Canton Repository (2/4/26) City Council on Feb. 2 approved measures to revitalize Ward 2, paving the way for new homes in the low-income area.
The action allows Build Ohio to construct 10 new, single-family homes in an area that includes Liberty, Seneca and Freedom streets.
Build Ohio is a joint venture between Canton For All People and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Both specialize in neighborhood revitalization. Their successes include the Shorb project in Canton.
The project in Alliance also involves the Greater Alliance Foundation, Alliance Area Development, Alliance City Council and Mayor Andy Grove’s office. The Lemmon and DeHoff family foundations also are involved with Build Ohio. All are funding sources.
The project’s lots come from the city’s demolition program. The infill project aims to create affordable houses.
In three separate votes, council members authorized the city to transfer lot ownership to the Build Ohio partnership, provide a $100,000 grant, and waive certain start-up fees to break ground on the infill project in March.
Don Ackerman, with Build Ohio, said the plan is to start with five houses, then five more in 2026. More will be built in 2027. All of them will be put on the market for sale. He said more information will come later about pre-qualification.
He said the price for the houses will be between $150,000 and $160,000, after down-payment subsidies.
He told council that the houses will be 1,500 square feet, with two stories, a basement and two-car garage. He said potential buyers will have input on amenities. Ackerman said he anticipates the first five houses will be ready within four months.