Tallmadge council approves application for East Avenue phase 2; city would cover roughly $1.62 million local match
July 25, 2025 | Tallmadge City Council Meeting, Tallmadge, Summit County, Ohio
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Tallmadge — The Tallmadge City Council voted 7-0 on July 24 to authorize the director of public service to apply for Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) congressional mitigation funds for Phase 2 of the East Avenue corridor project.
The grant application, brought by Assistant Director of Public Service Hannah Hussing, seeks federal funding that would pay an estimated 80 percent of the project. "We are responsible for 20%, which comes out to that million $1,622,535," Hussing said during the meeting.
The council action authorizes staff to apply and, if awarded, to accept funding and start the required steps to secure the federal contribution. The application covers the section identified as Phase 2, described at the meeting as the stretch from the back entrance of the recreation center to Community Drive. Phase 1 — already planned — covers another segment of East Avenue.
Why it matters: The widening project is intended to convert sections of East Avenue to a three-lane configuration — one lane each direction plus a center turn lane — and add pedestrian accommodations. Administration representatives said the overall East Avenue program has been in planning for years; Phase 1 was requested in 2017 and construction is currently estimated to start in 2027.
Council members asked for clarification about the project limits and schedule. Hussing said Phase 2 is narrower than Phase 1 and is intended to extend improvements closer to the circle without widening the entire corridor at once. She told the council the city would be responsible for the 20 percent local match if the grant is awarded and that the administration wanted council approval at first reading so staff could meet AMATS deadlines.
Background: The East Avenue corridor project already has prior design work and federal grant applications for earlier segments. Council members noted the long lead time — the administration said Phase 1 was first requested in February 2017 — and emphasized the importance of securing outside funds for construction.
What comes next: With council authorization, staff will file the AMATS application. If the federal funds are received, council will later consider the appropriations and any required local match in subsequent budget or ordinance votes.
The grant application, brought by Assistant Director of Public Service Hannah Hussing, seeks federal funding that would pay an estimated 80 percent of the project. "We are responsible for 20%, which comes out to that million $1,622,535," Hussing said during the meeting.
The council action authorizes staff to apply and, if awarded, to accept funding and start the required steps to secure the federal contribution. The application covers the section identified as Phase 2, described at the meeting as the stretch from the back entrance of the recreation center to Community Drive. Phase 1 — already planned — covers another segment of East Avenue.
Why it matters: The widening project is intended to convert sections of East Avenue to a three-lane configuration — one lane each direction plus a center turn lane — and add pedestrian accommodations. Administration representatives said the overall East Avenue program has been in planning for years; Phase 1 was requested in 2017 and construction is currently estimated to start in 2027.
Council members asked for clarification about the project limits and schedule. Hussing said Phase 2 is narrower than Phase 1 and is intended to extend improvements closer to the circle without widening the entire corridor at once. She told the council the city would be responsible for the 20 percent local match if the grant is awarded and that the administration wanted council approval at first reading so staff could meet AMATS deadlines.
Background: The East Avenue corridor project already has prior design work and federal grant applications for earlier segments. Council members noted the long lead time — the administration said Phase 1 was first requested in February 2017 — and emphasized the importance of securing outside funds for construction.
What comes next: With council authorization, staff will file the AMATS application. If the federal funds are received, council will later consider the appropriations and any required local match in subsequent budget or ordinance votes.
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