I don't understand why there is a push to eliminate open enrollment at UA. I totally understand that the rankings suffer, but there is something that is lost when you only let the most educated young people into your school. For me, back when I was at UA, it was the non-traditional student that brought so much to the classroom. One of my good friends was a Diesel mechanic for 15-20 years before getting hurt and deciding to go to college. He didn't have good grades in high school and really struggled early on. My buddies and I worked with him and in return, boy did he show us a thing or two about engines, cars, and building things in general. At that time, UA had 4 SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) competition teams. We built and competed against almost every major engineering school across the country and a few from across the pond. They had a Formula Style Race car, a Supermileage car, a Baja Car, and an Airplane competition. My Senior year Akron Engineers won 3 of those 4 competitions and my buddy was a key player in two of those championships. That same year I looked at a ranking of the top engineering schools in the country and Akron wasn't even mentioned.

 

I really don't care what a magazine ranking says about UA, the companies hiring the students know who is turning out a good product and at least in the Engineering community, UA's stock is on the rise.

 

That's a great story, and it helps shed light on the positive effects that open enrollment can have on non-traditional students and their traditional peers.  Actually, your post makes me rethink my ideas on open enrollment.  It's not the adult students that hurt the university, but the unprepared traditional students that it attracts.

 

I can't tell you how many kids I went to school with my freshman year who just didn't show up the second semester or for their second year.  None of them transferred. They were all a bunch of partiers who were accepted on open enrollment and failed to make decent grades. 

 

I agree that continuing education programs for adults should be pushed, but open enrollment for entering freshman should be abolished. Because those students typically take full course loads, many will fail out after the first year or only finish a year or two of a degree, at best.  Send those kids to a branch campus or a community college first, and let them prove that they are worthy of the state's resources. Remember, this is a public university.  Should our tax dollars be thrown toward kids who will waste them anyways?

 

It's not like this discussion matters much.  Open enrollment has less to do with the state and more to do with Doc Proenza's policies.  He's pushing for a more diverse student body through the use of inclusive admissions.  I commend him for this, but I don't think open enrollment is needed to achieve this goal.

 

You can check out an ad for his ideas here: http://www.uakron.edu/dotAsset/532369.jpg

 

I may disagree with him here, but hey, it could be worse.  The guys done enough good things for this university that we should trust his ingenuity until he proves us wrong.

http://www.ohio.com/news/47315392.html

 

UA students filling up unfinished apartment complex

By Carol Biliczky

Beacon Journal staff writer

POSTED: 12:30 p.m. EDT, Jun 09, 2009

 

 

Martin Mehall could use the motto, ''Build it and they will come.''

 

He did, and they have.

 

University of Akron students have snapped up all 140 beds in the first phase of an apartment complex in downtown Akron...

Pictures of the stadium construction.  :-P

 

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/47267352.html

re: new off campus housing, nice article. Lots of negativity about the cost/construction of course but I like this comment:

 

I happened to be downtown on Saturday night, and it was buzzing. Lots of outdoor dining along Main St., an abundance of cabs, multiple areas of activity....Students want to live where the action is, and at long last, it's downtown.

"Open enrollment has less to do with the state and more to do with Doc Proenza's policies.  He's pushing for a more diverse student body through the use of inclusive admissions.  I commend him for this, but I don't think open enrollment is needed to achieve this goal."

 

Actually, it's the other way around. Open enrollment at UA and a few other universites is a mandate of Fingerhutt and the Strickland. It is not Proenza' policy at all. In fact, Proenza doesn't set policy all by himself. The board of trustees does.

 

^Very mysterious but incredibly vague!  Seeing as its coming from the PD, they probably have no ambition to dig deeper into the meaning of "improvements".  That could mean slapping a coat of paint in the locker rooms to the JAR.  Highly likely it doesn't..  I can't really fathom a way to significantly improve the JAR that one would need to plan for.  Its a relatively modern high school basketball arena next to world class nat and football practice facilities. 

 

If Mack Rhoades can put together a new arena in downtown Akron maybe they can name this the Rhoades Arena.  Good idea on multi-use.. That really is a must.  I see it coming together with funds from UA, city, county, and Lebron.  He can use it for his events.  Tack on the fabled 2nd downtown hotel? 

 

UA's AD doesn't work for downtown. He is employed by UA. And he should push for an on-campus multi-purpose arena and not a downtown arena. UA is doing a wonderful job of looking like a real campus. Putting an arena downtown will be a big step backwards and would be suicidal for UA.

