yanni_gogolak

They bought the Hostess factory last summer. Probably still deciding what to do with the land or waiting to acquire the car radiator repair shop on the corner of Mill & College.

UA would get Central-Hower under state bill By Carol Biliczky Beacon Journal staff report Two local education officials testified Wednesday afternoon in Columbus in favor of a bill that would transfer Central-Hower High School to the University of Akron and award scholarships to some Akron Public Schools students. UA President Luis Proenza and schools Superintendent David James told the House Education Committee that House Bill 381 would be a win-win deal for the school district and university. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/ua-would-get-central-hower-under-state-bill-1.264005

Looks like they're all setup!

They modified the layout about 6 months back. The story is probably in this thread. They wanted more street parking for traffic calming, which is a good idea. If they can get everything done, it will be a destination for greater Akron residents.

Price tag for Highland Square grocery store could be nearly $7 million By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer The cost to put a grocery store in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood could be nearly $7 million. That might sound like a lot, but city leaders say building the store for this price would be possible only with a low-interest federal loan to cover the $3.8 million construction cost. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/price-tag-for-highland-square-grocery-store-could-be-nearly-7-million-1.263573

/\/\/\ The residents have always wanted a grocery store since the Sparkle Market closed, and, in fact they were verbally promised that by the developer. There were never any plans to move forward with until recently by the City. The original developer, (who has stake in a nearby grocery chain), claimed that they reached out to 20+ grocers and none wanted to build there. So there wasn't a plan until recently, just a lot of talk. Stark Enterprises is developing Portage Crossing. They are not stupid and carry weight with national retailers. I think they have a good physical plan for the development too. But I do agree that there may not be the demand, and it is relatively far from highway access which is key for this type of venture. Chapel Hill Mall is dying, so I'm not too worried about that.

The City just announced 6 months ago that they were going to build a grocery store in Highland Square. There were never any plans before that. Retail sales were the best in 2011 since 2007, so retail isn't suffering.

I agree it would be good for those, but I think it's too big for Aldi's footprint. There is no way the residents would let an Aldi's there though. There have been multiple proposals to build new elderly (affordable) housing in that area and they were heavily contested because residents feel it will bring down the property values.

Haha, two of the three worst sentences in Cleveland history: "Proposed building to be demolished." and "Proposed surface lot." The third being "The river is on fire."

I went to Beer Haus, good selection of beer and you can even drink out of Das Boot! 1L and 4L available. The food was less than spectacular though. I think if I'm hungry I would just go across to Pub Bricco. Food notes: Diamond Deli opens second location in the Falls By Lisa Abraham Beacon Journal food writer Owner Chuck Magilavy said the new location, at 2202 Front St. (at Portage Trail) will be open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Located in the former Gothic Grounds coffee shop, the deli will be offering a variety of breakfast sandwiches, Pearl coffee, and many of the same sandwiches and soups from his Akron location, including the signature corned beef and matzoh ball soup. http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/abraham/food-notes-diamond-deli-opens-second-location-in-the-falls-1.257903

Obviously they will have a very hard time filling the old building once they move. If someone wanted to move in that building they would be better off going in Portage Crossing. This seems to be the Wal-Mart model. Build new and let the old one go to waste sitting empty for years.

Must be some big money in grocery stores. Acme to rebuild, expand State Road store By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer It took about 10 years of planning and acquiring parcels of land, but Acme Fresh Market officials are ready to rebuild their State Road store, which has been falling into disrepair, in Cuyahoga Falls. http://www.ohio.com/business/lin-fisher/acme-to-rebuild-expand-state-road-store-1.257759 Giant Eagle might become grocer in Portage Crossing By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer A Giant Eagle official on Monday confirmed it could be an anchor in the new Portage Crossing development at the site of the former State Road Shopping Plaza, if the project moves forward. http://www.ohio.com/business/lin-fisher/giant-eagle-might-become-grocer-in-portage-crossing-1.257778 Akron may seek federal loan to pay for new Highland Square grocery store By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer Unable to secure funding from other sources, Akron may seek a $3.8 million federal loan to pay for a long-awaited — and sometimes maligned — new grocery store in the Highland Square neighborhood. City Council will have public hearings next Monday on whether the city should apply for the loan from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-may-seek-federal-loan-to-pay-for-new-highland-square-grocery-store-1.257795

Akron one of the top five promising real estate markets, according to report Featured Written by Eric Anthony Johnson, Ph.D. The news site MSN Real Estate recently cited Akron, Ohio, as one of the five “most promising” real estate markets in the nation, defined by those markets expected to suffer the smallest slides. The forecasting firm Local Market Monitor made the picks. The MSN report notes that Akron’s average home price of $148,508 fell by 4 percent in the last year, and that the local market should hit bottom this year followed by a modest 2 percent gain in 2013. “Jobs — especially manufacturing jobs — are coming back to Akron,’’ the report said. “Like many Midwest cities, there was no housing boom here to speak of. Values are down just 13 percent from the peak, about a third of the hit the U.S. as a whole suffered.” http://www.akronist.com/News/Akron-one-of-the-top-five-promising-real-estate-markets-according-to-report.html

Acme to build new store in Green, near Giant Eagle By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer Acme Fresh Market is expanding into the growing suburb of Green, building its first new store in more than 20 years. And the chosen site is just down the street from its largest competitor, Giant Eagle. The store beefs up the Akron-headquartered grocery chain’s presence in the southern Summit County and northern Stark County area. Acme has a store in North Canton and one in Coventry Township. http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/acme-to-build-new-store-in-green-near-giant-eagle-1.257008

