yanni_gogolak

PHOTOS: Stark State Hoists New Pedestrian Bridge Into Place The bridge connects the 660-space student parking lot at the corner of Mega Street and Frank Avenue to the second floor of the North Academic Building By Morgan Day Stark State College hoisted its new $1.1 million, 80-ton pedestrian bridge into place Monday afternoon. The bridge connects the 660-space student parking lot at the corner of Mega Street and Frank Avenue to the second floor of the North Academic Building. http://northcanton.patch.com/articles/photos-stark-state-hoists-new-pedestrian-bridge-into-place#photo-10535824

I would assume it was an RFP process due to the fact that it was not limited to just the Ameritrust complex, meaning that you couldn't submit a sealed bid as there could be different options. I agree that it should be sold to the highest bidder, but there needs to be some time limits put on it.

Exactly, when would it end even? Making an absurd statement; they could just keep upping each other by $1.00.

I'm surprised their isn't legislation in place that says they have to take the initial best bid. It's that way with State construction contracts. Sometimes people leave a lot on the table to their detriment, but that's why it's a competitive bid situation. Otherwise, it would be like taking a test after you know all the answers. The only way I see that they are getting about it is that it's not strictly apples to apples. There are different buildings, lease rates and terms in play, but for someone to come back and change their bid is a little worrying.

What would be the alternative for existing office building that would be demolished for the new headquarters? convert to apartments as well? While they are adding "more" office space, the existing is currently sitting there vacant, so it's not like they are building a completely new 8-story office building. They may in fact be adding more "feasible" office space.

Optima Ventures challenges Cuyahoga County on planned headquarters, Ameritrust deal By Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer on January 02, 2013 at 10:00 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A major downtown property owner says Cuyahoga County's proposed deal to build a new headquarters at the Ameritrust complex will cost taxpayers at least $34 million more than moving into an existing building. Chaim Schochet of Optima Ventures is questioning County Executive Ed FitzGerald's recommendation that the county sell the Ameritrust complex to the Geis Cos. of Streetsboro and build a headquarters there. Optima, the Miami-based owner of the former Huntington Building at 925 Euclid Ave., tried to lure the county to its historic building and floated its own redevelopment plans for the seven-building Ameritrust property at East Ninth Street and Euclid. Schochet also submitted a revised offer, raising his bid for the Ameritrust complex by nearly $15 million. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/01/optima_ventures_challenges_cuy.html#incart_river_default#incart_m-rpt-2

It is surprising that there were no other offers, even for less money from a new operator. If the current operator isn't paying rent, I would think they could take anything they could get. National dialysis operator to open Barberton location By Cheryl Powell Beacon Journal medical writer A national operator of dialysis centers is starting its first Northeast Ohio location. U.S. Renal Care Inc. is opening a 13-station dialysis center this month on Third Street Southeast in Barberton. http://www.ohio.com/business/national-dialysis-operator-to-open-barberton-location-1.362141

Akron Art Museum announces seven-figure pledge from donors for a new sculpture garden Published: Friday, December 21, 2012, 3:24 PM The Akron Art Museum announced Friday that supporters Rick and Alita Rogers have pledged an unspecified amount of money as the lead gift for the design and construction of the museum’s long-awaited sculpture garden. A press advisory released by the City of Akron Thursday stated that the gift was a “very substantial (seven figure)” pledge, but a museum spokeswoman said Friday that the donors did not want the amount given. The museum offered no further explanation. http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/12/akron_art_museum_announces_sev.html

APS board OKs sale of Central-Hower to UA 12/27/2012 - West Side Leader By Becky Tompkins DOWNTOWN AKRON — The Akron Public Schools (APS) Board of Education voted 6-1 during a special meeting Dec. 21 to proceed with the sale of the Central-Hower High School building to The University of Akron (UA). In a deal sanctioned by special Ohio General Assembly legislation, UA will provide $13.5 million in four-year scholarships for deserving APS students in return. According to APS officials, the property, located at 123 S. Forge St., was valued at $13.5 million — the amount that will now fund the Akron Public Schools Innovation Generation Scholarship. The building now houses the APS’ new STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) high school. Under the proposed offer, the district may lease part of the building for the STEM school for five years, with another five possible. http://akron.com/akron-ohio-community-news.asp?aID=18119

I don't know what they have planned for the lot, but they relocated the departments in there a little while back to the Admin. Services Building. There was actually a study done and rendering, probably at least 5 years ago, to put an addition onto the CBA building which is next to it. http://www3.uakron.edu/nmc/plan/building-cba.html

Sounds like smart business on their part to me. Probably hoping for another big pay out to acquire their land.

/\/\/\ Another announcement on more speculation...great.

