Sept. 3 Ward 9 public meeting
Covered by Documenter Wittman Sullivan (see his notes here)
Akron Parks Collaborative is working with Ward 9 Council member Tina Boyes and Kenmore neighborhood volunteers to plan improvements to Prentiss Park in Akron.
The work will be funded by the student-seeded $150,000 award from the Akron Parks Challenge. The annual competition provides funds to improve city parks. Organizers are seeking community input through an online survey. Organizers plan volunteer park use observations for Sept. 27-28. Improvements to Prentiss Park will also impact Garfield Community Learning Center, whose baseball team uses the park’s ball field.
Progress toward new Miller South and Pfeiffer school buildings
Prime AE will design the new Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Pfeiffer Elementary School at the former Kenmore High School site, with Akron Public Schools (APS) hiring a construction manager after building plans are drafted. The existing Kenmore High School won’t be demolished until then.
When asked about the cost comparison between renovating the 40-year-old building and constructing a new one, Boyes explained that keeping the old structure would be significantly more expensive. APS Superintendent Michael Robinson is enthusiastic about the project and will discuss it at the next Ward 9 meeting, Boyes said. She hopes the new building will serve as a “gateway” to Kenmore.
Resources available for residents
Direction Home and Unite Summit County have funding available to help residents weatherize their homes and keep seniors in their homes by replacing items such as roofs, showers, refrigerators and furnaces.
The Akron Police Department is offering free gun locks to promote safe gun storage in homes and cars. An APD officer explained Kenmore has minimal violent crime, with theft and domestic incidents comprising the top number of police calls. The officer considers Kenmore to be “fairly safe,” but the department receives a high volume of calls.
Other Ward 9 improvements
Workers cleared the site of the Akron Baptist Temple site for potential mixed-use housing and retail. However, soil issues may limit development. Workers will install fencing to prevent dumping.
Boyes met with the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition to discuss the cleanup and beautification of the canal.
In response to concerns about broken streetlights on the Manchester Bypass, Boyes noted that repairs can take days or weeks to complete. Residents should report infrastructure issues via 311 with an address or pole number.
Upcoming meetings
Summit County Council Member Bethany McKenney will hold a Kenmore office hour on Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Kenmore Community Center. She said she will also host office hours at the New Franklin Farmers Market and the Clinton Apple Festival. The Summit County Community Development Office will be at the Kenmore Library to discuss flood damage relief.
The Allenside Community Group will meet on Sept. 19 to discuss local services and policing.
Resident recognized for newspaper
Boyes recognized Kenmore resident John Buntin with an Akron City Council proclamation in recognition of the publication of the 100th edition of the Kenmore Connection.
