Kelly Byer | The Canton Repository

Originally Published: 12:29PM EST January 25th, 2022

 

CANTON – City Council has agreed to transfer the Arthur J. Cirelli building to the Canton Community Improvement Corporation so that developers can establish a regional behavioral health care center.

Representatives from Akron Children’s Hospital and A. Altman Company met with city officials earlier this month to discuss the plans for 630 30th St. NW, according to a council memo.

Brian Lapolla — vice president of facilities, planning, construction and public safety for Akron Children’s — described the planned facility as a counseling clinic for children between the ages of 7 and 18.

Ready for patients:Ready for patients

“Our goal is to provide them the care that they need to operate, not only in their school and social networks, but also to become very productive adults,” he said Monday.

Lapolla expects the outpatient clinic to receive 14,000 visits in the first five years. He said a number of Akron Children’s patients are from Stark County, so the hospital requested the developers’ help in finding a location closer than Akron.

“This was centrally located,” he said.

The Canton-based A. Altman Company already has developed five facilities for Akron Children’s, managing partner Richard Altman said. The 30th Street NW project will use Hasenstab Architects, which designed the hospital’s health center in North Canton.

“I think what you’ll see is a brand new building looking very, very similar to most other Akron Children’s buildings,” Altman said.

Why sell a Canton building for $1?

The Cirelli building housed the city’s utility billing, information technology, dispatch and SWAT/VICE operations until 2019. Canton leaders decided to move those employees rather than make an estimated $1.15 million in repairs.

Canton City Council on Monday authorized the mayor or director of public service to transfer the property to its economic development arm, the CCIC, for subsequent transfer to the A. Altman Company for $1.

The council memo from Deputy Mayor Fonda Williams and councilmen John Mariol, D-7, Frank Morris, D-9, Louis Giavasis, D-at large, and Bill Smuckler, D-at large, described the $1 price tag as “well justified.” They cited $2.9 million in proposed building improvements, the creation of 22 jobs, and an estimated income tax revenue of more than $3 million over the course of 30 years.

The property transfer includes a condition that developers enter a long-term lease with a medical entity for children’s behavioral health services. If they do not, the property will revert to the CCIC.

The council voted after the first reading of the ordinance, which would typically receive three readings, at the request of Akron Children’s Hospital. The center is expected to open in January 2023.

Good news for Canton

“We are honored to have Akron Children’s coming to Canton,” Mayor Thomas Bernabei said.

Several council members praised the move and Canton’s administration for facilitating the arrangement.

“It’s going to be a huge asset,” said Councilman Louis Giavasis, D-at large.

Councilman Frank Morris, D-9, called the development, which involves no tax incentives, “a blessing” for the city.

“The facilities are unbelievable,” Councilman John Mariol, D-7, said about Akron Children’s Hospital.