Akron moving ahead with plans to improve Cascade Plaza

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: October 7, 2013 - 10:54 PM

 

Planning Director John Moore said the plaza project will involve ripping off the concrete plaza, resealing the deck underneath and converting the plaza to green space, including adding plantings, benches and tables. A wall will be taken down so the plaza can be seen from Main Street.

“It should be a significant improvement,” Moore said of the work, which is expected to be completed by next summer.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-moving-ahead-with-plans-to-improve-cascade-plaza-1.435081

Last Saturday I happened to be Downtown when they were putting the new bridge in place from the new Akron Children's Hospital to the new Hospital they are building. Pretty interesting considering they had to twist it 90 degrees in between to existing buildings and it has to fit pretty much exactly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canal Park getting face-lift; fans getting new seats, views, food

 

By Phil Trexler

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: January 28, 2014 - 01:12 PM | Updated: January 28, 2014 - 01:36 PM

 

Ken Babby is continuing his transformation of Akron’s downtown minor-league baseball scene.

 

In the 15 months or so that he’s owned the ball club, Babby has changed the team’s name to the RubberDucks, installed a new scoreboard hailed as the best in Double-A leagues, he’s spruced up the concourses and brought a renewed interest to the 17-year-old franchise.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/canal-park-getting-face-lift-fans-getting-new-seats-views-food-1.462388

Akron developer plans to convert old tire shop into apartments, retail; warehouse is near towpath, downtown

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: September 8, 2014 - 10:31 PM | Updated: September 9, 2014 - 08:03 AM

 

Akron Developer Tony Troppe again plans to take a historic building and update it for modern uses.

 

This time, Troppe has his sights set on the Cascade Lofts building, a former tire shop on North Street near Howard Street and close to the towpath.

 

Akron City Council on Monday approved Troppe’s plans to convert the warehouse into a combination of loft apartments and retail. They praised Troppe, who previously restored several sites in the downtown area, including the United, Everett and Kaiser buildings and the Musica complex, for tackling another historic structure.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-developer-plans-to-convert-old-tire-shop-into-apartments-retail-warehouse-is-near-towpath-downtown-1.520898#.VA8Pkfv6B-I.twitter

I'm glad that is finally moving, he had signage up for that since he bought the building a few years ago.

FirstEnergy considering new building for Akron headquarters but wants to remain downtown

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: December 4, 2014 - 06:17 PM | Updated: December 4, 2014 - 08:58 PM

 

FirstEnergy Corp. is considering a move out of its downtown Akron headquarters but would stay in the heart of the city.

 

City spokeswoman Stephanie York said Akron officials are aware that the electric utility might be interested in moving from 76 S. Main St.

 

“What we know is that FirstEnergy is coming to the end of their lease, and that their desire is to stay downtown,” York said Thursday in an email. “We are excited that they are looking to stay downtown (whether in the same building or not), just as we are energized about the increased vitality and development of downtown over the past dozen years.”

 

...The Akron-based parent company of Ohio Edison employs 900 at its downtown headquarters, Schneider said, and takes up all 19 floors at the current location.

 

Another 600 employees work at the company’s offices in West Akron off White Pond Drive.

 

More:

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/firstenergy-considering-new-building-for-akron-headquarters-but-wants-to-remain-downtown-1.546785

Akron Children’s buys century-old church property near downtown campus; church might combine with Faith Lutheran in Fairlawn

 

By Katie Byard,Cheryl Powelland Colette Jenkins

Beacon Journal staff writers

 

Published: January 14, 2015 - 10:49 AM | Updated: January 15, 2015 - 02:11 PM

 

Akron Children’s Hospital recently bought a century-old church building at the corner of Bowery and Cedar streets as part of future plans to expand its downtown campus.

 

The hospital paid $750,000 to St. John/St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church for the building at 282 W. Bowery St. in a deal that closed last week, according to tax records.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/akron-children-s-buys-century-old-church-property-near-downtown-campus-church-might-combine-with-faith-lutheran-in-fairlawn-1.558320

^ Happy 100th birthday, beautiful church. And good luck....

