yanni_gogolak

The City is aware of this and like many is surprised there are not more amenities in that area for the largest private employer in Summit County. Akron Children's Hospital welcomes two-way conversion on Exchange, Cedar streets By Emily Bamforth, cleveland.com on February 27, 2017 at 2:49 PM, updated February 27, 2017 at 4:59 PM "With the many changes occurring to the streets around the hospital and the increased activity in the downtown area, making Exchange Street two-way will help slow traffic and make it safer and easier for patients and families trying to navigate our campus," she said, in the press release. "The enhanced connection with downtown will also make it easier for our families and staff to enjoy downtown businesses and activities." The release also notes that the change could make it easier for safety vehicles to navigate the area, especially from Ohio Route 59. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/02/akron_childrens_hospital_welco.html#incart_river_home

Akron plans to make 4 downtown one-way roads two-way By Emily Bamforth, cleveland.com on February 21, 2017 at 2:56 PM, updated February 21, 2017 at 2:58 PM AKRON, Ohio -- Driving downtown in Akron might look drastically different soon, as the city looks to convert four major one-way streets to two-way traffic, Mayor Dan Horrigan said. Work on W. Exchange Street is expected to begin in the spring. Converting it and its pair, Cedar Street, to two-way traffic could slow down traffic, said Mayor Dan Horrigan. That would make the area more pedestrian friendly, attracting businesses. http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/02/akron_plans_to_convert_four_do.html#incart_river_home Looks like it would be Exchange / Cedar and Broadway and High.

In the market for a certain olive jar? University of Akron has just the house for you By Marilyn Miller Published: February 16, 2017 - 07:25 PM The 3-feet-tall, 200-pound olive jar was cheaper than most of the other decorating costs in the bedroom: Two chairs and an ottoman ($4,500), two night tables ($2,600), a makeup chair ($838) and a mirror ($1,800). http://www.ohio.com/news/local/in-the-market-for-a-certain-olive-jar-university-of-akron-has-just-the-house-for-you-1.747862

Became a chamber pot?

Partners Look to Redo Site for Boys & Girls Club By Dan O'Brien | February 17, 2017 YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – More than a year ago, Community Corrections Association identified the vacant building at 2126 Market St. – the former Red and White Market – as a prime target for redevelopment. Thanks to the work of several community partners, today that property is well on its way to being repurposed as a recreational center for the Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown, part of an overall revitalization effort along one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. http://businessjournaldaily.com/partners-look-to-redevelop-site-for-boys-girls-club/ City Pays $205K for Amphitheater Project Land By George Nelson | February 17, 2017 YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The city will pay $205,587 to an affiliate of the Vindicator Printing Co. for just under an acre of land to be used for the amphitheater and riverfront park project. The city’s Board of Control approved the contract with Youngstown Downtown Properties Inc. for the property, at West Front and South Phelps streets, at its meeting Thursday morning. The board also approved a pair of easements related to the site. http://businessjournaldaily.com/city-buys-land-for-amphitheaterpark-project/

I always wondered if they'd ever find a tenant for that space. I expected an agency office or maybe a small law firm. Never thought it would be a brewery! I'm impressed. Too bad we lost 3 Point at the same time, though. It would be nice to see that section of downtown reach some kind of critical mass of vibrancy. There is already new plans in the works for the 3 Point space.

Akron Children’s Hospital commits more than $250,000 to North High School health academy By Monica L. Thomas Published: February 15, 2017 - 04:12 PM The Akron Public Schools and Akron Children’s Hospital are expanding their partnership to further develop North High School’s Academy of Health and Human Services. Superintendent David James announced a $250,000 commitment from Children’s at his annual State of the Schools address Wednesday during the Akron Press Club’s luncheon with about 400 attendees at Quaker Station. The hospital also is committing $150,000 for in-kind services that will include internships, teacher externships on the Children’s campus, white-coat experiences, speakers, job shadowing and other programs. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-children-s-hospital-commits-more-than-250-000-to-north-high-school-health-academy-1.747614

University of Akron plans to seek state approval to sell former presidential home February 15, 2017 Updated a day ago By Rachel Abbey McCafferty The University of Akron on Wednesday, Feb. 15, took a step toward putting what used to serve as the home for its presidents on the market, as its board of trustees authorized the administration to seek legislative approval to sell it. The property at 465 Burning Tree Drive in Akron is owned by the state, so the university needs state approval before it can sell it. The university announced the move in an email to faculty and staff. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170215/NEWS/170219867/university-of-akron-plans-to-seek-state-approval-to-sell-former

Yes, High St. Hop House had their soft opening. Looks like Friday open to the public. Akronym is less than a block away and then Lock 15 Brewery will be in the Cascade Lofts a couple blocks away.

