Akron City Council will do a little more homework before deciding whether to pursue buying and renovating the Mayflower Manor.
Citing concerns that residents living in the historic downtown building have raised, Councilman Jeff Fusco announced during a Planning Committee meeting Monday afternoon that the council wouldn’t vote on the proposal that evening.
His comments followed a public hearing in which four people voiced their opposition to the city’s plan to apply for a $14 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development loan. The city would use the money to buy the Mayflower, pay for the relocation of residents and renovate the former hotel along South Main Street.
The city has not decided what to do with the Mayflower, which has ties to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, after the renovation. It has said it hopes to attract a private developer to direct the project.
“It’s our home,” Carrie Washington, who has lived in the building for about four years, said at the public hearing. “We’re safe there. ... Just leave us there.”
The Mayflower is home to about 250 people, many of whom are elderly and disabled.
Fusco told about 20 people gathered Monday afternoon for the public hearing that even if the city pursues the loan, it’s a long process and there’s no reason to move out now. The council held a second public hearing Monday night.
Fusco added that the most important job for the city would be finding “comfortable, safe housing for each and every one of you” if Akron buys the building.
Councilwoman Linda Omobien echoed Fusco’s comments.
“I can assure you in this process no one will be left homeless,” she said.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.