yanni_gogolak

New ‘Flex’ Building Debuts at LindenPointe By Sean Posey | August 17, 2017 HERMITAGE, Pa. – The new $2.5 million CHIP building is the latest addition to the LindenPointe Innovative Business Campus. The facility, now available for sale or lease, opened to members of the public on Wednesday. The 12,700-square-foot facility is a “flex building” that can readily be divided and is designed for multiple potential uses, said John Mastrian, of the Community Hope Investment Partners — or CHIP — board of directors. “It can be ideal for engineering groups, high-tech, manufacturing.” http://businessjournaldaily.com/new-flex-building-debuts-at-innovative-business-campus/

I posted this a while back: https://www.ohio.com/akron/pages/akronym-brewing-hopes-for-fall-opening-in-downtown-akron

R. Shea confirms Canal Place as site of new production brewery, restaurant Published: August 1, 2017 - 11:25 AM | Updated: August 1, 2017 - 2:12 PM By Rick Armon R. Shea Brewing Co. is targeting Canal Place in downtown Akron as the site for its new production brewery and restaurant. The Akron nanobrewery, which hasn’t even celebrated its second anniversary yet, plans to open a 20-barrel brewery and eatery in the former B.F. Goodrich complex along South Main Street. It’s a $2.7 million project. He’s also pushing for the creation of an Akron brewery district, citing the future proximity of R. Shea, Missing Falls, Akronym, Lock 15 and Thirsty Dog in the downtown area. https://www.ohio.com/akron/pages/r-shea-confirms-canal-place-as-site-of-new-production-brewery-restaurant

Those look really cool. Love these throwback-type places. Those 9 over 9 white vinyl windows really make it pop.

Cost of Main Street Corridor project doubles By Doug Livingston Beacon Journal staff writer Published: July 31, 2017 - 10:38 PM City engineers on Monday released computer renderings for the Main Street Corridor. The images — produced by architects at GPD Group — show two-way traffic in two lanes, down from four in some parts, with left-hand turning lanes from Exchange Street all the way north to Mill Street, where landscaped islands will be brought forward to define the edges of a roundabout wrapping a perfect circle of grass and brick. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/cost-of-main-street-corridor-project-doubles-1.784416#

City engineers and developers say downtown is primed for 200 apartments By Doug Livingston Beacon Journal staff writer Published: July 28, 2017 - 06:23 PM The major actors in the revitalization of downtown Akron met Friday morning to discuss the numerous public and private projects that are gelling in the heart of the city. Downtown Akron Partnership convened city engineers, civic leaders and private developers to talk about how to avoid stepping on each others’ toes amid what the Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com estimates to be $177 million in planned or ongoing projects. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/city-engineers-and-developers-say-downtown-is-primed-for-200-apartments-1.783800

Yea, they definitely stopped for a while once the shell was done. I was concerned that the Akron store might be the victim of Whole Food's downsizing over the past six months. There have been several projects across the country that were canceled or abandoned. I'm glad to see that's not the case here. It was actually a victim. It was announced and sold as a Whole Foods. Once approved, they came back later and changed it to the 365 by Whole Foods. But, from some of the articles I read they are not building the traditional Whole Foods anymore.

Yea, they definitely stopped for a while once the shell was done.

------------------------ These guys are really starting off on a pretty big scale - nothing in the story let on about how much brewing experience they have between them. That's a lot of space and equipment for a start-up. It may work out though - since R. Shea is also putting a production brewery at Canal Place, it could be the start of a little brewery district near downtown. It will be interesting to see if, over time, they can get another one down there - or maybe talk an existing out-of-state brewer to expand there, too. They have been brewing at setting up at local events for a couple years. Nothing commercial that I know of. Akron Dish: Artisan Coffee in Ellet expanding to 365 by Whole Foods; Prime 93 in Portage Lakes to become Bricco Prime; Seiberling Farm history; wine tastings and more By Katie Byard Beacon Journal staff writer Beacon Journal staff writer Published: July 18, 2017 - 05:33 PM | Updated: July 19, 2017 - 03:20 PM This Akron coffee shop is percolating mightily. When the new Whole Foods Market 365 opens Sept. 14 on the city’s west side, Akron’s Artisan Coffee Shop will have a coffee bar inside. Also, we bring you news about a change in Portage Lakes scheduled for early next month: Prime 93 in New Franklin — the former Anthe’s — will become Bricco Prime. http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/food/akron-dish-artisan-coffee-in-ellet-expanding-to-365-by-whole-foods-prime-93-in-portage-lakes-to-become-bricco-prime-seiberling-farm-history-wine-tastings-and-more-1.781249?cache=18961415304345

