SURVEY RESULTS CONTINUE TO "FALL" IN!

Responses continue to come in for our Goodyear Heights Resident Survey, and as the weeks go on we’ll be sharing some of the results and highlighting some of the specific questions we asked and the responses we are getting.

As a teaser, we might pass on just a few observations that we gathered on our first look at the results. One thing that stuck out was that a majority of the respondents (55%) have lived in Goodyear Heights for at least 10 years of more—in fact, in our initial 100 responses, 30% of those surveyed had lived in Goodyear Heights for 20 years or more!

A cartoon that appeared in The Wingfoot Clan during Goodyear Heights' early years.

That points to something we suspected—that a number of families have lived in The Heights for multiple generations. It also points out that there is a high degree of satisfaction for many residents, and that they have both a financial and emotional investment in the neighborhood.

Among the first 100 respondents, almost 80% were homeowners. Most lived in what we would consider the “older” part of the neighborhood. Of the issues they would like to see the city address, crime was by far the primary issue—something that is typical in most of Akron’s neighborhoods.

We’ll also note there was a very high degree of interest in a true grocery store, places to eat and hang out, improved parks and a community garden, and maybe even a regulated dog park. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at some of those things our residents are suggesting, and consider how we can adapt those ideas into an overall plan to improve Goodyear Heights. Stay Tuned!

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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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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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IN THE DAYS BEFORE WEED-WHACKERS

When Goodyear Heights was first being developed, it was inevitable that the vacant lots where houses were yet to be built could soon be overgrown with tall grasses and weeds. This was especially the case since the whole allotment had once been farmland.

While push-reel mowers were not new at the time, not everyone had one—and they were only of practical use if one had a yard planted with well-tended grass. For more troublesome spots, the vacant lot next door, or other areas where a mower could not be used, something more substantial was called for. In this case, it was the Community Scythe.

Shortly after workers and their families began moving into the first phase of the neighborhood, the Goodyear Heights Improvement Association voted to purchase a scythe that would be loaned out to residents for a modest fee. If the tool was returned in good order after a reasonable amount of time, the fee would then be refunded to the user.

Today, just about every household owns their own personal weedeater—but this old time solution seems pretty reasonable and entirely neighborly. Pretty cost-effective, too.

(The accompanying article is from the Wingfoot Clan)

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