Downtown Akron may get another hotel; proposal for United Building gets tax credit

By Katie Byard Published: June 30, 2015

 

Another hotel may be in the works for downtown Akron.

 

The state has awarded an Ohio Historic Preservation tax credit to a $11.9 million project that would turn the eight-story United Building into a boutique hotel.

 

The tax credits are designed to spur rehabilitation of historic properties. The state granted a credit valued at roughly $1 million to the United Building project.

 

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/your-business/your-business-1.567844/downtown-akron-may-get-another-hotel-proposal-for-united-building-gets-tax-credit-1.604406

Summary of recent developments and challenges....

 

Neighborhoods around downtown Akron still blighted, after millions invested downtown: Post Plusquellic

By John Harper, Northeast Ohio Media Group

on August 28, 2015 at 8:30 AM, updated August 28, 2015 at 8:35 AM

 

AKRON, Ohio – Neighborhoods near downtown Akron are struggling more than anywhere else in the city, even after former mayor Don Plusquellic's administration spent hundreds of millions sprucing up the city's core.

 

Akron received a glowing report in a recent Western Reserve Land Conservancy survey of vacant homes and properties, with one glaring exception: neighborhoods near downtown.

 

Akron's neighborhoods are by no means in perfect shape, the report found, but are far better off than counterparts in other Midwestern cities, in part because the city has aggressively bulldozed many offending properties.

 

"We were really surprised, Akron was in amazingly good shape," said Jim Rokakis, president of the land conservancy. "The entire city had fewer vacancies than one service area in Cleveland."

 

But near downtown, where hundreds of millions of dollars were poured into revitalization projects under former Mayor Don Plusquellic, housing stock continues to languish as it did 55 years ago.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2015/08/akrons_persistent_housing_prob.html

Not to state the obvious, but the quality of the housing stock in many of those areas nearer Downtown Akron was simply poorer to begin with.  You cannot make the East End or Lane-Wooster into Tremont or Ohio City, because the built environment there is simply completely different.

 

Also, I don't know of any Cleveland neighborhood (Cleveland proper, that is) that would compare to Fairlawn Heights, the Merriman-Portage corridor, or the better parts of the Will Christy Park neighborhood.  Those are deep grey but otherwise reasonably stable neighborhoods, but they're also closer to the edges of the city.  More affordable neighborhoods near those (Wallhaven, Castle Park, Highland Square) are large enough and affordable enough to absorb basically all younger urban pioneers that Akron has been able to attract or retain, so there has been basically no redevelopment pressure on the really poor neighborhoods closer to downtown (though I'm not sure where the "hundreds of millions" stat comes from--that raises a caution flag in my brain).

What a horrible article. This is like saying crime an dilapidated housing still exist in East Cleveland even after all of the hundred of millions put into University Circle.

Not to state the obvious, but the quality of the housing stock in many of those areas nearer Downtown Akron was simply poorer to begin with.  You cannot make the East End or Lane-Wooster into Tremont or Ohio City, because the built environment there is simply completely different.

 

What?  Tremont is filled with low cost houses that were built for factory workers.  How is that any different than... low cost houses built for factory workers?  Other than being in the shadow of a steel mill vs. the shadow of a tire factory, I don't see much difference other than Akron bulldozed almost all of the commercial infrastructure in those neighborhoods.

 

The reality is Akron destroyed the neighborhoods ringing Downtown and haven't left much to work with.  The Innerbelt decimated the near west side, "urban renewal" completely leveled the Howard Street corridor on the north side, and 77/76 and the Interchange cut off the south side.  The University and the city have done an efficient job at removing the original fabric of the east side.

 

One could point to West Hill as a neighborhood that has some nice housing stock and hasn't completely disintegrated.  It's in the shadow of downtown.  It's just missing the commercial component.

 

"I put a clock on the outside, to tell people it's time for downtown," Troppe said.

