Welcome to the Submittable page for City of Akron. OID and Akron City Council uses this page to collect applications for various programs. Only active applications will appear for submission.
The City of Akron, Ohio (the “City”) is soliciting proposals from qualified developers for the purchase and development of the subject property (the “Property”) located in the Summit Lake Neighborhood, Akron, Ohio 44301. The City of Akron is offering land for the development of residential infill housing. Developers may request any number of lots they deem appropriate for development, and that are able to be completed within two years. See attached list and map of available properties.
View the Full RFP here.
The estimated schedule is as follows:
RFP Distribution June 6, 2025
Proposal Due Date July 31, 2025
Review of Proposals August 1, 2025 through August 15, 2025
Award of Proposal August 18, 2025
What is Akron's Residential CRA Tax Abatement Program?
- The abatement allows owners to pay taxes solely on the pre-improvement assessed value of their residential property for 15 years after improvements are completed. Property owners will not be required to pay property taxes on any increase in value that resulted from renovation or new construction on the property for a period of 15 years.
- The abatement stays with the property for the 15-year duration of the abatement. If it is sold during the 15-year period of the abatement, the new owner continues to receive the abatement.
- At the end of the 15 years of abatement the property will be taxed at its total post-improvement assessed value.
What types of improvements qualify?
Major Improvements that MAY qualify homeowner for tax abatement.
- Building a new porch
- Remodel a basement/attic into living space
- New additions to an existing structure
- Install a sunroom
- New construction
- Gut and renovate a home or apartment building
- Build or enlarge a garage
- Install indoor fireplace
- Install new additional bathroom
Are there any restrictions?
- Appropriate building permits must be issues to qualify for the tax abatement. Certificates of Occupancy or final inspections signed PRIOR TO APRIL 24, 2017 WILL NOT qualify for the property abatement.
- The property must be located in the City of Akron and identified on the Summit County Fiscal Office Auditor property card as being located within the City of Akron.
- Property Taxes and assessments cannot be delinquent.
- The property must be appropriately maintained or the tax exemption may be revoked.
- Only residential structures are eligible of the abatement. For mixed-use structures, only the residential portion will be eligible.
- Property must meet City of Akron zoning requirements.
- A minimum of $5,000 investment in renovation or construction is required to apply.
- Per Ohio Revised Code Section 3735.67, if the housing structure qualifies as a historic structure, the appropriateness of the remodeling must be certified, in writing, by an authorized person or organization prior to issuance of the abatement.
What are the steps in the process?
Step 1 - The developer or owner must pull a building permit with the Summit County Building Department located at 1030 E, Tallmadge Ave. #3, Akron, OH 44310
Step 2 - Upon pulling a permit, provide a copy of the permit and complete the City of Akron Community Reinvestment Tax Abatement - Residential Application. The application can be summited online or mail to:
City of Akron Tax Abatement
Department of Planning and Urban Development
Long Range Planning
166 S. High Street, Room 401
Akron, OH 44308
Step 3 - The City of Akron Department of Planning and Urban Development reviews the applications for completeness. If the Application and supporting documentation meet the requirements, the application will be processed for tax abatement. The application will be forwarded to the County Auditor's Office.
Step 4 - The Summit County Auditor will conduct a field inspection and verify the new construction/rehabilitation. Value (if appropriate) will be added to the property. Tax adjustments will be made accordingly.
The tax abatement program does NOT guarantee abatement for county periodic reassessments. The abatement is only for the increase in assessed property tax value triggered by the current remodeling or new construction improvements.
GREAT STREETS AKRON MATCHING FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES
NOTE: These federal funds REQUIRE historic coordination for buildings over 50 years and for buildings in a historic district (Aster Ave, Kenmore Blvd). If funds are approved, businesses with historic designation MUST work with architect specializing in historic renovation AND accept their recommendations prior to beginning work.
Notes about Federal Funds
· This program is funded with Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As such, the program is subject to federal regulation and review by federal.
· Please note: businesses are qualified at the federal level based on household earnings of the census block in which they are located. Businesses in the Wallhaven district do not qualify for the Matching Façade Grant.
