businessjournaldaily.com/junior-achievement-eyes-eastwood-mall-for-educational-center/

Akron's East End polishes up a storied Goodyear space with renovation of Mahogany Row Patrick Williams Akron Beacon Journal Oak, maple and walnut grace the former suites of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. executives in Akron, emanating rich hues as snow steadily accumulates outside on a winter afternoon. In this historic space at 1200 E. Market St., new windows and light fixtures complement older features in preparation for the arrival of a more-than-century-old law firm. Brass chandeliers hang from the ceiling of the former Goodyear board chairman's office. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/business/2025/02/03/east-ends-mahogany-row-getting-new-tenant-in-former-goodyear-space/78091614007/ 10 years into Akron's East End, what's happening inside the former Goodyear headquarters? Patrick Williams Akron Beacon Journal Multiple commercial and residential tenants have moved into the more-than-400-acre East End development, Goodyear's former headquarters, since the East End opened with the Hilton Garden Inn in 2014. The East End, developed by IRG, the same group that created Goodyear's current headquarters, honors the history of the rubber company's former campus via signage and preserving architectural features. Plans for more commercial spaces and apartments and the razing of old buildings proceed as development stakeholders praise the site and its ownership group's progress so far. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2025/02/03/akron-east-end-redevelopment-thriving-on-former-goodyear-hq-campus/77584326007/

Fresh caprese, pizza and wines make for casual dinner at Stow’s Cellar 59 | Local Flavor Kerry Clawson Akron Beacon Journal My husband and I were in the mood for a quiet, casual dinner and drink on a recent cold, snowy night. It turned out that Cellar 59 in Stow was just the right place. Vincenzo and Carrie Pezzaniti of Akron have owned the restaurant, wine bar and wine shop housed in a 19th century farmhouse since 2013. But Cellar 59 was a new discovery for Steve and me. https://www.record-courier.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/01/29/italian-food-near-me-cellar-59-stow-pizza-wine/77907336007/