Hope everyone is having a great week!
Last weekend, we had to opportunity to check out one of our local ballet studios plays during their first dress rehearsal. Truly was a great experience, especially seeing the raw performance and energy from so many talented ballet students still working to improve with their choreographer in the audience for the first time.
• Budget Akron City Approval
-Alladin Jr Ballet
-Police Drone Program
-Akron Zoo Expansion
-Events and More as Always!
-JJ
Akron City Council Approves $341.9M Capital Budget for 2026
AKRON, Ohio — Akron City Council has approved the city’s $341.9 million 2026 capital improvements budget following a 12–0 vote at its Feb. 9 meeting. (At-Large Councilwoman Linda Omobien was absent.)
The 2026 plan is nearly $39 million smaller than 2025’s budget, though city officials said the final adjustments were minor and largely corrected calculation errors. No projects were added or removed.
The capital budget is funded through a mix of local, regional, state, federal, and private sources. As in recent years, more than half of the funding comes from the state, and more than half is dedicated to water and sewer infrastructure.
Major Infrastructure Projects
💧 Sewer & Water Investments
$36.7 million — Continued work on the Northside Interceptor Tunnel
$2 million — Closeout costs for the Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel
$15.5 million — Enhanced High-Rate Treatment Facility (final project under Akron’s federal Consent Decree; currently under legal challenge)
$23+ million — Replacement of the Brittain Road reservoir
These projects represent the largest share of the capital plan and continue long-term investments tied to federal environmental mandates.
Public Safety & City Facilities
$255,000 — Police gear and equipment replacement, including department-issued patrol rifles
The city currently allows some officers to use personal rifles due to past budget constraints.
$4+ million — Renovations to the 58-year-old Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center
$325,000 — Construction of two new salt storage facilities
Mayor Shammas Malik said the police equipment investment is a first step toward modernizing department-issued gear.
Parks, Recreation & Public Spaces
$570,000 — Roof replacement (42,000 sq. ft.) at 717 Credit Union Park
$100,000 — Improvements to Lock 2
$2+ million — Continued rehabilitation of Cascade Plaza parking deck
City planning officials say these investments aim to improve quality of life and encourage private development.
Housing & Neighborhood Investment
$1.5 million — New infill housing
$2.8 million — Homeowner loans for housing rehab and lead paint abatement
$500,000 — Implementation of the Innerbelt Master Plan
Economic Development
$8.6+ million — Economic and job development initiatives
$184,000 allocated to Akron’s polymer cluster headquarters
$250,000 reserved for redevelopment of the University of Akron’s Polsky Building
Roads & Streets
$6.5 million — Road resurfacing program
Roughly 52 miles of roadway
Funded by special assessments and income tax revenue earmarked for streets and safety
Quick Breakdown
💰 Total Budget: $341.9 million
📉 Change from 2025: Nearly $39M less
🚧 Largest Share: Water & sewer infrastructure
🛣️ Road Resurfacing: 52 miles
🏗️ Focus Areas: Infrastructure, housing, public safety, economic development
Why it matters:
The capital budget determines how Akron invests in long-term infrastructure, neighborhood stability, public safety, and economic growth. While smaller than last year’s plan, 2026 remains heavily focused on federally mandated sewer improvements and essential city facilities.
Ballet Excel Ohio Aladdin Score
This ballet from the Ballet Excel Ohio was an awesome score of Aladdin that helped show what commitment and hard work looks like from kids working on something for 6 straight months of their weekends.
This ballet starts out lively with high energy throughout, both leads are very young with obvious talent and chemistry that shows through their smooth paired movement.
With ages ranging from 8 to 18 that includes adults to truly help bring the performance to life. This score was choreographed and put together by Erich Yetter with experience in positions such as principal dancer for the Irish National Ballet, and Principal Dancer for the Memphis Ballet.
This ballet will be performed at the Akron Civic Theatre on March 14th, and 15th. You can buy tickets below!
Canton Police to Launch Drone Program for Emergency Response
CANTON, Ohio — Canton Police Department will soon add drones to its emergency response toolkit after unanimous approval from Canton City Council on Feb. 9.
