"For business owners, the appearance and safety of the property is critical," said Andy January, owner of January Paint and Wallpaper on West Exchange Street. This program couldn’t have come at a better time to help business owners."

City Engineering Administrative Services Manager Ken Kostura said that it was the commercial owners themselves who requested the program.

"They wanted us to find a new way of handling broken down sidewalks and curbs, and we’ve developed a plan that will address their issues and be more affordable for them," he said.

Kostura says the City will, in 2009, begin the commercial sidewalk and curb repair program that will be driven by the request of the property owner. (Commercial property is defined as anything other than an owner-occupied, single family dwelling.)

"We modeled this after our successful residential sidewalk repair program," said Rick Merolla, director of public service. "Until now, commercial property owners either had to get petition signatures from most of their neighbors and bring them to us---and we would then do all of the sidewalks on the street--- or they would have to fix the sidewalks themselves. Our engineers have done a good job simplifying this for business owners."

Merolla also noted serious concerns for disabled citizens who have difficulty navigating surfaces that are in disrepair as a key reason for the program.

And, the engineering and construction work will be done by reliable, accountable crews hired by the City of Akron; property owners will have 10 years to pay for it.

Commercial property owners will only have to contact the city Engineering Bureau and sign up. Engineers will evaluate the condition of the public improvements at the requested location and determine the extent of the repairs.

END