Akron City Council members and city staff gathered Sept. 30 for a check-in on the $365 million Akron capital projects budget that members approved in February. Helen Tomic, manager of the city’s long-range planning division, along with other city officials shared project highlights, including plans for roads, parks and the airport. “We’re going to review the capital budget,” At-Large Council Member Jeff Fusco said as he began the hour-long meeting. “Just an update on where we’re at with projects for the year.”A majority of the budget, the first of Mayor Shammas Malik’s administration, goes toward water and sewer infrastructure improvements. Signal Akron reporter Doug Brown broke down the proposed budget in January.“Water and sewer is an enormous part of the capital budget every year, both as a result of the consent decree but also because of the significant investments into the water system,” Malik said in January.The city is under a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that requires it to massively and expensively overhaul the sewer system that regularly flooded the Cuyahoga River with untreated sewage and wastewater. Tomic covered key projects from several areas. To read the full budget, go here. Watch the full meeting here.Jump to different sections here:AKRON WATERWAYS RENEWED PROJECTS | COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT | HOUSING & COMMUNITY SERVICES | MISCELLANEOUS | NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS | PARKS & RECREATION | PUBLIC FACILITIES | PUBLIC SAFETY | SMALL BUSINESS | TRANSPORTATION Akron Waterways Renewed (AWR) ProjectsNorthside Interceptor TunnelConstruction is underway and will be completed in 2027Spent $37 million in 2024Riverside Sewer SeparationConstruction is underway and will be completed this fallSpent $2 million in 2024Brittain Road Pump Station #2 reconstructionDesign scope is developed and construction will start this monthWater Reclamation FacilityAnnual plant and pump station renewalMiscellaneous improvements have started, including phosphorus reduction, HVAC, roofs, mechanical and electrical, and process control upgradesRETURN TO TOPCommercial/Industrial DevelopmentInnerbelt MasterplanSasaki contract is in place and they are working on the development of the masterplanHousing and Community ServicesMost programs are funded primarily through several federal grants and programs. Council passed an annual action plan in July.Affordable housingBudget: $1.4 millionContracted with Collinson Apartments for the renovation of buildings. City is investing $600,000 in a $20 million project. Wintergreen Ledges is also under construction for 120 affordable housing units Habitat for HumanityApproached council for the construction of 16 single-family homes at Silver Maple Ridge off of Evans Avenue.Cost: $400,000Homeless shelters$567,000 for support of shelters in the cityMinor Home Repair ProgramContract with Rebuilding Together for $400,000 per year to repair homes for low-income, elderly and handicapped homeowners. Repairs must be under $5,000.Community gardensContract with Let’s Grow Akron for $75,000 to manage and support community gardens throughout the cityFair HousingAnnual contract with the Fair Housing Contact Service to further fair housing activities, including housing discrimination complaint processing and public educationCost: $80,000 Neighborhood Revitalization and Sustainability ProgramBudget: $6 million to implement the ARPA housing repair programPartnering with Summit County (vetting and beginning construction), Nazareth (20 houses), and Habitat for Humanity (20 houses) Also completes city LEAD programTiny HomesBudget: $150,000Strategic plan in process and to be completed next yearRETURN TO TOPMiscellaneousReservoir Park water towerThe city is working with a consultant and looking at a preliminary design of what that tower could look like after it’s no longer in use.Cost: $50,000Tree removal and tree trimmingOn track to spend $275,000 allocated for both tree removal and trimmingNeighborhood Business Districts/Great StreetsSpent $385,000 this year matching facade grants, loans and other assistance to support businesses in the13 designated Great Streets areas.Spent $150,000 for public improvements to Great StreetsRETURN TO TOPParks and RecreationAkron Parks ChallengePrentiss Park and Sherbondy Park awarded grants in 2024, construction will begin next yearMorgan Park and Boss Park completedLions/Hyre Park will be complete in spring 2025Balch Street Fitness CenterBudget: $354,000HVAC work in progress, to be completed by the end of the yearEd Davis Community CenterEstimated cost: $12.1 million, funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)New playground and parking lot complete; the rest will be completed in NovemberElizabeth Park splash padCost: $300,000Status: Contract has been awarded but work will not begin until spring 2025Heintz Hillcrest Park Walking Trail Phase 2Cost: $50,000Status: CompleteKaBOOM! PlaygroundsBudget: $450,000No projects selected in 2024, but moving forward with a new playground at Summit Lake Community Center in spring 2025Miscellaneous community center projectsBudgeted $300,000Restroom upgrades at Northwest Family Recreation Center and Summit Lake Community Center. Firestone Park flooring and interior lighting were upgraded, as were the Kenmore Senior Center HVAC controls.Miscellaneous park projectsBudget: $300,000Restroom upgrades at Erie Island and Patterson sports facilities. Playground equipment at Davenport