 

That quote made the whole article worthwhile.

 

In the argument about Cleveland's nearby neighborhoods being better, is Ohio City really any closer than Highland Square?  And I don't see the area around CSU doing any better than the area around UA unless you count massive low income housing developments.  South of downtown Cleveland rolls into Slavic Village which isn't exactly a hotspot.

 

So really what they are saying is that directly to the west of downtown Cleveland there is neighborhood revitalization.

 

I've read the authors other articles about Akron and it appears he writes from an outsiders perspective.

Filling Akron business district's streets and cafes starts with filling empty buildings

September 27, 2015 UPDATED 2 DAYS AGO

 

By JUDY STRINGER

If it sounds cliché to say “Akron is at a crossroads,” try this one on for size: “If you build it, they will come.”

 

No, the latter is no less trite, but it does appear that the Rubber City is in a position where – with the right set of visionaries, developers and financers – the reclamation of empty or underutilized properties could very well reposition the downtown district as vibrant place to – forgive this last cliché – “live, work and play.”

 

Overall, office-space vacancy in Akron’s central business district hovers somewhere between 12% and 20%, depending on who’s doing the tracking. The city’s economic development office and the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce peg vacancies at around 12%. Real estate advisory firm CBRE quotes a more conservative 20.5%.

 

MORE:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150927/NEWS/150919867/filling-akron-business-districts-streets-and-cafes-starts-with

^Great article. I've  often wondered why Akron hasn't seemed to learn lessons from the redevelopment boom that's hit certain Cleveland neighborhoods. Downtown Akron has great bones and could be a very attractive place to live. In my dreams there would be a streetcar connecting Highland Square to downtown and looping around the University. In my wildest dreams.

Ran into an old friend on a flight the other day. As a consultant, she was instrumental in getting the food truck scene up and running in Cleveland and in Portland, where she now resides. Anyhow, at one point in our catching-up conversation she expressed displeasure that after ten years the city of Akron still had food truck regulations "under review process."

 

 

Ran into an old friend on a flight the other day. As a consultant, she was instrumental in getting the food truck scene up and running in Cleveland and in Portland, where she now resides. Anyhow, at one point in our catching-up conversation she expressed displeasure that after ten years the city of Akron still had food truck regulations "under review process."

 

 

 

I think I read some history about her a few years back when the food truck issues started to arise.

At any rate, I'm not sure what is under review. They have regulations in place and there is a yearly registration fee. I think it's at least $1,000 and trucks are not allowed to be parked on public property.

 

Basically, this regulatory scheme is designed to ban food trucks in Akron without coming right out and saying so.

 

You're dead on. Basically the City and other "interests" have taken the approach that food trucks are bad news for other restaurants instead of letting the market determine what good and bad food is.

Filling Akron business district's streets and cafes starts with filling empty buildings

September 27, 2015 Updated 21 hours ago

By JUDY STRINGER

 

Overall, office-space vacancy in Akron’s central business district hovers somewhere between 12% and 20%, depending on who’s doing the tracking. The city’s economic development office and the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce peg vacancies at around 12%. Real estate advisory firm CBRE quotes a more conservative 20.5%.

 

Either way, Akron appears to be keeping pace with the thriving office markets of Cleveland, which has about 18% vacancy, and Columbus, with about 15% vacancies and the built-in economic advantage of housing the state government, according to CBRE.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150927/NEWS/150919867/filling-akron-business-districts-streets-and-cafes-starts-with#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccl-akronmorning&utm_campaign=ccl-akronmorning-20150929

 

 

 

Fluff piece. Either way, I thought the Cleveland vacancy rate was more like 8%...anyone?

^KJP posted that article a few days ago. It's a bit fluffy, but still informative as it shows city leaders are well aware of what needs to happen with these vacant buildings on Main Street. It's been so long since any movement, I was beginning to wonder if anyone in city government was doing anything or aware of anything regarding these spaces. I would love to see more residential in downtown Akron, and rehabbing buildings is the best way to get it.

