Akron has built another new neighborhood.
Mayor Don Plusquellic and the Home Builders Association serving Portage and Summit
Counties (HBA) unveiled Newton Crossings’ second phase this morning, one year after
unveiling phase one of the project. Standing in front of 1290 Honodle Avenue at Iroquois
Avenue in Goodyear Heights, Plusquellic credited the City’s long-running partnership
with the HBA, saying "Our collaboration has produced the Coburn Street, City View and
now Newton Crossings developments. That means we have not only partnered to build 74
affordable, new homes, but we have essentially brought three new neighborhoods into the
city."Plusquellic also noted that neighborhood renaissance projects are critical.
"These prove that market-rate housing is viable in the heart of the city." he
said. "Akron’s economic success is increasingly dependent on our ability to
attract new residents to our neighborhoods."
The project brought together 15 builders to work on 38 homes in phases I and II of the
project. Phase II began in June 2005 and includes 18 homes. The City of Akron investment
is $2.1 million in property acquisition and $1.9 million in roadway improvements.
Homes average three bedrooms, one and one half baths and two-car garages with an
average price of $130,000 to $160,000. Home sizes run between 1100 and 1600 feet.
Newton Crossings is part of a larger development district -- the Seiberling
Neighborhood Development Area -- that includes street improvements and technical and
financial assistance for existing home rehabilitation.
Michael Marchetta, president of the HBA, said, "Once again the City has come up
with an innovative plan, partnering with us to provide the right housing product, in the
right location and at an affordable price."
Participating builders for phase two are: Testa Builders, F.G. Ayers, Ken Gillespie
Building Co., Marochino Construction Co., Pioneer Builders, Crasi Company, C. Bryant
Construction,
For more information on this and other City of Akron/HBA partnership projects, contact
Mike Mennett at the HBA at 330-869-6800. Or visit the HBA web site for builder
information, maps and sponsors at
