FEATURED HOUSE: 490 St. Leger Avenue

An original and well-preserved Goodyear-built Heights home, this English Cottage-style house constructed in 1920 features 3 bedrooms and 1 bath in a total of 1,282 sq. ft. The stucco exterior exudes lots of charm and much of the interior has been finished in contemporary colors. An updated kitchen includes many gourmet features, including a true professional-level cooktop. Original features like a brick fireplace and handsome staircase hall help this house retain much of its early 20th-century charm, while providing needed modern upgrades.

The home features a spacious and shady backyard with 2 patio areas that are perfect for entertaining – with a brick pizza oven, a smoking pit and a separate firepit. Basement has roughed in plumbing for bath
Notes: 490 Saint Leger Ave. Akron, OH 44305/ 3 bedrooms and 1 baths; ready to move in.  The home has gas forced air heat and includes  Professional Cooktop / Oven & Refrigerator. For more details, click HERE.

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WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS MEAN GREATER HOME VALUE

The more walkable your neighborhood, the more valuable your home, studies say. To boost your neighborhood’s walkability — which translates into how easily you can walk to stores, schools, restaurants, places of employment and parks — you can either get more close-by amenities, or make it easier to walk to what already exists.

For those who have lived in Goodyear Heights for many years, it’s clear that a lot of the neighborhood conveniences do not exist like they used to—grocery stores being a prime example. But making the most of what we have and encouraging future development on a small, neighborhood scale can go a long way towards enhancing walkability.

How much is that walkability worth?
Having shops and gathering spots like schools and restaurants located within a quarter-mile to one-mile from the homes in your neighborhood can add from $4,000 to $34,000 to home values, according to “Walking the Walk,” a study from CEOs for Cities, a nonprofit that works to improve cities. The rate of increase usually depended on the size of the city, with higher values in larger cities, and more moderate values in smaller cities.

What are walkable communities?
Dan Burden, founder of Walkable Communities, defines them with his a 12-step checklist, which includes:

•    Great public places for people to to get together and socialize
•    Speed-controlled key streets
•    Pedestrian-centric design
•    A town or neighborhood center with a wide variety of shops and businesses

How do I make my neighborhood more walkable?
To have great walkability, you start with having something worth walking to, such as restaurants, small shops or parks, and a critical mass of people living around those amenities. To make a difference, get your neighbors together and go talk to local officials. Your group can push the planning and zoning board for changes that make your town more walkable, like adjusting zoning to allow limited commercial development where it can do the most good.

Contact groups like the Better Block Foundation, who has organized planning and demonstration projects in North Hill, Middlebury and Kenmore. They are great when it comes to showing residents how they can improve neighborhood commercial areas and make them more pedestrian-friendly. On Twitter, you can connect at @akronbb.

Residents will want to mingle somewhere, too. See how you can support and expand public spaces where you can mix and socialize (think library, park, coffee shop) to increase your neighborhood’s walkability. Goodyear Heights has these amenities available—we just have to make the most of them.

To heighten and improve walkability, it’s critical to make the streets kinder to walkers and keep cars under control. Put these items on your city planning list:

•More and wider sidewalks; bike lanes where practical.
•Lower speed limits; traffic-calming strategies at intersections.

If you’re serious about increasing walkability, gather neighbors and town officials for a walking audit, where the group walks along a particular route and stops periodically to discuss how to improve the walking experience with landscaping, safety improvements, or accessibility improvements. Other things you can do:

•Trim shrubbery that may be blocking the sidewalk in front of your house.
•Pick up trash and litter as you walk along. If you see an eyesore, note it and call the Akron 311 line
•Replace your porch and outdoor lights with LED bulbs and light things up at night. They cost little to use, and it will boost your security and that of the neighborhood.
•Be polite to other drivers and pedestrians when you drive.

And maybe the best walkability tip of all? Just get out and walk.

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FEATURED HOUSE: 1402 Goodyear Blvd.

An original (1914) and well-preserved Goodyear Heights home, this English Cottage-style house features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. For the most part, the exterior appears little changed from the original (including the windows) and portions of the first floor have been opened-up slightly to allow for a more flowing plan. Original features like a brick fireplace and handsome staircase help this 1,516 sq. ft. house retain much of its early 20th-century charm.

The home features a spacious and shady backyard and a partially finished basement as well, and is right on the bus line. Also includes a detached, single-car garage.

Notes: 1402 Goodyear Blvd. Akron, OH 44305 / 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths; ready to move in.  The home has Central air, gas forced air heat and includes  Dishwasher, Dryer, Range / Oven & Refrigerator. For more details, click HERE.

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SURVEY SAYS AGING AMERICANS LIKE THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, WANT TO STAY IN THEM

Here in Ohio, everyone knows the “snowbird” phenomenon – seniors who move to sunny southern climes in their later years. But a recent AARP survey shows that a vast majority of older Americans—more than 70 percent of those over 50, according to the survey—plan to “age in place,” or stay in their homes or communities. 