^KJP posted that article a few days ago. It's a bit fluffy, but still informative as it shows city leaders are well aware of what needs to happen with these vacant buildings on Main Street. It's been so long since any movement, I was beginning to wonder if anyone in city government was doing anything or aware of anything regarding these spaces. I would love to see more residential in downtown Akron, and rehabbing buildings is the best way to get it.

The City knows what it needs, but is too scared to take anything away from anybody who has been sitting on these properties.

For a city of its size and despite its many attributes, Akron is remarkably lacking in liveliness.

For a city of its size and despite its many attributes, Akron is remarkably lacking in liveliness.

It's too convenient to get anywhere by car and nobody has taken any big chances downtown like MRN or The Bingham project, unless you count the Northside Lofts which were planned and built during the market crash.

There are bits and pieces of housing sprinkled throughout downtown. It just isn't providing density. Sounds like there could be some movement all around Cascade plaza. Obviously with the Landmark building there is some plan to get that moving now that i think the asbestos abatement is done.  I wouldn't be surprised if there is a future project involving the former Ramada hotel and maybe another tower to get converted to residential.  This coming Sunday the ABJ will have an article regarding the need for mixed use buildings downtown in one of the things they learned from Akron leaders trip to Greensville,SC.  Next week, the likely next Akron mayor is doing a walking tour downtown discussing his ideas for the inner-belt which should also include residential.  I think the city realizes now that a tiny placeholder population downtown won't cut it in what people expect for even smallish to medium sized cities.

There are bits and pieces of housing sprinkled throughout downtown. It just isn't providing density. Sounds like there could be some movement all around Cascade plaza. Obviously with the Landmark building there is some plan to get that moving now that i think the asbestos abatement is done.  I wouldn't be surprised if there is a future project involving the former Ramada hotel and maybe another tower to get converted to residential.  This coming Sunday the ABJ will have an article regarding the need for mixed use buildings downtown in one of the things they learned from Akron leaders trip to Greensville,SC.  Next week, the likely next Akron mayor is doing a walking tour downtown discussing his ideas for the inner-belt which should also include residential.  I think the city realizes now that a tiny placeholder population downtown won't cut it in what people expect for even smallish to medium sized cities.

 

The asbestos abatement on the Landmark has been done for quite a while, that wasn't what was holding that up.  What benefits are there to doing the City Centre hotel?  I thought historic tax credits were the leveraging point for most residential conversions.

 

I would be surprised if many people on that trip were not already aware of the need for mixed use and residential developments downtown.

 

Not to downplay the opportunity that the innerbelt presents, but I would rather seem them build on some of the many parking lots downtown first.

 

 

For a city of its size and despite its many attributes, Akron is remarkably lacking in liveliness.

It's too convenient to get anywhere by car and nobody has taken any big chances downtown like MRN or The Bingham project, unless you count the Northside Lofts which were planned and built during the market crash.

After growing up and spending so much of my life in Akron, and then traveling to and living in other cities, I came to the conclusion that Akron, for whatever reason, just never quite developed--or at least was never able to sustain--the cultural depth and resiliency in its neighborhoods that we see in larger cities like Cleveland and Pittsburgh. I suspect it much it has to do with the fact that Akron is a "satellite city" to Cleveland within the region, something that is becoming increasingly evident with consolidations like the board of realtors, and the purchase/takeover of Akron General by the Cleveland Clinic, with a strong bias towards consolidation of operations in Cleveland. Cleveland is where the vast majority of the action takes place these days in NE Ohio.

 

It would probably be fairer to compare Akron with Toledo and Dayton, cities that are of similar population size and outlook, and that also increasingly function as satellites of the principal cities within their respective regions (Toledo < Detroit; Dayton < Cincinnati). Dayton and Toledo aren't exactly known for having lively, vibrant communities/entertainment districts either. Liveliness may be an attribute most often found in the principal regional hub, something that can easily be said for Cincy, and even Detroit. Much less so for satellites like Dayton and Toledo.

