Akron has launched a new organization dedicated to accelerating investment and redevelopment in the city’s urban core: the Downtown Akron Development Corporation (DADC).
Announced earlier this year by Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and community partners, the nonprofit development corporation was created to bring focused leadership to some of downtown’s most complex redevelopment opportunities. The organization is designed to help move catalytic projects forward by coordinating public, private, and philanthropic partners around a shared vision for downtown Akron.
More than a dozen local institutions — including corporations, foundations, and civic organizations — have committed initial funding to help launch the effort and establish its operations. Among them is GAR Foundation, which joined as a founding investor with a $50,000 commitment to support the organization’s startup and early work.
The collaborative model reflects a growing recognition that revitalizing downtown requires sustained coordination across sectors and long-term investment.
The Downtown Akron Development Corporation will focus on identifying and advancing strategic redevelopment opportunities that can strengthen the city center as a place to live, work, and visit. Priorities include supporting the development of additional housing, encouraging new retail and hospitality activity, and helping move forward large-scale projects such as a potential convention center hotel.
Momentum for the initiative received an early boost through a $1.5 million matching grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, intended to catalyze further investment and support early-stage development work.
The organization is led by its inaugural executive director, Christopher J. Hardesty, who began the role in July 2025. Hardesty previously served as economic development director for the City of Canton and brings experience in redevelopment strategy, investment attraction, and project coordination.
Hardesty and the DADC board will work with developers, property owners, and community stakeholders to identify opportunities for redevelopment and help align resources to move projects forward. The goal is to strengthen downtown Akron’s momentum while making it easier for businesses and residents to invest in the city’s core.
The launch of the Downtown Akron Development Corporation represents an important step in Akron’s ongoing efforts to build a vibrant and active downtown — one where more people live, work, gather, and experience the energy of the city center.