Plusquellic said, "We are now prepared to assist in the creation of the kind of residential environment we have not had yet in the city but one for which we are more than ready."

Saying the partnerships formed in this area of the community are beginning to gain momentum, the mayor elaborated, adding, "This ‘new community’---if you will---is only possible because of: investments in and around downtown; our initiative with the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation to develop the Middlebury Marketplace with grocery and retail services; the transforming investment of the University of Akron’s New Landscape for Learning, and the burgeoning arts-oriented environment represented by the Don Drumm Studio and Gallery establishing galleries, coffee houses, restaurants and specialty retail activities nearby."

Akron will invest more than $4.5 million in the project and will submit to the Planning Commission for review at its April 8, 2005 meeting its plan to redevelop the area with new housing and retail development.

Also to be submitted is an Eligibility Report and Renewal Plan that will establish blighting conditions in the neighborhood. The boundaries of that area are larger than the specific development proposal and include the area bounded by: (attachment: aerial view)

• North – north property line of properties on the north side of East Exchange Street
• East – Goodkirk Street
• South – the south property line of properties on the south side of Gage Street; the south right-of-way line of Power Street
• West – the west right-of –way line of Brown Street

The Spicer Village plan will identify zoning changes and redevelopment activities for the area including property acquisition. (The City has held two meetings with property owners regarding this project and will meet with them a third time on March 30 prior to the City Planning Commission meeting).

While developers have assembled most of the property necessary for the project, some acquisition still must be done, and the City will undertake that activity. For its portion of the project, the City expects to use a combination of Tax Increment Financing, Community Development Block Grant and state infrastructure funds.

Spicer Village partners Philip Maynard of ASW Properties Ltd. and Kevin Bord representing the Bord family are completing a development agreement with the City of Akron that will be presented to Akron City Council for its approval. Their project, Spicer Village:

Unique Townhome Living in the Heart of Akron, consists of town homes, multi-use retail and residential properties, and live-work space for artists.

Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron expressed the University’s continued support of revitalizing the University Park neighborhoods by committing to create a home ownership assistance program for University employees to purchase homes in the area.

Mayor Plusquellic also expressed enthusiasm that Don & Lisa Drumm have participated in discussions about this project, are supportive of it and are developing their own plans for further development of their campus made up of gallery, studio, office and parking. The City plans to assist the Drumm family in its efforts as well.