Program Eligibility and Application
· Owners of business property in specified Great Streets areas are eligible to apply for financial assistance under this program. All applicants must be pre-qualified by the City to receive assistance according to Federal guidelines. Applications will be ranked based on pre-determined criteria provided on page 16 of this packet. It is not guaranteed that all applicants will receive assistance.
· Property owners must be current on taxes OR have been making faithful payments for six months prior to applying. Property owners must continue to make faithful payments and/or stay current on taxes until the project is completed.
· Project eligibility must be confirmed by the Office of Integrated Development. Application forms may be obtained online at www.greatstreetsakron.com, or from the Office of Integrated Development Staff at (330) 375-2355.
· A Unique Entity ID (generated by SAM.gov) is required to apply. The Unique Entity ID is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to an entity by SAM.gov. As of April 4, 2022, the DUNS Number has been removed from SAM.gov and is no longer required. Entity registration, searching, and data entry in SAM.gov now require use of the new Unique Entity ID. Existing registered entities can find their Unique Entity ID by following the steps here. New entities can get their Unique Entity ID at SAM.gov and, if required, complete an entity registration. If awarded a grant, you MUST submit a SAM number BEFORE your contract can proceed. Again, please note that contracts will not be processed without a SAM number.
· After receipt of an application and confirmation of a possible grant award, a representative of the Office of Integrated Development will contact the applicant. The representative will meet with eligible applicants to review their property, offer recommendations for building and site improvements, and assist the applicant through the review process.
Matching Grants for Façade and Site Improvements
· Matching grants from the City are available only for exterior improvements and/or site improvements. Eligible items include façade renovation, brick and masonry cleaning, painting, installation of new doors and windows, signage improvements, outdoor lighting, outdoor security cameras, roofing, paving and landscaping of on-site parking areas and architectural fees. HVAC and building additions do not generally qualify for assistance.
· Proposed improvements will be reviewed for compliance with building and zoning code standards, including hard surfacing and landscape screening of parking areas.
· Grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar by private funds. Applicants must provide proof of financial means for their share of project funding to the City prior to the start of construction. Architectural fees may be used as part of private matching share.
· Grant funds will be disbursed only AFTER the City has verified the completion of work, and final paid invoices have been submitted. Please note these are REIMBURSEMENT grant funds for completed work.
· Project improvement costs are eligible for payment only if completed AFTER approval by the Office of Integrated Development (OID) and subject to the dates specified within the signed contract between the City and the recipient. Grant awardees should NOT begin work on their project until AFTER there is a signed and fully executed contract with OID.
· Maximum grant is $30,000.
· Grants are awarded by building, rather than address or parcel. This means a strip mall/plaza would be eligible for one grant; an owner with multiple separate structures on the same parcel would be able to apply for each structure.
· Since these façade improvement grants are public funds, participants are encouraged to get multiple bids for their project if possible. This allows for some assurance that the project pricing is competitive and there is an opportunity to support local businesses.
· As stated above, two or more official construction bids are encouraged before the application goes to final approval. For this purpose, preliminary construction estimates from a licensed contractor are strongly encouraged with your application. This puts the scope of the project in context to the applicant and speeds up the final approval phase. It is highly recommended that an applicant begin collecting construction bids once they receive a preliminary approval letter.
· The selected contractor(s) are required to maintain a business license with Summit County, as well as, insurance coverage in the type and amounts deemed necessary by the City. Additionally, selected contractors must comply with Federal requirements and restrictions related to fair labor standards, equal opportunity employment, conflict of interest and certain environmental protection issues.
· ALL contractors must be registered in the SAM’s.
· All required permits for renovation activities will be verified for each project and must be submitted with invoices. If permits are not obtained prior to renovation activities, invoices will not be paid. For information on required permits, please contact the Summit County Building Department at 330-630-7280.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications released – Rolling
Applications due – Rolling
Preliminary Approval Letters – As awarded
Site Visits – As scheduled
Application Review: Varies (See Below)
Application Review Process:
· After site visits, buildings 50yrs or older OR buildings residing in a historic districts (Kenmore Blvd, Aster Ave), applications will be sent for review by an architect specializing in historic renovation. Projects in historic districts or on historic buildings must be approved by historic architect PRIOR to the beginning of work.
