Mayor Plusquellic led groundbreaking ceremonies today for the new $6.5 million development at Highland Square which includes a new West Hill branch library, and a grocery store and retail center being developed by Albrecht, Inc. Children from West Hill Library’s "story time" direct the blade of the shovel into the dirt (bottom), assisted by (clockwise from bottom) library trustees Lolita Adair, Sandy Auburn and Jim Switzer, resident Stephen Brooks, Akron Councilman Bob Keith, Joe Albrecht, FirstMerit President Nick Browning, Mayor Plusquellic, Library Trustee Frank Comunale and Library Director David Jennings (lower front right).

Completion of the project is expected in 2007.