Mayor Horrigan has unveiled a bronze Rubber Worker statue, standing 12-foot-tall, in the center of the roundabout at the corner of Main and Mill Streets on May 13.
“We’re incredibly excited to unveil the final product to the residents of Akron. We know that many in the community have been awaiting the statue installation with much anticipation and we’re proud to now have this lasting tribute to Akron’s hard-working rubber workers who helped build up our community. Akron will always be a place where grit and determination are celebrated and where hardworking men and women can achieve the American dream,” said Mayor Dan Horrigan.
Previously, the City of Akron announced in September 2019 that the city would put a statue in the center of the newly redeveloped Main St. to pay respect to the dedication of Akron’s rubber workers who helped develop Akron and the rubber and tire industry.
The statue, inspired by the image on the cover of David Giffels and Steve Love’s book “Wheels of Fortune”, was created by Ohio Sculptor Alan Cottrill. The government also received financial support from local partners such as Huntington Bank, FirstEnergy, PNC, Akron Children’s Hospital, GPD Group, and Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro in creating the statue.
Those who wish to watch the celebration ceremony can visit the city’s Facebook page as the event was live-streamed through the platform and the City’s YouTube page.
To find out more about the interactive kiosk, commemorative bricks, and the statue, visit Akronohio.gov/rubberworker. The public can still purchase commemorative bricks until June 18, 2021, at https://www.akronstories.com/.