A major piece of Akron history is getting state support for its next chapter.
The Summit County Land Reutilization Corporation has been awarded $1 million through Ohio’s Brownfield Remediation Program for cleanup work at the historic Quaker Square complex in downtown Akron.
According to the Ohio Department of Development, the grant will support mold, asbestos and biological-waste remediation, along with selective interior demolition at the former Quaker Oats complex. The environmental work is intended to prepare more than 400,000 square feet of vacant buildings for future redevelopment.
State officials say the long-term vision for the site includes a major mixed-use redevelopment with new housing, hotel rooms, retail, office space and improved public areas. The revitalization is also expected to support significant private investment and could generate up to 1,000 new jobs, while preserving one of Akron’s most recognizable landmarks.
The Quaker Square project was included in a larger statewide announcement from Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik. In all, the state announced $61 million in brownfield grants for communities in 75 counties, including $45.8 million for cleanup and remediation projects and $15.3 million for assessment projects.
Brownfield funding is used to assess and clean up abandoned, idled or underused industrial, commercial and institutional sites where contamination or potential contamination has slowed redevelopment. State leaders say the goal is to remove environmental barriers so properties can be safely reused, help revitalize neighborhoods and support new economic development.
Since launching in 2021, Ohio’s Brownfield Remediation Program has provided nearly $780 million for 841 projects in 87 counties.
Applications for additional projects in counties with remaining set-aside funding are scheduled to open May 18 and run through June 5.
