yanni_gogolak

They have an animation of the project now on the Beacon website and it shows the church still intact. I am surprised that they can fit all of that on the site.

/\/\/\ And those are showing the long term goal of expanding over to where the church is now. That may or may not even happen. The new Aloft in the Flats East Bank is only 150.

Gensler also does some nice work on occasion. The other thing to consider about local representation is that these are the lead firms. A lot of them will most likely have local representation, much like LMN did with Vocon. edit: let's not forget Gensler was just selected for the football stadium upgrades and is finishing up two other NE Ohio projects, Goodyear HQ and Timken expansion.

Kent’s beloved Ray’s Place will open second location in Fairlawn By Lisa Abraham Beacon Journal food writer Published: July 16, 2013 - 12:17 PM | Updated: July 16, 2013 - 02:48 PM Ray’s Place, downtown Kent’s most beloved hangout, plans to open a second location in Fairlawn this fall. Ray’s owner Charlie Thomas said if all goes as planned, he will open by October at the former Winking Lizard Tavern location, in the plaza at 25 Ghent Road. Thomas, who has owned the 76-year-old Ray’s for nearly 35 years, said he has been thinking about a second location for some time, but was a little surprised when he found the spot in Fairlawn. http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/kent-s-beloved-ray-s-place-will-open-second-location-in-fairlawn-1.413555 Also, two new locations have applied for plan review: 22 Exchange - Pronto's Cibo Italiano Jillly's Music Room (former Northside)

This is never good... "Developers today said they are still working to secure funding for the $40 million dollar project." That's exactly what they are planning. The rendering is a bit confusing though.

I posted the news article on here previously regarding two tax credit recipients. I skimmed them and didn't realize that one of these is pretty major as it had been a stalled project since the market crash. Akron Savings and Loan (Akron, Summit County) Total Project Cost: $13,960,925 Total Tax Credit: $3,113,231 Address: 156 South Main Street, 44308 Also known as the Landmark Building, the Akron Savings and Loan building is a component of the larger Civic Theatre Block project. The mixed-use project includes residential, retail and restaurant space directly adjacent to Akron's grand Civic Theatre. The Akron Savings and Loan portion of the project includes 86 apartment units and more than 18,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. The project is expected to create 135 permanent jobs and 40 construction jobs. http://development.ohio.gov/cs/cs_ohptc_rd10.htm

Retaining wall at Lock 3 Park damaged by storm Beacon Journal staff report Published: July 11, 2013 - 02:00 PM | Updated: July 11, 2013 - 02:07 PM A concrete retaining wall at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron washed away in the flood waters. The wall was located between the park’s stage and the Ohio & Erie Canal, said Akron spokeswoman Stephanie York. The affected area is fenced off and the city will try to determine the best remedy after this weekend’s Italian Festival, she said. http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/retaining-wall-at-lock-3-park-damaged-by-storm-1.412398

A couple of new proposed developments: French Mill Run (neither French in design nor a Mill?) This would be across from the On Tap on State Rd. Hidden Lakes - Phase 3 (the sprawl continues - great movie title) The is by the corner of State Rd. & Seasons Rd.

What do you mean? They do have an auditorium planned. There are some updated images at the Architect's website: http://wrldesign.com/projects/performing-arts/new-theatre

Goodyear Moving Into New Headquarters Featured Written by Mike Ward It's moving week for one of Akron's biggest corporate names. After 115 years in Akron, Goodyear will have a new address. The company begins moving into its new worldwide headquarters on Innovation Way - formerly Martha Avenue - this week. Goodyear spokesman Scott Baughman says the tire-making giant will start occuping the new headquarters this week. http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/74340-goodyear-moving-into-new-headquarters Finally, a sign that Goodyear will be moving into its new headquarters soon By Jim Mackinnon Beacon Journal business writer The first group of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. employees start moving into the company’s new $120 million global headquarters project next week and it’s likely many of them will be walking by a new street-level sign marking their new workplace. Workers are putting the finishing touches on the new headquarters off Innovation Way, the street that was previously called Martha Avenue. http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/finally-a-sign-that-goodyear-will-be-moving-into-its-new-headquarters-soon-1.373661

More discussion planned for proposed entertainment district in Green By George W. Davis Special to the Beacon Journal Published: February 13, 2013 - 11:13 PM GREEN: City Council will talk more about a proposed entertainment district within the Massillon Road corridor at its Feb. 26 meeting. Councilman-at-large Gerard Neugebauer, the council’s Planning Committee chairman, indicated a vote on whether to approve the proposal could be taken. Designed by the city’s Planning Department in an effort to promote more economic development in Green, the district would be bounded on the south by Boettler and Graybill roads, including the Heritage Crossings development, on the west by Tabs Drive and on the north by state Route 619 and the city’s north limits. http://www.ohio.com/news/more-discussion-planned-for-proposed-entertainment-district-in-green-1.373166

No, you're correct. Since, to my knowledge, the question of tax breaks or otherwise for general housing has not been proposed, we can only speculate. I can say that in other circumstances, student housing that will eventually be owned by the institution, can be tax exempt. Locally that COULD be the case with the new housing that is U of A property, ie; Exchange, Honors, etc...dorms. These are privately developed then sold the the University after 20 years. That is not the case with the student only housing downtown, but, I would assume there are benefits. It would take more digging to find them. Otherwise, why limit yourself?

Not subsidies like low-income housing, but it is by local government in the form of free land or tax breaks. The land for 22 Exchange and 401 cost $1 to the developer. There are some infrastructure costs they pay for, but 401 Lofts for example, the City is paying for the sidewalks around it. It is in the name of progress, but if the developer had to pay fair market value for the land they might not pursue the project. The Beacon building is a different story, but I'm sure there will be some tax breaks involved.

