What's New

The City of Barberton, working in collaboration with the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) and The Barberton Community Foundation, is currently studying routes to better link Downtown Barberton with the Towpath Trail through safe biking and walking connections.

Through the implementation of an AMATS’ Connecting Communities Grant, which focuses on improving transportation options and access, the City has engaged City Architecture to lead the planning process. Since the plan’s kick-off in March, the planning team has conducted studies, interviews and analysis to better understand the challenges and opportunities involved in strengthening safe and intuitive links in the City’s southside.

The planning process has included multiple sessions and public workshops to solicit feedback and direction to shape the plan. A series of options has been explored to help determine a combined plan, integrating components from each of the previous options.

The planning process has led to preliminary recommendations that:

• Improve the Robinson Avenue sidewalk connection to the Towpath Trailhead and Bridge, recently completed by the City of Barberton and the Barberton Community Foundation;
• Include signage and wayfinding elements to help visitors understand their options as well as enhance and strengthen Downtown’s identity;
• Include medians and landscaping at the Robinson Avenue / Wooster Road intersection to better alert drivers, decrease pedestrian crossing distances and improve safety for all modes of transportation;
• Create a new trailhead and dedicated bike lanes along 2^nd Street;
• Establish a “Downtown Loop” bicycle route;
• Convert a portion of 3^rd Street (between Wooster Road and Tuscarawas Avenue) to one-way in the southern direction to create new parking areas for the Post Office and other businesses, as well as address safety concerns;
• Reconfigure portions of Wooster Road to include a dedicated bike lanes and travel paths;
• Extend West Wooster Road’s bike lanes to connect to Barberton Community Sports Complex;
• Include a dedicated off-road path along the Lake Theater’s rear property (along Wooster) to connect to an expanded 5^th Street pedestrian promenade;
• Link to Lake Anna’s trails and sidewalks to draw visitors to the heart of the city.

The ongoing planning process is anticipated to conclude with a series of implementation strategies, intersection plans and overall objectives aimed to continue the momentum of downtown revitalization and investment. The City is dedicated to increasing access and awareness of its many assets it has to offer to residents as well as potential visitors from the Towpath Trail. As the planning process concludes, the city expects to apply for infrastructure funding through state and federal grants.

Please see the attached map / illustration that outlines the Combined Reconfiguration as developed throughout the process to-date. The map will be posted on the City of Barberton and The Barberton Foundation websites to provide further opportunities for comments and guidance from residents and stakeholders. More information can also be viewed here.

Please contact Debby Rolland at The Barberton Community Foundation for additional information.

Phone: (330) 745-5995

Email: drolland@barbertoncf.org

Please send comments to Heather Reidl of AMATS at 330-375-2436 or at HReidl@AkronOhio.gov.