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Local drug addiction activist joins program with apartments and treatment center Doug Livingston Akron Beacon Journal Ten men and six women fighting drug and alcohol addiction could soon be waking up in the heart of downtown Akron's arts and entertainment district in dormitory-style apartments above a coffee shop and restaurant, near music venues, the main library, two breweries and the art museum. The apartment building at Market and High streets housed a business college for most of the 20th century and, most recently, a Bitcoin trader raided by the FBI. Now, out-of-town investors have secured a lease to open Akron House Recovery https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/07/08/tugg-massa-run-new-drug-treatment-housing-akron-house-recovery/5302986001/

July 04, 2021 04:00 AM updated 14 hours ago Akron could get 100 more apartments with Philadelphia Rubber Works project Dan Shingler A big residential development proposed for downtown Akron failed to get historic tax credits in the latest awards announced at the end of June. But those behind the $42 million project say they still plan to move ahead and will try again for the credits, probably this fall. "We're not giving up. We'll probably go back in for the next round," said Elizabeth Corbin Murphy, a principal at the project's architecture firm, Perspectus Historic Architecture in Akron, and the project's spokeswoman. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/akron-could-get-100-more-apartments-philadelphia-rubber-works-project

Former Beacon Journal building could become apartments as part of $31.6 million project Jim Mackinnon Akron Beacon Journal The former Akron Beacon Journal building is at a crossroad, redevelopment-wise. The historic downtown Akron building, now owned by a developer in Alabama, may be converted into apartments or offices. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/07/02/former-akron-beacon-journal-building-downtown-could-become-apartments/7829288002/

'The importance of community': New nature center latest enhancement to Akron's Summit Lake Emily Mills Akron Beacon Journal When Veronica Sims was growing up in the Summit Lake neighborhood of Akron, she and her friends would peer through the chain-link fence and cattails surrounding the lake’s former pump house and imagine a ghost on the second floor. Now, the building has been transformed into Summit Metro Parks’ Summit Lake Nature Center. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2021/07/02/summit-metro-parks-summit-lake-nature-center-akron-ohio-grand-opening-reimagining-civic-commons/7797761002/ July 01, 2021 02:09 PM updated 16 hours ago Planning process for Merriman Valley set to begin CRAIN'S AKRON BUSINESS Residents of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls who have been clamoring for a master plan to govern development in the scenic Merriman Valley are about to get their wish. Akron and Cuyahoga Falls announced Thursday, July 1, that they're kicking off the joint planning process to develop a plan for the valley and some surrounding property with a virtual public meeting that will be held Thursday, July 15. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/planning-process-merriman-valley-set-begin Meeting link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/merriman-valley-master-plan-public-workshop-1-building-blocks-tickets-161500553503

Centennial Park across the street is a really nice space. I can see that getting very busy this summer.

June 30, 2021 03:10 PM updated 10 hours ago 55 Public Square, Canton hotel deal win big in historic tax credit contest Michelle Jarboe Ketter's firm is working on the $35.5 million Renkert Building project, on Market Avenue in downtown Canton. Hotel developer Ceres Enterprises LLC, based in Westlake, plans to revive the empty office building as a 92-room hotel. The project also includes ground-up construction on an adjacent parking lot, with restaurants in both the historic and new structures. Built in 1914, the Renkert Building was Canton's first skyscraper. Ceres has a hotel deal lined up but isn't ready to announce the flag, Ketter said. Construction might start in mid-2022. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/55-public-square-canton-hotel-deal-win-big-historic-tax-credit-contest

June 30, 2021 01:23 PM updated 10 hours ago Sports betting remains 'a priority' for company that owns Hall of Fame Village Kevin Kleps The latest round of changes to legislation that would allow sports betting in Ohio increased the number of available Type B licenses. The current plan calls for 40 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks (up from 33), with a maximum of five in the state's largest counties. https://www.crainscleveland.com/kevin-kleps-blog/sports-betting-remains-priority-company-owns-hall-fame-village

June 30, 2021 03:10 PM updated 10 hours ago 55 Public Square, Canton hotel deal win big in historic tax credit contest Michelle Jarboe In downtown Akron, developer Michael Mouron plans to remake much of the Art Deco-styled Akron Beacon Journal building as 100-plus apartments. The newspaper left the space in 2019, and its former parent company sold the real estate to Mouron last year for $1.1 million. Now the property, which spans most of a city block at 44 East Exchange St., is slated for a $31.6 million makeover. That project secured a $3.125 million state tax credit. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/55-public-square-canton-hotel-deal-win-big-historic-tax-credit-contest

