Login | February 19, 2026
City of Akron passes 2026 capital budget
Published: February 20, 2026
Akron, Ohio, Earlier this month, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik’s plan for the 2026 Capital Investment & Community Development Program, commonly referred to as the “Capital Budget” was passed 12-0 by Akron City Council. The capital budget outlines $341.9M of investments focused on key infrastructure investments in the areas of public safety, transportation, water and sewer systems, parks and recreation facilities, other public facilities, as well as certain investments in economic development, housing, and community services. With this year’s capital budget, Akron will finish key projects, maintain important infrastructure, improve transportation throughout the city, and start a phased process to fully renovate the Akron Police Department. View the full budget here.
While the City’s operating budget, which will be passed by City Council before the end of March, outlines spending on City services and operating expenses, the capital budget outlines investments in the City’s physical infrastructure.
“We are continuing to invest in areas that are core to our city services and responsibilities including transportation infrastructure, water and sewer projects, and public safety equipment,” said Mayor Malik. “This budget emphasizes our focus on fiscal responsibility. I appreciate the engagement of our councilmembers and residents throughout this process and look forward to pursuing this year’s priorities.”
The budget includes $209.3 million in state funding and $28.8 million in federal monies. Local funds of $95.8 million include $17.9 million expected to be generated this year by the Safety and Streets income tax. These Safety and Streets funds are used exclusively to invest in improvements to police, fire, and roadways in Akron.
2026 Capital Budget Highlights:
• Allocating $6.5 million to resurfacing which will cover approximately 52 centerline miles of Akron roadway, as well as repairs to concrete streets. The city will also undertake major repair projects to Home Avenue, North Main Street in North Hill, and South Main Street between Bartges and Cedar.
• Investing $1 million in the city sidewalk program which will allow the city to complete approximately 225 repair requests. At the beginning of 2024, Akron was over 3 years behind on sidewalk requests but thanks to increased investment, in 2026 the city will complete all the requests from 2024 and all the requests from 2025 up to September bringing the city almost up to date on requests.
• The City of Akron has committed to a multi-year full renovation of the Stubbs Justice Center, which houses the Akron Police Department. This year, the city will be replacing several transport elevators, replacing the heating and cooling lines from the basement to the 10th floor, and starting on the design for the full renovation.
• Supporting Akron’s parks and public spaces through new playground and recreation improvements across the city, as well as the new city meadows program which will improve the natural beauty and wildlife of certain parks while reducing mowing and stormwater runoff.
• Investing in new construction of infill housing, as well supporting neighborhood Community Development Corporations, and beginning implementation of the Innerbelt Master Plan.
• Undertaking significant water and sewer projects, including the completion of the Northside Interceptor Tunnel and the replacement of the historic Brittain Road Reservoir.
• Replacement of two salt domes in the city which will help with the city's snow/ice response.
• Akron has completed the removal of all lead service lines in the city and is now moving on to galvanized lines which were previously connected to lead with a goal of removing all the galvanized lines by the end of 2027.