Downtown Akron Partnership has launched a website encouraging residents to submit project ideas that will enhance the downtown area.

Director of business relations Kimberly Beckett says the project ideas have to stay within a budget of $300 to $500.

"Really, the sky's the limit for ideas. We're really looking to tap into the creativity of the community and kind of get them to take ownership of the downtown area which belongs to them," said Beckett.

Residents have until May 17 to submit their ideas online at MyAkron.net. The public will vote for one of the projects at a final pitch meeting on June 25th.

A final pitch of the project ideas will be presented in June where the public can attend and donate to the winning project.

Beckett says it's an opporutinity for residents to buy into the program.

"It's beoming a trend in cities around the country and it's really just a way to get people to feel like they're an important part of the community, which they are," said Beckett.

Click here to submit your idea online at MyAkron.net.

Downtown Akron is ready for summer visitors, thanks to about 400 volunteers, business owners and city workers who spent the day conducting a general spring cleaning. 

You might have noticed the people wearing bright yellow or orange shirts, many of them in need of a good hand-washing after mulching, digging, scrubbing, painting, picking up trash and anything else that looked like it needed attention.  Green and Clean is an annual project coordinated by Downtown Akron Partnership and one that's gaining momentum, according to DAP's Communication Director Sharon Gillberg, who says this year's force nearly doubled the number of people who helped in 2012.  Gillberg says the key, however, is to keep everything looking nice as long as possible.

"We don't want it to just be a one-day thing," said Gillberg.  "If you see something laying the ground, pick it up and keep this going all year long."

Listen to more from Gillberg and see pictures of the volunteers in action:

Of course, not tossing your trash is the first step.

Gillberg says downtown business owners have really embraced the idea, but she thinks a clean downtown is one that is much more likely to attract repeat visitors.

Green and Clean also includes Green Fair, featuring businesses that offer environmentally-friendly products and services.

Kiss my Akron. That's the title of the new campaign launched by the Downtown Akron Partnership to spread a little love throughout the city.

Suzie Graham, president of the Downtown Akron Partnership, says they will be giving out the kiss-print window clings to residents and businesses - so they can showcase their favorite spots in the city.

"It's a playful experiment in the month of February. With so much emphasis on Valentine's, we thought it would be a great way to invite people to show their love for the city," said Graham.

Restaurants, shops, businesses and DAP Clean and Safe Ambassadors will be distributing the clings today.

"We've seen these in other cities across the nation and they're a great way to show love for your city," said Graham. "We're hoping people catch some interesting images and share them with us on our Facebook page."

The campaign will run through the month of February.

Graham says if the campaign is successful, they plan to introduce an annual "Kiss my Akron" campaign. 

On the web: www.downtownakron.com

It's going to get easier to keep downtown Akron clean.

Mayor Don Plusquellic announced today the addition of about 200 recycling containers, thanks to a grant from the Ohio Division of Natural Resources. 

Plusquellic says a state grant is paying for 154 thirty-gallon recycling containers shaped like pop bottles. There will be 50-gallon, dome-shaped containers and 20 more containers that are 300 gallons each.

"Right now, DAP (Downtown Akron Partnership) is using square cardboard recycling dumpsters that you still see, but we think the upgraded dumpsters will remind people and certainly be more attractive in downtown," said Plusquellic

Plusquellic says the program with Downtown Akron Partnership should meet demands by store owners.

Press release from Downtown Akron Partnership:

Domestic violence creates a violent and hostile environment which can have devastating physical and emotional effects on children. Approximately 500 children are served through Battered Women's Shelter (BWS) protective shelter services each year. BWS is focused on helping kids heal by providing them with age appropriate crisis intervention services and connecting them to appropriate clinical services.
 
Downtown Akron Partnership recognized the valuable and life changing services provided by the Battered Women's Shelter and chose the organization to receive a large quantity of gently used Step2 toys that were a part of the First Night Akron 2012event in Downtown Akron.
 
The toys, generously donated to First Night Akron 2012 by Step 2, include playhouses, workbenches, forts, wagons, kitchen sets and more. They were gently used for 6 hours during First Night as part of the child-focused PNC's Grow Up Greatvenue at The Shoppes at Akron Centre.Two Men and a Truck is graciously transporting the toys from the Shoppes at Akron Centre to BWS at 321 W. Exchange St. this Friday. Representatives from the Battered Women's Shelter and Downtown Akron Partnership will be available for interviews. 
 
"The donation we received from Step2 was incredibly generous.  We were thrilled to have them at First Night, but recognized the need to make sure that the donation was put to use in a more lasting way. The Battered Women's Shelter was a perfect fit for the toys," stated Rich Hoselton, Director of Events for Downtown Akron Partnership.
 
Often times, when a family flees domestic violence and seeks refuge in protective shelter, they only come with the clothes on their back and a few personal items. Some children do not have time to bring comforts from home and play items. This donation will allow kids in shelter to have access to a variety of non-violent and healthy toys. "First Night is about renewal, celebration, and the start of the future, stated Suzie Graham, President of Downtown Akron Partnership. "These wonderful toys allowed our First Night families an opportunity to imagine and role play the world that they want to grow into. How fitting that they can now provide that same opportunity to families courageously making a fresh start and building a new future."

Thousands of people are expected to attend Akron's biggest New Years Eve party - First Night Akron.

Weather is always a factor in attendance, but Lisa Knapp with Downtown Akron Partnership says there could be more people than normal simply because it falls on a Saturday and a lot of people won't go back to work until Tuesday.

If people don't have to work that day, hopefully, we'll get even more people out than usual because maybe they're more willing to bundle the kids up if they've been at home all day and just relaxing," said Knapp.

Lisa Knapp - First Night Akron by Akron NewsNow

Knapp says there are 10 venues that feature more than 80 events, mainly music, dance and other theatrical performances.  There are also hands-on activities and plenty of food.

There are also two fireworks shows (9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.).

"I think it makes things a little more accessible for people and offers a little bit of variety," said Knapp, who adds that it gives some people a chance to enjoy fireworks and still be home by midnight.

This year's New Year's Eve celebration will also include a mass wedding/renewal of vows featuring 35 couples.

All First Night Akron events are held in downtown Akron.  A $10 admission button is needed for entrance to most of them.  Parking is free along with shuttle service to the various venues.