May 10 Akron Vacant Building meeting
Covered by Documenter Brittany Nader (see her notes here)
In two unanimous votes, the five-member Akron Vacant Buildings board listed one Akron building for demolition and spared another during its April 10 meeting.
Demolition plans were approved for a former bar and grill in Sherbondy Hill at 558 Vernon Odom Blvd. In the other case, the board spared a 1,460-square-foot commercial building south of the University of Akron.
The two-story brick building in Sherbondy Hill is located at the corner of Vernon Odom Boulevard and Mallison Avenue about two blocks from the Vernon Odom Branch Library. The building previously housed The Rubber City Jukebox bar and grill and the Hi-De-Ho Lounge.
City officials said the former property owner, William A. Perkins Jr., died in 2016; in 2020, the property was subject to foreclosure. The following year, the Summit County Fiscal Office sent a sheriff’s sale notice to Perkins’ heirs.
Officials said that neither owners nor representatives speaking on behalf of the property have attended board meetings or have been in communication with the board to speak on behalf of the property.
The Vacant Buildings Board granted an extension until April 10 for the property owners to remove all garbage, rubbish and refuse, keep the property free of refuse, keep the structure secure, make significant progress on the electrical wiring, and start work on the plumbing.
An April 9 inspection revealed that the wiring work had begun and that plaster was being removed. Construction and plumbing work had not begun, though, and overflowing dumpsters and trash were found in the backyard.
Small building near University of Akron won’t be demolished
The board gave owners of a commercial building at 259 Cross St. a reprieve after seeing evidence of restoration and upkeep.
The one-story structure is located a few blocks south of the University of Akron near off-campus houses and around the corner from businesses such as The Thirsty Dog Brewing Company. It sits just east of downtown Akron.
An April 9 inspection showed that new block walls had been installed, along with a roof that had been removed. Remaining repairs include installing a roof and shingles, installing doors, and painting over graffiti and peeling paint.
Shawn Hornbeck from TRH Construction spoke to the board. He said trusses will soon be up and an electrical contractor is scheduled to restore electricity to the building. He said there is currently no fire hazard.