A recent article on the CityLab website details the survey and noted that the desire to stay put persists across urban, suburban, and rural residents—even in Snow Belt cities and among those who have the financial resources to buy that condo in Boca Raton or Scottsdale.

The survey showed that 7 out of 10 urbanites still want to live in their city after the age of 80. For Baby Boomers, the share was higher, at 8 out of 10.

Among some of the things that seniors look for is good access to health care and an environment where they have an opportunity to remain active and keep in touch with friends.

These are important things to keep in mind as we consider the future of Goodyear Heights. For one thing, we know that many of our residents have lived in the neighborhood for many years—even over multiple generations. Some older residents enjoy the modest upkeep requirements of their home, the familiarity of the area, and the quiet, relaxed nature of The Heights.

We want to ensure that The Heights remains a great neighborhood for all residents, young and old—with amenities that everyone can enjoy. Preserving its character and building a clean, safe and walkable neighborhood will go a long way towards meeting that goal.

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FEATURED HOUSE: 1811 Tonawanda Ave.

This lovely cottage-style home combines both English and Craftsman-style elements. Constructed in 1918, it sits in a quiet area of Goodyear Heights not far from the metropolitan park. At just over 1300 sq. feet, it still features the original bold columns across the front porch, solid brick over clay-tile construction and exudes a lot of quaint character. From the hardwood floors and brick-fronted fireplace to the original woodwork and stairs, it’s loaded with charm and has been appropriately updated. It’s hard to believe it’s almost a century old! The backyard is also quiet and well landscaped; great for relaxing or entertaining, with a large deck and slate walking paths.

Notes: 1811 Tonawanda Ave. Akron, OH 44305 / 3 bedrooms and 1 bath; ready to move in and enjoy. Central air, forced air heat and detached, 2-car garage. Wood-burning fireplace.
For more details, click HERE.

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LOOKING BACK: PHASE 2 BEGINS...

By 1916, the first phase of Goodyear Heights--the area west of Brittain Road, was generally complete. Streets and sidewalks were complete, the majority of the houses had been built, and just a handful of lots remained to be sold. The response to the concept of high-quality, affordable housing for Goodyear workers  had been overwhelming, and as a result, the company decided not just to "double-down" on the idea, but to "quadruple-down" on it--expanding with a second phase that would be four times the size of the original.

The following article is from a 1916 Edition of the company newspaper, The Wingfoot Clan. It provides a lot of interesting details on the progress, and news of a naming contest:

“Sixteen streets of the new allotment, Goodyear Heights No. 2, are as yet un-named. A part of them are continuations of streets and roads already existing and a few have been christened with appropriate names, but sixteen remain to be named.  This must be done at once so they can be recorded, and to do this the Goodyear Heights Realty Company is offering a prize of $5.00 in cash to the Goodyearite or member of a Goodyear family who submits the best list of sixteen names before Saturday noon, July 22nd. A blank appears at the bottom of this page which should be filled out and sent in to Mr. Apel. A map of the new sub-division appears on the insert to give you an idea of the lay of the land.

The work on this allotment has progressed more rapidly than the  average man appreciates, and is being pushed faster because Goodyear Heights is practically sold out, but a few lots are left. Though it is yet virgin farm land, it has been carefully surveyed and plotted, and the contracts for all grading have been let. The plans for the sewer and water systems are now being made and the contracts call for the completion of all this work by January 1st, 1917. Paving of the streets will then be started early next spring.

The scale of the work on Goodyear Heights No. 2 is of a magnitude never before attempted around Akron. It is an immense tract of land which will contain large home lots to a number four times as great as the present Heights. The land is high and dry, for the greater part comparatively level, but with a few rises and hills to lend some diversity to the landscape. From some of these hills views extending for miles across the city and open country lay before the eye.

The work of designing the sub-division is being done by the same artists who designed Goodyear Heights, and the layout preserves all the natural beauties, the woods, hills and orchards and the little creek valley, converting some of them into parks, others into beautiful residence sections. Prizes will be offered later on for the naming of these places. Goodyear Heights No. 2 is destined to become in a few years one of Akron’s show spots, a residence section ideal for the working man of moderate income.”

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FEATURED HOUSE: 1744 Hampton Road

Built in 1919, this adorable and sturdy Tudor Revival home is typical of the quality and design built into the Heights’ original Goodyear-built homes. Externally, the house appears to have been little changed from its original and still maintains its historic character; the windows have been updated and a deck has been added at the rear.

On the inside, the home still features most of its original woodwork, though it has been painted to fit contemporary tastes. A small foyer and a rustic craftsman-style brick fireplace lend an air of charm and dignity. The kitchen and baths have all been updated. At 1310 square feet and only $55,000 – this historic home represents a great value, and being in near-original exterior condition, adds significantly to the historic character of the neighborhood.

Notes: 1744 Hampton Rd. Akron, OH  44305 / 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, and a two car garage, also offers a large deck patio in the backyard.  Appliances included: Dishwasher, Dryer, Microwave, Range / Oven, Refrigerator, Washer. Detached garage has electricity.
For More information - go HERE.