 

We've got Downtown, Highland Square, and I guess the Merriman Valley somewhat. If Akron were thriving, maybe there would be a few more places, like East End on East Market and Middlebury (East Market/East Exchange/Arlington) that would be seeing investment to make them lively spots as well. For now, I think the city's key focus should be on attracting more residential development to Downtown and the neighborhoods immediately surrounding it. Start with strengthening the core, making it strong and vibrant, and then work your way out of it again.

Maybe it's simply familiarity breeding contempt, but Akron just seems to have a knack for self-inflicted wounds.  The food truck regulations I posted above are just emblematic of the mentality of local government leaders here.  Anything new is more likely to be perceived as threatening than exciting.

 

However, in fairness, one of Akron's major costs of doing business/costs of living has been taken out of its control.  Because of a draconian EPA mandate that even the Democratic city administration of Don Plusquellic fought bitterly (and I really do mean bitterly), Akron's water and sewer rates are absolutely stratospheric.  The former mayor called them "unconscionable."  Many of the candidates for his seat made the rates central to their campaigns, knowing how large a source of pain for the city's poorer residents they are.

I don't want to make this an Akron punching bag thread, but I came to NEOBuckeye[/member]'s conclusion years ago.

 

Build Canal Park +

Then tear down most of Oneal's Building -

U of A renovates Polsky +

U of A closes off the bulding to Main St. -

Renovate historic building into Jillians +

Immediately tear it down for cookie cutter dorms -

Build Infocision Stadium on campus +

Virtually no spinoff development takes place -

 

Now I love the little section of downtown with Musica and the beautiful Art Museum of course, and the library 2.0. But the thing with Akron, to me is, it's always one step forward, one step back. Like there's never enough traction. It's very frustrating.

The food truck restrictions in Akron are just downright small-minded and asinine. Even suburbs like Fairlawn and bass-akwards Norton of all places can see and grasp their benefit, and they are typically the places most resistant to such trends.

 

Plusquellic hit a lot of nails squarely on the head, but he was way off the mark on this one. Maybe Horrigan will have a different take on them?

 

It's receptivity and an anti-red tape to creative, entrepreneurial trends hitting cities now like Food Trucks that really go a long way towards supporting vibrancy and a stronger social fabric through engagement.

surfohio[/member] I wish we could take the corner of Downtown with Musica, the Art Museum, etc., connect it better with Northside and expand it all into a full-blown arts district with a mix of the old and new--renovated buildings along with mixed-use complexes with ground floor retail, residential and office units. This is the sort of grand-scale, bigger picture development that Akron has sorely been lacking.

AAA Akron Auto Club breaks ground on new headquarters

 

DOWNTOWN AKRON — AAA Akron Auto Club officials broke ground Dec. 2 on the travel club’s new headquarters, to be built at 100 Rosa Parks Drive.

 

Doors to the new office are expected to open sometime in the second half of 2016, the 110th year of AAA Akron’s existence, AAA officials said. The headquarters is currently located at 111 W. Center St.

 

http://www.akron.com/akron-ohio-business-news.asp?aID=29094

Old Studebaker building near downtown demolished for future St. Vincent-St. Mary High School use; preservationists disappointed

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: December 20, 2015 - 10:06 PM

 

A building that started as a Studebaker car dealership in 1928, but in recent years has been the target of graffiti, has come down near downtown Akron.

 

The vacant building and lot at the corner of West Market and West streets has been owned for many years by the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School foundation, said school Principal Tom Carone.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/old-studebaker-building-near-downtown-demolished-for-future-st-vincent-st-mary-high-school-use-preservationists-disappointed-1.648922#

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor-elect Horrigan agrees with Akron-Chamber Greenville, S.C. participants: Master plan for downtown Akron is first step

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: December 19, 2015 - 09:03 PM

 

When 47 civic and business leaders took a three-day visit to Greenville, S.C., one person not on the trip, but watching closely, was Akron mayor-elect Dan Horrigan.