· Once final construction bids and proof of matching funds are received, application is then sent to committee for final review. We cannot move forward with processing your application if finalized bids are not submitted.
· The duration of this process varies. The more complete your application is when submitted, the more expedited the process (ie. Including a detailed scope of the project, all supplementary documentation, all construction bids, and visual architectural renderings (highly encouraged).
· Once approved by the review committee, a contract will be prepared and sent to you for signatures. Grant awardees will sign and return THREE (3) copies of their contract. None of the work outlined in your application should begin before you have signed a contract. This is to your benefit, as receipts submitted outside the timeline of the contract may be denied or delayed.
· A SAM number MUST be submitted before your contract can proceed.
· Grant awardees must submit a copy of their certificate of insurance, with the city of Akron added on as an additional insured, including additional insured endorsement for commercial general liability.
· Upon receipt of your signed contract, and after it is fully executed, you will be notified that your contractors may secure permits and begin work.
Payment upon receipt of invoices: The City makes payment upon receipt of invoices and successful completion of work. You may submit invoices as work is completed; you do not have to wait until the entire project is complete. Ten percent is withheld on each payment until the overall project is completely finished. Checks are usually issued 3-6 weeks after invoices are received if a fully executed contract is in place. Again, DO NOT BEGIN WORK until you have signed and returned 3 copies of your contract, and are notified of its full execution.
PROJECT SUGGESTIONS AND OTHER NOTES
Our committee often encounters business owners who want to do something but they aren’t quite sure what to do. Here are some best practices, things we like to see, and comments we typically make when reviewing applications. If you are still uncertain about what you would like to do, please contact Mark Greer at mgreer@akronohio.gov, 330-375-2133.
· Improved lighting to all sides of the building and parking lots (lighting side streets and side/back alleys serve to improve safety and increase walkability)
· Install awnings over doors and windows
· Install outdoor security cameras
· Install outdoor patio seating
· Adding green space/planters.
· Invest in signage (see signage guidelines for more details.)
· Mural installation on exposed wall
· Installing large storefront windows/opening closed off windows
· Landscaping improvements
· Power washing building façade
· Creating landscaping in large parking lots/landscaping edge to parking lot
· Beautifying the rear and sides of the building especially where there is access to alleys and parking lots.
Other things to note:
- Coordinating with neighbors on shared parking, landscaping, signage, awnings, lighting, etc., helps create a cohesive look and feel to the neighborhood and can reduce costs if choosing the same company/contractor.
- Coordinate with your Neighborhood Business District design standards, if applicable. Some business districts have established design guidelines which should be taken into account before planning your project, to ensure compliance and uniformity of design.
- Parking lot repairs, roof repairs, and other general maintenance work should typically not be the ONLY improvements done. Projects with these repairs should also include an improvement to the façade of the business (see above list for suggestions).
- Visit the resources section of our website Greatstreetsakron.com for additional grant opportunities, sources of capital, design guide, CPTED manual, reference documents, and other helpful materials.
2025 Community Services Program
Ends on July 7, 2025
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The City of Akron, Ohio will invest approximately $400,000 in eligible community services projects by providing grants to Akron’s not-for-profit organizations. Applications will be accepted through July 7, 2025.
Funds Available
The City of Akron set aside a total of $400,000 for grants. The source of the funds are from the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. All awards will be structured as grants with performance milestones and reporting requirements. The awards will be available up to $25,000 per applicant.
Program Timeline:
Application Closes: July 7, 2025
Scoring and Review Process: July 7-18, 2025
Grant Performance Period: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Purpose
The purpose of this grant is to partner with local not-for-profits to invest in promoting: Infant Mortality, Public Safety and the Judicial System, Information and Referral, and Financial Empowerment.
Overall Theme: Align Community Services Program with the four pillars of Social Determinants of Health priorities: Economic Stability, Education/Health Care, Community and Social Engagement.
Infant Mortality
Eligible applications must support projects/programs that increase access to education as it relates to infant mortality for expectant mothers, mothers of newborns and infants.
