Three of the five elevators in Akron’s Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center downtown will receive a $2.5 million modernization over the next year.

The building’s current elevators are “outdated and need frequent repairs,” according to city documents, and the renovation project will “update the elevators to current codes and standards and provide safe, reliable operation.”

The 60-year-old, nine-story downtown building on South High Street is about to undergo an extensive renovation estimated to cost $67 million.

After searching for 22 months for a new location for the Akron Police Department headquarters, Mayor Shammas Malik announced at the end of 2025 that the department would remain in the Stubbs building.

Akron City Council recently approved $2.5 million to modernize the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center’s elevators, which are “outdated and need frequent repairs,” according to city documents.
Akron City Council recently approved $2.5 million to modernize the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center’s elevators, which are “outdated and need frequent repairs,” according to city documents. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

Three of five elevators will get updates

The building has three elevators on the High Street side and two on the back, said Chris Ludle, Akron’s public service director. 

With the Akron Municipal Court having moved from the Stubbs Justice Center to the Oliver Ocasek Government Office Building at 172 S. Broadway St. in 2023, there is not enough public traffic to require three elevators in the front of the building.

The plan is to modernize two of the front elevators, Ludle said, to help move material through the building during subsequent phases of the renovation.

The mechanism of the third front elevator, including the doors, car, cables and hardware, will be removed. The resulting space will be used as a chase for communications and for chilled water to cool the building.

Only one of the two back elevators, which transports passengers from the basement to the roof, will be modernized.

Akron City Council recently approved $2.5 million to modernize the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center’s elevators, which are “outdated and need frequent repairs,” according to city documents.
Akron City Council recently approved $2.5 million to modernize the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center’s elevators, which are “outdated and need frequent repairs,” according to city documents. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

Ludle called the elevator modernization plans “way overdue” and said the service department is ready to seek bids on the project.

Akron City Council approved the ordinance at its May 4 meeting. The contract will be advertised for bids for three weeks, and the company with the lowest bid will be chosen.

Built in 1966, the building was renamed in 1991 for Harold K. Stubbs, a former Akron judge, Akron law director and City Council member. Stubbs died in 1989.

Contributing Reporter
An award-winning journalist with three decades of experience covering cities and schools, interviewing top executives of middle-market companies and bringing awareness to nonprofit organizations, Abby has always believed it is vital to share the stories of the Northeast Ohioans who make our community great. In addition to reporting for several local publications, she was managing editor of AkronLife magazine and associate editor of Smart Business. A lifelong resident of West Akron, she is a proud graduate of Firestone High School and Ohio University.