The city of Akron is getting $5 million in federal money to help revamp Main Street.

The city is receiving a so-called "TIGER Grant" from the federal Transportation Department it says will help the city complete a "significant section" of the downtown Akron Promenade.

That means new roadway and sidewalk repairs, dedicated bike lanes, on-street parking and traffic enhancement. There are plans for a roundabout at Main and Mill Streets with possible public artwork, along with green infrastructure.

There will be a local match of 44 percent, which city officials say would come from state and other non-federal money...and some money from the city.

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(City of Akron, news release) The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the City of Akron a $5 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant supporting the completion of the Downtown Akron Promenade. This fiscal year marks the eighth round of the highly successful and extremely competitive nationwide program.

TIGER discretionary grants provide for U.S. Department of Transportation projects that assist cities with capital investment funds addressing road, rail transit and port projects. Awarded projects are required to help improve their cities by delivering five long-term outcomes: safety, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, quality of life, and environmental sustainability.

The City of Akron's 2016 grant proposal received strong, diverse support from dozens of local businesses, agencies, and offices – including bi-partisan backing from Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Rob Portman, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, Congressman Tim Ryan, Congressman Jim Renacci, and Congressman David Joyce.

"I am immensely thankful for the support of our County Executive Russ Pry, our congressional delegation including Rep. Marcia Fudge and Rep. Tim Ryan, and local business leaders who helped champion this effort," said Mayor Dan Horrigan "It is truly an honor to be one of the few TIGER grant recipients in the State of Ohio over the past eight years. This grant is transformational for downtown Akron and for our growth strategies."

"I am pleased the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the City of Akron $5 million for the construction of the Downtown Akron Promenade. This project will continue to revitalize the downtown area, provide residents with more walking trails, and improve overall quality of life for all. I congratulate Mayor Horrigan and the entire City of Akron, and look forward to the project's completion," said Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge.

"I am very excited for the City of Akron and congratulate Mayor Horrigan and his administration on receiving this TIGER grant," said Congressman Ryan. "This grant is a proven public-private partnership, and I was happy to speak to Department of Transportation Anthony Foxx in support of this project. Today's announcement will spur the collaboration of our public and private sectors as they join together to transform the city and improve the quality of life. This is a great step forward for the City of Akron and I am proud to have played a role in securing these funds for the city."

"This is amazing news for Akron. The TIGER grant is a way for us to make transformational change downtown, creating a welcoming, beautiful Main St that will set a new standard for how we design streets and sidewalks in our city. Residents, businesses and visitors will benefit from this investment to create an excellent public space for Akron's people," added Suzie Graham, President and CEO, Downtown Akron Partnership.

The scope of the Akron project includes the construction of a green, complete streets corridor on Main Street in downtown Akron. Specific improvements include roadway and sidewalk repairs, the addition of on-street parking and dedicated bike lanes, transit enhancements, a roundabout, traffic enhancements, way-finding signage and green infrastructure. The local match contribution is estimated at 44%.