Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Ward 10 meeting from June 16, 2026, compiled by Akron Documenter Jessica Rice. It is not a reported story.
Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
Summary:
- The meeting centered around the many challenges with the housing market in the Akron including neighborhood like Middlebury. Presentations were given by the Well CDC, Unify Akron and the director of planning for the City of Akron to share various ongoing programs to address housing needs.
- Work is progressing on the construction of the new reservoir in Reservoir Park in Goodyear Heights.
- Ward 10 Council Member shared a list of summer activities and events including the third annual Middlebury Neighborhood Picnic on Aug. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 207 Jewett St.
Follow-up questions:
- How can more information on fixing the housing challenges in the city be distributed to everyone? Could the city mail notices?
Ward 10 meeting notes
The meeting was held in the community room at the Goodyear Branch Library and began at 6 p.m. It lasted for approximately 80 minutes and included multiple speakers. A printed agenda was available, and 16 people were in attendance.
Ward 10 Council Member Sharon Connor began the meeting by asking everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Akron housing market challenges discussed
Zac Kohl, founder and executive director of The Well Community Development Corp., spoke about their efforts in the Middlebury neighborhood. The group was founded in 2016, and has a mission to rehabilitate and rebuild the neighborhood. They have rehabilitated 118 homes and developed floor plans to build three- and four-bedroom homes in the near future. These properties are available for rent or purchase.
The Well CDC has received the Welcome Home Ohio Grant, which provides funds to organizations looking to increase the housing stock in their communities. They plan to build nine homes in the Roselawn Avenue area across from Mason Community Learning Center with the grant money.
Some of the opportunities offered by The Well are:
- Akron Food Works — Akron’s first shared-use commercial kitchen available for food entrepreneurs to rent by the hour.
- A food hall similar to a mall food court will be coming in 2027 to 816 E. Market St. The hall will be called Factory 816.
- The Middlebury Block Challenge encourages Middlebury residents to collaborate on a project that will help deepen their connection to one another and to the neighborhood. Participants can apply for funding for up to $1,000 to complete their project.
- The Community Tool Library educates and equips individuals with the skills and resources they need to maintain their homes and tackle improvement projects. They have over 500 tools, and membership is available to all residents of Summit County.
City programs designed to ease housing barriers
City Planning Director Kyle Julien passed out flyers asking for feedback on potential changes to Akron’s zoning codes. The changes could include:
- Eliminating minimum lot sizes so that they can build multi-family homes again. The minimum size requirement to build a home on a lot is 4,000 square feet. Many of the empty lots in the city do not currently meet this requirement.
- Increasing flexibility for duplexes, triplexes and accessory dwelling units
- Making it easier to reinvest in older residential buildings that no longer fit the zoning district.
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Residents deliver housing solutions to city leaders
Christel King, who was a facilitator with the Unify Akron program, spoke about her experience and encouraged others to get involved. This program is a civic assembly, where randomly selected residents work together to create real policy recommendations. Participants met weekly from March through May and received a $1,000 stipend. Participants learned about housing in Akron from many perspectives and help to shape housing recommendations that will be shared with city leaders and the public.
Goodyear Heights reservoir work continues
Bill Marchand, senior engineer with the City of Akron’s Water Supply provided an update on the progress of the construction to replace the reservoir. The reservoir is a 112-year-old underground 20 million‑gallon water structure located at Reservoir Park in the Goodyear Heights neighborhood.
He provided pictures of the site showing the new pipe and the placement of rebar in the ground to support it. They are putting in a 36-inch pipe that will run from the park to a connection under Brittain Road. The project has had many delays due to rain, but they hope to have the new pipe installed by June 19.
Next, they will do a pressure test of the pipe and then cover it with concrete to protect it. In roughly two weeks, they will be working on increasing the size of the drain line to the storm sewers under Brittain Road. The plan is to reduce the road to one lane of traffic for a few blocks north of Brittain Road. He said it could be completely closed at times and that the construction is expected to take approximately six weeks.’
Ward 10 announcements and upcoming events
Connor ended the meeting with the following announcements:
- Reservoir Park Pool is now open to the public six days a week from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. To gain admission to the pool, you must register on the Akron Rec Desk website. She said she is working with the city to add timeslots for Adult Swim and the Disabled.
- Night Out Against Crime — The city will host its 43rd Night Out Against Crime on Aug. 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Northwest Family Recreation Center on Shatto Avenue. This event is a community-building campaign that aims to strengthen police and community relations.
- Historic Heights 5k — This is a 5K run or 1-mile walk to celebrate the community and history of Goodyear Heights. The course will take participants through significant historical locations and offer a unique opportunity to connect with the past. It will be held on Sept. 5 at 1307 E. Market St., beginning at 7 a.m.
- Concrete street repair — Street repairs will be made to Bower Boulevard, Hillside Terrace and Goodyear Boulevard in July
Food Truck Festival returns for fourth year
- Fun Fridays at the Reservoir Park Community Center where parents and caregivers can do an activity with their children will be held weekly over the summer. You must register with the Akron Rec Desk to participate.
- The third annual Middlebury Neighborhood Picnic will be held Aug. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 207 Jewett St.
- The fourth annual Food Truck Festival will be held July 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 745 Upson St.
- LINKS Community and Family Service will be providing access to its food pantry every first and third Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 756 Upson St.. Other programs include the summer day camp for kids ages 5-12 June 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jewett Park and the Family Skating Fundraiser on July 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Springfield Lake Roller Rink at 1220 Main St.. Visit the website for more exciting community programs and events.
- Shine Up Your Block — Residents can apply to have their block selected for a one-day project where volunteers help with yard cleanup, trash removal and light beautification of the neighborhood. Visit the Goodyear CDC website to apply.
The meeting ended at 7:17 p.m.
