Feb. 2025​​​​​

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City of Akron’s Lock 3 Releases Survey for Summer Season

Akron, Ohio, Feb. 14, 2025  — This week, the City of Akron’s Lock 3 team is releasing a survey for residents to provide feedback and input on future Lock 3 programming efforts. The results of the survey will help guide music and festival choices for the upcoming season and beyond. The survey is open now until March 14 and can be accessed here.

As Lock 3 wraps up the winter season and prepares for summertime programs, the team wants to provide events that resonate with the public. A revitalized Lock 3 opens up the doors for new, innovative programs as well as building upon the traditional Lock 3 events residents know and love.

“We are dedicated to creating events and experiences at Lock 3 that reflect the vibrant culture and diverse interests of our residents,” said Mayor Malik.  “As we plan the upcoming Lock 3 Summer programming, your voice is essential in shaping what’s next for our community’s favorite downtown destination. This survey is your opportunity to share your ideas, preferences, and feedback to help us design activities, concerts, and entertainment that bring people together and make Akron shine.”

“Your input will play a key role in how we prioritize resources, plan performances, and provide family-friendly fun at Lock 3,” said Director of Economic Development Suzie Graham Moore. “Whether it’s the types of music you love or new elements you want us to explore, your feedback will guide decision-making and ensure that this year’s programming is meaningful and inclusive for everyone. Thank you for being an active part of Akron’s growth and for helping us make Lock 3 the ultimate hub for connection and enjoyment!”

The new Lock 3 Maynard Performance Pavilion features a one-of-a-kind stage which can host shows for all sizes of audiences. It has 3 sides for performances including the lawn view for concerts and events totaling 3,000 – 3,500 guests, the Swensons Game Patio view, for 500 – 1,000 person events and the Canal view, for 250 – 500 person events. For larger acts, Lock 3 will offer reserved seating with ticket costs proportionate to the programming. The survey allows residents to suggest acts they want to see and whether they’d be willing to pay more for premium national acts.

Lock 3 held their grand reopening on November 29, 2024. Since then, they’ve hosted many successful wintertime activities including ice skating which garnered over 12,000 visits to the ice rink as well as over 1,200 appointments for igloo rentals and bumper cars. In total, Lock 3 has welcomed 15,000 visitors to their new space during the winter season.

Learn more at Lock3Live.com. Take the survey here.

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City of Akron Activates Warming Center Next Week

Akron, Ohio, Feb. 14, 2025  — Today, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced the City of Akron will extend hours at Summit Lake Community Center (380 W Crosier St.) on Monday, Feb. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 18 to provide a warming center for residents in need.  Summit Lake Community Center will be open between 8:00am and 7:00pm those days. All other City of Akron community centers are closed on Monday but will be open during their normal business hours on Tuesday.  

The city will continue to monitor temperatures and will extend community center hours as necessary. Unless otherwise specified, the centers will return to their normal business hours starting Wednesday, Feb. 19.

The Emergency Overnight Shelter located at 111 East Voris St. will be open from 7pm to 8am beginning tonight Friday, Feb. 14 through Tuesday, Feb. 18.

The Emergency Overnight Shelter is a community partnership between The Peter Maurin Center, Summit County Continuum of Care, and Community Support Services and provides food, shelter, and clothing. You can find more information about their services at https://www.akronemergencyshelter.org/.   They will also continue to evaluate temperatures beyond Tuesday and extend as needed. 

The overnight shelter is in need of additional volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit their site here.

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City of Akron Investing in Sidewalks and Roads

Akron, Ohio, Feb. 11, 2025  — This week, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced funding for the city’s 2025 sidewalk program and resurfacing work. This year, Akron is investing $1 million for the repair and replacement of cracked/buckled sidewalks in need of repair. In addition, the city has other specific sidewalk projects and studies that will bring the total investment to $2.27 million in 2025. Akron is investing $5.75 million for the local resurfacing program which will cover 14 miles of carryover work and 34 miles of new roadway.

“Akron has made a lot of progress in recent years when it comes to the condition of our sidewalks and our roads,” said Mayor Malik. “We’ve increased investment in these important infrastructure projects to address some of the biggest concerns we hear from our residents. Whether you’re walking to the store, biking to work, dropping your kids off at school, or simply getting from point a to point b, you need even sidewalks and smooth roads to have the best trip possible. There’s always more work to be done for a city which faces Ohio winters but we’re making more progress each year and we’re excited for the 2025 sidewalk and resurfacing programs.”

At the beginning of the Malik administration, the city was approximately three years behind in addressing requests for Akron’s sidewalk program. After last year’s investment of $1 million and the same investment for this year, it’s expected that at the end of 2025, the city will be caught up with requests through the end of July 2024. Requests after that through present will get added to next year’s list.

In addition to the regular sidewalk program, Akron is also focusing on the Portage Trail West Sidewalk construction. This will construct new sidewalk between Treetop Trail/Waterford Court to Portage Path. This is being done in collaboration with the City of Cuyahoga Falls. Akron has also received funding for the Safe Streets for All Improvements which will fund a study focusing on safety within the East Akron area (Archwood, Wilbeth, Kelly and others) and the Copley District (Copley, Maple, Diagonal and others), with emphasis on pedestrian safety and sidewalks.

Mayor Malik also introduced legislation this week for the city’s 2025 resurfacing program. The proposed $5.75 million budget will cover 14 miles of carryover work and an additional 34 miles of new roadway for a total of 48 miles of resurfacing. Prior to the income tax increase in 2017, Akron was only able to resurface about 15 miles of roadway each year. Due to that ongoing work and investment, most of Akron's roadways are now graded as "fair" to "good" which is an outstanding improvement from where the city was 5, 10, or 15 years ago.

The city will release the full resurfacing list which includes the carryover roads, 2025 program, and a list of alternates when the list is finalized in early Spring.