^Very mysterious but incredibly vague! Seeing as its coming from the PD, they probably have no ambition to dig deeper into the meaning of "improvements". That could mean slapping a coat of paint in the locker rooms to the JAR. Highly likely it doesn't.. I can't really fathom a way to significantly improve the JAR that one would need to plan for. Its a relatively modern high school basketball arena next to world class nat and football practice facilities.

 

If Mack Rhoades can put together a new arena in downtown Akron maybe they can name this the Rhoades Arena. Good idea on multi-use.. That really is a must. I see it coming together with funds from UA, city, county, and Lebron. He can use it for his events. Tack on the fabled 2nd downtown hotel?

 

UA's AD doesn't work for downtown. He is employed by UA. And he should push for an on-campus multi-purpose arena and not a downtown arena. UA is doing a wonderful job of looking like a real campus. Putting an arena downtown will be a big step backwards and would be suicidal for UA.

 

How do you put an arena "on campus" on a city campus?

The same way you put a 30,000 seat stadium on campus.

 

All campuses exist in a city and many are in the downtown area. UA is not unique in that regard

 

Also, Lebron James will have nothing to do with a UA arena. He is only a high school graduate and will not play a role in or have his name on a university project. If he wants to be involved, he can start by enrolling and showing up for class.

The same way you put a 30,000 seat stadium on campus.

 

All campuses exist in a city and many are in the downtown area. UA is not unique in that regard

 

Also, Lebron James will have nothing to do with a UA arena. He is only a high school graduate and will not play a role in or have his name on a university project. If he wants to be involved, he can start by enrolling and showing up for class.

 

I dissagree.. Lebron is connected in many ways to UA. His h.s. Coach is the Head coach @ UA. Friends with an assistant coach and his h.s. Team mates palyed there. If and when UA chooses to build a new arena Lebron will have a minor roll in it and I'm sure it will deal with money.

 

I like to see it built on the other side of campus where all that empty space is along rt 8. High visability and room for parking deck/lots. It would spread out the campus a lil bit as well as keeping it out of Downtown..

I totally agree with your location for the campus arena. I don't agree with your Lebron James connection with the university. His having the same coach is not enough. One cannot be associated with an institution of higher education without being a part of higher education.

 

That is why they kicked sleazy Alex Arshinkoff off the board at UA.

The same way you put a 30,000 seat stadium on campus.

 

All campuses exist in a city and many are in the downtown area. UA is not unique in that regard

 

1. U of A is supposed to frivolously spend millions of dollars buying property and using the courts to get eminent domain the same way as the football stadium?

 

2. How do you define the campus?  Is the Polsky Building on Campus?  If so that would mean all of downtown would be "on campus".  Parts of where the football stadium is now were privately owned business (bars).  So there were bars on campus before?

 

The city was willing at one point to do a joint venture with U of A for an ice arena.

 

As far as keeping it "out of downtown" why? Columbus built up the area around their convention center with a thriving district. 

It doesn't have to be a joint venture in ordere to justify more seats. What it must be is multi-purpose in order to justify more seats and even that doesn't require a joint venture. UA succeeded at putting a 30,000 seat stadium on campus that serve students and community alike without it being a joint venture. It can do the same with a 10,000 to 15,000 seat arena An on-campus arena will serve UA students as well as the community in the same successful way that an on-campus stadium and performing arts hall does. Putting the arena on campus instead of downtown will not detract from its support one bit. In fact, a campus arena will most likely have a better appeal to the student body as well as the general community. This is exactly why UA built the stadium on campus and not downtown as the mayor vehemently wanted them to do.

 

And the fact of the matter is downtown Akron is not on campus. I don't care if thePolsky Building is technically on campus. It is not on campus in reality or spirit. No reasonable person considers downtown as on campus. It can never be made to look on campus because it already has a downtown traffic laden non-campus appearance.

Growing up in the Columbus area, The Ohio State University was a constant and clear presence in the community.  The boundries were obvious, even though it is smack in the middle of the city.  Buildings, events and facilities are marketed in a way that makes it overwhelmingly clear who, WHERE and what is the Ohio State University. 

