Dressed as Oscar the Grouch, East Akron resident Nick Christopher held a sign outside Akron City Hall on Thursday protesting a proposed trash transfer, trash hauling and recycling facility.
Christopher’s sign stated, “DON’T TURN EAST AKRON INTO A DUMP!” and had crossed-out photos of a trash bin, a trash truck and a rat.
He said he has concerns about “a lot of things, really — loss of jobs, disease, destruction to our roads.”
The debate continues to swirl around a proposal by WM, formerly Waste Management, to build an Akron Eco-Center at 1400 E. Archwood Ave. in Akron.
Akron City Council held a public hearing on Thursday where various stakeholders came out in support of and opposition to the estimated $20 million project that the company is proposing for the East Akron neighborhood. Council chambers were packed, and discussion continued for hours.
The company’s proposed facility would handle recyclables and, as a transfer station, temporarily store waste from Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, WM spokeswoman Mia Jankowiak previously told the Beacon Journal via email.