Akron Finalized Highland Square Improvement District
The city moved forward with the project despite formal appeals from several neighborhood property owners.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in City Hall
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Akron City Council finalized the establishment of the Highland Square Special Improvement District this week. The move mandates that property owners within the district pay assessments to fund local security and beautification services.
Why it matters
The district was created specifically to address persistent crime issues in the neighborhood through dedicated funding for patrols and area improvements. Local building owners are required to pay these assessments on top of their existing property taxes.
The district will collect 100,000 dollars annually over a three-year period. These funds are sourced from 24 total property owners located between 738 and 889 W. Market St.
The players
Akron City Council
This is the legislative body responsible for governing the city of Akron and approving municipal financial districts.
Assessment Equalization Board
This board is tasked with reviewing and ruling on official challenges regarding property tax or assessment disputes.
SAC Marketplace
This local business is one of the property owners within the district facing a 17,704 dollar assessment.
Accurate K Flooring Systems
This company is a property owner in the Highland Square district required to pay 13,945 dollars over three years.
Wendell L. Willkie American Legion Post 19
This veterans organization is one of the property owners included in the new improvement district.
The details
The Assessment Equalization Board previously denied appeals filed by five local property owners who contested their specific assessment amounts. Affected entities include SAC Marketplace, which faces a 17,704 dollar total charge, and Accurate K Flooring Systems, which owes 13,945 dollars over the three-year term.
Timeline
October 2025: Discussions regarding the SID creation began.
July 2026: City Council took the first official steps to establish the district.
Sept. 22, 2026: The Assessment Equalization Board rejected property owners' appeals.
Monday, Sept. 28, 2026: City Council finalized the Highland Square SID.
Political Context
This story relates to the broader framework of Ohio Revised Code Special Improvement District statutes, which allow municipalities to establish local assessment zones to fund enhanced public services. The creation of this district follows the procedural guidelines established by these state-level statutes for forming localized taxing zones.
Property owners in the district will now face additional financial obligations on top of their regular property taxes for the next three years. These assessments are intended to fund security patrols and neighborhood beautification efforts in the West Market Street corridor.
The takeaway
Affected property owners are reportedly exploring further legal options including a potential declaratory judgment action to halt the assessments. Neighborhood stakeholders now face a choice between accepting the new costs or organizing a formal effort to dissolve the district entirely.
Further reading
For more information on local governance, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Signal Akron.
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Should local businesses be required to pay assessments for community improvement districts against their will?
