With the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center in apparent shambles, the City of Akron will decide in the coming months whether to rehabilitate the existing Akron Police Department headquarters or move the department elsewhere. 

In February, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik’s office solicited requests for proposals on potential sites to build or renovate into the next police department headquarters.

This week, Malik’s office released a list of the 23 potential locations –  including eight owned by private companies, nine owned by the University of Akron, and six owned by the City of Akron – that were under consideration.

Harold K. Stubbs justice center
The 58-year-old Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center may no longer be home to the Akron Police Department, depending on what the city decides about 10 proposed sites, including the justice center, that may be the next headquarters. Credit: (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)

Ten sites made the cut for further evaluation, including privately owned sites identified through the city’s request for proposals. The Stubbs Justice Center remains a possibility. According to the RFP, the city is prioritizing size, location (close to downtown), accessibility, community impact and cost. 

During his “State of the City” address last week, Malik said the city will be partnering with an architectural firm to figure out the best option, whether it’s to rehab the existing building, rehab a different building, or build new. He said he will make a decision on the future site in June.

The 10 finalists

Bellows Street site
Owner: ASIK Properties, LLC and SAF, Inc.
Location: Bellows and South Crosier streets

South Main and South Broadway streets at East Thornton Street
Owner: Rubber City Arches
Location: A vacant lot south of East Thornton Street, between South Main and Broadway streets
Note: Rubber City Arches operates 24 McDonald’s restaurants in Northeast Ohio. 

Former Beacon Journal building site
Owner: ABJ Building LLC
Location: 44 E. Exchange St.

80 West Bowery
Owner: Akron Children’s
Location: 80 West Bowery Street

Former St. Thomas Hospital site
Owner: Summa Health
Location: 444 N. Main St.

Former Grant Street Hi-Rise (now demolished)
Owner: University of Akron
Location: 353 Grant St.

The Akron STEM High School, which used to be Central Hower High School, is under consideration to be the next Akron Police Department Headquarters. Credit: (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

Central Hower Community School
Owner: University of Akron
Location: 145 S. College St.
Note: This is the current location of Akron STEM High School and the former Central Hower High School building.

Former Wonder Bread Building site (now demolished)
Owner: University of Akron
Location: 178 Forge St.

Former Morley Health Center
Owner: City of Akron
Location: 177 S. Broadway St.

Stubbs/County Bldg (Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center)
Owner: City of Akron / Summit County
Location: 217 S. High St.

Government Reporter (he/him)
Doug Brown covers all things connected to the government in the city. He strives to hold elected officials and other powerful figures accountable to the community through easily digestible stories about complex issues. Prior to joining Signal Akron, Doug was a communications staffer at the ACLU of Oregon, news reporter for the Portland Mercury, staff writer for Cleveland Scene, and writer for Deadspin.com, among other roles. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hiram College and a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University.