Kent State University approves $19.6M expansion for College of Aeronautics and Engineering Posted Jun 29, 7:02 AM KENT, Ohio – Kent State University’s Board of Trustees approved a proposed $19.6 million, 41,449 square foot addition to the school’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering. The expansion was prompted by “significant enrollment growth,” according to the university. When complete, the addition will allow for additional facility research, instructional laboratories and classrooms, offices and areas for students to work together. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2021/06/kent-state-university-approves-196m-expansion-for-college-of-aeronautics-and-engineering.html

I agree. I think it was done to mimic the development on the other side of 59. The cornice detailing looks the same. https://goo.gl/maps/HaxoyfdSB7BBwbwu7 Also, look at how much signage is in this location.

June 27, 2021 04:00 AM updated 13 hours ago Short-staffed Akron restaurants are booming with business Dan Shingler They're back — hungry and in large, sometimes overwhelming numbers. Not the Brood X cicadas, but patrons at Akron restaurants and bars. Area establishments report they're seeing dining rooms as crowded as they were before the pandemic, with one popular spot downtown reporting its largest crowds in at least three years. Now, owners say, if they could only get their workers back, times would be great. As it is, many of them are working harder than ever, often at tasks they used to pay others to do. https://www.crainscleveland.com/akron-news/short-staffed-akron-restaurants-are-booming-business

Akron announces Rubber City Match winners Dan Shingler And the winners are … Gypsy Grace and The Vintage Goat, and SRINA Tea House. Those are the businesses receiving funding via Akron's 2021 Rubber City Match program, announced by Mayor Dan Horrigan on Thursday, June 24. They'll each receive a business loan from the city's partners, Western Reserve Community Fund and Columbus-based ECDI: Economic & Community Development Institute, along with a $50,000 grant from the city to complete their proposed projects. https://www.crainscleveland.com/dan-shingler-blog/akron-announces-rubber-city-match-winners?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210625&utm_content=article1-image

Kent officials anticipate late 2022 opening for new city hall building Kaitlyn McGarvey Record-Courier Kent Service Director Melanie Baker said the city expects to bid the project next week and award the contract at the end of July. A late 2022 opening date is anticipated, she said. The building is proposed for 319 South Water St. at the site of the old police station. https://www.record-courier.com/story/news/2021/06/24/kent-officials-anticipate-late-2022-opening-new-city-hall-building-portage-ohio/5321148001/?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210624&utm_content=article4-headline Kent State plans 41,449-square-foot addition to aeronautics and engineering building Bob Gaetjens Record-Courier The university hopes to move into the new addition located just east of the university library along Summit Street in the spring of 2023. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment in the College of Aeronautics & Engineering continues to rise,” said Kent State University Trustee Stephen A. Perry, adding the university hopes to break ground for the addition in October. “This is a $19 million project. It will be funded from sources including $14.1 million from 2020 bond proceeds, as well as local funds and philanthropic gifts to the university.” https://www.record-courier.com/story/business/2021/06/23/kent-state-university-add-41-449-square-feet-aeronautics-and-engineering-building/5311322001/?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210624&utm_content=article5-headline

AkronArts is a new wide-ranging initiative that looks to better connect some of the university's arts offerings with the city. University spaces, like the Polsky Building in Akron, will be repurposed. The downtown dwelling will house some of UA's arts programs while becoming a place for community members to visit for arts offerings. Crossposted from:

June 20, 2021 04:00 AM updated 16 hours ago University of Akron, city team up for arts-based initiative Amy Morona In a talk with the Akron Roundtable last month, UA president Gary Miller said the university needs to redefine what it means to be a campus post-pandemic. Officials are turning to their downtown partners and the area's art scene to help figure it out. AkronArts is a new wide-ranging initiative that looks to better connect some of the university's arts offerings with the city. University spaces, like the Polsky Building in Akron, will be repurposed. The downtown dwelling will house some of UA's arts programs while becoming a place for community members to visit for arts offerings. https://www.crainscleveland.com/education/university-akron-city-team-arts-based-initiative

Highland Shoe Repair, sole storefront of its kind remaining in Akron, to close by December Krista S. Kano Akron Beacon Journal The last shoe repair shop within Akron city limits, Highland Shoe Repair, will close by Dec. 1, owner Bob Ferguson announced Saturday via Facebook. Ferguson, who has owned the shop for nearly 30 years, wrote he had always planned to retire at age 65, but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated plans. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/06/20/highland-shoe-repair-close-december-owner-bob-ferguson-says/7763332002/

