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Committee advances ordinance to extend design work for Gorge dam removal; project is GLRI-funded

City of Akron — Committee Meetings (Public Service; Public Safety) · April 21, 2026

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Summary

The Public Service Committee approved, by consent, an amendment to a 2021 contract with GPD Group to finish biddable design documents for the Gorge dam removal. Service Director Chris Little said work is fully funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and plans are expected next year.

The Public Service, Public Utilities and Green Committee voted to advance an ordinance authorizing the director of public service to amend an existing contract with GPD Group to complete design work for removal of the Gorge dam.

Service Director Chris Little told the committee the 2021 contract covers production of biddable documents for removal of the concrete structure. "The plans are expected to be finalized sometime next year," he said, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency is already removing sediment behind the dam from the city side. Little said the design and subsequent construction work are "100% funded by the GLRI" — the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative — and that the city expects to return to council next year with legislation seeking construction management and authority to bid the removal work.

Little said the project will create a free-flowing river downstream from Kent through Akron and into Cuyahoga Valley National Park. He also announced a public presentation on the project next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Akron Library downtown, with remarks by the mayor and participation by Metro Parks and the U.S. EPA.

The chair asked for questions and, receiving none, moved the item by consent; committee members approved the ordinance advancement by voice vote. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript. The ordinance will proceed to full council with the committee's favorable action.