Correction:
The former Clinton D. Barrett Elementary School is located in the East Akron neighborhood.
The Summit County Land Bank has been awarded more than $2.7 million for four local redevelopment projects, including two in Akron.
The money, which was reallocated from other local projects the Ohio Department of Development had already funded, will go toward demolition and revitalization, to help remove barriers to redevelopment.
“It means we’re able to keep the money in Summit County, to support Summit County projects,” said Patrick Bravo, the land bank’s executive director. “I’m just glad we get to keep the money here.”
The largest portion, $1.4 million, will go toward the CitiCenter project, which began last week. Developer Welty Enterprises plans to turn the former Young Women’s Christian Association building, and one-time city offices, into about 115 apartments.
Welty leaders said previously that the financing for the project had taken a long time to come together, and the money would help with the internal demolition needed to move the project forward.
The other Akron project, which will receive $1.2 million, is the demolition and redevelopment of the former Clinton D. Barrett Elementary School, which closed in 2012. The building on Jonathan Avenue in East Akron used to house alternative education programs for Akron Public Schools, Bravo said.
Debra Foulk, the executive director of business affairs for Akron Public Schools, declined to comment on the school district’s plans for the building.
The two other projects to receive funding are the demolition of an old school in the Village of Clinton, which will receive $241,692, and a Tallmadge demolition project, which will receive $11,355. Further details of those projects were not available.
The money is earmarked for the demolition of blighted, vacant or abandoned buildings in areas that are not considered brownfields, or previously developed areas that have been contaminated or are perceived to be contaminated. It’s meant to help prepare properties for future redevelopment. Bravo said he did not know what previously awarded projects had underspent their allocations to allow for the additional awards.
In a statement, Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise — who is the board chair of the Summit County Land Bank — said the reallocated dollars help the organization accomplish more with money that’s already been awarded in Summit County.
Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro said in the statement that addressing issues at former schools and other sites that are closely connected to communities can “strengthen surrounding neighborhoods, encourage private investment, and open the door to new uses that better serve residents.”
“We don’t want to have under-utilized funds,” Bravo said. He added that redistributing the money would keep the county from having to return it, unused.
Education Reporter Carissa Woytach contributed to this story.
