Ohio plans to spend nearly $5.5 million in Stark County on community projects, including major upgrades at the Canton Palace Theatre and McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, as part of the upcoming state capital budget.
The money is included in a larger, $3.7 billion capital budget paying for infrastructure, school buildings, a new behavioral health hospital and a specialty psychiatric facility for youth mental health. The budget sets aside $208 million for community projects statewide.
The legislation also earmarks:
Most of the money is supported by long-term debt issued through Ohio bonds. The Ohio Constitution limits how this money can be spent. For example, Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved a 2025 bond measure to increase the spending cap on local roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects.
Ohio Budget Director Kim Murnieks told lawmakers that Ohio’s debt burden is now the lowest in modern state history.
The Ohio Senate plans to approve the spending plan on June 3. Then, the Ohio House will send the bill to Gov. Mike DeWine next week.
Lawmakers collaborated on the list of projects, so few, if any, changes are expected.
Canton Palace Theatre secures funding for 100th anniversary renovations
The largest sum for a Stark County project — $1.75 million — is going to the Canton Palace Theatre for upgrades and an expansion. The money will partially fund the $19 million project.
The Canton Palace Theatre, located at 605 Market Ave. N, opened in 1926. The renovations coincide with its 100th anniversary.
“It really sets up the Palace for the next generation of events and supporters,” Executive Director Georgia Paxos said.
Renovations involve expanding the stage, the addition of a second lobby, more bathrooms and multiple accessibility improvements, which include adding wheelchair spots in the theater and an elevator. Paxos said that will improve the visitor experience.
“Accessibility is key,” she said. “Right now we have four wheelchair spots, and we’ll have a total of 16 when the project is done. Having an elevator to the balcony will finally make the balcony accessible.”
Work has already begun. The theater is currently closed and will reopen in mid-September. Some shorter closures are expected in 2027, and construction will be complete around the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028.
Expansion planned at McKinley Museum
The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is planning a major building addition to house a larger William McKinley exhibit, a relocated Museum Shoppe and an expanded library and archive.
The expanded building will also include the addition of the Stark County Black History Museum, which will be a “museum inside a museum.”
Kim Kenney, executive director of the museum, said the entire project is expected to cost around $18.5 million. State community project funds will cover $250,000.
Kenney said the project is still in the beginning stages and the timeline will depend on funding.
CommQuest using funds for projects in Canton, Massillon
Stark County mental health nonprofit CommQuest is receiving $200,000 for renovations at its Massillon facility and $200,000 for roof repairs at its Canton facility.
“The requested capital funds will be used to support two key projects that strengthen our ability to serve vulnerable individuals and families,” a CommQuest spokesperson said in a statement.
Renovations at the Fuline Center in Massillon include safety and infrastructure upgrades. The upgrades will support the Family Living Center emergency shelter, allowing for more space for additional nonprofits and expanding community spaces and shared living areas.
The project aims to improve safety and quality of life at the shelter and create opportunities for more nonprofit partnerships to expand services offered.
The Canton outpatient campus on Cleveland Avenue will be getting a new roof. CommQuest continues to raise money to cover the full project.
The roof replacement is necessary after years of repair, a spokesperson said. It is needed to ensure uninterrupted care for individuals receiving addiction treatment, behavioral health assessment, workforce programming and community services at the facility.
Community projects in Stark County
Stark County is getting $5,462,950 in community project funding. Here’s the full list of local projects included in the state capital budget:
Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio capital budget funds community projects. What’s planned in Stark?
Reporting by Grace Springer and Jessie Balmert, Canton Repository / The Repository
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