Barberton’s Lake Theater may once again show movies By Courtney Kerrigan Special to the Beacon Journal BARBERTON: The marquee at Barberton’s Lake Cinemas soon might shine again. The Neighborhood Development Services group has announced it intends to buy Lake Cinemas 8 from the city for $545,000 and reopen the theater the first week of April. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/barberton-s-lake-theater-may-once-again-show-movies-1.372784

These are built as "student only" because they get subsidized for it, plain and simple. There is a demand for YP housing, there just isn't anyone that is willing to develop it.

Akron City Council members question need for more student housing but approve plans for another development By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer Published: February 11, 2013 - 11:25 PM Michael Weiss of Richland Communities, the Beachwood company that owns the 22 Exchange and 401 Lofts developments, spoke during council’s public comment period Monday, questioning whether the market can support more student housing. He said recent changes UA has made, such as increasing admission standards and requiring freshman and sophomores to live in dorms, have decreased the occupancy in existing developments. He said 22 Exchange didn’t hit 80 percent capacity last year. “If this and the other projects go through, we will all be sitting at 30 percent full,” he said. “That doesn’t do anyone good.” http://www.ohio.com/news/akron-city-council-members-question-need-for-more-student-housing-but-approve-plans-for-another-development-1.372536

"The Evans Building (333-337 S. Main) has been home to a succession of financial institutions since 1915. But the property is most important for what's no longer here. It was the site of Henry Clark's Tavern, where the election of Akron's first mayor, Seth Iredell, occurred on June 14, 1836. Look for the commemorative plaque facing Exchange Street." http://www.akronhistory.org/didyouknow.htm

The Mayflower is still shown in those plans. They are also showing a whole new retail & office complex. With this economy, I agree that they could probably nix that part of the plans and locate the arena in the now vacant lots and tear the buildings down up to The Mayflower.

Summit County Council supports four senior citizen housing projects By Marilyn Miller Beacon Journal staff writer Published: February 10, 2013 - 11:35 PM Summit County Council members have added their support to four developers who want to build affordable senior citizen housing in Tallmadge, Cuyahoga Falls and the Kenmore area of Akron. The developers are applying for competitive federal tax credits to help with the buildings targeted at potential tenants age 55 and older. http://www.ohio.com/news/summit-county-council-supports-four-senior-citizen-housing-projects-1.372243 Preservationists to restore interior of old schoolhouse in West Akron By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer Published: February 9, 2013 - 10:14 PM | Updated: February 10, 2013 - 10:00 AM With work complete on the outside of a one-room schoolhouse in West Akron, local preservationists will turn their attention to the inside of the 1870 structure. They want to remove knotty-pine paneling and cabinets along the back of the school to reveal the original chalkboard, which is visible with a peek inside the cabinets. Other plans include refinishing the white oak floors now hidden beneath orange-striped carpet, completing the restoration of the huge windows, and adding a coat room, bathroom, kitchenette, storage space and memorial library. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/preservationists-to-restore-interior-of-old-schoolhouse-in-west-akron-1.371951 Children Services Remodels Interaction Center Written by Matt Hartong Their goal is to maintain child placement stability, family conectedness and to promote reunification. Until recently, these family visits had been held in temporary housing for adolescents in custody, a dormitory-style building on the agency campus. http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/73107-children-services-remodels-interaction-center

Polsky deck might be able to be added to. The Polsky building has that capability. If you see the roof of the building it has the columns popping through it that can be built onto. Yes, I don't see them building two different new arenas. It would have to be a collaboration if there was one built downtown.

Sorry to pull this out of the heap with no new news, but I was surfing around and came across some of the renderings and plans done years ago: "OSports has designed an arena/offi ce complex for the newly updated downtown of the City of Akron. The arena has approximately 12,000 seats, including approximately 26 private suites situated above the main concourse level. The base of the arena includes ample retail space to complement the adjacent entertainment district. Additionally, a flexible number of offi ce and/or residential levels were included above the two level mall/atrium to provide additional use. The facade was designed to have the same look and feel to match Canal Park and the general area, in order to create an unbroken sports and recreation area." http://www.osportsarch.com/Portfolio.aspx

Acme says Falls’ support for Portage Crossing project unfair By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer Acme Fresh Market and Albrecht Inc. officials have asked Cuyahoga Falls for equal economic development treatment for Acme’s store being rebuilt on State Road and the proposed Portage Crossing development at the former State Road Shopping Center. City officials said in response that the two projects are not the same, and the maximum amount of incentives available has been given to Acme’s project. http://www.ohio.com/news/acme-says-falls-support-for-portage-crossing-project-unfair-1.371423

More solar panels to move University of Akron closer to energy sustainability By Carol Biliczky Beacon Journal staff writer The University of Akron is taking a bigger step into sustainable energy with what is believed to be the largest project of its kind in the state. UA is contracting with Carbon Vision of Shaker Heights to install solar panels on the roof of the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House and part of the roof of the Recreation and Wellness Center. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/more-solar-panels-to-move-university-of-akron-closer-to-energy-sustainability-1.371520

Food Notes: Beau’s on the River is coming By Lisa Abraham Beacon Journal food writer Published: February 5, 2013 - 06:32 PM Diners at Piatto Novo at the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls will soon see a new yet familiar name at the restaurant, and a new menu too. Piatto Novo will become Beau’s on the River this spring — Beau’s as in Beau’s Grille at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn and as in chef Beau Schmidt. http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/food-notes-beau-s-on-the-river-is-coming-1.370834

Their typical strategy is to build/redevelop their project in an area that doesn't have much going on currently. Then, after time, retail & office develop around it. Basically, it most likely won't happen downtown. A good chance it could happen in the UPA footprint.