Up next for 112-year-old Akron reservoir? With demolition done, crews start on base

Notes 

Ward 10 City Council Member Sharon Connor called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

Connor led with the Pledge of Allegiance. She then introduced several guests to speak on various city initiatives.

Crews start to rebuild demolished Goodyear Heights reservoir

Bill Marchand, Akron’s senior engineer, explained that the 112-year-old water reservoir in Goodyear Heights was slated last year to be demolished and replaced.

• The existing reservoir has been demolished, and crews are now bringing in dirt for the sub-base of the replacement reservoir.
• Hundreds of trucks are involved in the process, where crews pour 8 inches of dirt in at a time and compact it. Since water content has been high this week due to rainfall, it has taken longer than anticipated.
• Marchand said it will take four to six weeks to bring in dirt to build up the base. The site is lightly sloped for drainage.
• Akron has two locations where water is stored. This new reservoir is lower than the previous one and will be slightly smaller (12.5 million vs. 20 million gallons), but it will hold more gallons because it will be constructed at a higher elevation.

70 second-grade students visit the site on a field trip

• Marchand said the south side of the construction site was safe for visitors, so they brought in 70 second-grade students from Seiberling CLC across the street to view the work for a field trip.
• Cones and a trail were set up to guide students, and the contractors built a viewing platform so the kids could observe the construction.
• Connor said Seiberling students are writing journals about their observations.
• Marchand said, “One little girl asked, ‘Can you work in construction if you wear glasses?’” He said, “Yes.” They’ll even provide safety glasses.
• The plan is to match the design of the new reservoir to that of Seiberling CLC.
• The structure will be approximately two-thirds underground and one-third above ground, with a domed roof and an appearance similar to a building. Connor said she will bring pictures to the next Ward 10 meeting.
• In response to a question about materials, the new structure will also be concrete but constructed differently and will extend higher than the old one.

Residents ask questions about the reservoir project

• There were a few questions for Marchand from attendees about the new reservoir:
  • What is the dirt source?
    Marchand said it likely comes from Bartley Trucking LLC. Soil must be inspected to meet specifications.
  • Will there be a pond at the site?
    There will be a roof on the tank. It will be a water tank, not a pond. The old reservoir was considered a “dam” because it was underground.
  • Will there be columns like the old reservoir?
    The new structure will not have columns. Marchand said water levels rise and fall, and freezing can damage ceiling and wall materials, so an open-sided design is better for maintenance.
  • Do materials enter drinking water with those older columns?
    They can, but Marchand said Akron’s water is treated and safe to drink. He noted, however, that long-term sanitation systems could degrade due to weather and other factors, which is another reason why the reservoir should be replaced.
  • Is the project on schedule?
    “Mostly,” Marchand said, though the weather is becoming a factor. A schedule was issued this week, and the outlook is less optimistic due to rain affecting dirt compaction.

Project ACORN to reforest areas of Akron

Leah Heiser, the city’s certified arborist and landscape technician, spoke about Project ACORN, a federally funded $1 million grant program Akron partnered with Davey Tree to launch.

• It is an eight-week paid urban-forestry workforce development and city reforestation program.
• Davey Tree provides the classroom training and Heiser and the Project ACORN team lead the field application.
• Their focus is on planting trees on private property and is limited to five Akron neighborhoods with low canopy densities: East Akron, Middlebury, Sherbondy Hill, South Akron and Summit Lake.
• The goal is to teach, train and reforest areas of Akron where canopy is needed.
• Interested residents in these neighborhoods can request a site visit to determine what will grow best on their property. The program has fruit trees, understory flowering trees and upper-canopy trees available.
• Residents must contact their utility company before planting.

Residents are not limited to one tree

• The average cost of the trees the city has planted is $130 per tree, with varieties like redbuds priced around $275.
• There is no cost for the trees or labor and residents are not limited to one tree.
• Planting depends on site conditions and resident interest, and it occurs in spring and fall, with two more cohorts planned in the future (150 trees per cohort).
• Heiser’s team includes six staff members, and their current inventory includes fruit trees, buckeyes, dogwoods and a few others.
• Interested residents in the qualifying neighborhoods can call 330-217-2868 or fill out this form to request trees.
• A member of the public asked Heiser about neglected and fallen trees on private property.
  • Connor said the city cannot enforce maintenance and suggested contacting Heart 4 the City, which has a program that helps maintain trees on private property, especially for seniors.
• Another individual asked a question about Project ACORN trees encroaching on neighboring properties.
  • Heiser emphasized long-term planning and assessing location in the initial site visits. “Right tree, right place,” she said.

