AKRON, Ohio — Akron officials are welcoming in the next phase for the “Innerbelt Master Planning Process” by bringing in community members for an open house.

The theme of the event is “Goals & Ideas,” which will aim to build off what the development team heard from community members during a workshop in January. This is where the shift toward physical and spatial ideas will begin, alongside economic empowerment strategies for Akron residents. 

While free, the open house requires an RSVP to attend. The event is on March 18 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Akron Urban League, at 440 Vornon Odom Blvd. 

“Unlike the top-down planning approach that led to the highway’s construction in the 1960s, the Innerbelt Master Plan relies on collaborative decision-making with residents through deep listening and dialogue,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “We’re looking forward to our next open house to get further input on our shared goals and ideas for the future of the Innerbelt.”

Akron officials said no decisions have been made on what the site will look like in the future, but through these conversations the city hopes to decide alongside city residents. The development team is not approaching the open house with a fully realized plan, but will work alongside community members to develop and prioritize the ideas for it. 

The city selected a team led by Sasaki, a nationally recognized planning and design firm, last August to partner with for the Innerbelt Master Plan. 

In January, Akron received a $10 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the decommissioned Innerbelt. Now, the consultant team will focus on translating what the community vision is and turn it into actionable spatial plans to honor the foundational work done by the Innerbelt Advisory Group and Studio O, documenting the history of the Innerbelt and its harm.

To check on progress on the plan, or for more information on the Innerbelt, click here.