Committee advances ordinance to ratify emergency demolition of four condemned homes in Akron

The Public Service, Public Utilities and Green Committee advanced an ordinance to authorize emergency demolition contracts for four condemned residential properties in Akron and declared the matter an emergency.

Mister Lash told the committee two properties were demolished by Butcher and Son for $48,615 and two by Bertolini Trucking Company for $29,482.71, for a total of $74,107.71. He said the addresses are listed in the committee’s backup and offered to provide further detail if requested.

Council members asked procedural and status questions. Councilwoman Wilson confirmed with Lash that she believed all four properties had already been demolished, including 85 Kent Place, which had been an encampment and was deteriorating. Lash said the demolitions were carried out in 2025.

To expedite consideration, the chair moved to suspend the rules to give the item a favorable report; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee placed the ordinance on the consent agenda for final action.

The committee took no substantive policy vote in open discussion beyond the procedural suspension and placement on the consent agenda. If the city council finalizes the consent agenda, the ordinance will authorize the director of public service (or designee) to enter into the necessary contractor agreements and implement emergency demolition funding for the listed properties.