Akron Digest
August 15, 2025

Good Morning, Akron!

School starts next week for most, and with it begins the countdown to “I can’t find my backpack” season. Shortly followed by “Can you give me a ride? I missed the bus.” And the grand finale: “I need to dress like a historical figure tomorrow”. Luckily, Julius Caesar is just a bedsheet away. Don’t ask me how I know. (Thanks, Mom)

Let’s dive into this week’s issue.

Sponsored by Samantha Russell, Realtor, Howard Hanna

Real Estate Myth Busters

MYTH BUSTED: You do not need 20% down to buy a house in Akron! 

This outdated belief has stopped far too many families from becoming homeowners. The truth? There are loan programs that make owning a home far more achievable:

• FHA Loans: As little as 3.5% down.

• VA Loans: 0% down for eligible veterans.

• USDA Loans: 0% down in qualifying rural/suburban areas.

• Conventional Loans: Some options start at just 3% down.

• Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA): Down payment assistance and competitive interest rates for qualifying buyers.

As a second-generation Realtor I’ve had the privilege of guiding countless clients through the home buying process, using the program that is best for their unique situation.

Don’t let a myth stand between you and your own front door. Your dream home could be closer and more affordable than you think.

Ready to turn “someday” into “today”? Let’s talk! 

🗞️ The Digest

The Beltway Project Is Finally Done (Hallelujah!) 🛣️

After four years of construction, the $160 million Interstate 76/Interstate 77 Akron Beltway reconstruction project is now complete. ODOT held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning marking the end of an era that had local drivers finding detours that only pizza delivery drivers knew about.

The project included pavement replacement and the addition of lanes on I-77, plus those notorious Central Interchange ramps got a complete makeover. Translation: you can finally merge without white-knuckling your steering wheel and saying a small prayer.

Two Historic Akron Buildings Hunt for Their Second Act 🏛️

Highland Square's most dramatic fixer-upper went back on the auction block Friday. The 1912 mansion at 74 Maplewood Avenue needs "major repairs and renovations" but comes with 1.65 acres, seven garages, and enough original woodwork to make HGTV weep. It's described as a "diamond in the rough," though judging by the photos (check them here on Zillow) , it's more rough than diamond right now.

Meanwhile, the city is hunting for a developer to save the former Akron Public Schools headquarters at 70 N. Broadway. The 109-year-old building has been empty since 2019 and was slated for demolition, but now Akron wants someone to turn it into something useful instead. Proposals are due September 11th, and the city will even give you back $800,000 of your purchase price if you actually finish the project. Apparently, the city's way of saying 'please actually finish what you start'

🔥 Top 5 Events This Week

Here is our list of hand-picked events around the area:

📌 Everything Else Worth Knowing

Some bonus picks from us:

🎬️🎥 Akron Weekend Movie Action

Nightlight Theatre

• Highest 2 Lowest
  “When a titan music mogul, widely known as having the "best ears in the business", is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.”

  Rotten Tomatoes: 92%

  Showtimes

• AngelHeaded Hipster
  “A musical documentary celebrating the life and work of glam rock pioneer Marc Bolan, combined with a behind-the-scenes look at the tribute album of the same name.”

  Rotten Tomatoes: 77%

  Showtimes

• Devo
  “In 1980, new wave band Devo scored a hit with "Whip It" and gained mainstream success with their message of societal "de-evolution", formed in response to the 1970 Kent State shootings.”

  Rotten Tomatoes: 79%

  Showtimes

Highland Theatre

• Freakier Friday
  “22 years after Tess and Anna endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might strike twice.” (IMDB)

  Rotten Tomatoes: 74%

  Showtimes

Weather

Today

87 🌡️ 63 | ☀️ | 1% 🌧️

Saturday

88 🌡️ 67 | ☀️ | 3% 🌧️

Sunday

86 🌡️ 64 | 🌦️ | 80% 🌧️

Thanks!

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Talk to you next Friday!