Workgroup Members:
Michelle Byrd, Ken Dague, John Frank, Miller Horns, Dr.George Knepper, Ron Kopp, Katharyne Marcus, Frances McGovern, Jody Miller, John Miller, Paula Moran, Dan Rice, Mark Schweitzer, Mark Smith, Judge W. F. Spicer, Jane Startzman-Vanier and Virginia Ballard Wojno-Forney

Historic Preservation is a continuum of choices affecting the Akron landscape and its buildings. This continuum, from least intrusive to most intrusive includes:

Demolition of an inappropriate structure or the removal of incompatible landscaping can enhance a site to be preserved;

Maintenance of features that are historically, architecturally, or culturally significant.

Rehabilitation of a structure to a state of utility through repair or alteration while preserving its distinctive features;

Adaptive re-use permits a building once designed for a particular purpose to achieve a contemporary use while retaining historic or character-defining features; and,

Restoration returns a structure to its historic character and is faithful to preserving the structure "as built."

The advocacy of Historic Preservation means showing respect for the community’s heritage. Akron is a community built in stages over 18 decades. Each era of history has left behind design elements unique to its time. When it is possible to maintain the character of a landscape, a building, or a neighborhood district - - by removing a structure; maintaining a structure; rehabilitating, re-using, or restoring a structure - - there is a continuity with the past that is of value to people who live here and would visit here.

The Workgroup on Historic Preservation believes that Akron would benefit from establishing the following goals in its future:

1. Homeowners, neighborhood groups, government, builders and developers would recognize that the "ethic" of preservation will be imbedded into the process of making all planning decisions.

   When we develop land and build structures, preservation adds economic value.

   The cost of adhering to a set of standards is reasonable considering that good design elements add economic value to the larger community.

   Minimum standards established by the City, relating to aesthetics, appropriateness, and architectural compatibility, would be enforced in conditional zoning and the issuance of building permits. In a historic district, changes in structures would be permitted to occur only when such changes are consistent with the preservation goals of the neighborhood that has established an historic district, unless health or safety concerns require an exception.

   The city would identify a city employee to serve as a liaison between the city and developers in enforcing preservation standards.

   Preservation policies would be established with the widest-possible participation of the Akron community.

2. The city would create incentives for preserving individual properties and historic districts

   There are methods of encouraging preservation that can be institutionalized.

   Conditional Zoning can be a tool to implement preservation standards.n application for conditional uses is an opportunity to inform developers and residents about the value-added benefits of preservation.

   The Building Code can be enforced in such a way as to accommodate historic structures.

   The City can use the opportunity of making grants for publicly-assisted building projects to

   accommodate preservation goals, e.g. the construction of sidewalks, driveway aprons, curbs, streetlights, landscaping, paving, and facades.

   The city would utilize a low-interest loan fund for improvements to encourage preservation. Builders, developers, and property-owners would acquire funds guaranteed by the city, so long as minimal standards are met that will serve to enhance desirable design elements.

   The city would amend the procedure whereby landowners petition for public improvements so that the process might also become a tool for preservation. Preservation goals can occasionally be met, by permitting a neighborhood improvement to be paid for by tax assessments spread out over time.

   The city would make the relocation of utilities to underground routes a preference when developing new projects.

   The city and community would identify one single district that can be preserved appropriate to the period it represents. The preservation would be executed with the greatest degree of skill and attention to preservation standards, as a demonstration of the value added in terms of economic development and tourism.

3. Akron will initiate new programs of education to inform the community of the value of preservation.

   The city would make a commitment to update the 1978 Akron Landmark survey, with particular attention being paid to buildings constructed since 1950.

   The city would sponsor publications to show homeowners how to make repairs and improvements that are consistent with the design standards to be adopted by the City.

   A program of education would emphasize the unique neighborhood history of Akron and how architecture and landscape define the character of an area.

   Schools would use elementary and secondary history classes to teach neighborhood and community history using hands-on experience for students wherever possible.

   In conjunction with the Akron-Summit County Library, the community would create a special collection of preservation materials and resources which in part would emphasize the diversity of Akron neighborhoods and the importance of each area’s cultural heritage.

   Events, publications, and exhibits would call attention to Akron’s historic buildings and neighborhoods, thereby stimulating tourism and economic development. This would include pedestrian tours of neighborhoods, a community-supported "preservation week", a publication informing residents and visitors of historic sites, and more.

   A uniform system of signage would designate landmark sites, recognize achievements in preserving Akron’s heritage, and identify significant buildings, which no longer exist.

4. The Community of cultural, educational, neighborhood, business, and governmental organizations would join with Preservation interest groups in a collaboration that would permit an ongoing Preservation dialogue.

   Individual organizations, which have preservation as all or part of their mission, need to have a forum that will offer periodic opportunities of collaboration. Such a "summit meeting" of groups would include:

   The City of Akron
   Summit County Government and Engineer
   Metroparks Serving Summit County
   Design and Architectural organizations such as AIA and landscape architects.
   The Summit County Historical Society
   Progress Through Preservation
   Cascade Locks Park Association
   Ohio-Erie Canal Corridor Coalition
   Regional historical societies
   Municipalities in Summit County
   Akron-Summit County Public Library
   Schools
   The Akron Art Museum
   The University of Akron
   The Akron Regional Development Board
   Boards of Trade
   The Homebuilders Association
   The Board of Realtors
   Block Clubs
   The Garden Club
   Akron Convention and Visitors Bureau

This consortium would have a continuing conversation about preservation issues and support public awareness and education efforts.