Release Date: October 5,2018
Akron offering free two-hour parking to encourage downtown patronage
The City of Akron is offering free two-hour parking in several areas downtown to encourage residents and visitors to support downtown businesses. Designated free zones include the State Street Deck, the Buchtel Lot, and street parking south of Cedar Street – including a portion of the lot in front of Spaghetti Warehouse.
Click here for a map of the designated parking areas.
“We’re thrilled with the progress happening in downtown Akron, but we’re fully aware that it’s inconvenient,” said Mayor Dan Horrigan. “We are doing everything we can to communicate and promote that Main Street is still open for business and that it is simple and easy for patrons to get there. We hope that the community will still support our downtown businesses during this transition to a new and vibrant Main Street.”
In addition to the parking, the city and Downtown Akron Partnership have created pedestrian maps, phasing banners, information panels in lobbies of office buildings and “walk this way” dots in the areas where people can safely travel. Promotional and way-finding signage will continue for the duration of the project.
Phase 1 of the Main Street Corridor Project, which began July 9, 2018, will reconstruct all infrastructure along the South Main corridor width between Cedar and Mill Streets, including: new pavement with a lane dedicated to parking/buses/delivery vehicles, new sidewalks, a permanent bicycle track, upgraded underground utilities, upgraded traffic signal equipment, smart LED lighting, a roundabout at Main and Mill Streets, storm water management improvements, and a complete rebuild of the State Street bridge.
Work on Phase 1 is expected to be completed in 2020. Initial work includes the installation of traffic signals, underground utility work, and temporary paving necessary to divert traffic during construction. Construction of the new permanent roadway begins this month.
Throughout construction, the city will host various stakeholder engagement activities in collaboration with the Downtown Akron Partnership, to ensure sustained dialogue about the project and its impact on the downtown community. For more information about the project, contact Heather Bolestridge at 330/375-2501 or HBolestridge@gstephensinc.com.