Residents raise concerns about aging trees, sidewalk damage

• Other meeting attendees asked about trees in city devil strips, aging trees, roots causing sidewalk damage and what the city plans to do with trees that have been cut down.
  • Heiser said residents cannot choose the trees that are in city tree lawns, as those are council approved.
  • The head city arborist selects street trees based on structure, pruning and other factors.
  • As for aging trees, Heiser and Connor both said that all trees carry some inherent risk, but a larger tree canopy improves property values and energy efficiency, with the benefits outweighing potential risks.
  • Connor said Ward 10 residents often complain about roots damaging sidewalks. She said she tells them that trees in front of their property can be removed, but residents often choose to keep them.
  • If large, older trees are replaced, they will not be replaced with the same kind of tree. For instance, large oak trees that line St. Leger Avenue in Goodyear Heights would be replaced with shorter, smaller trees due to sidewalk damage concerns.
  • Heiser said the city tracks the age of neighborhood trees, and there are programs in place that support proactive urban canopy management.

Home Weatherization Assistance Program available to seniors

Next, presentations were given about a no-cost, federally funded grant program to help seniors, along with the free, eight-week program designed to educate community members about the Akron Police Department’s operations.

• Home assessments are available as part of the Aging in Place/Older Adult Modifications program.
• This includes ADA-compliant upgrades (e.g., toilet height, walk-in showers).
• Eligibility: age 62+; one application covers multiple programs.
• Lead Abatement Program: Eligible if grandchildren stay in the home.
• Covers 30+ homes; removes or encapsulates lead paint.
• Asbestos: not covered; Connor suggested calling 311.
• Discussion included air quality concerns and water tank options to reduce costs.

Citizens’ Academy began in April

• Ward 10 Community Resource Officer Karlton Starks said the APD’s eight-week Citizens’ Academy started this month, and bicycle training will start soon.

Old business

• Tactical training site at Eastwood: The proposal has been returned to the Walker family, who owns the property, and there has been no movement yet.
• Middlebury Run Park:
  • Near the Rubber City Heritage Trail.
  • Applied for Akron Parks Challenge (not selected).
  • Summit County Public Health funding improvements (cement, picnic tables, benches, trash cans).
  • Maintenance concerns remain, as it is unclear who will service trash.
• Traffic calming:
  • Solar radar signs coming to Goodyear Heights at the following locations:
    • Eastland (between Brittain and Nutwood Roads)
    • Sparhawk (between Caddo and Brittain Roads)
    • There are speed tables currently planned, but they may be considered later.

New business

• The May 19 Ward 10 meeting will only be held once at 12:30 p.m. due to the State of the City address at the Akron Civic Theatre the same night at 6:30.
  • Connor encouraged residents to get a free ticket and attend.

Interviews held for at-large appointment

• 17 applicants will be interviewed on April 22.
  • Includes former and new candidates.
  • A five-member screening committee will recommend one candidate.
  • Council has 30 days to fill the position. Otherwise, the mayor will appoint someone.

East CLC Food Pantry continues through May

• Community members can get free groceries on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at 80 Brittain Road.
• The final date will be May 30.
• Continuation over the summer is uncertain.
• Youth sports teams assist with carrying groceries to vehicles.

New impound lot on Dublin Street approved

• The Planning Commission approved a new impound lot on Dublin Street off of Case Avenue.
• Public hearings will be scheduled, then council will vote or table.
• Connor said the towing company owner appears committed to the neighborhood and interested in maintaining a nearby park.
• The site will be set back from Case Avenue.
• The impound lot will not replace the Exchange Street location. Team Towing is expanding.
• Plans were shared and available to view during the meeting. Landscaping and fencing are under consideration.

The Urban Honky-Tonk Saloon opens

A new country-style bar held its grand opening April 18 at 355 Brooklands Ave. in Goodyear Heights.

Connor expressed concern about opening a dance bar in a residential area ahead of summer but hopes it benefits the neighborhood.

Increased programming begins at Reservoir Park

• Construction was completed last fall on the new community center and pool at Reservoir Park, located at 399 Brittain Road. All-ages programming will ramp up  this year.
  • Previously held at Hardesty Park, the Faith & Blue event is moving to Reservoir Park in October.
  • The Summer Concert Series, held at Gazebo Park the last two years, is returning to Reservoir Park in June. Live music will now take place on Thursdays to avoid conflict with Friday events at Lock 3.
  • Ballet performances will return, along with summer camps for kids, adult art classes and fitness classes.

Questions and open discussion wraps meeting

• Glass recycling is still available at Eastwood Avenue.
• Paper shredding events were formerly held at Betty Jane CLC. Connor said those are currently handled by Summit Waste, and the closest option mentioned was at Summit County ReWorks in Stow. Connor will follow up to see if there are any closer places near Ward 10.
• Tree removal in Goodyear Heights has taken place due to invasive species as part of a three- to four-year project. Debris may decompose naturally or be removed.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.