Akronym Brewing hopes for fall opening in downtown Akron By Rick Armon Published: February 14, 2017 The street-level property, at 58 E. Market St., is across the street from the Crave restaurant and around the corner from the Akron Art Museum and Akron-Summit County Public Library. The Akronym partners hope to be an anchor in the area and spur additional development there. “We found that spot through the city and couldn’t be more excited about where we’re at,” Adams said. http://www.ohio.com/blogs/the-beer-blog/the-beer-blog-1.273124/akronym-brewing-hopes-for-fall-opening-in-downtown-akron-1.747299

I disagree. If money is spent on creating new, more and better retail and restaurants, people will come. I know the idea of E. 4th St. was brought up, and yes, many many differences, but that is a destination now not only for people that live in Greater Cleveland, but for people visiting from around the country. That was a dark alley at one point.

Beer, bourbon and vintage vibe coming to arts district February 12, 2017 Updated 12 hours ago By JENNIFER KARPUS-ROMAIN The opening of the High St. Hop House isn't just bringing a new beer-themed venue to Akron's Downtown Arts District. It's bringing a new dimension to already-established places. High St. Hop House will enter the scene on Friday, Feb. 17, bringing a craft beer and bourbon flavor to the arts district. Mike Troppe and Will Murphy aim to bring high-quality product while embracing the artistic roots the area offers. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170212/NEWS/170219963/beer-bourbon-and-vintage-vibe-coming-to-arts-district

The Galleria was doomed without an anchor. When Tower City lost its anchor, same problem. A Target here, like the one Columbus is getting near OSU, could serve as a retail anchor for all of downtown. If rent subsidies are needed to make it work then they're needed. Our inner city is not oversaturated with retail, rather it's dying for lack of access to retail. Doesn't matter how abundant it is at the edges of the county. A certain scale of it has to be present downtown for the city to meet its residents' needs. Where do the people that live Downtown go for basic amenities? TP, toothpaste, detergent, etc... An urban Target would be an easy win I would think. I would be most assured that Stark has bent the ear of them at some point. https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2016/10/24/target-bets-big-urban-stores

There are plenty of examples across the country that counteract these points. I do agree, density of living is a key component, but there is no one silver bullet formula to make retail work. There is multi-level apartment housing that flanks both ends of the Front St. pedestrian corridor. There is dense single family housing to the West. I mean, look at this map. You are going to tell me there aren't enough people to support retail there? Mentality of convenience needs to be adjusted in NE Ohio in general and that starts with thoughtful, progressive design. For those not familiar with the area, to the furthest right (East) is St. Rt. 8 (a man made barrier) and the Falls River Square / pedestrian corridor backs up to that.

Yes, but they are spending $10 mil. and HOPING businesses will show up. The buildings are falling apart and the landlords are not fixing them up for the most part. They should have some type of low interest loan that will pay for building repair and support entrepreneurial startup costs. People will find a way to get to places they want to be. This is why I'm frustrated. Planning dictates that people have to see the door from their parking space. This is not what makes successful spaces. If it was Wal-Mart and Target would be the coolest places to hangout. They can park in the decks and walk down to the shop level.

Cuyahoga Falls moves to preserve historic downtown architecture, offer tax credits, make over parking decks By Paula Schleis Published: February 7, 2017 - 01:54 PM | Updated: February 8, 2017 - 09:06 AM In a related matter, council is expected to approve a $3.7 million makeover for the city’s three parking decks along Front Street. City Engineer Tony Demasi said the decks — the oldest built in 1975 — need more than routine patching. The 600 parking spaces they provide will be needed more than ever in a downtown resurgence. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/cuyahoga-falls-moves-to-preserve-historic-downtown-architecture-offer-tax-credits-make-over-parking-decks-1.745758 So, now we it's up to $13.7 mil. for the road takeover.

It took about $40k and some volunteers to plan a weekend of pedestrian activity in the mall space. This project will cost $10 million. I would think you could do a little more with that amount. The backwards thinking is that in NE Ohio you have to be able to park your car outside of the place you want to go. It has been proven that planned density WITH activity is more successful for businesses. Meaning, if businesses fill the spaces, pedestrians will park and walk to where they need to go and this also will create activity, which is the key to successful public spaces. X is correct. These pedestrian malls have been removed across the US for the past 10 years because they mostly don't work. E 4th is not a correct comparison because it is surrounded by other activity. The Falls has no such activity. It most definitely does, just across Broad Blvd. That area has been transformed AND designed for pedestrian activity. It's a real b* to find parking down there too. You know what happens? I've had to walk a couple blocks to get to the new brewery, gasp!

