Akron City Council on Monday approved a conditional use to allow Akron Public Schools to build a new K–8 elementary and middle school at 2126 13th Street Southwest, the site of the former Kenmore High School.

Deborah Folk, executive director of business affairs for Akron Public Schools, told the council the district needs a modern facility to replace aging buildings that "no longer meet the needs of the educational process" and asked members to "support to move this project forward." Architect Zach Forney of Prime AE said the project will combine the Kenmore clusters, Pfeiffer Elementary and Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts into a unified elementary and middle school and that renderings are posted on the district's website.

The planned two‑story building would total about 150,000 square feet, include a gymnasium, dining area and what the presentation described as a 750‑seat theater, and was designed to accommodate roughly 750 students and about 90 employees. Site plans presented to the council show a primary parking area with roughly 85 spaces, an auxiliary lot with about 74 spaces for events, separate play areas for younger grades and open space intended for athletic fields, recreation and outdoor education.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions. After a brief discussion, including praise from Councilwoman Tina Boyse for keeping young students within walking distance of their neighborhood, the council adopted the ordinance by a 12–0 vote.

The council recorded no amendments or additional conditions on the record at the meeting. The next procedural step is implementation of the project under the conditions noted in the planning staff recommendation; specific construction timelines were not specified at the hearing.