The city of Akron is trying to jumpstart Lock 4 development, by suing property owners of two vacant Main Street buildings.

The city filed suit against Main Street Partners and BTE Enterprises hoping to get the buildings back.

The suit was filed late last month, and first reported by the Beacon Journal on Friday.

James Hardy, chief of staff to Akron mayor Dan Horrigan, says the properties are part of a larger plan to develop the area near the old Landmark Hotel...

"Unfortunately, this particular development has languished for some time," Hardy tells WAKR.net, "and as such, that has a ripple effect throughout downtown."

Hardy says it's not just development that concerns the city.

He says the buildings are historic landmarks as well.