2025 capital budget approved by Akron City Council

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. 

The budget, which is funded by state (65%), federal (10%), local (23%), regional (1%) and private (1%) sources, outlines how the city will fund a number of long-term projects.

At the end of January, a federal order froze grants and loans that local government relies on. The order was rescinded, but Fusco said that the city is watching the federal funding situation carefully.

“Of course, we’re all kind of on edge, if you will,” Fusco said. “Those are expenditures that goes primarily toward the housing piece and supplying funds for some of our nonprofit organizations that help out those that are houseless.”

 While many of the items are routine, like road repairs or water and sewer infrastructure, there are also new initiatives — like the gaming/e-sport rooms planned for four community centers. 

The approved budget remains largely unchanged from the one proposed in early January, with the exception of a few funding source adjustments. Additionally, the money earmarked for new pickleball courts at Firestone Park will now be used for broader improvements to the park instead. 

Akron budget focuses on city infrastructure

More than half the budget addresses water ($74.9 million) and sewer ($144.1 million) projects. The city set aside $144.1 million for sewer improvements, including $78.3 million for the Northside Interceptor Tunnel and $15.5 million for the final part of the Enhanced High Rate Treatment System. This is the last project of the 2009 federal consent decree that required the city to overhaul its sewer system, most of which was more than 50 years old, with some sections more than 85 years old.. 

On the water side, the city will spend $8.75 million on the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which will replace the remaining 1,700 active lead service lines in Akron. Completion is projected for the end of 2025.

Affordable housing also remains a priority for Akron, as reflected in several housing-focused items in the budget. The city plans to build 163 new, affordable housing units and rehabilitate 101 existing affordable units. 

The city will also spend $350,000 to fill vacant lots (referred to as infill projects) in the Summit Lake neighborhood and $220,000 for miscellaneous affordable housing projects.

Here are some additional key items in the 2025 capital budget: 

Transportation ($49,551,680)

• Improvements to North Main Street, which will begin in 2025, will cost $8.5 million. The project includes resurfacing the existing pavement and repairing the subbase, which is the layer below the pavement. The construction will also include implementing a road diet — reducing the number of lanes through striping — and bringing curbs and ramps up to current ADA standards.
• $500,000 for speed reduction projects such as speed tables, curb extensions and radar signage. 
• $5.75 million for the city’s annual road resurfacing program, which includes 34 new miles and 14 carryover miles from 2024. 

Parks and recreation ($13,511,450)

• $100,000 for gaming/e-sport rooms at four (yet-to-be-decided) community centers. 
• HVAC replacement at Firestone Park ($216,000) and Joy Park ($102,000) community centers. 
• Improvements at Firestone Park Community Center ($75,000). 

Public facilities ($10,546,000) 

• $1 million in improvements for the Canal Park Stadium restrooms on the concourse level. 
• $2 million for the Cascade Parking Deck rehabilitation and $1.5 million for completing the elevator renovations.  
• $250,000 for the city’s new parking deck maintenance program, which will remediate safety concerns.
• Additional parking deck improvements: The CitiCenter deck entrance ($150,000) and the High/Market parking deck ($100,000).

Miscellaneous ($52,389,932)

• $3.6 million to replace police, fire and service vehicles that have reached the end of their lives, including upfitting 23 trucks with snow and ice equipment. 
• $330,000 for the initial payment on a mobile communication center, a vehicle that would be used as a hub for police and fire officials during emergency situations and community events. The total cost will be $650,000. 
• $250,000 for improvements to the Stubbs Justice Center. 
• $750,000 for the replacement of trees in Akron, $400,000 for removal of dead or dying trees and $600,000 for trimming. 

Housing and community services ($9,630,752)

• $2,462,500 for the first year of the city’s lead-based paint program. The program will address a minimum of 250 homes in Akron with lead-based paint. 
• $568,000 to support homeless shelters. 
• $400,000 for minor home repairs for low-income, older adult and disabled homeowners. 
• $400,000 for the demolition of vacant, abandoned or deteriorated property. 

Economic and job development ($17,343,415)

• $10.5 million for demolition projects including Firestone Plant 1, Rankin Elementary and Goodrich Middle School, as well as miscellaneous residential demolitions. 
• $50,000 to support the Downtown Akron Community Development Corp. 
• $500,000 to support the rest of the city’s community development corporations.