 

Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Dan Colantone had said it was decided after some discussion to invite current leaders on the trip, which was designed to see how the South Carolina town redeveloped its downtown, among other things.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/lin-fisher/mayor-elect-horrigan-agrees-with-akron-chamber-greenville-s-c-participants-master-plan-for-downtown-akron-is-first-step-1.648764

 

 

Huntington to keep regional headquarters in Akron after FirstMerit merger

By John Harper, cleveland.com

on February 22, 2016 at 10:53 AM, updated February 22, 2016 at 12:19 PM

 

AKRON, Ohio -- Huntington Bank will operate a regional headquarters and foundation in Akron after it completes its merger with FirstMerit, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

 

Huntington, which is on the hook to keep at least 1,150 people employed in Akron through 2018 per a job-creation agreement with the city, told the newspaper that it could add even more jobs at the FirstMerit tower in downtown Akron. It will also run a charitable foundation similar to FirstMerit's, specifically for Akron and Summit County.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2016/02/huntington_promises_to_keep_re.html

This is what I've been wondering since the merger was announced. What will it mean for the jobs in downtown Cleveland? Isn't that Huntington's regional headquarters right now?

PNC wants its name in lights on downtown Akron building

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: May 4, 2016 - 05:43 PM

 

PNC Bank wants people to look to the Akron skyline and think of the bank.

 

The Pittsburgh-based bank or its predecessors — the bank bought National City in 2008 — have had a downtown Akron presence for 47 years.

 

Yet, while other tall buildings in downtown’s skyline including FirstMerit Bank and FirstEnergy Corp. have their names emblazoned on their buildings, PNC’s 23-story, dark brown building has had no branding on top. It has some limited signage at street level.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/pnc-wants-its-name-in-lights-on-downtown-akron-building-1.680630#

Stage Left building next to Akron’s Civic Theatre faces final curtain

By Jim Mackinnon

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: May 12, 2016 - 07:43 PM | Updated: May 13, 2016 - 08:47 AM

 

Other than acknowledging Main Street Partners remains interested in its remaining properties next to the Civic, Crews said he could not comment on any plans.

 

“I know it’s important. People want to know,” he said. “I really can’t talk about it at this minute.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/stage-left-building-next-to-akron-s-civic-theatre-faces-final-curtain-1.682600

Akron looks to spark long-delayed development project on Main Street

June 25, 2016 Updated 17 hours ago

By JENNIFER CONN

 

An April 1 letter from the mayor to the developer detailed a final series of cures for the retail buildings. To avoid default, Main Street Partners also must pay all past due property taxes within 120 days (Aug. 1); begin construction within 90 days (July 1); and complete construction within 180 days (Oct. 1).

 

In meetings following the April 1 letter, the mayor and Main Street Partners agreed to reduce the number of buildings in the project from the Landmark and the five retail spaces to only the Landmark and the two buildings just south of it. The remaining three retail buildings will be put out for bid to other developers, the mayor said.

 

Jack Crews, Main Street Partner principal, said he anticipates the project will move but could not yet disclose the contractor for the project nor details of its funding. Crews said under the project, the Landmark will be redeveloped to provide 76 one- and two-bedroom, market-rate residential units, while phase two of the project would create 30 additional residential units in the retail buildings.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160625/NEWS/160619984/akron-looks-to-spark-long-delayed-development-project-on-main-street#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccl-akronmorning&utm_campaign=ccl-akronmorning-20160627

Akron receives federal grant to help it embark on Downtown Promenade project

July 27, 2016 Updated 17 hours ago

By Sue Walton

 

The city of Akron long has been looking to transform Main Street, and now it has the federal funds to help it do it.

 

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the city a $5 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to support the Downtown Akron Promenade project, according to a Wednesday, July 27, press release.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160727/NEWS/160729793/akron-receives-federal-grant-to-help-it-embark-on-downtown-promenade#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccl-akronmorning&utm_campaign=ccl-akronmorning-20160728

I'm curious to see how the Downtown Promenade investment turns out, plus the roundabout that they are talking about as well, something that seems rather unusual and unexpected for Downtown Akron. The funny thing is, I could see it working though, and that it will probably wind up becoming the first of dozens of additional others to be installed around town at key places in various communities. Who knew that Tallmadge Circle would ever become a sort of model to be duplicated, even if on a smaller scale?

