JamesMatthew

I was curious so I went to the university of Akron website to find out what the campus proper (contiguous) is to Dr. Proenza and Ted Curtis as represented by the official campus map. The shaded areas are UA campus areas. According to said map, UA campus has a Main St presence, from University ave to E Exchange St. From the Main/Exchange intersection east to the Exchange/Spicer intersection. Therefore, that is all contiguous UA campus proper. The area where the arena has been proposed is therefore, according to UA documentation, on campus proper. FYI, that section of Main St was not indicated as UA campus a few years back. UA must have plans for that area. Wonder what it shall be.

What exactly is "the campus proper?" Infocision stadium was not completely built on existing campus land. It was built on the SE edge of campus. Had to buy land to do so. I believe they will do the same with an arena. Strategic planning was in place for that exchange St parking deck. Half way between the football stadium and the common known area of where many entities want an arena. UA does own land where the arena has been proposed. It's used as a surface lot.

They extended the deadline but that has since passed. No new information that I am aware of.

I doubt it. When I was talking with her she said she was about to break up with her boyfriend and that it was her shop. I wonder if it's the Carolyn mentioned as head baker at Caroline's.

She was so good I had her make the same drink twice and since she was there alone I stayed and talked with her. Good thing I did because a homeless guy came in and was bothering her. So I offered to buy him something and he tried to take all the food in the showcase. Greedy unappreciative homeless folk.

The city extended the deadline for submissions. I believe the deadline has passed. Hopefully a few groups submitted.

I really enjoyed the neotropolis story. Very informative. I saw it Saturday and watched again online. The best idea is the canal townhouses. If they are built and priced modestly they will sell. And if Akron could get one of those urban walmarts then downtown living in Akron could possibly boom. There is a current trend of urbanized living. Hopefully it catches in Akron. FYI, the steel structure for the skywalk is put in place at the bridgesrine tech center. Looks like it's at ground level when coming towards it from the south.

This is a new hotel venture by the city. The courtyard in northside is a done deal and construction is soon coming.

In the news and media section of the UA website I found an article from May 2009 entitled "UA to maintain hotel operations at Quaker." Here is an excerpt. "Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron, says he and Mayor Plusquellic will continue to work together to create an environment that will benefit downtown and the community as a whole. “The City of Akron needs a great hotel downtown and the university is responding to those needs,” Proenza said. “The university remains a committed partner with the city – not just with Quaker Square, but also on such important ventures as the University Park Alliance, the Biomedical Corridor, BioInnovation Institute of Akron and a potential downtown arena being discussed. While the city works to secure additional hotel operations, we have the opportunity to continue to attract more visitors to this historic property, making it even more appealing to conduct business in downtown Akron.”" Hmm.. Let's review. The president of the University is in discussions with the mayor on a possible "downtown" arena. Seems like UA and the city have a common goal when it comes to an arena that benefits UA and the community. That's from the mouth of Dr. Proenza confirming UA is exploring a downtown arena. http://www.uakron.edu/about_ua/news_media/news_details.dot?newsId=561422

Last month the city made public a proposal bid request for a new hotel to be located near the convention center. The deadline for proposals is the 10th of this month. The city has made available land it owns for development of this hotel. The four city owned sites are: 1) Surface lot between Knight center and Akron Art Museum 2) Empty lot at the corner of Main and Mill streets 3) Mill street surface lot across from Quaker Square surface parking 4) Greystone building and surface lot Site pictures and more info available at the City of Akron website. http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/ed/

For those who have not noticed, UA's campus is partly in downtown. By UA buying and occupying buildings within the downtown area UA actually gave up the boundary lines between downtown and campus. Therefore putting another UA building downtown would still have it on the UA campus. If UA let's go of the polsky building and parking deck along with Quaker square and it's other buildings that are downtown and move those services to designated campus buildings then UA will no longer be a part of downtown but will then have a boundary set in place.

Exactly. UPA is a collaboration of entities that want the best for the area. I for one am encouraged that organizations are coming together and can't wait to see what's in the future for that area.

The latest news on this comes from the Architectual firm from New York that was hired to help design a urban development plan for this area. They suggest splitting the area into districts. And have directly mentioned a University arena should be placed in the Main street district in order to capitalize on the areas assets. They are in works with the city, UPA, UA, and the area hospitals to create the best plan. The main architect even said the goal is to blur the distinction between the campus and downtown.

Larry States, a credible Akron area reporter, back in 2007 said this in a story for WAKR and akronnewsnow.com. "Mayor Plusquellic tells WAKR News the city and the University of Akron now have an agreement as part of the Quaker Square purchase that if and when the university would build a new basketball arena, it would be located downtown. Plusquellic says he received a letter from University of Akron officials making the commitment." http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/itemdetail.asp?ID=8766 Unless anyone brings forward any printed facts via UA, Akron, or media outlets to overturn this info it stands as truth. All else is speculation.

FYI.. As part of the Quaker square deal UA agreed to build an arena downtown when the time for an arena comes.

I've often thought the same thing. Great place to start a Medical Research Park. I heard Neoucom may be moving to Akron. If UA don't pick up that empty space there then it would be perfect for Neoucom. It's within the medical corridor so it's close to the 3 major hospitals.

If it happens I'm all for it if it happens. I wonder when UA will cross market st and start building over there. Plenty of space available on that side.

^ won't happen.

I was driving in downtown Akron and I noticed nervous dog was no longer and an imitation looking coffee place is there instead. Does anyone know why?

If you drive on 6th st in Kenmore you can actually see how spread out Akron is. Its one of the best views of the City just as the sun sets.

Was something suppose to happen on the 25th? hmm

Whats up with all that green space?

I doubt that the church will be torn down in favor for a hotel. There are a few surface areas without building structures near the convention center. Demolition isnt cheap. Personally, there may be a need for a hotel on the south side of downtown if that area keeps seeing growth. Is there any word on the new Diebold location yet?

Anyone know what's going on at Howard/rt59/main? I noticed a construction fense up.