Here's more on it: Akron’s Pritt Entertainment Group keeps high-tech focus in historic building (photos) Posted Jun 01, 5:30 AM By Marc Bona, cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – If you tune in to a major-league sporting event, there’s a chance that before anyone takes the ice, field, or court, you’re going to see something produced by Pritt Entertainment Group. Based in the heart of downtown Akron, the small company creates high-tech videos for teams and companies all over the world from its home base – the Carlton Building, a 121-year-old structure that PEG – as it’s branded - bought and renovated starting in 2018. It’s a symbiotic mesh of very old and new, with the building’s rich history being preserved by the modern company. The firm maintains about 20 sports and corporate clients, from the Vegas Golden Knights to University of Akron football. https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/06/akrons-pritt-entertainment-group-keeps-high-tech-focus-in-historic-building-photos.html

New Young Trucks sales center planned for Canton Township Malcolm Hall The Repository CANTON TWP. – A proposal to construct a 63,613-square-foot truck sales center on vacant land has cleared a major hurdle as township trustees agreed to a rezoning request. The proposal, submitted by RJAZ Properties, involves 28.09 acres on the east side of the U.S. Route 30 and Whipple Avenue SW intersection. RJAZ Properties is affiliated with Young Trucks. https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2021/05/30/young-trucks-looks-build-new-sales-site/7431161002/

HUD awards Cleveland and CMHA $35-Million grant to transform east side neighborhoods By Michelle Nicks | May 26, 2021 at 10:13 PM EDT - Updated May 26 at 10:13 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Housing Authority and the city were awarded a $35 million federal grant to transform and update east side neighborhoods. The Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant is needed to rebuild the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhoods, and that includes the Woodhill Homes. Housing projects were built as one of the earliest in the country, and buildings currently 80 years old. https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/05/26/hud-awards-cleveland-cmha-million-grant-transform-east-side-neighborhoods/

Redesigned Duncan Plaza start of renaissance for downtown Massillon Amy L. Knapp The Independent MASSILLON – Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry stood atop the new stage overlooking Duncan Plaza as it filled with dignitaries, city employees and curious residents. "It's finally here," she said to cheers. Officials on Thursday reopened the re-imagined Duncan Plaza. https://www.indeonline.com/story/news/2021/05/27/duncan-plaza-redesign-signals-renaissance-massillon/5143554001/?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210528&utm_content=article4-readmore

Duo team to design new expansion of I.M. Pei Museum in Ohio Georgina Johnston 12 Mar 2021 The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced that Practice for Architecture and Urbanism and James Corner Field Operations have together won its competition to design a major expansion of the landmark in downtown Cleveland https://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/article/1705343/duo-team-design-new-expansion-im-pei-museum-ohio?bulletin=daily-review-bulletin4&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=eNews Bulletin&utm_source=20210527&utm_content=News Review - Thursday (65)::&email_hash=

Underground and overhead have been a topic of conversation since the last Mayor. Just would be very costly.

May 16, 2021 04:00 AM updated 15 hours ago Greater Akron's restaurant and retail market starts to perk up Dan Shingler Bowery District While all neighborhoods are important, one area being watched closely is the Bowery District on Main Street. Throughout 2020, the project's leader, Welty Building Co. CEO Don Taylor, had been reporting that while the Bowery's 92 apartments were leasing quickly, not a single bar, restaurant or other retailer had taken any of the project's roughly 40,000 square feet of retail space. Now, Taylor says he's confident he'll soon be reporting several new tenants, including a major bar and restaurant for his largest single retail spot. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/greater-akrons-restaurant-and-retail-market-starts-perk

May 12, 2021 10:02 AM updated 12 hours ago Akron doubles down with plan for growth Dan Shingler The housing and population initiative Akron began in 2017 was successful enough that Mayor Dan Horrigan is doing it again. The city launched what it's calling the Planning to Grow Akron 2.0 plan on Wednesday, May 12, with an agenda that includes a slate of new programs, including many aimed at improving what the plan calls the city's "middle neighborhoods." Those are described as "areas of the city that are in generally good condition but could benefit from improvements to the housing stock, infrastructure, streetscape and landscaping to help maintain the neighborhoods' viability and desirability." https://www.crainscleveland.com/akron-news/akron-doubles-down-plan-growth http://apexakron.com/

Correct. Here is the before.