Major construction on reshaping Akron's Lock 3 about to begin; concerts, events relocated

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
Updated ·4 min read
Scooter riders make their way up University Avenue as construction workers install a chilled water line into the O'Neil's building at the entrance to Lock 3 in Akron on Tuesday. Construction on the park will start in a few weeks.
Scooter riders make their way up University Avenue as construction workers install a chilled water line into the O'Neil's building at the entrance to Lock 3 in Akron on Tuesday. Construction on the park will start in a few weeks.

The big dig is about the begin at Lock 3 Park.

But that doesn't mean there won't still be downtown concerts, festivals and even outdoor movies this summer.

Work is about to begin in earnest on a $10 million to $12 million project to completely revamp the downtown park that opened in 2003. Some 20 years have passed, and officials say it is simply time to refresh and reimagine the space.

Lock 3 Manager Chris Griffith said the park was originally a pop-up, for a lack of better description. It has since become a center for the community to come together for summer and holiday celebrations.

Griffith said the redo of the space is an effort to not only continue what it's been offering but expand on it.

Another reason for the project, Griffith said, is Lock 3's large stage, its canopy and the ice rink have reached their serviceable life and are in need of replacement.

The goal is to complete the first phase of the project by fall 2024.

More: Akron Children's Museum opens new exhibits, spaces for kids to explore and learn

Angelina Newmyer watches her children, Aurora, 4, and Albert, 2, ride their bikes in Lock 3 in Akron on Tuesday.
Angelina Newmyer watches her children, Aurora, 4, and Albert, 2, ride their bikes in Lock 3 in Akron on Tuesday.

Preliminary work started in March, but, Griffith said, the major construction on the park is set to begin in a couple of weeks.

The progress will be determined once workers begin and discover what might be beneath the ground.

Since the park is situated in the heart of downtown, Griffith said, there's a chance they might find foundations of long-forgotten structures of even relics of the city's industrial past, like marbles from a former toy factory that called Akron home.

"We don't know what we might find until we start digging," she said.

Future phases include incorporating kid-friendly amenities like the carousel from the former Chapel Hill Mall that is being stored in the old O'Neil's building for safekeeping.

In the meantime, Griffith said, the city is moving ahead with a full slate of summer concerts and events downtown in Lock 3’s so-called Backyard situated behind the original stage next to the Akron Civic Theatre.

The entrance will be off West Bowery Street with parking in the State Street parking deck and Cascade parking deck.

The start of the summer season is a bit delayed, with the first Rock the Lock concert scheduled for June 23 with the ELO and Jersey tribute band Into the Blue.

Griffith said they are delaying the start from the traditional Memorial Day because they had to work with the state to secure a new liquor license to be able to serve drinks at the relocated stage area.

A woman pushes a stroller past construction workers who are installing a chilled water line into the former O'Neil's building at the entrance to Lock 3 in Akron on Tuesday.
A woman pushes a stroller past construction workers who are installing a chilled water line into the former O'Neil's building at the entrance to Lock 3 in Akron on Tuesday.

Lock 3 summer concert schedule

The summer Rock the Lock concert series begins June 23 and ends Sept. 3.

Most of the 7 p.m. concerts are free with the exception of July 7, Aug. 11, Sept. 1, 2 and 3 that have a $5 cash admission.

The concert schedule is:

  • June 23 − Into The Blue, ELO Tribute with Jersey

  • June 30 − Draw The Line, The Endorsed Aerosmith Tribute with Lady Lyre

  • July 1 − Straight On, The Heart Tribute with The Angie Haze Project

  • July 3 − Hotel California, The Original Tribute to the Eagles with The Twistoffs

  • July 4 − Wanted, A Bon Jovi Tribute with Wishgarden

  • July 7 − Fleetwood Mac Mania, Fleetwood Mac Tribute with Monica Robins & The Whiskey Kings. $5 admission.

  • July 14 − E5C4P3, Journey Tribute with Hot Blooded

  • July 21 − Satisfaction International, Rolling Stones Tribute with Ravenwood

  • July 28 − Hard Days Night, A Beatles Tribute with Cats on Holiday

  • Aug. 3 − China Grove, A Tribute to the Doobie Brothers

  • Aug. 4 − ABBA Mania, Abba Tribute with Kerosene

  • Aug. 11 − ZOSO, The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute with Neil Zaza. $5 admission.

  • Aug. 18 − Dirty Deeds, The ACDC Experience with Walking in Circles

  • Aug. 25 − A Celebration of Queen Featuring The Georgia Players Guild with The Ladies Night

  • Sept. 1 − Who’s Bad, The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience with Umojah Nation. $5 admission.

  • Sept. 2 − Back & Forth, Foo Fighters Tribute with Cold Blue Steele. $5 admission.

  • Sept. 3 − The Michael Weber Show concert begins at 4 pm. $5 admission.

Summer festival season in downtown Akron

Festivals will return to downtown Akron this summer.

Rib, White and Blue Festival − June 30 to July 4. Admission is free with nightly concerts at 7 p.m. Fireworks will be at 9:45 p.m. on July 4.

African American Cultural Festival − July 22 and 23.

Italian American Festival − Aug. 3 to 5. Admission is free, and concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Akron Pride Festival − Aug. 26.

Akron Pizza Fest − Sept. 1 to 3. Admission is $5 with daily concerts.

Summer Backyard movies

There will be movies shown on the relocated Lock 3 stage on Sunday nights.

Admission is free and the movies include “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Zootopia,” “Coco” and “Sing 2.”

Participants should bring a blanket or chairs.

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Lock 3 schedule: Construction begins, downtown concerts still on