City of Akron Archives - Signal Akron

Freedom BLOC canvasser Terrence Summers (center) talks with Akron resident Sue Payne (right) and her husband Bruce Payne (left) on Thursday, July 23, 2026, about two housing-related charter amendments the group is trying to get on the November ballot. Summers and other canvassers were gathering signatures at the Taste of Akron event in Hardesty Park.

Freedom BLOC working to take Akron housing issues to voters in November

by Kelsei Scott July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

Akron’s Freedom BLOC is collecting petition signatures through Aug. 5 in order to place three charter amendments — two related to housing and one to public safety — on the November ballot. The two housing proposals would change the Akron City Charter and are intended to make housing more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Anthony Finnell, the independent police auditor for Akron, talks with attendees

Akron activists seek stronger police oversight with proposed charter amendment

by Doug Brown July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

This Google Street View image captured construction working on a new building at the former site of Pavona's Pizza Joint in May 2024. The popular Northwest Akron restaurant was destroyed by fire in 2022, the owner later admitted to setting the building ablaze.

Arson destroyed Pavona’s Pizza Joint. A whiskey bar is taking its place in Northwest Akron

by Akron Documenters July 29, 2026July 30, 2026

A bee finds a coneflower in a native meadow located in the northwest corner of Akron’s Hardesty Park. The meadow is serving as a pilot for the expansion of the meadow program.

Energy and Environment

More native meadows are coming to Akron parks after success with Hardesty Park pilot

by Shams Mustafa July 27, 2026July 28, 2026

Work on the Akron’s annual resurfacing program is ongoing with about 60 percent, or 107 streets and 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.

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

by Abby Cymerman July 27, 2026July 27, 2026

Cars and a bus are seen moving along a road that's lined with trees and apartment buildings.

Community Reporting

Summit Lake neighborhood pedestrians may be safer with street improvement plan

by Ken Evans July 24, 2026July 23, 2026

A new program that will give some individuals up to $7,500 toward the purchase of an Akron home such as these in Firestone Park was approved Monday by City Council. The downpayment assistance program, which officials first floated last year, is expected to begin in August. It will be funded with $300,000 in federal Department of Housing and Urban Development dollars and will target low- and moderate-income families who want to buy their first home in Akron. In its first year, the program is expected to help about 33 home buyers.

First-time Akron homebuyers could get $7,500 in downpayment assistance

by Arielle Kass July 21, 2026July 21, 2026

Traffic moves along West Market Street in Highland Square. Akron City Council passed two resolutions July 20 that move the retail strip closer to having a Special Improvement District to enhance security in the area.

Highland Square business district owners to pay for extra security, beautification projects

by Doug Brown July 21, 2026July 21, 2026

A request for a pole sign on the corner of West Market Street at Frank Boulevard was set aside by Akron City Council last week. The flagship Akron store for Klutch Cannabis was approved by council for the building that used to house Pink Petals Florist — the gravel parking lot next door is being resurfaced with new curbs installed. The old pole above was used by the bank building that previously occupied the empty lot.

‘Visually blighting’ pole sign for Klutch Cannabis on hold

by Abby Cymerman July 20, 2026July 27, 2026

Members of the Akron Housing Appeals Board voted unanimously to add this house to the city's demolition list. Nobody spoke in favor of saving the house, shown here in 2024, at the group's July 15 monthly meeting.

7 Akron houses added to demolition list across five neighborhoods

by Akron Documenters July 20, 2026July 19, 2026

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