I found plans today on the website of Terremarkpartners.com that show a new Main St./ Lock 3 Re-development. Here is one of the pictures I found of what it may look like.

 

In order to get a better idea of how this is oriented; The white thing in the middle is the stage at Lock 3 and you can see the canal directly behind it. The two buildings in the back would be on Main St. and stand where the current hut shops are located. The closer buildings would be on the crappy parking lot between Canal Place and The Civic Theater.

 

Does anyone have any additional information on this?

 

 

A Barbie dream resort?

haha I think the color is off. I highly doubt they would build a pink building. It's probably just the way the brick texture on whatever program they used comes out.

I think that was from years ago, before the market crashed.  I don't think they are going to do it now.

Yeah thats what I figured. I really wish this would eventually go in though. I feel like most of Lock 3 and the land behind the canal is a waste of space and too open. It would be nice to see businesses getting filled into that area around lock 3, and downtown becoming more dense with buildings and such. This design could really help to utilize the canal more and make it a nice focus of downtown. Indianapolis has done a great job of this, I see no reason Akron couldn't do the same.

It was from years ago when they were planning an Imax and an aquiriam there. This plan has been scrapped.

Why do they keep scrapping all of these plans? As much as I love Akron I'm really started to get sick of everything being half-a$$ed or quit on. The only good construction that ever happens is either outside the city or at the university. I've seen that Future Apex building sign off West Market for awhile now and nothing has been constructed. The plans make it look like an awesome building, but it seems like nothing will ever get complete.

I hear ya man. For whatever reason it seems things in Akron take ten times longer to develop.

 

We used to laugh because the "Coming soon Ohio Brewing Company" sign was in the Oneills building window for maybe five years.

Nobody can get financing to do anything. There where lots of projects I know that were halted because of the banking situations. For example the Flats East bank project was scrapped. Also I know Cleveland State University was almost unable to get funding for their residence hall expansion.

 

As for Akron, I think the lock3/main street development will be some sort of mixed use in the location of the old "stage left" bar and surround properties. The is playing it smart. The city should see if downtown living catches on in Akron. As far as I know the retail on exchange/main has not been filled, so I don't know why someone would invest in more downtown retail.

Its just so hard to believe that nobody can get financing. I realize the economy went south, but it seems like other cities I look at are atleast coming up with a game plan for the economy turns around. look at dayton for example. I go to their downtown partnership site and they have a plan to make some "Tech Town" and have plan to put build new buildings downtown.

 

Cleveland it seems is the same way. I know not every project is going to go through but it seems like no good projects go through for akron.

Nobody can get financing to do anything. There where lots of projects I know that were halted because of the banking situations. For example the Flats East bank project was scrapped. Also I know Cleveland State University was almost unable to get funding for their residence hall expansion.

 

As for Akron, I think the lock3/main street development will be some sort of mixed use in the location of the old "stage left" bar and surround properties. The is playing it smart. The city should see if downtown living catches on in Akron. As far as I know the retail on exchange/main has not been filled, so I don't know why someone would invest in more downtown retail.

 

The Flats East Bank has not been scrapped, though it has been delayed and downsized.  A number of projects have been scrapped, however, and the ones that get through have mostly been scaled back.  That happens when there is a major financial crisis that is unprecedented since the Great Depression.

 

As for the longer malaise of cities like Cleveland and Akron: slow economic and population growth means that it is very difficult even in the good times to get financing to do development projects.  It's equally hard to get pre sales and pre leases.  Unless the economy picks up long term, it will always be very difficult to get projects off the drawing board and into reality here.  It may not seem the case in other cities, but do you know how long they've been waiting on the projects that you see on their downtown booster's website?

I guess there is just a lot I don't understand...lol This is why I am studying engineering :)

The City received a $1.9 million grant to remediate the asbestos in buildings next to the Civic Theater as part of the Lock 3 and Lock 4 redevelopment plan. Bids are being sought in November so you should see some work being done in the Landmark Building (the old Akron Savings Bank building) in 2011. It's progress but slooooow progress.....

Great news! I keep seeing the coming soon sign on Main St with plans but haven't seen much activity. I read the article talking about the grant I just didn't realize when they might begin. Wish they would pick up the pace!

There is certainly a lot of space that could be developed around Lock 3, but I think Main St. is the bigger concern.  There are a number of dilapidated and underutilized buildings between Bowery and Bartges in particular.  The ballpark is well done and inviting (they did good work with the brick there, at least to all outward appearances), but it hasn't had much in the way of spillover effects.  There are still too many forbidding windows in the Civic and nearby buildings, and further south, the Mayflower has some image problems that may be affecting nearby parcels.

 

The biggest impetus to further development downtown would be to start filling the downtown space we already have.

Well... the day I found this picture I e-mailed the city and the developer to get more info on what progress if any was being made. The developer got back to me today and responded with this...

 

"Due to the economic downturn and the tightness of the financial markets the project has been DELAYED. All parties are working on a strategy to move the project forward, unfortunately I cannot give you a specific date. We have not scratched the project and will keep working to bring the project to fruition".

 

I look forward to seeing this in the future. :)

Well... the day I found this picture I e-mailed the city and the developer to get more info on what progress if any was being made. The developer got back to me today and responded with this...

 

"Due to the economic downturn and the tightness of the financial markets the project has been DELAYED. All parties are working on a strategy to move the project forward, unfortunately I cannot give you a specific date. We have not scratched the project and will keep working to bring the project to fruition".

 

I look forward to seeing this in the future. :)

 

Interesting...  I dont see it at lock 3 though. I've heard rumors of reviving it at the cascade plaza but that probly wont happen.

Well these plans are specifically for Lock 3. The developer is the one who plans on redeveloping Lock 4 area as well. There is a separate company that has plans for the cascade plaza. I might e-mail them as well and try and get the scoop. If you can tell I don't like to speculate.. :)

If I'm not mistaken the asbestos work on the Landmark Building had stared and they came in to a broken pipe one morning, causing that to slow the new work as well as add additional work and a need to find funds to fix that.  I believe the city's insurance paid for that, but it takes time to get all the paperwork through and they still had to pay their deductible.

I didn't realize thats whats holding up the lock 4/main project. I'm glad they were able to finish the new walkarounds down on lock 4. It will be much nicer once restaurants and shops go in along there. Should give new life to the center of the city, especially if the plans for Cascade Plaza goes through.

That is just what is holding up all of the asbestos removal work.  I'm not sure what the timetable is for the actual project.

The City received a $1.9 million grant to remediate the asbestos in buildings next to the Civic Theater as part of the Lock 3 and Lock 4 redevelopment plan. Bids are being sought in November so you should see some work being done in the Landmark Building (the old Akron Savings Bank building) in 2011. It's progress but slooooow progress.....

 

This may be why nothing has happened as well..

Received an e-mail this morning from Dave Lieberth who is Chief of Staff of the Deputy Mayor Administration.

 

"The City has a continuing agreement with Main Street Partners LLC to re-develop the 5 buildings adjacent to the Civic Theatre and the Landmark Building. No one has been financing such retail-based projects for the last two years, and the developers continue to search for a mechanism to fund the $15 million development. We believe it will become a reality once the credit markets open up."

 

 

I drove by the Landmark building tonight, and for the first time in awhile I actually saw lights on inside the first floor. I was able to catch a glimpse of ladders and other tools inside, and I think they may be beginning the asbestos removal process. Hopefully soon these places will be fixed up and utilized.

Akron breaks ground on Lock 3 renovations

Akron breaks ground on Lock 3 renovations

 

Quote

The city of Akron broke ground on renovations to Lock 3 on Thursday. The project, led by residents, aims to transform the downtown park into a world class public space for events, concerts and festivals.

 

The work will include gardens, sitting areas and a performance pavilion.

 

https://www.ideastream.org/community/2023-04-06/akron-breaks-ground-on-lock-3-renovations

^Good to hear renovations are planned. 

 

I was in Akron a few weeks ago and the space was feeling tired. Lock 4 is much improved with the Bowery Block project.

 

Are there any plans for the gravel parking lots across the canal at Bowery and Water Streets? That would be a great spot for multi-family overlooking the canal and park. 

Should this thread be moved back into active projects? 

 

Anyway, one artist lined up for an art installation in Lock 3 with 5 more planned.

 

Public art slated for Akron’s Lock 3 honors rubber history

Ideastream Public Media | By Kabir Bhatia

Published January 17, 2024

 

The transformation of Akron's Lock 3 Park is slated to include a new sculpture celebrating the city’s past. Curated Storefront has received $100,000 to commission a piece by Chakaia Booker. The New York-based artist repurposes old tires in her abstract work. She exhibited her work in Akron during the FRONT Triennial in 2022.

 

The grant money comes from the nonprofit VIA Art Fund, also based in New York. It announced more than a dozen grants nationwide on Wednesday in addition to the funds for Lock 3.

 

Rick Rogers, executive director of Curated Storefront, said they’ve also selected five potential artists for future projects. Over the next two years, he said they’re planning to raise about $400,000 to complete their goal of $1 million for art in the park.

 

https://www.ideastream.org/arts-culture/2024-01-17/public-art-slated-for-akrons-lock-3-honors-rubber-history