I wonder how much of the footprint these will consume. I was hoping for more retail. That will be the next indicator that Downtown is still progressing.

You need to hone your architectural eye! ha It's not a great looking building. They painted it a couple of years ago, but they only painted the front. If you look at the side you can see the original treatment. It looks really bad, but I guess they figure most people don't notice that kind of thing. In terms of more restaurants, I think there will always be a demand. If you look at the Belden area it doesn't strike you as the type of place where restaurants are tested for the Ohio market, but it indeed is.

Developer proposes new restaurants, retail in Fairlawn By Rick Armon Published: February 6, 2017 - 06:36 PM | Updated: February 7, 2017 - 07:34 AM FAIRLAWN: A developer is proposing to tear down an aging shopping center along West Market Street and construct a new 9,400-square-foot building for two restaurants and a retail store. The project, located at 2858 and 2872 W. Market St. near the Fairlawn Town Centre, is expected to cost about $1 million. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/developer-proposes-new-restaurants-retail-in-fairlawn-1.745625# PPG, Universal Display Corp. to make a $15 million investment in Barberton plant By Scott Suttell February 06, 2017 Updated 20 hours ago A $15 million investment in a Barberton plant operated by Pittsburgh-based PPG (NYSE: PPG) that makes materials for Universal Display Corp. (Nasdaq: OLED) of Ewing, N.J., will lead to the addition of 20 jobs. The companies on Monday, Feb. 6, announced that the investment will double the commercial production capacity for Universal Display's UniversalPHOLED phosphorescent emitter products. The expansion project is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of this year, according to a news… http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170206/NEWS/170209884/ppg-universal-display-corp-to-make-a-15-million-investment-in

More backwards thinking in NE Ohio. Cuyahoga Falls gears up for Front Street makeover January 29, 2017 Updated 3 hours ago By JUDY STRINGER When Ali Hovan and her husband, Jon, set their sights on opening a craft brewery in Cuyahoga Falls last summer, they, too, heard the buzz around proposals to restore automobile traffic to the city's Front Street pedestrian mall. Now that HiHo Brewing Co. is up and running at 1707 Front Street, just a few blocks south of the beleaguered pedestrian mall, and the plans to reopen the entire road to through traffic are more of a drumbeat than a buzz, Hovan is allowing herself to get excited about the prospect — both for her new business and for Cuyahoga Falls itself. "I think it will get people off of (state) Route 8 and into Cuyahoga Falls' downtown district, where they will see the restaurants, shops and other new small businesses," she said. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170129/NEWS/170129817/cuyahoga-falls-gears-up-for-front-street-makeover

We don't have anybody to answer to but ourselves. What's going on in other places is out of our control.

B.F. Goodrich smokestack getting cut in half to ‘RICH’ By Rick Armon Published: January 24, 2017 - 02:59 PM | Updated: January 25, 2017 - 07:23 AM An Akron landmark is getting a big haircut. The city plans to chop off 100 feet from one of the iconic red brick B.F. Goodrich smokestacks along South Main Street for safety reasons. The smokestacks, both rising 195 feet and with the word “GOODRICH” on them in white, have towered over the city skyline for about 100 years. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/b-f-goodrich-smokestack-getting-cut-in-half-to-rich-1.742784

Dewey's Pizza opening at Summit Mall on Feb. 13 will hire 40 By Janet H. Cho, The Plain Dealer on January 24, 2017 at 12:30 PM, updated January 24, 2017 at 3:14 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio-based Dewey's Pizza is opening its third Northeast Ohio pizzeria at Summit Mall, at 3265 W. Market St. in Fairlawn, on Feb. 13. The 90-seat, 3,500-square-foot restaurant, which will open inside what used to be a Coldwater Creek store and a Scott Trade office, will employ 40 people as cooks, servers and managers. Apply at: http://deweyspizza.com/jobs/job-applications/ http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2017/01/deweys_pizza_opening_at_summit.html#incart_river_index

Yes, short term thinking they are expensive. Most will last 30 years if done right. You will most likely reshingle twice in that period. Also, I have yet to see an rooftop deck on a sloped roof and condensing units looks horrible when they are attached on sloped roofs or to the sides of buildings. There are trade-offs for density. Cinder blocks stopped being used in the early 1900's.