Akron TOD Feasibility Study Akron, Ohio

Services Provided

Transportation/Mobility-Oriented Development
Community Planning
Public Realm Design
Urban Design

People Involved

Andrew Overbeck
Chris Hermann
Tyler Clark
Elika Ghavvas

Establishing an implementation strategy for identified TOD sites in Downtown Akron and surrounding neighborhoods

MKSK led a multidisciplinary team to develop a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Feasibility Study for METRO RTA. The TOD Feasibility Study builds on METRO’s 2020 Strategic Plan, the current Reimagine Metro Transit Service Plan, and the current investigation of Bus Rapid Transit investments. This work also aligned these potential transit improvements with a number of recent and current plans and capital investments in downtown, surrounding neighborhoods and priority corridors. Taken together, there is a substantial opportunity to leverage transit investment and expand on planning and development momentum in Akron to create transit-oriented development that supports METRO, city, and neighborhood goals.

Working together with METRO leadership, the City of Akron and a committee of community stakeholders, the TOD Feasibility Study established community priorities for the location of TOD in the core of Akron. For each of the three sites studied (Main Street, Transit Center, and Middlebury), detailed analysis was conducted to understand current market conditions and trends and opportunities to ensure that this planning is informed by market realities. Environmental assessment work was performed to identify known issues and concerns that would impact the development process. Conceptual development plans create a vision for how a combination of transit investment, public space improvements, and a mix of development and community uses can transform each site. An implementation framework provides insights into funding mechanisms, phasing, and economic impacts.

The result is a community-crafted vision that creates an implementable, action-oriented plan for dense, inclusive mixed-use development around transit infrastructure that will mitigate racial and economic disparities, encourage residents to move into the city, and catalyze economic development activity in Downtown Akron and the surrounding core neighborhoods.

TOD Ridership