Akron City Council approves budget amendment, property disposition, housing and land‑use ordinances and a resolution urging alternatives for Firestone clock-tow
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Summary
Council suspended rules and passed a substitute budget-appropriation amendment, ordinances on vacant-building and housing-code amendments, a property disposition for a Hickory development parcel, and a resolution urging the administration to explore ways to save the Firestone Plant 1 clock tower; multiple items passed unanimously or by recorded roll calls.
Akron City Council approved a series of ordinances and resolutions after committee reports and suspension of rules, including an emergency budget amendment, land-use and housing-code changes, a property disposition for development and a resolution urging alternatives to preserve the clock tower at the former Firestone Plant 1.
Budget and finance: Councilman Lombardo introduced a substitute amendment to Ordinance No. 11072025 (the annual appropriation ordinance for fiscal year ending 12/31/2025). The committee reported favorably, council suspended the rules and the ordinance passed 13 to 0 as an emergency measure.
Planning and economic development: An ordinance amending Title 15 regarding vacant commercial or industrial buildings (including appeals, repair, vacation and demolition procedures and notice language) was read with a substitute amendment to restore written-notice language for appeals-board meetings; the committee requested suspension of the rules and the ordinance passed 13 to 0. Council members also referenced steps to place the city ‘‘in the chain of title’’ to enable a future TIF agreement with Waste Management.
Housing and neighborhood assistance: A substitute ordinance amending Title 15 (environmental health and housing code) addressing vacant-building registration and the housing appeals board was offered, the rules were suspended and the ordinance passed 13 to 0.
Property disposition: Council approved an ordinance to dispose of city-owned land in the Hickory development (Summit County parcel 6764538) to Gary L. Wyatt Sr. and Patricia A. Wyatt for future single-family construction; sponsor remarks listed typical sale price-per-square-foot and said the sale aims to add inventory.
Firestone Plant 1: Council passed a resolution encouraging the administration to identify alternatives for saving the clock or clock tower portion of the former Firestone Plant 1 at 1200 Firestone Parkway. Council members referenced public comments and asked the administration to explore options and partnerships with county and land-bank entities.
Streets and resurfacing: Council approved multiple resolutions to include streets in the 2026 residential resurfacing program and a treatment program for unimproved streets; the measures passed after suspension of rules.
Roll-call votes: Several committee items under "old business" (rules-related matters) were recorded by roll call and carried 10 to 3. One ordinance (item 5, as read) recorded a 12 to 1 vote. The clerk announced roll-call tallies after each recorded vote.
The meeting concluded with announcements of committee meeting times and several council members reiterating their interest in preserving historic resources and pursuing further legislative work in 2026.