Missing Falls Brewery now headed to downtown Akron By Rick Armon Published: July 18, 2017 Missing Falls Brewery really will be missing a falls. The brewery once slated to open in Munroe Falls is shifting gears and will now be located in the giant Canal Place complex in downtown Akron. It also will be a lot bigger than first envisioned. Missing Falls came onto the local scene in late 2015, with plans to open in a small shop at 10 N. Main St. in Munroe Falls. http://www.ohio.com/blogs/the-beer-blog/the-beer-blog-1.273124/missing-falls-brewery-now-headed-to-downtown-akron-1.781145

Akron City Council sells land for business, art project By Doug Livingston Published: July 17, 2017 - 09:15 PM | Updated: July 17, 2017 - 10:00 PM City Council sold two pieces of public land Monday to private interests who will build a 22,000-square-foot freezer and tiny homes for traveling artists. The purchase agreements have been vetted by Akron city’s planning and economic development departments. The first would allow Country Pure Foods Inc., which makes more than 300 types of juice products, to build a $6 million cold storage facility beside its Waterloo Road property in Kenmore. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-city-council-sells-land-for-business-art-project-1.781064

Local food trucks are finding new avenues July 16, 2017 Updated 3 days ago By JENNIFER KARPUS-ROMAIN Food trucks are again lining up in downtown Akron throughout the summer for the city's Cascade Cucina event on Wednesdays. While that no doubt brings delight to food lovers and the business operators alike, street events only tell part of the story as an increasing number of mobile food operations see private events as a big source of income. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170716/NEWS/170719875/local-food-trucks-are-finding-new-avenues

Whole Foods in West Akron to open Sept. 14, anchors new plaza By Katie Byard Beacon Journal staff writer Published: July 12, 2017 - 12:02 PM | Updated: July 13, 2017 - 08:04 AM Whole Foods has finally revealed an opening date for its store in the Wallhaven neighborhood of West Akron: Sept. 14. The store — at 1745 W. Market St. in the new West Market Street Station shopping plaza — will be the first Whole Foods store in the Akron area and the first Whole Foods Market 365 to open in Ohio. http://www.ohio.com/business/whole-foods-in-west-akron-to-open-sept-14-anchors-new-plaza-1.779821

Building an Akron with people and for people July 12, 2017 by Suzie Graham Suzie Graham is president of Downtown Akron Partnership, a nonprofit organization that builds and promotes the vibrancy and value of downtown Akron. Below, she writes about undertaking focused public space improvements in the downtown to improve neighborhood life. Downtown Akron Partnership is receiving $1.5 million in new support from Knight Foundation. Visualize a vibrant city. Several features typically come to mind: authentic architecture, distinctive destinations, inviting green spaces, delicious and diverse food, intriguing art, a variety of transportation options and one critical and consistent element— ever-present people. The ways that people interact with a place, and with other people in that place, define the character and quality of a city. https://knightfoundation.org/articles/building-an-akron-with-people-and-for-people

$1.5 million Knight Foundation grant will help connect the dots, improve public spaces for a more vibrant downtown Akron By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal staff writer Published: July 11, 2017 - 10:10 PM | Updated: July 12, 2017 - 08:20 AM A $1.5 million grant to the Downtown Akron Partnership is designed to bring the “icing to the cake” and “connect the dots” of various bright spots throughout downtown Akron, while encouraging new improvements. All of that will make downtown Akron more vibrant to retain and attract people, organizers said. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/1-5-million-knight-foundation-grant-will-help-connect-the-dohttp://www.ohio.com/news/local/1-5-million-knight-foundation-grant-will-help-connect-the-dots-improve-public-spaces-for-a-more-vibrant-downtown-akron-1.779747

