Slow going on multipurpose trail to Akron

by Judy Stringer

The ongoing negotiation that may soon permit the city of Hudson to purchase an unused railway section from Norfolk Southern Corp. is currently a bright spot in a five-year effort to build a recreational trail along the abandoned Akron Secondary Line.

The 12.5-mile Akron Secondary runs through Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Silver Lake, Stow and Hudson. Akron Metro RTA owns about 90% of it, specifically the portion from Barlow Road south to Akron. Norfolk Southern owns the final 10% from Barlow to downtown Hudson.

While the city moves closer to a deal with Norfolk Southern on its portion, progress on the lion’s share of the proposed trial has stalled, according to Bill Sepe, co-director of TASCforce (Trail Advocates of Summit County), a nonprofit committed to seeing the rail line become a bike-and-hike path called Veterans Trail.

“In 2022, Metro RTA began drawing up lease agreements with the cities of Hudson and Stow, since both communities had secured federal grants for building the trail in their respective cities,” Sepe said. “However, in August 2022, the agency put a halt on the lease agreements because the [Federal Transportation Administration] informed them that they weren’t allowed to simply lease the property to other entities.”

At issue, Sepe explained, is the fact that Metro RTA funded its purchase of the rail line back in the mid-90s with FTA funds and “with the intent of running passenger trains on the track.” As such, it cannot be used as a shared path under Metro RTA’s ownership.

In response to a request for an update on the Akron Secondary, Metro RTA spokesperson Molly Becker forwarded a January letter the agency sent to community partners. The letter states that Metro RTA has secured a contract with “a suitable appraisal company.”

“A timeline is being developed to receive the completed appraisal, which will then be used to determine the full amount needed to satisfy the FTA obligation of the potential repayment of funding,” the letter reads. “This will help us in better determining the most suitable way to dispose of the assets and ensure a clearer path forward for those who may be interested in these assets.”

Sepe said TASCforce “always knew that this project would take years to complete.”

“It has been frustrating to just sit and let the process play out,” he added, “but we continue to lobby Metro RTA to convert the rail line into a trail.” ∞