Here’s where Akron is spending millions on roads, parks and neighborhoods

Akron City Council received a progress report July 20 on how the city’s 171 capital projects, which will cost more than $341 million, are going. 

Capital projects are usually the big-ticket items in the city’s budget and typically include long-term investments in infrastructure that benefit the city for a long time. Operating budgets usually cover more day-to-day expenses, like rent, payroll and utility bills, among others. 

Helen Tomic, the city’s long-range planning division manager, highlighted many of this year’s projects during the Budget and Finance Committee.

Repaving and repairing Akron’s streets, bridges and more

Transportation programs in Akron are expected to receive $53.6 million in capital investments this year. Some highlights include:

• The North Main Street street project is 50 percent complete and expected to be finished in 2027.
  • The total budget for this project is $10.8 million.
  • The existing pavement is being resurfaced, and the sub-base is being repaired. A road diet will be implemented within the existing pavement footprint through striping. 
  • Curb ramps will be brought up to Americans with Disabilities Act-standards, while deficient sidewalks will be repaired or replaced. 
  • Traffic signals will be upgraded, and the water main will be replaced.
    
• Work on the city’s annual resurfacing program is ongoing with about 60 percent, or 107 streets, or about 24.5 miles,complete. The rest of the streets are expected to be completed in late September or early October, weather permitting.
  • The total budget for the program is $6.5 million.

• The $3.3 million Home Avenue improvements project, from Independence Avenue to about 900 feet south of Tallmadge Avenue, will begin in Quarter Three of 2026. Existing concrete pavement will be replaced with full-depth asphalt pavement, with curb and sidewalk patching as needed. Curb ramps will be replaced to meet ADA requirements.

• Akron spent $242,000 so far this year on its traffic calming program and installed 13 speed tables on eight streets and is considering one raised crosswalk. They’re also in the process of installing solar signs that show the speed limits. 

• The improvement project on Wendling Drive in Northwest Akron has spent about $192,000 so far and will include asphalt pavement and concrete curbs and gutters. Other streets in the neighborhood will be patched and matched with concrete. Construction began July 20 and will be completed in November of 2027.

• The concrete street program is focusing on Ward 10, with some additional streets in wards 6, 1 and 2. The projects will rehabilitate existing brick and concrete pavement with spot repairs and partial replacements to create a more uniform surface and extend the useful life of the pavement.
  • Construction should begin in August and be completed in June of 2027, with 151 streets in the 2026 program. Tomic said that should catch the city up on the 2025 streets as well. They’ve received 87 requests for funding in 2027. 

Other Akron capital projects in the works include:

• The Akron Parks Challenge is completing the work on the 2024 awardees, Prentiss Park (Kenmore) and Sherbondy Park (Sherbondy Hill) and completing the designs for the 2025 winners, Waters (North Hill) and Karona (Merriman Valley) parks. Conversations are starting with residents about what they’d like to see in the 2026 winner, Heintz Hillcrest Park in Firestone Park.
  
• Akron parks and community centers received a variety of repairs and improvements, with about $250,000 spent so far, including at Balch Street Fitness Center, Northwest Community Center, Firestone Park, Kenmore Senior Center and Summit Lake Community Center.
  • Work has also been completed at Atwood-Galena Park, Heintz Hillcrest Park, Canyon Trail Park, Gale-Crosby Park, Prentiss Park and Suddeth Park.
    
• The city will be replacing the roof at 7 17 Credit Union Stadium at a cost of $1.2 million. The repairs will be completed in the fall, after the Akron RubberDucks season is over.
   
• Building improvements at the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center are continuing – three of the five elevators will be modernized at a cost of $2.5 million, and a design consultant for the first phase of the police headquarters renovation has been selected. 

Akron Police and Akron Fire improvements

• Akron Police will purchase six marked cruisers and one negotiator vehicle in fall of 2926. Two unmarked vehicles are already in service.
• The Akron Fire Department purchased three ambulances and will purchase four fleet vehicles.
• The fire department replaced 25 helmets and is evaluating the gear manufacturing programs to see who makes the best equipment for future purchases. 

Lead and galvanized water service line replacement program

The city completed its lead service line replacement program in November of 2025 and is now focusing on replacing galvanized lines on private property. That work is 27 percent complete and will continue in 2026 to reduce the risk of lead exposure to Akron residents. 

The other categories and their capital investment totals are as follows:

• Parks and Recreation, $6.2 million.
• Public Facilities, $13.2 million.
• Miscellaneous, $54.8 million.
• Housing and Community Development, nearly $9 million.
• Economic and Job Development, $8.7 million.
• Sewer, $94.3 million.
• Water, $102.2 million.

To learn more about Akron’s citywide projects that receive capital funding, click here.