 

Between this and the Better Block demos--Middlebury this weekend (East Market & South Arlington)--it does seem like Akron is trying to jump start its redevelopment, even if it is a painstakingly slow process. But we are starting to see the outward flow of ideas and also the seeding of new potential within the city under Horrigan's administration, processes that were really stagnant for years during Plusquellic's administration. Perhaps by the end of the decade, we will be able to see something in the way of genuine fruit growing out from these renewal efforts.

Akron opens new bike trail through downtown

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: August 18, 2016 - 08:30 PM | Updated: August 19, 2016 - 10:44 AM

 

A parade of bicyclists on Thursday christened Akron’s new cycle track — a loop that runs along South Main Street and the Towpath Trail downtown.

 

The path is part of the city’s effort to become more bicycle friendly and to encourage people to leave the Towpath Trail and experience downtown.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-opens-new-bike-trail-through-downtown-1.705693

Akron Civic Theatre to undergo another renovation

By Rick Armon

Published: August 30, 2016 - 01:24 PM | Updated: August 31, 2016 - 07:07 AM

 

he giant chandelier in the grand lobby of the Akron Civic Theatre is due for a polish.

 

The downtown theater plans to use a $530,000 grant from the state and is seeking another $50,000 through the Summit County Land Bank to refurbish the chandelier, make repairs to its roof, and upgrade electrical work and heating and air conditioning.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-civic-theatre-to-undergo-another-renovation-1.708314#

Akron wants to move Lock 4 redevelopment forward; files complaint against developer

By Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

on October 11, 2016 at 10:57 AM, updated October 11, 2016 at 12:33 PM

 

KRON, Ohio -- The city of Akron wants the deeds back to key properties in the heart of the central business district.

 

The buildings, intended to provide much-needed downtown residential housing, have sat stagnant despite a development agreement inked years ago.

 

The city recently filed a complaint in Summit County Common Pleas Court and wants Main Street Partners and BTE Enterprises, both headed by Jack Crews of Kent, and Greg Kaser of Terramark Partners in Georgia, to respond by the end of the month.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2016/10/akron_looks_to_move_lock_4_red.html

AAA Akron Auto Club opens in new downtown home

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: November 11, 2016 - 03:40 PM

 

The AAA Akron Auto Club has moved into its new home in downtown Akron, just across the street from the Metro regional transit station on South Broadway.

 

“We definitely have a transportation theme here,” President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Thomas said as he looked out of his office window to the Metro station across the street. “We have the bus depot and trains passing by behind it.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/aaa-akron-auto-club-opens-in-new-downtown-home-1.726549#

 

 

Akron redevelopment plan outlines steps to a vibrant downtown

November 15, 2016 Updated 2 hours ago

By CRAIN'S AKRON BUSINESS

 

It's no secret that residential housing has been a key talking point for plenty of Akron officials about how to invigorate downtown. Now that issue — and focusing on a revitalized Main Street — is front and center in Phase 1 of the Downtown Vision and Redevelopment Plan Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan unveiled Tuesday, Nov. 15, at a news conference.

 

"To compete regionally and nationally, Akron must have a thriving and prosperous urban core," Horrigan said in a statement. "We have remarkable potential for growth in Akron, but we need a long-term vision for our downtown and a deliberate, realistic plan to create conditions that will spur catalytic private sector investment."

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20161115/NEWS/161119772/akron-redevelopment-plan-outlines-steps-to-a-vibrant-downtown#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccl-akronmorning&utm_campaign=ccl-akronmorning-20161116&email_realestate

 

Akronym Brewing hopes for fall opening in downtown Akron

By Rick Armon Published: February 14, 2017

 

The street-level property, at 58 E. Market St., is across the street from the Crave restaurant and around the corner from the Akron Art Museum and Akron-Summit County Public Library. The Akronym partners hope to be an anchor in the area and spur additional development there.

