Planning Director: Warren Woolford
Deputy Director: Joseph Incorvia

Capital Investment Planning Division (330) 375-2084
166 South High Street, Room 403
Akron, OH 44308

• Prepares a comprehensive 5-year capital budget and schedule of expenditures for street and sidewalk projects, parks, water and sewer, public facilities, and economic and community development. The Capital Division monitors the progress and completion of projects scheduled under the Capital Investment Program.

Design Services Division (330) 375-2750
161 South High Street, Suite 201A
Akron, OH 44308

• The Design staff's major responsibility is to improve the visual and physical quality of Akron's Central Business District, as well as the urban renewal areas, neighborhoods, and corridors (major arterials, waterways, open space). Architecture, site layout, signage, and landscaping are reviewed and plans developed in order to establish appropriate aesthetic treatment, to set standards for design, and to promote and encourage private sector improvement.

Development Services Division (330) 375-2696
161 South High Street, Suite 201A
Akron, OH 44308

• Implements programs and activities covering new housing construction, land acquisition, site improvements, relocation, and land marketing. Provides engineering technical assistance to various divisions of Planning, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, and the Public Utilities Bureau, and also provides real estate services for various City departments. Development Services administers a Waiver Demolition Program for the razing of dilapidated buildings in the City.

Housing and Community Services Division (330) 375-2618
161 South High Street, Suite 201A
Akron, OH 44308

• Housing Inspection/Rehabilitation (330) 375-2050

  • Housing in Community Development Areas is inspected to determine whether it meets the City's Housing Code. After housing is inspected, City Rehabilitation Specialists provide technical assistance, such as preparation of specifications, estimating repair costs, helping in contractor selection, and overseeing work that is underway. This service is provided at no charge. To find out if you live in a Community Development Area, see the Community Development Program brochure.

• Housing Rehabilitation Petition Program (330) 375-2618

  • Residents in small neighborhoods (20-80 homes) can petition the City to designate their neighborhood for housing code enforcement, enabling homeowners to receive financial and technical assistance similar to that provided in Community Development Areas. New petitions are accepted approximately every 2 years. Selection of petitions is largely based on the degree of resident participation and support.

• Rental Rehabilitation Program (330) 375-2050

  • The City offers financial assistance in the form of matching grants along with technical assistance (spec. writing, contractor selection, job oversight, etc.) to owners of rental property in Community Development and Housing Petition Areas for the correction of Housing Code violations in their rental properties.

• Home Purchase Incentive Program (330) 375-2618

  • Persons buying homes in Community Development Areas are able to use up to $2,000 of a $5,000 rehabilitation grant to match their own down payment funds. The balance of the grant is available for rehabilitation of the home. For further information, click on the helping hand:

• Community Development Services Programs (330) 375-2980

  • Residents of the Community Development and Housing Petition Areas are provided a range of public and social services including youth services, consumer programs, and services for senior citizens.

Zoning Division (330) 375-2350
166 South High Street, Room 400
Akron, OH 44308