Park, Chestnut Ridge, Hardesty Park and Adams Park was upgraded. Also added a new sidewalk at Prentiss Park and Boss Park.Park exterior lighting upgradesBudget: $70,000Replaced lights at Joy Park, Firestone Park, Heintz-Hillcrest, Hyre Park and Lisa Ann ParkPatterson Park Community CenterARPA funding of $10.6 millionScheduled to re-open in February or March 2025Reservoir pool rehabARPA funding of $6.9 millionConstruction is underway, and the pool is scheduled to re-open summer 2025Reservoir Park Community CenterARPA funding of $4.7 millionConstruction is underway and is scheduled to open in summer 2025Rubber City Heritage Trail Phase 13rd Avenue to Exchange StreetCost: $2.3 millionStatus: CompleteRETURN TO TOPPublic FacilitiesBF Goodrich Power Plant demolitionBudget: $3 millionStatus: CompleteCascade parking deckReceived $5 million from the state for concrete and structural repairs, which must be completed by June 2026Looking to match the grant with local fundsCascade Parking deck elevatorsProject began in March and is ongoing, to be completed in spring 2025$151,220 spent Fire Station #12 replacementScheduled to be completed before the end of this year$10 million spent Municipal Service Center training and locker room upgradesRestroom upgrades performed in-house$60,000 spent Phase 2 will be completed in 2025Salt Storage rehabBudget: $520,000Constructing a new dome at the Ira/Kenmore facilityRETURN TO TOPPublic SafetyAkron Fire DepartmentOrdered replacement for Fire Engine 13Cost: $825,000 plus $50,000 to outfit the truck with required equipmentDelivery date of summer 2025Fire Facility Improvement ProgramBudget: $400,000Improvements include multiple station garage door replacements, new asphalt parking lots at the maintenance facility and Station 14, new flooring at Stations 5, 6 and 7, Station 13 kitchen/living area replacement, and more. Fire Structural Turnout Gear replacementBudget: $325,000This is an annual program to provide for the replacement of structural fire protective clothing equipment. Each firefighter has two sets of fire gear. A set of gear is good for 10 years. Akron Police DepartmentEquipment Replacement Program:The department combined its 2023 and2024 budgets;12 of 24 new cruisers are in service, and two more are in progressExpected completion is November Spent $1.5 million Police Academy and trainingGraduated 44 new officers Recruiting for other positions begins this month, and the next Basic Academy is in early 2025 Spent $442,763 on training and equipmentPolice gear and equipment replacement$100,000 spent on body armor, helmets and ballistic platesItems ordered will be delivered later this yearStubbs workplace improvements/gym relocationCost: $220,000Records room moved in JulyThe gym has reopenedRETURN TO TOPSmall Business Support Bounce Innovation Hub expansionCost: $2.5 millionImprovements include adding a maker space, co-working space, cafe, classrooms and mentoring services within the former BF Goodrich plantMoney will be spent by year’s endPolymer Cluster supportCost: $150,000 is Akron’s match to a state grantNo money spent this yearUniversity of Akron redevelopment of the Polsky BuildingCost: $250,000Pushed to 2025RETURN TO TOPTransportationArterial/collector streetsEast Exchange StreetProject cost: $10.8 millionStatus: 65% completeEstimated completion date: Summer 2025Mull Avenue improvements, Phase 1Project cost: $4.5 millionStatus: completeNorth Main Street projectWill come before council in 2025Status: Design is 90% completeApplied for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) fundingSouth Main Street Phase 3Concrete replacement on South Main from Cedar to BartgesStatus: Design is 50% completeApplying for funding including OPWCRiverview Road resurfacingProject cost: $2 millionStatus: CompleteBridgesBowery Street bridge over Ohio CanalProject bid: $9 millionStatus: Construction to begin this monthGoodyear Boulevard bridge replacementProject cost: Roughly $3.4 millionStatus: CompleteKent Street bridge deck replacementStatus: Design 90% complete, construction to begin in 2025Residential streetsBelleau Wood Drive improvementsReplaces deteriorated concrete pavement with asphalt and adds concrete curb and gutter.Cost: Looking for funding sourcesStatus: Design is 95% complete, construction to start in 2025Traffic calming devices30 temporary speed tables are installed across the city40 solar signs are installed1 permanent speed hump pilot (on Maple Street)Resurfacing program$3.9 million spent 2024 program roads to be complete this year, weather permittingEast Market Street resurfacingProject cost: $4 millionStatus: 75% complete, may spill into 2025Concrete Street Repair Program$1.3 million budgetedStatus: 25% complete, including Patterson Avenue, Thornton Street, Inman Street, Cole Avenue, Brown Street and Allendale. Will extend into 2025Sidewalk programSpent $835,000 to date helping 233 property owners repair sidewalks. Current backlog is 183 property owners. The department is still working on sidewalk requests from 2023.Portage Trail extensionBeen in the budget for a few yearsStatus: Design is complete, construction will begin in spring 2025Safe Routes to SchoolUpdated school travel plan this year and submitted funding requestsAwarded $375,000 from Safe Routes to School and $125,000 from the Highway Safety Improvement ProgramLooking for next project locationRETURN TO TOPThe post Roads, housing, and public safety featured during Akron capital projects update appeared first on Signal Akron.