Church plans world headquarters in Wadsworth By Colette M. Jenkins Beacon Journal staff writer WADSWORTH: The Restored Church of God is working on plans for a six-building complex to house its world headquarters on Ambassador Drive, west of the Giant Eagle store. Representatives from the church presented formal plans for the project at the city of Wadsworth’s Planning Commission meeting Monday. The commission granted some variances, approved the division of the parcel into two lots and suggested some minor revisions. It did not grant approval of the project, pending review the church’s traffic impact study. http://www.ohio.com/news/church-plans-world-headquarters-in-wadsworth-1.256837

I know the exterior isn't great, as well as the layout of the first 3 floors, but the studio space on the 4th floor works well and has great views that don't make it so bad to be there long hours. They're gearing up to do some major work: Renovations and Addition to MultipleScience Buildings Construction Cost: $60,000,000 This project will renovate three existing science buildings as well as provide an addition for increased academic and research space. The renovations will address deferred maintenance needs in Williams Hall, Smith Hall and Cunningham Hall and at the same time will establish state of the art science facilities for teaching and research.

While I'm not too excited about TK coming, I do like that they are engaging the street with the patio and NaNa Wall system to bring inside/out, outside/in.

Diebold picks Union Square site in Green for new headquarters By Jim Mackinnon Beacon Journal business writer Diebold says it will build its new global headquarters in Green. The maker of ATMs and security systems said Thursday it has signed a purchase agreement for 55 acres on the Union Square site near Massillon Road and Town Park Boulevard. http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/diebold-picks-union-square-site-in-green-for-new-headquarters-1.254795

stage is set for new apartments to be added to playhousesquare Thursday, January 12, 2012 PlayhouseSquare's latest string of successes may be a tough act to follow, but a Cleveland real estate developer is willing to try. A newly-consummated deal to convert a prominent office building into 102 apartments will fuel the growth of this arts-rich neighborhood, which in recent years has also welcomed two major theater renovations and new restaurants. K&D Group, the largest privately-held owner of apartments in Northeast Ohio, has inked a deal with the nonprofit PlayhouseSquare to buy the Hanna Building Annex, which is located at the corner of Prospect Avenue and E. 14th Street. The developer plans to convert it into 1- and 2-bedroom, 600 to 1,200-square-foot apartments that will lease from $725 to $1,500 per month. PlayhouseSquare plans to relocate existing tenants into the Hanna Building next door. The deal includes leasing back ground-level retail space to PlayhouseSquare. The nonprofit development corporation hopes to fill the space with much-needed amenities such as a dry cleaner, wine shop, small market or pharmacy -- in short, the kinds of services that serve a residential neighborhood. Art Falco, CEO of PlayhouseSquare, says the project is critical to the future of the neighborhood. “This will allow us to continue to brand PlayhouseSquare as not only an entertainment area but also a residential neighborhood," he says. Source: Art Falco Writer: Lee Chilcote http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/playhousesquareapartments011212.aspx?

UPA marks site for future first project By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer The University Park Alliance is now the official owner of the former Fred Martin Chevrolet auto dealership land on East Market and Forge streets. The UPA, a nonprofit group working on the redevelopment of 50 city blocks around the University of Akron and surrounding downtown areas, last spring showed off what it called a “Master Plan” put together with the university, business partners and city and county government. The plan divided the area into four districts of downtown along three major roads — Market, Exchange and Main streets. http://www.ohio.com/business/lin-fisher/upa-marks-site-for-future-first-project-1.254460

Winking Lizard planning Ohio-focused bar By Rick Armon Beacon Journal staff writer The Winking Lizard Tavern chain plans to open a new Ohio-themed bar and restaurant in the Galleria at Erieview in downtown Cleveland in late spring or early summer. The bar — called Lizardville Local Bar Local Grille — will focus on Ohio-made beer, liquor and wines, and food when possible. http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/winking-lizard-planning-ohio-focused-bar-1.253356

Food notes: New bar in Parasson family By Lisa Abraham Beacon Journal food writer Mickey Parasson said his family has come full circle. “My dad wanted out, and I wanted in,” said Parasson, 44, of Akron. In the fall he purchased the former Nuthouse Bar in the Liberty Commons area and renovated it into Mickey’s, which opened in October at 1310 Weathervane Lane. http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/food-notes-new-bar-in-parasson-family-1.253378

As long as it doesn't take away from the overall character and the original design is documented in detail with drawings and photographs.

Akron redevelopment projects get financial boost from state By Jim Carney Beacon Journal staff writer A project Troppe recently announced, the nearly $4.2 million Cascade Lofts at 21 W. North St., received a $908,000 tax credit. The project will convert the former Swinehart Tire and Rubber Co. factory, now known as the ABTEC building, into residential and retail space. The renovation of the Highland and Crescent apartments at 795 and 803 W. Market St. is a nearly $1.4 million project. It will get a tax credit of $134,314. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-redevelopment-projects-get-financial-boost-from-state-1.251779

Ohio breweries laud new state bill By Rick Armon Beacon Journal staff writer “It’s a great day for Ohio microbreweries and the Ohio craft brewing industry because it allows microbreweries to showcase their products in a relaxed setting and put us on par with the wineries,” said Chris Verich, owner and manager of brewing operations at Ohio Brewing Co. His brewery, located in the Selle Generator Works building downtown, will open a tasting room, he said. Black Box Brewing in Westlake, Indigo Imp Brewery in Cleveland, Wooden Shoe Brewing in Minster, Mt. Carmel Brewing in suburban Cincinnati, Listermann Brewing in Cincinnati and Neil House Brewery in Columbus are among the breweries also looking to open tasting rooms. The law, signed by Gov. John Kasich, takes effect in 90 days. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/ohio-breweries-laud-new-state-bill-1.251618