Taussig Cancer Center by William Rawn Associates and Stantec Architecture

Akron food trucks may get more freedom by next year — and restaurant owners aren’t happy about it By Theresa Cottom Beacon Journal staff writer Published: July 5, 2017 - 08:14 PM Every Wednesday afternoon, food truck offerings bring the sleepy corridor on Main Street to life during Cascade Cucina, where professionals from surrounding businesses converge on the green in Cascade Plaza to eat and socialize. But for some surrounding restaurants, the event leaves business on Wednesday afternoons quieter than ever. Since the weekly city event began in May, Johnathan Hamad, the owner of Hamad’s on Main, said he’s lost hundreds of dollars every Wednesday to the competition directly across the street. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-food-trucks-may-get-more-freedom-by-next-year-and-restaurant-owners-aren-t-happy-about-it-1.778674 “I’m all for new businesses, but Akron in general already has enough restaurants,” Hamad said. /\/\/\ And yet he just opened a new place downtown. :wtf:

Akron opens application window for residential property tax breaks By Doug Livingston Beacon Journal staff writer Published: July 5, 2017 - 02:20 PM | Updated: July 5, 2017 - 11:02 PM Akron is now accepting applications for tax breaks on new or remodeled homes, including work completed months ago. The Ohio Department of Development in June accepted Mayor Dan Horrigan’s request to make the entire city a “community reinvestment area.” The declaration allows for tax exemptions on the improved value of property due to new construction. Horrigan’s plan, among the most liberal adopted by any Ohio mayor, forgives 100 percent of additional property taxes for 15 years on any new home or projects of $5,000 or more. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-opens-application-window-for-residential-property-tax-breaks-1.778547

This project has been in the works for over a decade. I think with the new developers there is some new life, but still skeptical.

Two new spots underway: Blu Plate (last use of the space was 3 Point) https://www.facebook.com/bluplateakron/?ref=page_internal Lock 15 Brewing (Cascade Lofts building): https://www.facebook.com/lock15brewing/

This is good news. Akron to receive $7.5 million to replace State Street Bridge during Main Street Promenade renovation By Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com Updated on June 27, 2017 at 5:42 PM Posted on June 27, 2017 at 5:41 PM AKRON, Ohio - Akron will receive $7.5 million from the federal government to replace the State Street Bridge that runs between Water Street and Main Street downtown. The bridge will be replaced between 2018 and 2019 in conjunction with the TIGER-funded $5 million renovation of the Main Street Promenade. The city has worked on plans to replace the bridge since 2008, said Public Service Director John Moore in a news release. With the initial funding award of $2.5 million, only maintenance was performed, and the bridge has continued to decline. http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/06/akron_to_receive_75_million_to.html

Are there too many Akron-area hotels? By Jim Mackinnon Published: June 25, 2017 - 10:37 PM | Updated: June 26, 2017 - 01:14 PM The City Center site will be renovated into 106 one- and two-bedroom apartments on its upper levels. Apartments will rent from $900 a month for the singles to $1,200 for the doubles. The still-unnamed 84-room hotel will be on the first four floors, Testa said. The hotel and apartments are being designed with millennials in mind, Testa said. The project also will involve changes in and around Cascade Plaza to make it easier to get in and out of the property and to make it more attractive, Testa said. Construction work inside and outside the hotel should start within the next couple of months and lead to an opening in either late summer or early fall 2018, he said. http://www.ohio.com/business/are-there-too-many-akron-area-hotels-1.776685#

There are townhomes on W. 74th that will be looking directly at that wall. There should have been more thought given to design or public art installation. A giant wall does not give a good pedestrian and community feel. As far as site orientation, I understand the siting as it looks like they are trying to make W. 73rd a thoroughfare.

Falls update: First Front Street block is torn up, second waiting for festivals to finish By Paula Schleis Published: June 18, 2017 - 07:44 PM CUYAHOGA FALLS: He’s heard people say there’s no way the Front Street pedestrian mall would be wide enough for two-way traffic, on-street parking and aesthetic landscaping. To which the city’s law director, Russ Balthis, would retort: “You do know that’s what was here before the pedestrian mall, don’t you?” http://www.ohio.com/news/local/falls-update-first-front-street-block-is-torn-up-second-waiting-for-festivals-to-finish-1.775259#

Maybe even more often if they catch you growing more than cilantro in your herb garden. Or something of that nature...