Akron City Council Archives - Signal Akron

Esther Thomas, director of the Office of Opportunity and Engagement, for the City of Akron, speaks at a press conference Monday about a new approach to city contracting that is aimed at giving more small businesses a chance to win public work. The new Small Business Enterprise program changes how the city identifies, structures and monitors some contracts, with small-business participation considered earlier in the process.

Small businesses to get more access to Akron contracts under new approach

by Shams Mustafa September 22, 2026September 21, 2026

Akron is launching a new approach to city contracting aimed at giving more small businesses a chance to win public work. The new Small Business Enterprise program changes how the city identifies, structures and monitors some contracts, with small-business participation considered earlier in the process.

New York artist Chakaia Booker's website shows off several public art installations including this piece called Déjá Vu. Booker was selected by a task force and approved by the Akron Public Art Commission to provide a sculpture for Lock 3 in downtown Akron. (Screenshot via chakaiabooker.com)

Tire public art sculpture coming to Akron’s Lock 3 at the end of October

by Akron Documenters September 22, 2026September 21, 2026

The City of Akron is proposing changes to its housing rules that could make it easier to build new single-family and multi-family homes in neighborhoods, allow the construction of in-law suites or carriage houses in backyards, and keep grandfathered-in housing types, like apartments on top of stores, that were built before current zoning rules. A new house being constructed by HK. Hovnanian Homes at 501 S. Rhodes Ave. in Sherbondy Hill is an example of infill housing, where a new structure is placed on an empty lot amid existing houses.

Akron homebuyers could save thousands with free house plans, down payment help

by Akron Documenters September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

Construction to convert the vacant CitiCenter building at the corner of East Bowery and South High streets into 116 apartments will begin Sept. 10.

CitiCenter construction will add 115 apartments to downtown Akron by 2028

by Arielle Kass September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

Akron's Combined Communications Center has 62 dispatchers, supervisors and other staff who handle more than 330,000 police and fire calls from Akron residents every year. In May 2025, the center began using an artificial intelligence system to help manage non-emergency calls.

Residents ask questions about AI usage at Akron’s emergency dispatch center

by Akron Documenters September 9, 2026September 9, 2026

A water tower overlooks Reservoir Park in Akron's Goodyear Heights

Efforts to save iconic Goodyear Heights’ water tower and pump station continue

by Akron Documenters September 3, 2026September 2, 2026

Seven-year-old Emma Brinkley, who lives in Germany but is currently visiting family in Akron, traverses the monkey bars at a playground in Hardesty Park

Arts and Culture

Hardesty Park playground could become Akron’s marquee outdoor gathering spot

by Gary Estwick August 20, 2026August 23, 2026

Akron artist and lifelong skater Jay Croft helps get the transitions poured on a quarterpipe during a DIY build day for a new permanent outdoor skate park that is actively under development at Prentiss Park in Kenmore. Backed by a $150,000 Akron Parks Challenge grant, the community-designed space is being built on the park's unused tennis courts. The Prentiss Park skate park project was championed by Ward 9 Council Member Tina Boyes and is spearheaded by Gary Dean, who also operates the local First Glance indoor park. Designed by and for the local skateboarding community, construction is in progress on the old tennis courts and will feature a variety of obstacles, smaller quarter pipes, smaller banks, smaller ledges and smaller flat bars. The goal is to eventually have something there for everybody, big ramps and small ramps.

Arts and Culture

Kenmore’s new ‘living, breathing’ skate park is part of hoped-for skateboarding revival

by Joshua Repp August 12, 2026August 12, 2026

The City of Akron is proposing changes to its housing rules that could make it easier to build new single-family and multi-family homes in neighborhoods, allow the construction of in-law suites or carriage houses in backyards, and keep grandfathered-in housing types, like apartments on top of stores, that were built before current zoning rules. A new house being constructed by HK. Hovnanian Homes at 501 S. Rhodes Ave. in Sherbondy Hill is an example of infill housing, where a new structure is placed on an empty lot amid existing houses.

Akron housing rules may soon change as city asks residents for feedback

by Akron Documenters August 7, 2026September 2, 2026

A Flock camera on Chester Avenue in Cleveland. There are at least 145 of the license-plate readers across Akron used by Akron Police Department.

Akron’s Flock cameras garner support, spark concern and attract vandals

by Akron Documenters August 5, 2026August 11, 2026

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