Akron1848

Can you at least provide a few colorful exhibits that identify the potential routes through the zoo and preferred boarding locations based on the location of animal ‘hubs’ (Tiger Valley, Wild Prairie, etc.). It would be nice if you could include ridership projections comparing the old train with the new solar powered train, along with estimates of how many strollers would likely be removed from the walkways given the new transportation alternative. It might just be me, but I would be interested to find out how much of the savings related to emissions (or lack thereof) from the solar powered train will offset the greenhouse gases being produced from the various animals. Thanks.

I have to say that I am impressed, my pessimism resulting from years of watching missed redevelopment opportunities certainly got the best of me. I am glad they are going with a 5-story building as it will be a great transition between 22 Exchange and the AES building. A comment on the Beacon article indicated that the City payed $1.5 mil for the property when they bought it, it will be interesting to see what price they are selling it to the developer for. Even at a loss, the redevelopment and additional downtown residents would seem to be worth it when looking at it as a long term investment to the vibrancy of downtown. Since land banking seemed to work so well in this situation, does anybody know if this has been pursued for the various parcels/surface lots across from Canal Park that keep getting mentioned?

Even if 22 Exchange was only leasing those properties/lots, they very well could have put up the money for the improvements. Providing an attractive parking area right across the street goes a long way in marketing those units, even if they don't own the land. That would be no different than a company who leases office space sinking a ton of money into an office remodel for the benefit of employees and clients. The fact that it may have been a recent sale could be a good possibility, or that the City has agreed to do the demo in order to prepare the lot before the transfer in ownership. I don't disagree that the demo is part of some proposed plan, I am just going to be really disappointed if the City held on to a property for three years only to sell it to a developer who is going to turn it into one giant surface lot. At this point, it seems that a new building is just speculation. When developers and City officials love to get their names in the newspaper talking about their next big investment when a project is nothing more than a sketch on a napkin, doesn't it seem odd that we haven't heard anything yet considering this would be another multimillion dollar development?

A review on the Summit County property records indicates that it is the City of Akron that owns this property, as well as the property to the east (former AABofR). I suspect that the owners on 22 Exchange were only leasing the building for their leasing office. The City has owned these properties since 2008. I would like to think that they are acquiring properties with good potential and simply waiting for the right developer/project to come along, but that may be giving the City too much credit.

Thanks for the responses. I work down at Canal Place so I drive by the site everyday just as I suspect you do. With the AES building right on the street, it would be nice to complement that and add something that at least fronts Main. Leave the back of the block as parking if they must, but something new on the corner of Cedar & Main, residential or otherwise, would be a nice extension of the block between Cedar and Exchange. Sure there are other parcels in the core that would add more to downtown, but every little piece counts and I don't want to sit around waiting for the center of downtown when there is plenty of development/redevelopment opportunities (and willing property owners) on the fringes...unless of course they just want to build more surface lots.

Does anybody have any information regarding plans for the former Parrish McIntyre Tire property at Cedar and Main? Half of the building was gone this afternoon when I drove by, I suspect the remainder will be down by tomorrow. I must say that I am glad that they have decided to demo it as it added nothing to downtown, in terms of use or architecturally, but now I fear it will just turn into another surface lot. Any thoughts?