AKRON, Ohio — One of Akron’s most popular event destinations – Lock 3 – is getting an upgrade.
On Tuesday, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and key partners provided an update on the progress within their Lock 3 Vision Plan. Horrigan announced $3.5 million from Akron's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding will go towards the implementation of the Lock 3 Vision Plan. Additionally, the Knight Foundation matched the city’s funding with their own $3.5 million investment.
Horrigan says with these additional commitments, the final design for Lock 3 Park will be completed with a proposed groundbreaking in the fall of 2022. The total projected cost of the Lock 3 Vision Plan is $10 million and includes funding from the City of Akron, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Summit County Government, Ohio & Erie Canalway, and individual donors.
“The Lock 3 Vision Plan is a key component of the Akron Civic Commons 2.0 project, an effort to create accessible, equitable and welcoming public spaces for all residents and visitors,” city officials said in a press release. “The resident-led Lock 3 Vision Plan intends to build on the success of Lock 3 Park as a successful event, concert and festival public space and develop a ‘365-day’ park that is a destination for residents, guests, hikers and bicyclists along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.”
City officials said some of the elements residents identified as priorities for Lock 3 moving forward include shaded seating, landscaped gardens, artwork, skating areas and a “world-class performance pavilion.” During Tuesday's event, design development drawings from the city and LIN were revealed.
"All residents, regardless of their income, race, education, or experience deserve outstanding parks and open spaces for recreation and relaxation," said Horrigan. "We are very proud to partner with the City of Akron residents, Knight Foundation, Akron Civic Commons, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, and all of our funders and partners on this transformational project at Lock 3, right here in the heart of our community."
Mayor Horrigan was joined by the following people for the press conference:
- Akron City Council President Margo Sommerville
- President and CEO of Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Dan Rice
- Knight Foundation, Akron Program Director, Kyle Kutuchief
- Akron Civic Commons Donor Committee Co-Chairs Bill and Becky Considine
You can watch Tuesday's event in the player below:
Last month, Mayor Horrigan’s office highlighted the updates involving Lock 3 as one of many elements in the city’s 2022 capital budget.
“The 2022 capital budget reflects $366.8 million in new investment in our infrastructure, neighborhoods, public safety forces and public facilities that will enhance safety, transportation, housing and quality of life and set the stage for recovery and future growth,” Mayor Horrigan said in a press release Tuesday morning. “By efficiently leveraging local, state and federal funds including the historic infusion of American Rescue Plan Act monies, we will be able to focus on recovery and revitalization in Akron in 2022.”