The Full Term First Birthday Strategic Plan (https://fulltermfirstbirthday.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/ftfb_strategic_plan_final.pdf) identified concerns regarding “the unacceptable rate of mortality for black babies and poor health outcomes of black women.” Furthermore, infant mortality is linked “with social determinants of health and their inequitable impact on women and babies of color. Social determinants of health are factors in an individual’s social, economic and physical environment that affect infant mortality.”
The Community Services Program should focus on the Full Term First Birthday Strategic Plan as it relates to “engagement, education and equip residents to support and promote healthy full-term pregnancies and safe sleep for babies.” Additionally, proposed programs should seek to:
1. Promote a healthy active lifestyle
2. Promote self-care
3. Educate and promote breastfeeding
4. Promote birth-spacing
5. Educate and promote safe sleep practices
6. Reduce premature births and infant mortality among African-American infants, specifically; and all infants
Public Safety and the Judicial System
Eligible applicants in this area must focus on projects/programs that directly support the strategic priorities of the City of Akron Youth Violence Prevention Plan and focus on the neighborhood as the unit of change.
Eligible grants must prioritize Akron youth ages 15-24 – the key demographic in the Plan. Grants must directly align with one of the eight “Strategic Approaches” outlined in the Plan.
Conversations within the community clearly show that residents would like to see “neighborhood safety” prioritized so that “everyone from all neighborhoods feels safe.” Proposals should be strategic and impactful, focusing on youth. Respondents seemed to gravitate towards youth violence or the exposure of youth to violence in a big way. The youth themselves reported wanting to not just be safe but “feel safe” in their neighborhoods.
Financial Empowerment Centers
Eligible proposals must focus on working with Akron’s low income residents to provide guidance and assistance with managing finances, reducing debt, increasing savings, establishing and building credit, and access to safe and affordable mainstream banking.
Eligible grants must prioritize financial stability and services while at the same time integrating with other social services including housing, foreclosure prevention services, workforce development, and prisoner re-entry. Please reference Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Approach.
Information and Referral
Eligible proposals must focus on providing information and referrals to Akron residents related to health, human and social service organizations.
Eligible proposals must have the ability to refer residents in need to agencies that have the skills and have been vetted to provide services on an as-needed basis based on the caller’s need. Provide information and referrals to where callers can access assistance.
Grantees MUST complete a final report detailing the results of the project/program and outcomes achieved.
GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Responses to questions should be between 250-500 words; no more than two pages in length and double-spaced. If necessary, you may include additional information in the Attachments section at the end of each section.
2. Label and reference attachments appropriately. There is space for extra attachments at the end of each section.
3. To provide the reviewers of your application with a better understanding of the target area of the project, you may attach photographs, maps or other visual aids. These may be included with the application as attachments at the end of each section.
4. If a question does not appear to apply to your proposal, “Not Applicable” or “N/A” is a legitimate answer.
5. If you have questions about completing the application, please contact Darin Chambers in the Long Range Planning Division office at (330) 375-2090 x6476.
6. Download the Certifications page here. Please print this form, have the appropriate parties* sign, and upload in Section 6 of the application. This form is required to evaluate your application.
(*Appropriate parties are comprised of the following only: Executive Director, President or Chief Executive Officer)
Notes:
Billing Procedures: Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis for expenses incurred in accordance with the contract's goals and objectives. Billings for anticipated expenses may be included by special arrangement. Billing schedules may vary for projects but will generally be either monthly or quarterly. No advances will be given.
Eligible reimbursements are based on items in your approved project budget.
Any costs incurred before the effective date of the contract or after the termination date of the contract will not be covered by the grant. Matching funds must be expended within the period of the grant agreement.
Monitoring and Reporting: Monthly progress reports and a short final report evaluating the success of the project are required as a condition of receiving reimbursement under the contract. Monthly reports must be submitted in order to be reimbursed project expenses.
City staff will periodically conduct on-site monitoring of each project. This will include observing project activities and a review of files and financial records. Any deficiencies or required corrective actions will be noted in a formal letter to the grant recipient.