The Akron Planning Commission approved the option to purchase 35 acres of city-owned property to develop the Firestone Park neighborhood.

At-large Councilman Jeff Fusco discusses the move with AkronNewsNow.com.

"This is part of a development agreement, which includes purchasing this property for $5 million dollars from Bridgestone."

City Council approved the option at Monday night's meeting.

The ordinance is part of an agreement Akron reached with Bridgestone in 2010.

 Councilman Jeff Fusco by Akron NewsNow

He (Fusco) notes that this was a key move in keeping Bridgestone's presence in Akron.

"Akron is in this position for a reason," he says. "We welcome and we work with developers, we work with businesses, and we pride ourselves on that reputation."

The property includes the former Bridgestone Technical Center and the "Club House" on 1301 South Main Street.

Fusco says the deal is tremendous for the City of Akron.

"It's good to see that these companies are staying here and could possibly be moving more companies in to create jobs and develop our local economy.

The Akron Phoenix Development Company, a subsidiary of Amerimar Realty Company now intends to market the area for an adaptive re-use of the structures including office, retail and commercial uses.

To close the meeting, City Council President Marco Sommerville and Council as a whole approved an ordinance for the Florida Legislature to further investigate the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Sommerville said he along with many others have been "outraged" at the circumstances surrounding Martin's death and that the community needs to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers.

At-large councilman Mike Williams said that while he was at church this past Sunday, Martin was a topic of conversation and that we pay attention to stereotypes and know that this kind of tragic situation can happen at anytime, anywhere.

"We need to do our part by not choosing succumb to to violence, but to lift the family of Trayon Martin in prayer, but also the family of George Zimmerman as well."

In other business, City Council passed an ordinance authorizing the city to construct a building for Child Guidance and Family Solutions on the intersection of East Market and North Forge Street.

The new building would be 25,000 square feet and provide 130 parking spaces, which would be an upgrade over the current facility which is 15,000 square feet.

Child Guidance & Family Solutions is one of the largest behavioral health care agencies in  Summit County, providing behavioral health care treatment to numerous children and adults.

Council also approved an ordinance approving the purchase of liability insurance for Canal Park as well as increasing the number of members on the Housing Appeals Board to take care of the number of vacant and nuisance properties in the City.

Also approved was an ordinance for the purchase of three vehicles valued at $45,000 for use in the police department.