After months of preparation, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik’s administration introduced its proposal Monday for the over $368 million in the city’s coffers for use in 2025.
The proposed budget, which could undergo some changes based off City Council’s input, includes plans to update some community centers, demolish blighted structures, continue sewer and water infrastructure projects and launch the final stages of lead water line abatement.
Council is required by the Akron city charter to pass the budget by Feb. 15.
The budget is funded through local, regional, state, federal and private sources. Over half of the budget’s funding comes from the state — and over half of the budget is dedicated to water and sewer projects.
In a fresh twist on the usual process, members of Malik’s administration attended ward meetings in the fall to gather input from residents about what they’d like to see in the budget and has incorporated some of that feedback into the draft proposal.
City officials sat down with reporters from several news outlets Friday to provide a preview of the budget presented Monday to City Council members.
Fiscal responsibility a ‘key pillar’ of 2025 budget
As with last year, Malik emphasized fiscal responsibility as integral to the budget’s crafting.
In a foreword to the budget, Malik wrote that his administration kept new general operating debt under $12 million for the second year in a row.
There’s also over $38 million allocated to repay various debts.
American Rescue Plan Act money and general operating debt borrowing, he explained, have enabled Akron’s investment in large capital projects over the past few years.
“As ARPA funding ends,” said Malik, “the city’s path to long-term financial sustainability requires keeping debt spending in check.”
Housing
Long Range Planning Director Helen Tomic discusses Akron’s 2025 capital budget as planning director Kyle Julien looks on Friday at the Akron Municipal Building.
The budget includes $1.05 million in federal grant money to build 163 new affordable housing units and rehab 101 existing units at Collinson Apartments in East Akron.
There’s also $575,000 allocated for various infill housing projects which includes $220,000 for the Summit Lake neighborhood.
An additional $400,000 is earmarked for Rebuilding Together to provide minor home repair assistance to low-income seniors and disabled homeowners.
Planning Director Kyle Julien said the city is trying to develop new affordable housing in neighborhoods without income-restricted housing to “create mixed-income communities.”
The city cited the planned Wintergreen Ledges complex in West Akron as an example of a created mixed-income community.
Long Range Planning Director Helen Tomic said the city’s support of the planned 120-unit complex was contingent on 15 to 20 of the units being reserved for “homeless and formerly homeless individuals.”
“So that will help,” she said. “It’s a small step in the right direction.”
Community center renovations
Malik said in addition to finishing the new Patterson Park Community Center in North Hill and the renovations of Reservoir Park and its pool in West Hill, there’s money set aside to add game rooms to four other community centers.
$100,000 in remaining ARPA money has been earmarked for the project.
“We don’t have the locations yet,” he said, “but we’re looking forward to creating more spaces (where) our young people can have safe, fun experiences.”
Road resurfacing
Akron’s 2025 road resurfacing program has been allocated $5.75 million, funded by a combination of gasoline taxes, special assessments and a portion of of city income tax revenues earmarked for streets and safety.
Malik said this year’s program includes 34 miles of new resurfacing and 14 miles of carryover from last year.
“Resurfacing is always a huge priority,” he said, expressing confidence that the city can start immediately on the carryover work and “hopefully” finish the entire 2025 project.
Demolition
The budget includes $10.5 million for the demolition of Rankin Elementary School, Morley Health Center, Firestone Plant #1, Goodrich Middle School and “miscellaneous residential properties.”
“We were, like every county around the state, able to receive state funding several months ago,” said Malik. We have a deadline, but we have a number of buildings that have been waiting for this funding that really are neighborhood blighting institutions.”
Goodrich Middle School’s demolition didn’t receive state funding, but it’s been so concerning to residents, Malik said, that the administration decided to allocate money to its destruction.
Water and sewer projects
Akron Service Director Chris Ludle discusses aspects of the 2025 capital budget Friday at the Akron Municipal Building.
The budget allocates $4.5 million to federally mandated cleaning and inspection of every inch of Akron’s sewer system, which is required, said service director Chris Ludle, every 5 years.
The Northside Interceptor Tunnel project has $78.25 million earmarked for contining work. Just over $8 million is budgeted for the closeout costs for the Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel and remaining carryover work.
Over $8.7 million is allocated to complete the removal of lead water-service lines in Akron, a project that’s been underway for decades.
“We have everything under contract,” said Ludle; “that money’s allotted, and by the end of the year, the city of Akron will be lead free. No residential property or commercial property will be fed with a lead line.”
Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron unveils 2025 capital budget, plans to boost streets and housing