City staff seeks consent to development agreement with GPD Group to retain headquarters and create jobs downtown
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Summary
City staff presented a draft development agreement with GPD Group intended to retain and expand the firm's national headquarters in downtown Akron, including street and water‑main repairs, parking lot upgrades, a 20‑year parking license, and a proposed TIF arrangement to reimburse certain expenses; council placed the item on consent and approved it in committee.
City staff described a proposed development agreement with GPD Group, an employee‑owned engineering and architecture firm, to retain its presence in downtown Akron, establish a national headquarters campus, and secure a minimum of 118 new jobs over five years. Staff reported GPD’s current local payroll and the prospective $11 million investment to the space and said the company already supports student internships and local minority‑business initiatives.
To support the project, staff proposed city infrastructure work on South Main Street (resurfacing), repair of a circa‑1881 water main, parking lot improvements, a 20‑year license agreement for parking, and coordination on energy efficiency improvements with Akron Energy Systems. A TIF mechanism and economic development grant were described as potential reimbursement mechanisms if the city undertakes those repairs; the staff presentation stressed the agreement is drafted but still in draft form and council would review the final agreement.
The committee accepted the item for consent and approved it by voice vote. Staff and council members praised the retention and the company’s civic engagement. The item will advance as part of the consent agenda unless pulled for further review.