The department will contract with BRINC Drones through Motorola Solutions for a free one-year trial. After the trial, the city may enter a three-year agreement costing approximately $100,000 per year.
🚁 Rapid-Response Drone
Housed in a rooftop pod on a secure city building
Automatically deploys when an emergency call comes in
Arrives before officers to provide real-time video and audio
Helps determine the safest and most appropriate response
🚓 Two Patrol-Based Drones
Stored in police vehicles
Used to:
Search for missing children
Track suspects
Survey active crime scenes
Assess fires or hazardous materials situations
Deliver emergency supplies like Narcan or EpiPens
Police Chief John Gabbard said the drones are weatherproof and equipped with high-quality cameras and continuously updated software.
Privacy Concerns Raised
During council discussion, some residents expressed concerns about surveillance and privacy.
Chief Gabbard stated that drone cameras will be used only in public spaces, not inside homes or on private property.
How Common Is This?
According to BRINC, more than 700 public safety agencies nationwide use its technology. In Ohio, similar programs are already in place at:
Upper Arlington Police Department
Cleveland Metroparks
Perrysburg Township Police Department
Quick Breakdown
📍 Where: Canton
🚁 What: Police drone emergency response program
📅 Status: One-year free trial approved
💰 Potential Cost: ~$100,000 annually after trial
🎯 Uses: Search & rescue, crime scene assessment, fire evaluation, emergency supply delivery
Why it matters:
Canton joins a growing list of cities using drone technology to improve response times and situational awareness during emergencies — while balancing ongoing community concerns about privacy and oversight.
Akron Zoo Plans Major Expansion Featuring Giraffes, Wildebeests and Ostriches
AKRON, Ohio -Akron Zoo is preparing for its next major expansion, with plans to introduce giraffes, wildebeests and ostriches to a new habitat expected to open in 2028.
The zoo has submitted a request to Akron City Council for a conditional use permit tied to land south of Diagonal Road and east of Auldfarm Road, behind the zoo’s Pride of Africa exhibit.
When the giraffes arrive, they will become the zoo’s largest animals, replacing Jackson the grizzly bear (750 pounds). Adult giraffes typically weigh between 1,800 and 2,500 pounds.
What the $30 Million Expansion Includes
The new African savanna-style habitat carries a projected cost of $30 million and will be built on previously undeveloped zoo property.
Planned features include:
A large shared habitat for giraffes, wildebeests and ostriches
Guest viewing and animal-feeding areas
A family-friendly ride
Merchandise space and restrooms
Event-based concessions
Zoo officials confirmed the original plan has been scaled back due to budget considerations, eliminating a small animal exhibit and children’s play area.
The decision to bring giraffes to Akron followed a community survey process that began in 2019.
Zoo Growth Driving Infrastructure Upgrades
The expansion comes as the zoo continues to grow. When the Roger J. Sherman Center for Animal Care opened in 1995, the zoo housed only a few hundred animals. Today, it cares for more than 2,000 animals.
To support that growth, the zoo is building the Tom and Shelley Koutnik Animal Hospital, expected to open later this year (weather permitting). The new facility will include:
Specialized care areas for birds and other species
Expanded medical space
A state-of-the-art surgery suite
Local Events!
Swan Lake
Date and time: Feb 15, 2026 7pm
Location: Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308
Experience the world’s most in-demand ballet, “Swan Lake,” presented by Classical Arts Entertainment and performed by International Ballet Stars.
Presidents’ Day
Date and time: Feb 16, 2026 11am - 4pm
Location: Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave, Akron, OH 44307
Join us at the Akron Zoo for a celebration of Presidents’ Day.
Knitting Club | Hooks and Needles
Date and time: February 17, 2026 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Perry Sippo Branch, 5710 12th St. NW, Canton Ohio 44708
Do you love to knit or want to learn? Join other knitters & crocheters and have fun in a laid-back atmosphere.
Hope everyone had a great week and excited to continue to grow with you all!