akronurban

I don't usually comment but just enjoy the updates on various projects around NE Ohio. In this case, having grown up in Massillon and experiencing the best and worst of a manufacturing economy, I can agree that the scope of this project is an anomaly and can only survive with a lot of outside money. The middle class of these cities (similar to Warren, Youngstown, etc.) has pretty much disappeared with the loss of steel and supporting businesses. What is left is a struggling lower class, lower educated population that could not move when the rest of the folks who were able to move left decades ago. There still is some old money left and a small entrepreneur class that support the arts, the medical and legal fields, and small colleges. The ones who remain are fiercely loyal to sports but may not have the disposable income to support this project over the long term. I hope the NFL is prepared to continuously pump money into it for years to come.

Always thought this should be finished and promoted as the best way to view the entire northern stretch of the Ohio-Erie Canalway Heritage Area and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Guess all it takes is money....

Highland Square for sure, especially after a new Mustard Seed Market (organic grocery) opens but another area to check out is about a mile further west on Market St. called Wallhaven, or sometimes called 5 Points. There are a number of new shops and restaurants that recently opened, the West Point Market (one of the best specialty groceries in NE Ohio) is close and the neighborhood is very walkable.

This building is of great historical significance as the Massillon office of Republic Steel Corp., once the 3rd largest steel company in the world. It was near here that the "Little Steel" strike of 1937 occurred where 3 workers were shot and killed by police after the company had expelled over 1000 workers because of union organizing activities. I grew up and worked there the summer after graduating from high school. Republic Steel once employed over 1/2 the entire workforce in the City of Massillon. (thank you Wikipedia!)

My understanding of the Mayfield Theater situation is that Terry Tarantino of La Dolce Vita owns it and is sitting on it for some reason. Word is he is a very interesting character with various, and time-consuming, financial interests.... the Club Corbo did have fire damage a few years back and litigation ensued when the insurance company denied coverage as it was a set fire. The litigation just concluded with a ruling in favor of the insurance company. Not sure if there will be more of an appeal process... so, without funds to repair and restore, the Corbos may also just let it sit... unfortunate because of the potential of both properties. The annual Italian Film Festival to raise funds for the Italian Cultural Garden is held at the Capitol Theater on the West Side and should be held at the Mayfield. The Opera in the Park concerts could also use this venue. With the historic contributions of Italians and Italian-Americans to the arts, the theater could be filled every night of the year with films, live performances, even fashion events. From what I understand, the inside right now is simply a shell with no remaining seats.

The City did announce a $4 million grant recently to build a new Community Center building. See http://education.ohio.com/2011/05/amha-to-build-summit-lake-center/ Also, the missing link towpath trail is being constructed as we speak. Concrete has been laid behind the Spaghetti Warehouse the last few days. Look for the entire Bartges St. bridge and towpath to be complete by late August. Later this fall, the towpath south of Bartges St. will be reconstructed to current specs with lighting and fencing so the entire length through downtown will be done by the end of the year. Also going being constucted is the last link in Summit County through PPG property in Barberton so Summit County should be done.

Nothing is happening right now... I think the developers were waiting to see if the BioInnovation Institute about a block away received all the funding they had requested (which they did and renovations are under way to create a new headquarters).

One most obvious.... Readin' Writin' and Rt. 21

The City received a $1.9 million grant to remediate the asbestos in buildings next to the Civic Theater as part of the Lock 3 and Lock 4 redevelopment plan. Bids are being sought in November so you should see some work being done in the Landmark Building (the old Akron Savings Bank building) in 2011. It's progress but slooooow progress.....

With the success of the nationally ranked soccer team, the University is looking to begin renovations of the soccer stadium at Lee Jackson Field. The rendering follows:

The RFQ suggests different options for building placement http://www3.uakron.edu/bids/lawschoolrenfeasibility-siterfq.doc

Great photos! Alice's Restaurant closed years ago and was replaced by the local chain "Firehouse Grill" which ironically burned down a few years ago. The building with the sign you missed was President William McKinley's first law office. I worked at Nickles Bakery in the summers while going to college in Akron after working a couple summers at Republic Steel in Massillon... believe me, the odors were much more pleasant at Nickles :-D

A map of the proposed trails and the one being constructed follows. The link for a larger version is: http://www.friendsofbigcreek.org/proptrail0602.png

Public meeting TONIGHT in Akron regarding Cascade Locks Meeting to address Cascade Mills plans AKRON: The Cascade Locks Park Association will hold a public meeting on its plans to mark the historic Cascade Mills. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, 15 N. Maple St. The association has formed a committee of interested parties and is working with consultants GPD Group to create open space where cereal magnate Ferdinand Schumacher's famous mill once stood along the Ohio & Erie Canal within the Cascade Locks Park. Plans call for marking the footprint of the old building, adding a gateway structure at Howard and North streets and building trails and a public gathering place.

The downtown Y is Canal Square (see [http://www.akronymca.com/locations/canalsquare//url] ) but "Canal Place" is just down the street at the former BF Goodrich world HQ that is now home to hundreds of smaller companies, artists, restaurants, etc. Just like a lot of new "Towpath" named companies, the "Canal" places are getting numerous and a little confusing... all for the good, I guess since it only helps identify the National Heritage Corridor (or "canalway") that is helping revitalize a large part of the downtown and surrounding area. Even Highland Square has benefited from the Canalway federal money though it's not located directly on the canal. I live on the Portage Lakes and believe it is one of the most hidden secrets of Ohio (the lakes were also part of the canal system). A lot of newer neighbors have moved here from the Cleveland area after friends have let them in on the secret. Minutes from highways, all the neighborhood amenities, good roads and schools, and great scenery. Just don't tell anyone..... :-D