 

“We found that spot through the city and couldn’t be more excited about where we’re at,” Adams said.

 

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/the-beer-blog/the-beer-blog-1.273124/akronym-brewing-hopes-for-fall-opening-in-downtown-akron-1.747299

Akronym Brewing hopes for fall opening in downtown Akron

By Rick Armon Published: February 14, 2017

 

The street-level property, at 58 E. Market St., is across the street from the Crave restaurant and around the corner from the Akron Art Museum and Akron-Summit County Public Library. The Akronym partners hope to be an anchor in the area and spur additional development there.

 

“We found that spot through the city and couldn’t be more excited about where we’re at,” Adams said.

 

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/the-beer-blog/the-beer-blog-1.273124/akronym-brewing-hopes-for-fall-opening-in-downtown-akron-1.747299

 

I always wondered if they'd ever find a tenant for that space. I expected an agency office or maybe a small law firm. Never thought it would be a brewery! I'm impressed.

 

Too bad we lost 3 Point at the same time, though. It would be nice to see that section of downtown reach some kind of critical mass of vibrancy.

Akronym Brewing hopes for fall opening in downtown Akron

By Rick Armon Published: February 14, 2017

 

The street-level property, at 58 E. Market St., is across the street from the Crave restaurant and around the corner from the Akron Art Museum and Akron-Summit County Public Library. The Akronym partners hope to be an anchor in the area and spur additional development there.

 

“We found that spot through the city and couldn’t be more excited about where we’re at,” Adams said.

 

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/the-beer-blog/the-beer-blog-1.273124/akronym-brewing-hopes-for-fall-opening-in-downtown-akron-1.747299

 

I always wondered if they'd ever find a tenant for that space. I expected an agency office or maybe a small law firm. Never thought it would be a brewery! I'm impressed.

 

Too bad we lost 3 Point at the same time, though. It would be nice to see that section of downtown reach some kind of critical mass of vibrancy.

 

There is already new plans in the works for the 3 Point space.

well...that was fast. Hooray!

Developers team up on $25 million plan to reopen City Center Hotel in downtown Akron

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/developers-team-up-on-25-million-plan-to-reopen-city-center-hotel-in-downtown-akron-1.748735

 

Highlights-

-Hotel will be six floors, 80-90 rooms, rest market-rate Apartments

-Beer garden on former Helipad (I didnt know this existed) on roof

-19th floor ballroom converted to lounge space and Theater for Hotel and Apartment Guests

well...that was fast. Hooray!

Developers team up on $25 million plan to reopen City Center Hotel in downtown Akron

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/developers-team-up-on-25-million-plan-to-reopen-city-center-hotel-in-downtown-akron-1.748735

 

Highlights-

-Hotel will be six floors, 80-90 rooms, rest market-rate Apartments

-Beer garden on former Helipad (I didnt know this existed) on roof

-19th floor ballroom converted to lounge space and Theater for Hotel and Apartment Guests

 

This sounds awesome. Akron has such great bones, it's nice to see a bit more meat being put on them.

Akron plans to make 4 downtown one-way roads two-way

By Emily Bamforth, cleveland.com

on February 21, 2017 at 2:56 PM, updated February 21, 2017 at 2:58 PM

 

AKRON, Ohio -- Driving downtown in Akron might look drastically different soon, as the city looks to convert four major one-way streets to two-way traffic, Mayor Dan Horrigan said.

 

Work on W. Exchange Street is expected to begin in the spring. Converting it and its pair, Cedar Street, to two-way traffic could slow down traffic, said Mayor Dan Horrigan. That would make the area more pedestrian friendly, attracting businesses.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/02/akron_plans_to_convert_four_do.html#incart_river_home

 

 

Looks like it would be Exchange / Cedar and Broadway and High.