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SOME THOUGHTS ON MAINTAINING YOUR HOME’S CHARACTER AND VALUE

One of the most common questions people ask about owning older homes has to do with the best ways to repair them or improve them. One of the things that helps maintain the historic character of Goodyear Heights is the design of the homes—many of which represent excellent examples of residential architecture 100 years ago. The more you can retain some of that original design integrity, the more you home may be worth in the long run, and the more it adds to the neighborhood. In one sense, maintaining and repairing an old house is almost akin to the pledge that doctors take--First, Do No Harm--which is to say, it's best not to rush ahead and remove or destroy a period detail that you might miss later.  Today, we’ll talk a little bit about repairs.

Maintaining that historic look? It’s not always easy. People say, “they don’t build them like that anymore” – and it’s certainly true. When most Goodyear Heights houses were built, hardwood floors, oak woodwork, French doors, fireplaces, wood windows and even slate roofs were the norm. If your house still has them, it’s best to try and repair or restore them, if possible—since brand new replacements aren’t cheap.

The same goes for a home’s exterior. If your home still sports its original stucco, brick or wooden shingle/clapboard exterior, it’s always best to make a good, solid repair than to replace or hide a problem with a newer or cheaper material, like vinyl siding.

But what if repair isn’t possible?  First of all, it’s important to know that there’s nothing that can’t be fixed the right way, if you’re determined to make it happen. There are craftsmen who still know how to correctly point brick, repair stucco and cedar shingle siding, fix a plaster wall or refinish old woodwork. It may cost a little more, but your house will retain more of its value and the chances are, those repairs—if done right—will look better and last far longer than a quick fix or a cheap substitute.

If you can’t find a match for an original material, or you simply don’t have the budget to repair something the way you’d like, you can still help protect your investment by making smart choices. Here’s a few ideas:

Siding – Replacing old, rotted clapboards is still preferable to re-siding with aluminum or vinyl. Correctly prepared, and using today’s better paints, sections of that old siding can still be fixed and remain easier to maintain. A better alternative than vinyl are wood-like substitutes like Hardie-board, or cement-board, which match wood in appearance but don’t rot. Even some of today’s better vinyl siding is improved over cheap varieties—many types are designed to mimic older styles of wooden siding.

Roofs – A lot of houses in the Heights had slate roofs, the cost of which is beyond the reach of most people today. If you can replace some slates, great. If not, many modern substitutes are available that have a similar look to the original.

Windows – windows can be a real issue. The original windows in these houses will always look better than any modern replacement, but it’s also true that they were mostly single-pane, true divided-light windows that really don’t meet today’s standards in terms of energy efficiency. If you’re lucky, you may have some original storm windows—but few people like the idea of taking them off and storing them every summer. There are also new types of storm windows that are designed to fit on the inside of the house—and they are much thinner and lighter, too. If replacements are a must, seek ones that look as close to the original as possible, with true divided-lights (or at least removable window grilles) rather than full plates of sheet glass.

Exterior Details – porch railings, doors and trim: The modern-style railings you see on a new home’s rear deck won’t look right on an old house. Exterior trim—like soffits, verge boards on gables and window surrounds, should be repaired to look as much like the original as possible. Maintain the scale and appearance, and remember it’s OK to use modern, no-rot materials like Azek PVC for these repairs, too. That will cut down on future maintenance. If you must replace an original door, you can almost always find a new one that will match it. The good news is—most of the detailing found on Goodyear Heights houses is attractive but fairly simple in design—so there’s no need for fancy Victorian “gingerbread” trim.

Those are just a few tips that can help in your decision-making. As time goes on, we’ll provide more in-depth information and resources that can help you improve and maintain your home in a way that preserves its value and historic character. We’ll get into some other issues, like modern updates, additions and even garages—in the future.

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FEATURED HOUSE: 1555 Hillside Terrace

This large shingle-style colonial at the corner of Brittain Road and Hillside Terrace was custom-built for its first owner in 1923, and is one of the larger homes built within the historic district. Though not an original Goodyear-built house plan, it is a unique-to-the-neighborhood design, like many of the houses on this stretch of Hillside. It fits in perfectly with the surrounding homes and has been solidly maintained. Inside, the home still retains most of its original charm, including a rustic Craftsman-style fireplace, French doors, beautiful hardwood floors and solid oak woodwork—all of which appear to be in excellent shape.

It’s possible that the house may have been originally constructed as a duplex, which could account for its generous size (3,336 sq. ft.). Currently there are two entrances; one on Brittain Rd. facing west and the other on Hillside facing south. At $92,000, it represents a lot of space for the money and could probably be converted to a spacious single family if desired. The views from the top of the hill here are very fine.

Notes: 1555 Hillside Ter. Akron, OH 44305 / Deluxe Duplex: Unit 1 (facing Brittain Rd) Rent $1,000 per month features 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, living room, dinning room and huge kitchen. Additional bonus room on 3rd floor. Some hardwood floors, basement with laundry hookup. Unit 2 (facing Hillside Rd) Rent $800 has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room, dining room and kitchen. Basement also has laundry hookup. 2 car attached garage. Tenants pay all utilities except water/sewer.
More info available HERE.

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