Medina County commissioners approve memorandum of intent with University of Akron to pursue purchase of Medina County University Center

The Medina County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a memorandum of intent with the University of Akron to pursue purchase of the university's Medina County University Center and to negotiate long-term leases for education and sheriff use.

The memorandum of intent, approved unanimously by Commissioners Sweatick, Hambley and Harrison, authorizes county staff to continue negotiating a final sale contract with the University of Akron and to negotiate a long-term lease for the Medina County Career Center to expand adult education programming. Commissioners also discussed providing space for the sheriff's training and storage needs at the facility.

Commissioner Colleen Sweatick said the county has held a first right of refusal on the property and that University of Akron officials contacted the county when they expressed interest in selling. The board authorized staff to move forward so that the career center can expand and the sheriff can continue training operations there.

Steve Chrisman, superintendent of the Medina County Career Center, described urgent space needs at the career center and said the facility would let the center expand adult education, nursing and paramedic training. "We are begging for space," Chrisman said, describing recent application increases and new program starts. He said part of the facility would be dedicated to sheriff needs and that 24-hour security at the facility is an additional benefit.

State Representative Sharon Ray praised the agreement as a long-term investment in local career and technical education. "This is a great day for the University of Akron, Medina County, and most importantly, the thousand of residents who will benefit from this agreement," Representative Ray said.

Sheriff Grice said the arrangement would allow regional law-enforcement partners access to training and indoor storage for equipment currently stored outside. "None of us could do this on our own," the sheriff said, emphasizing partnership among county entities.

Matt Akers, a University of Akron representative, said the sale would let the university consolidate its physical footprint while the university continues offering programs in other ways and that the university was "thrilled" the career center would use the facility.

The commission passed a resolution approving the memorandum of intent and asked those involved to be available for a group photograph. Next steps described during the meeting included continued contract negotiations by county staff and drafting lease terms for the career center and sheriff's office. The resolution passed by roll call vote: Sweatick —Yes; Hambley —Yes; Harrison —Yes.

No purchase price, closing timeline or controlling-board or General Assembly approvals were given at the meeting; commissioners noted the sale will require the university's internal approvals and any state-required steps before a final transfer can occur.