A regional government group has agreed to help pay for an environmental assessment of Summit Lake in Akron.
The Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning & Development Organization (NEFCO) approved $110,460 toward the project Wednesday through its Summit County Brownfields Revitalization Program.
The Trust for Public Land in Cleveland, which is overseeing the effort, had made the financial request.
Sylvia Chinn-Levy, NEFCO program manager for economic development/planning, said it’s a worthwhile effort to help return recreation to the 100-acre lake and improve the struggling neighborhood.
“It’s beautiful in the morning when it reflects the light,” she said of the water.
The NEFCO program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and contracts with environmental consulting firms to investigate Summit County properties that have suspected or actual environmental problems that hinder redevelopment.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation last week announced plans to fund an environmental study of the lake as part of its ongoing effort to revitalize the downtrodden area. The foundation, which asked the Trust for Public Land to manage the assessment, earmarked $195,300 for the overall project.
Kyle Kutuchief, the Knight program director in Akron, said he was encouraged with the NEFCO funding, which will help extend the Knight dollars to after the initial assessment is completed.
The study will examine everything from the water quality to sediment at the bottom of the lake to potential pollution issues for surrounding public properties.
The community first needs to know how it can use the lake — including whether people can boat, fish and swim — before attempting to improve the neighborhood, officials have said.
The groups hope to release results this summer.
The city now prohibits swimming in the lake, and the state advises people against eating some fish caught there.
NEFCO is made up of local governments in Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .