Refocus on Downtown Akron

The Goal

Prioritize Downtown revitalization and development in Akron to support the growth of a vibrant business and residential community.

Refocus on Downtown Akron

The Goal

Prioritize Downtown revitalization and development in Akron to support the growth of a vibrant business and residential community.

Refocus on Downtown Akron

The Goal

Prioritize Downtown revitalization and development in Akron to support the growth of a vibrant business and residential community.

Why this strategy?

The City of Akron has existing and historic urban centers that are underutilized, its downtown lags its peers in like-sized U.S. metro areas, and the region struggles around the issues of location efficiency and job sprawl

Why this strategy?

The region has been operating with a fragmented approach to economic development that has not positioned Akron to move beyond this stasis

Growth that is driven by innovation will enable the region to continuously evolve into emerging industries before existing industries mature and decline

How We're Driving This Work

Supporting businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents all stems from having a thriving Downtown and surrounding urban areas for people to work, live, and grow in. Major plans are underway for Downtown Akron and other initiatives have been created to improve business districts throughout the region.

The Downtown Akron Vision & Redevelopment Plan:

This plan sets a 10-year course for the continued improvement of the city’s urban core. Over 18 months, the planning team worked with the city, DAP, and a steering committee to develop a shared vision for the future of downtown. For more about this plan, visit here.

Downtown Construction

As part of the Downtown Plan and other projects, Akron is seeing extensive redevelopment including the completion of Main Street Phase 1 and the beginning of the Phase 2 Corridor project. For more on existing and upcoming projects, visit here.

Start Downtown

Start Downtown is a revolving program funded by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation and administered by DAP to assist new and expanding businesses downtown with a focus on minority and female retail entrepreneurs. The program includes site selection assistance, rent subsidies, and marketing support to help fledgling storefront, retail and offices thrive in the downtown ecosystem.

Investing in Public Life

Public life investments cut across numerous strategies to strengthen downtown. DAP makes strategic investments in improving public space to catalyze private investment, develop a more walkable and bikeable district, improve neighborhood perceptions, attract talent, and build our sense of place.

Outreach and Support

DAP serves as a convener for downtown stakeholders in the Special Improvement District to create supportive networks between businesses, organizations and residents. DAP's support and advocacy for downtown businesses includes working with stakeholders to market downtown as a vibrant, valuable neighborhood, assessing downtown Akron progress and identifying successes and issues of concern.

Downtown CDC

In 2019, we completed an assessment for the viability for a new Community Development Corporation for Downtown Akron and registered the entity with the state. In order to create investment traction in Downtown, a CDC is key. This entity will bring new opportunities to our growing city. Plans to move forward with the Downtown CDC will begin in 2021.

Great Streets

Great Streets Akron is an initiative aimed at improving the city’s Neighborhood Business Districts (NBD’s). The City of Akron invested over $2 million in Greater Streets grants between 2008 and 2020 to 101 Akron businesses.

Paradox Prize

Public transportation is a crucial piece of an urban area. METRO RTA was awarded the inaugural Paradox Prize; a regional public call for ideas designed to improve mobility to job hubs. This allowed them to pilot a program that connected workers directly to jobs.

Akronite City App

The City of Akron developed the Akronite app to encourage residents to patronize local small businesses with an emphasis on downtown restaurants. This app rewards community members for shopping local, with an exclusive local point system. Check it out today and start earning your blimps!

Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA)

The DORA allows patrons of one of the participating restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues to carry up to 16 oz. of an open alcoholic beverage in a designated cup within the designated DORA boundaries. To find out where the area restrictions are and what establishments are participating, click here.

The Downtown Akron Vision & Redevelopment Plan: