August 9, 20213 yr Author August 07, 2021 04:00 AM Akron's BLU-tique hotel puts off opening Dan Shingler The reopening of downtown Akron's BLU-tique Hotel has been put off until October. Developer Tony Troppe had planned to open the hotel for the Pro Football Hall of Fame events in Canton this past week, he said. In fact, Troppe said he had the entire hotel booked with visitors coming in for the Canton events, for several nights. But guests canceled because of ongoing construction on Main Street downtown, including right in front of the hotel, until that part of the street reopened on Tuesday, Aug. 3. https://www.crainscleveland.com/akron-news/akrons-blu-tique-hotel-puts-opening
August 10, 20213 yr Author Mayor Horrigan: New investments, programs will create safer, economically stronger Akron Jim Mackinnon Akron Beacon Journal • Spend $3.5 million to renovate Lock 3 starting in the fall of 2022 to make the site, built in 2003 and originally intended to be temporary, into a permanent downtown fixture and to jumpstart the downtown's recovery. • Allocate $1 million to attract and retain retail along Main Street. • Create a nonprofit real estate organization dedicated to promoting economic development in the central city. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/08/09/significant-investments-create-safer-strong-akron-mayor-says/5531909001/
August 12, 20213 yr 1 hour ago, NorthShore647 said: Kinda disappointed the Knight Stage looks thrown together. I remember the initial renderings making it look much nicer and upscale.
August 23, 20213 yr Author On 8/12/2021 at 1:26 PM, ASPhotoman said: Kinda disappointed the Knight Stage looks thrown together. I remember the initial renderings making it look much nicer and upscale. It looks like they just did away with some of the trim detailing. I agree, it does make a difference. It looks more just like a "black box" stage. Just the basics to put on a nice show.
August 26, 20213 yr New Civic Theater Mural from Lock 3 (8-20-21) University of Akron - Ayer Hall Demolition for the Crouse Hall Consolidation and Renovation Project Classes started this past week. Its nice to see more activity downtown with the return of students to campus.
September 12, 20213 yr Piecing together some UO research. From the west hill thread just saw the item in connection with Lebron James family foundation adding an institute by Lock 3. Obviously the worst massing ever as it was depicted. I recall earlier in this thread about three years ago there was a mysterious small blurb that said Testa was looking to build an office building behind Lock 3 for “a significant out of state office tenant”. LBJ does not leap to mind. So perhaps it would be a separate building or perhaps the previous deal fell through and LBFF felt it was a good location to complete their project.
September 13, 20213 yr Author 20 hours ago, audidave said: Piecing together some UO research. From the west hill thread just saw the item in connection with Lebron James family foundation adding an institute by Lock 3. Obviously the worst massing ever as it was depicted. I recall earlier in this thread about three years ago there was a mysterious small blurb that said Testa was looking to build an office building behind Lock 3 for “a significant out of state office tenant”. LBJ does not leap to mind. So perhaps it would be a separate building or perhaps the previous deal fell through and LBFF felt it was a good location to complete their project. The LBJ Institute is in Infocision Stadium. Testa has had plans to add housing along the canal on the opposite side of Lock 3. I'm not sure if that will come to fruition or not.
September 14, 20213 yr Construction is underway at the old Goodrich factory to convert the space into 200+ market-rate apartments on S. Main Street. I work right by the construction site and have witnessed the steady progress over time. Any word on when it'll get completed/what are your guy's thoughts on this project? I know they are also trying to get a craft distillery to join R.Shea and Missing Falls breweries. In addition, the developer is also trying to land a grocery store on the bottom floor (like every other developer in downtown).
September 14, 20213 yr When they were liquidating office furniture from those buildings in the late 1980s, I picked up a nice, large desk, comfortable office chair and two filing cabinets for $70. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 14, 20213 yr 1 hour ago, KJP said: When they were liquidating office furniture from those buildings in the late 1980s, I picked up a nice, large desk, comfortable office chair and two filing cabinets for $70. That would be $4,576 in today’s money;)
November 19, 20213 yr Author Akron moving forward with plans to acquire Ocasek Building to house municipal court Doug Livingston Akron Beacon Journal In collaboration with the area's economic development finance agency and private developers, Akron Mayor Horrigan wants to buy the Ocasek Building from the state of Ohio and convert it into a new municipal courthouse by the end of 2023. Akron Planning Commission is hearing the proposal Friday morning. The mayor’s office intends to present the deal, which requires legislative approval, to City Council by the end of the year. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/11/19/akron-municipal-court-could-move-stubbs-center-ocasek-building/8637224002/
December 18, 20213 yr Author Akron developer Tony Troppe has big plans to 'densify' downtown block dedicated to culture Doug Livingston Akron Beacon Journal Now that Crave is moving out of Castle Hall at the busy corner of Market and High streets, Akron developer Tony Troppe can really get going on the $5 million project. With a second new apartment building planned just feet away, Troppe and his Everett Group are planning to honor the architecture of a city block he mostly owns and, with an array of commercial tenants, is dedicated to arts, entertainment and culture. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/12/17/akron-developer-tony-troppe-plans-castle-halls-crave-space-arts-district-market-street/6408959001/
December 20, 20213 yr Heh. Was just coming here to post that article, should've known yanni would have gotten to it first! I never even knew the building that Crave is in (until year-end) is called Castle Hall. I wonder if that's a new affectation. I also did not know that the same chef was behind Lock 15 Brewing and Totally Baked Pizza. (Akron has a lot of microbreweries with excellent beer and average food. Lock 15 is the only brewery in the entire Summit Brewpath where I would clearly say those merits are flipped.) The most interesting part of this is that Troppe intends to "open the western wall" of the revamped Crave space "giving access to a 200-250 seat banquet area in the bottom floor of a newly constructed five-story Castle Hall addition. The upper four floors are laid out for 28 apartment units." That western wall is the wall out to the surface parking lot there, the only off-street surface parking still remaining on that block, I believe, other than the out-of-the-way lot at the old Austen BioInnovation Institute. I'll also welcome the 4-story apartment building to top the garage off Maiden Lane, though I'm still having trouble envisioning where this elevator it will share with the Everett Building is/will be. I take it that means they'll have to share a wall, maybe even have it be one of those 2-sided elevators, with the front door opening into the Everett Building and the back opening into the new apartment building?
December 22, 20213 yr Author On 12/20/2021 at 2:13 PM, Gramarye said: Heh. Was just coming here to post that article, should've known yanni would have gotten to it first! I never even knew the building that Crave is in (until year-end) is called Castle Hall. I wonder if that's a new affectation. I also did not know that the same chef was behind Lock 15 Brewing and Totally Baked Pizza. (Akron has a lot of microbreweries with excellent beer and average food. Lock 15 is the only brewery in the entire Summit Brewpath where I would clearly say those merits are flipped.) The most interesting part of this is that Troppe intends to "open the western wall" of the revamped Crave space "giving access to a 200-250 seat banquet area in the bottom floor of a newly constructed five-story Castle Hall addition. The upper four floors are laid out for 28 apartment units." That western wall is the wall out to the surface parking lot there, the only off-street surface parking still remaining on that block, I believe, other than the out-of-the-way lot at the old Austen BioInnovation Institute. I'll also welcome the 4-story apartment building to top the garage off Maiden Lane, though I'm still having trouble envisioning where this elevator it will share with the Everett Building is/will be. I take it that means they'll have to share a wall, maybe even have it be one of those 2-sided elevators, with the front door opening into the Everett Building and the back opening into the new apartment building? The built the elevator last year / early this year. They built a shaft on the exterior wall facing the parking deck. They matched the brick pretty well so you probably wouldn't know it was new.
January 14, 20223 yr Author I was headed to the Akron Children's Museum a couple weeks ago and I always like looking out over Lock 3 from the parking deck. In the back left you can see they are working on the building on Bowery St. that Akron Children's Hospital took ownership of. Might be abatement for demo? I seem to think that was the plan. Put a surface lot in. But I could be mistaken.
January 14, 20223 yr I really hope they aren't putting another surface lot in. It's extremely painful watching Cleveland build and wipe out surface lots while more surface lots pop up in Akron....
January 14, 20223 yr Didn't Testa propose a building for that parking lot that extended towards the bank of the lock?
January 14, 20223 yr Yes, Not sure if it is still in the works. I found this on there website: https://www.testacompanies.com/portfolio look under "Canal walk" I don't know any more about it. Any type of ground-up mixed-use would be huge for downtown. I pray it's not more parking lots.
January 14, 20223 yr According to the City of Akron parcel website, it is still owned by Akron Children's medical Center. Parcel ID:6763911
January 14, 20223 yr The parcels I thought were involved are 67-01191, 67-01189 & 67-01192, which are all owned by the City of Akron and on the south side of Bowery.
February 18, 20223 yr Author There was a public presentation and comment session given this week on the Lock 3 Park plans this week. Not much has been changed from this, just further refined: https://www.theolinstudio.com/lock-3-park The pavilion will have a little different shape as the one in the renderings is more of a generic placeholder.
February 19, 20223 yr 20 hours ago, yanni_gogolak said: There was a public presentation and comment session given this week on the Lock 3 Park plans this week. Not much has been changed from this, just further refined: https://www.theolinstudio.com/lock-3-park The pavilion will have a little different shape as the one in the renderings is more of a generic placeholder. So is what's starting just the decking depicted in the image? Not the landscaping in the photos on the left right? That'll come once the entire Lock 3 plan is completed?
February 21, 20223 yr Author On 2/19/2022 at 5:44 AM, ASPhotoman said: So is what's starting just the decking depicted in the image? Not the landscaping in the photos on the left right? That'll come once the entire Lock 3 plan is completed? They are starting everything for Lock 3 this summer.
February 23, 20223 yr Author Akron Civic Theatre plans March groundbreaking for new outdoor deck Updated: Feb. 22, 2022, 10:42 a.m. | Published: Feb. 22, 2022, 9:39 a.m. By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio –- The Akron Civic Theatre will break ground in March on a new outdoor deck thanks to support from PNC Bank. The 1,100 square foot deck will be named PNC Plaza, according to Val Renner, associate director of programming, media and marketing for the theatre. PNC Plaza will be located on the theatre’s south facing wall off of South Main Street. The space is part of the theatre’s Staging the Future capital project and includes a new outdoor video screen and a commissioned mural by artist Scot Phillips. Phillips will work with the theatre and local PNC employees to choose the mural artwork. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2022/02/akron-civic-theatre-plans-march-groundbreaking-for-new-outdoor-deck.html This doesn't say anything about the park. But it does say this: "Starting next summer PNC will host events in the space, among them:" This is either a grammatical error or there won't be anything held there this summer because of construction. Currently Lock 3 doesn't have anything on their calendar past March.
February 25, 20223 yr Four things to know about the next steps toward Downtown Akron's Lock 3 redesign Abbey Marshall Akron Beacon Journal Lock 3, Downtown Akron's venue for summer concerts and year-round activities, will begin undergoing a makeover in September. The design phase of Akron's reimagined Lock 3 is more than halfway complete as the city looks to present full plans this summer and begin construction this fall. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2022/02/25/four-things-know-next-steps-akrons-lock-3-s-redesign/6787620001/ Edited February 25, 20223 yr by JohnSummit
March 2, 20223 yr Author The Lock 3 Akron, Ohio Vision Plan is a key component of the resident-led Akron Civic Commons 2.0 project that plans to build on the success of Lock 3 Park as a successful event, concert and festival public space and develop a year-round park that is a destination for residents, guests, hikers and bicyclists along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Thanks to our announcement today that the City and Knight Foundation are both increasing our investments into Lock 3, the final design for Lock 3 Park will be completed, with a proposed groundbreaking in the fall of 2022. Some of the elements that residents have identified as priorities for Lock 3 moving forward are shaded seating, landscaped gardens, artwork, skating areas and a world-class performance pavilion. Photo credit for the updated renderings goes to the project manager, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.
March 2, 20223 yr Might have a little more concrete planned than I'd have wished (based on that first rendering), but still, likely an improvement and Lock 3 is due for some attention.
March 3, 20223 yr Looks great. But I wonder how long it’ll be before those trees look anything like that.
March 3, 20223 yr Author 12 hours ago, JohnSummit said: Looks great. But I wonder how long it’ll be before those trees look anything like that. I would guess a decade unless they are going to pay for some more matured trees.
March 3, 20223 yr Looks great. Between Main Street, all the apartment projects, and now this, downtown is really coming along nicely. They just need to work on some of the retail vacancies (especially main and Market since that whole intersection is empty now). Which I am sure as people return to in-person work and more residents move in will work itself out.
March 4, 20223 yr Author 20 hours ago, bigal123 said: Looks great. Between Main Street, all the apartment projects, and now this, downtown is really coming along nicely. They just need to work on some of the retail vacancies (especially main and Market since that whole intersection is empty now). Which I am sure as people return to in-person work and more residents move in will work itself out. Did Subway close? I would think the bar at the Blu Hotel will open this summer. Main & Market won't even be anything that draws you in because of the Federal building and their requirements for clear space around the building.
March 16, 20223 yr Quote The Depot building, home to University of Akron students, will be auctioned off next month https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2022/03/16/owners-auction-depot-student-apartments-downtown-akron/9429962002/
March 31, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, yanni_gogolak said: The former AES building has some new signage. Did this literally go up yesterday? I passed that corner two days ago en route to Missing Falls and I totally missed this if it was up already then. (Whoosh.) Does this mean that the ABJ has taken over the top two floors vacated by AES? Or maybe just part of them? What operations did they even move into that building that they wouldn't have had space for at their facility a block away? (Or did they offload that larger building? Wasn't that both their HQ and printing facility?)
April 4, 20223 yr Author On 3/31/2022 at 9:50 AM, Gramarye said: Did this literally go up yesterday? I passed that corner two days ago en route to Missing Falls and I totally missed this if it was up already then. (Whoosh.) Does this mean that the ABJ has taken over the top two floors vacated by AES? Or maybe just part of them? What operations did they even move into that building that they wouldn't have had space for at their facility a block away? (Or did they offload that larger building? Wasn't that both their HQ and printing facility?) I believe they moved printing to another location years ago. Probably contracted it. They sold their building and this is just offices in this one now. I'm not sure how many floors. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/07/02/former-akron-beacon-journal-building-downtown-could-become-apartments/7829288002/
April 4, 20223 yr Author Akron's BLU-Tique Hotel allies itself with Marriott as it plans reopening Jim Mackinnon Akron Beacon Journal The BLU-Tique Hotel in downtown Akron is getting ready to reawaken from a COVID-19 pandemic slumber under the same ownership but with a new branding and marketing partner, Marriott. The BLU-Tique at Main and Market streets is now part of Marriott International's Tribute Portfolio, a collection of more than 55 independently owned upscale boutique hotels around the world. Marriott, with some 30 brands, is the world's largest hotel operator based on number of rooms. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2022/04/03/akron-blu-tique-hotel-marriott-re-opening-troppe-tribute-portfolio-riley-boutique-main/7207228001/
April 4, 20223 yr ^ I am much more likely to stay at BLU-tique now that I can use my Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. This is a good move.
April 8, 20223 yr Author On 4/4/2022 at 7:33 PM, jeremyck01 said: ^ I am much more likely to stay at BLU-tique now that I can use my Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. This is a good move. I like the program a lot. It gets them the branding they need to be recognized but still remain the boutique hotel they have established.
April 9, 20223 yr Does anyone know what's going on in the parking lots across from canal park? They had them blocked off last time I drove through.
April 9, 20223 yr Author 3 hours ago, ASPhotoman said: Does anyone know what's going on in the parking lots across from canal park? They had them blocked off last time I drove through. They are starting construction on the long planned downtown stadium. Ooops, it's past April Fools, my bad. I have no clue.
April 9, 20223 yr Author I stumbed across this Summit Metro Parks presentation from almost a year ago. They have proposed a bridge to connect to the METRO station more seamlessly.
April 20, 20223 yr Author Public Open House: Share your feedback on the Lock 3 Vision Plan Tuesday, May 3 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Knight Stage at the Akron Civic Theatre A public open house to discuss the Lock 3 Vision Plan is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. The open house will take place at the Knight Stage (182 S. Main St.) and will be hosted by the Ohio & Erie Canal Coalition as part of Akron Civic Commons. Attend the open house to share your ideas about Lock 3 Park, and how we might create an accessible, equitable, and welcoming park for everyone. The project is slated to break ground this fall! View the Lock 3 Vision Plan here. Feel free to share your feedback on the plan in this survey, especially if you're unable to attend the open house but still want to contribute.
May 1, 20223 yr Saw this at the Bowery District. Seems interesting, I haven't heard anything about this up until now.
May 26, 20223 yr Author /\/\/\ Akron to begin construction on $2 million, three-story history center downtown Abbey Marshall Akron Beacon Journal Akron is the only major city in Ohio without a space dedicated to chronicling its history — an issue officials plan to resolve with a grant to begin construction on a new museum slated to open downtown next fall. Located at the Bowery at 172 S. Main St., the three-story, 3,000-square foot building will include exhibits, artifacts and photos sharing the city’s history over 200 years, including “stories that maybe haven’t always been told,” Bicentennial Commission Executive Secretary David Lieberth said. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2022/05/26/akron-begin-construction-2-million-history-center-downtown/9804833002/
May 26, 20223 yr Author On 4/9/2022 at 7:26 AM, ASPhotoman said: Does anyone know what's going on in the parking lots across from canal park? They had them blocked off last time I drove through. Went by this today. It is curious. They have a fenced in area with a construction trailer and some pink rigid insulation. Likely poly-iso for underground. So it's either some foundation work or underground vault or something similar. They wouldn't likely bring a trailer for a short term project.
June 15, 20222 yr Author 'It was awesome growing up down there': Last two houses in downtown Akron to be demolished Mark J. Price Akron Beacon Journal The last two houses in downtown Akron will be torn down this summer. Located behind St. Bernard Catholic Church, the two-story dwellings are nearly 125 years old and have served many uses over the decades, including convent buildings, caretaker quarters and a women’s shelter. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2022/06/15/st-bernard-parish-raze-two-old-houses-downtown-akron-ohio-polsky-scotts-soap-box-derby-access/7567167001/
June 15, 20222 yr 9 minutes ago, yanni_gogolak said: 'It was awesome growing up down there': Last two houses in downtown Akron to be demolished Mark J. Price Akron Beacon Journal The last two houses in downtown Akron will be torn down this summer. Located behind St. Bernard Catholic Church, the two-story dwellings are nearly 125 years old and have served many uses over the decades, including convent buildings, caretaker quarters and a women’s shelter. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2022/06/15/st-bernard-parish-raze-two-old-houses-downtown-akron-ohio-polsky-scotts-soap-box-derby-access/7567167001/ Beat me to the draw! Was about to post this same article. Glad I refreshed before posting. Disappointed that there's no plan for what to do with the space right away and it will be just dead greenspace (too small to play on or enjoy, but large enough to add that much more distance to walk to get places in that critical block of downtown): Quote “We’re looking to knock the house down and make it a green space for now,” Zerucha said. “Should the day arise when somebody else has another thought, we’ll go forward at that point.” The footprint of these two houses combined is substantial, just eyeballing it with Google Maps. If replaced by a building that really built to the boundary and didn't need parking, you could get a pretty good-sized structure onto that. It's not the footprint of the Mayflower or Greystone Hall, but it's bigger than it looks.
June 15, 20222 yr A very well-written article. Sorry the church did not take better care of these historic houses.
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