Barberton council to review theater options By Courtney Kerrigan Special to the Beacon Journal BARBERTON: City Council members will discuss the future of Lake Cinemas 8 at their meeting Monday night, and a vote is expected. The decision to find a new tenant for the theater came in mid-November, when Mayor Bill Judge put out a “request for proposed use” throughout Northeast Ohio to find new development ideas for the facility. Current tenant Phil Canfora was the only applicant for the theater space. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/barberton-council-to-review-theater-options-1.361913

Here is the link to the formal request for proposals: http://www.cityofbarberton.com/govt/pdf/2012/Planning/RFPTheater.pdf Barberton residents show support of historic theater By Courtney Kerrigan Ohio.com correspondent The fight to save Barberton Lake Theater Complex follows reports that the theater will close by the end of the year. The current tenant, Phil Canfora Sr., said he was unaware the city is looking for a new developer to take over. “As far as we’re concerned, it’s not closing,” Canfora said, who has run the theater for 10 years with his son, Phil Canfora Jr., under his company Lake Entertainment Group Ltd. “It was reported by another news source and we read that in the paper and we’re astonished.” http://barberton.ohio.com/barberton-residents-show-support-of-historic-theater-1.351663

Constructing ‘College Town’ New Fairmount Properties mixed-use development furthers downtown Kent’s dramatic revival http://www.epro2.com/publication/?i=138919&p=47 http://www.propertiesmag.com/ Brimfield’s police department nearly completed By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal staff writer The Brimfield Township Police Department, which has been working out of a former auto body shop for the past 20 years, is nearing the end of a $1.46 million renovation of its headquarters on Tallmadge Road. Police Chief David Oliver quipped that the old station was like “having 12 hamsters in a shoebox.” http://www.ohio.com/news/local/brimfield-s-police-department-nearly-completed-1.360889

This isn't really new news. It's a very small part of the funding for the project. Last I heard they were planning on building around Manny's Pub and Odd Corner as each would be too costly to buy.

/\/\/\ don't forget this bit too: popular east-side pub parnell's coming to playhousesquare Thursday, December 20, 2012 Synnott, who moved to the States from Dublin, purchased the bar (nee The Charles Stewart Parnell) from its previous owner in 1997. He expanded the bar into the adjoining space in 2004. Synnott's next expansion will be a tad more ambitious: In March, Parnell's Downtown will open in PlayhouseSquare, in a space that has seen its share of short-lived operations. Most recently, it was home to Corks Wine Bar, which lasted a little less than three years. http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/parnellsplayhouse122012.aspx

What company? Clover Management? http://www.clovermanagement.com/

University Park Alliance awarded nearly $8 million by Knight Foundation By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer The foundation is also giving UPA a $1.8 million low-interest loan, which will support the redevelopment of the area called University Square. Officials call it “a linchpin of the alliance’s master plan that will provide housing and shopping for both students and residents.” UPA is working on a project that will be developed, built and operated through self-sustaining income. It falls under what the group calls its Master Plan to revitalize a zone in downtown, said UPA Executive Director Eric Anthony Johnson. The project, which will be along East Exchange and Brown streets near the University of Akron, will likely be a $60 million to $70 million complex and include retail, affordable multifamily housing for professionals, office space and what is called incubation space, said Johnson. http://www.ohio.com/news/university-park-alliance-awarded-nearly-8-million-by-knight-foundation-1.358717

Lot's of action with former Big Boy sites: Restaurateur expands empire on historic Tallmadge Circle By Katie Byard Beacon Journal business writer TALLMADGE: Call area restaurateur Tony Jaber “Circle Man.” He has bought another property on historic Tallmadge Circle — this time purchasing the vacant Big Boy restaurant. Jaber last year bought the former Bumpas Emporium, a landmark on the southern tip of the circle, and located one of his Firehouse Grill & Pubs there. http://www.ohio.com/business/restaurateur-expands-empire-on-historic-tallmadge-circle-1.358555

Gourmet restaurant, winery proposed in Green By George W. Davis Special to the Beacon Journal GREEN: A city-owned lodge and 8.71 acres of land surrounded by Southgate Park soon might be transformed into a gourmet restaurant, banquet center and winery. Service Director Randy Monteith told City Council this week that the city has a $600,000 purchase agreement to sell the Belden Lodge and adjacent property in the southwest section of the park to the Table of Life investment group and owner/manager Kent Welsh, executive chef at Stark County’s Canton Club. http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/gourmet-restaurant-winery-proposed-in-green-1.357748

Plaza Cinemas to close in Akron By Katie Byard Beacon Journal business writer Published: December 13, 2012 - 09:48 PM The eight-screen complex, part of The Plaza at Chapel Hill shopping strip off Howe Avenue, will show movies through Jan. 3 and then cease operations, said David Huffman, director of marketing for the theater’s operator, regional chain Cleveland Cinemas of Solon. Huffman said Cleveland Cinemas has been operating the theater under a management agreement with Plaza at Chapel Hill owner Visconsi Cos. Ltd., and Visconsi wants to find another use for the property. http://www.ohio.com/business/plaza-cinemas-to-close-in-akron-1.357738

this guy. ^ If you look at the rendering he was referring to, which is different than the one on this page, I would say he is correct with some minor changes to with glazing, which could be accomplished by simply removing some of the existing solid paneling and infilling with new glazing.

la times shares secret to market garden's sweet potato pie Thursday, December 13, 2012 In a Los Angeles Times column titled “Culinary SOS: Divine medley of flavors,” Noelle Carter answers a reader’s question about her experience with Cleveland’s own Market Garden Brewery and shares their recipe for sweet potato pie. http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/inthenews/latimespierecipe121312.aspx http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/08/food/la-fo-SOS-sweet-potato-pie-20121208

speaking of Yellowcake: yellowcake inks deal to open brick-and-mortar store in gordon square Thursday, December 13, 2012 Valerie Mayen is both nervous and excited as she talks about taking Yellowcake, the independent clothing company she built from the ground up, from pop-up to permanent. In March, the 31-year-old Texas native, who came to Cleveland to study at the Cleveland Institute of Art and appeared on Season 8 of "Project Runway," will double her current retail space at W. 65th Street and Detroit Avenue in the Gordon Square Arts District. http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/yellowcake121312.aspx