Rep. Galonski commends passage of capital budget to assist local projects

March 7, 2018

State Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) today announced the passage of House Bill (HB) 529, the Capital Budget bill, which provides capital appropriations for various community projects throughout Ohio for fiscal year 2019-2020.

“This bill is imperative for so many community organizations across the state. These funds will be used to support projects that improve education, develop communities, promote the arts and expand health services for our constituents,” said Galonski. “This bipartisan effort supports each and every one of our communities in some way while simultaneously improving Ohioans’ quality of life. I’m delighted to see state funds go toward such innovative projects in my district and beyond.”

The following seven local projects were approved to receive funding under the bill at the request of Rep. Galonski:

$750,000 for a new location for the Cleveland Clinics Children’s Outpatient Therapy Services in Medina. With the new space, the Cleveland Clinic will also be able to expand healthcare services provided to children.
$350,000 to create a commercial driver’s license training center at Start State.
$1 million for the construction of a 12-bed inpatient pediatric psychiatric unit at Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau. This new facility will provide short-term care to children age six to 22 from across the state with various mental disorders.
$500,000 for the Akron Zoological Park to create new Africa and Asia exhibits with the promise of more exotic animals from those regions. These new exhibits will not only include more animals, but they will also provide more in-depth science education, species conservation, and more guest experiences
$675,000 for the restoration, renovation and expansion of the theater Akron Civic Theater. Plans include restoring the grand lobby, entry arcade and Main Street façade while also building a more accessible box office and more public use spaces.
$500,000 for the construction of a justice center complex at Barberton Municipal Court. The complex will house the Barberton Police Department, local jail, and court. Additionally, the jail bed capacity will be expanded.
$550,000 to increase on-site parking and other improvements at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.

Summit County as a whole is projected to receive $30,893,650 in capital appropriations under the bill. Some notable projects throughout the county are:

$1.3 million for Blossom Music Center.
$3 million for campus infrastructure improvements at the University of Akron.
$200,000 for Barberton Headstart Expansion.

Galonski represents the 35^th district, which includes parts of Akron and Barberton.