Wooster
The Lane – Wooster neighborhood is located just west of downtown Akron. In the early 20th century, the area became home to African-American families who were moving to Akron from the south. The Akron Zoo, which has recently been remodelled, is located in the Lane Wooster area. Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts, draws children from all parts of Summit County. It serves children from 4th grade to 8th grade. Wooster Avenue was recently renamed Vernon Odom Boulevard, a nod to the neighborhood’s African American heritage. The area is the largest black neighborhood in Akron, with 87% of residents identifying themselves as such.
During the 1970s, the Innerbelt was built and some 3,000 families were displaced. It continues to be a disputed call if the Innerbelt has benefited the inner city; proponents have said it is an essential throughway for Akron’s impending growth, while dissenters contend that it has caused Akron to lose some of its cohesiveness.
Lane Wooster is accessible from three highways, The Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway Ohio State Highway 59, Interstate 76 and Interstate 77. According to The City of Akron’s statistics there are 9,329 people living in 4,132 households. The average household income (1999) is $28,804.
Read more about this topic: Neighborhoods In Akron, Ohio, Lane