 

If Ohio State can do it so can The University of Akron. UA is trying to create a park-like, pedestrian friendly, town within a city appearance. Putting a brand new multi million dollar, major people attracting structure downtown takes away from that goal. It makes no sense for the university to take great pains and expense to put a stadium on campus only to turn around and place an arena downtown. The existance of the Polsky building justifies nothing and is irrelevant to this issue. Areas that were once "off-campus" but ar no longer were areas that had obvious potential to look like part of the campus. Downtown does not share that qualtiy. It looks like a downtown area and has major interruptions which prevent an integrated campus flow. Are you going to tell us that St. Bernard Church and the Safety Bulding are also on campus?

St. Bernard Church and the Safety Bulding are also on campus?

 

Do students take classes there?

I would think an ideal spot for a new arena would be the block of exchange between kling and brown.  It is a block from the new football stadium and is within walking distance of the new dorms being built.  Most of the block is vacant land with the exception of the plasma bank and kinkos/fedex store.  The downtown proposal is several years old now, and I think is pretty much dead at this point.

I have a friend that works @ the plasma bank.. He said the university wants to buy the plasma bank to build a parking deck for the stadium.  A deal has not been reached so its not public information yet.

There's a parking deck just down the street, on the other side of the soccer field.  That's not close enough? 

Referring back to my earlier posts and thinking about locating an arena where kinkos is now; where kinkos is would make a great block there to have an entertainment district on that side with bars and restaurants.  Then I thought some more.  Why take that away from downtown?  I still think the arena would be better suited for the block where the Mayflower is located downtown now.  Build that area up with more bars, restaurants and retail.

UA stadium crews driving toward opening goal

 

By Carol Biliczky

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

About five times a week Hunter Yurachek climbs six flights of stairs at the University of Akron's new stadium with a curious alumnus or business owner in tow.

 

The stairs are a challenge but selling InfoCision Stadium isn't, UA's interim athletic director said...

 

More at:  http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/50367457.html

The parking structure would mostly serve the new resident halls going up next to the stadium and would also be used on gameday.

 

I love the color scheme for the field @ the stadium.. Ill drive up from the dayton area to visit the family and see a few UA games this fall.. I'm actually interested in UA football for once..

How do you put an arena "on campus" on a city campus?

Although I see your point, and I sort of agree with you, I want to be sure we're all on the same page.  UA is city campus, but it's not like CSU.  From your other posts, it seems you're referring to the use of eminent domain, which is a whole different story.  But a lot of people still have the idea that Akron uses the city as it's 'campus'.  When in reality all the streets have been closed off through the main campus area.  Of course there are still areas in the campus foot print that have streets, but this is no Cleveland State(nothing against CSU).  It's closer to a Toledo sort of vibe, but unlike Toledo, 'campus' as we know it is still expanding.  Akron is a sleeping giant.  And it's growing every year(in acres and in enrollment).  The future is bright.

How do you put an arena "on campus" on a city campus?

Although I see your point, and I sort of agree with you, I want to be sure we're all on the same page.  UA is city campus, but it's not like CSU.  From your other posts, it seems you're referring to the use of eminent domain, which is a whole different story.  But a lot of people still have the idea that Akron uses the city as it's 'campus'.  When in reality all the streets have been closed off through the main campus area.  Of course there are still areas in the campus foot print that have streets, but this is no Cleveland State(nothing against CSU).  It's closer to a Toledo sort of vibe, but unlike Toledo, 'campus' as we know it is still expanding.  Akron is a sleeping giant.  And it's growing every year(in acres and in enrollment).  The future is bright.

 

I agree. Just like many look at the chapel as being the UA church yet its not. Its basically on campus but not associated with the University.

 

I like how the campus is becoming. I attended Malone in Canton and I never felt like I was on a college campus. When I transferred to Cincinnati Christian University I felt the same. Had a great view of cincinnati but lacked the campus feel. I attend Cinti state right now and it is truely a campus.

 

Akron now has a campus feel but 10 years back it didn't. EJ thomas hall and the goodyear building kind of bring downtown onto campus slighty. Soon downtown Akron will be fit to gain off of more students living on campus. There's a need for a dave and busters type of facility downtown and I'm sure it would flourish..(JMO)

How do you put an arena "on campus" on a city campus?

Although I see your point, and I sort of agree with you, I want to be sure we're all on the same page. UA is city campus, but it's not like CSU. From your other posts, it seems you're referring to the use of eminent domain, which is a whole different story. But a lot of people still have the idea that Akron uses the city as it's 'campus'. When in reality all the streets have been closed off through the main campus area. Of course there are still areas in the campus foot print that have streets, but this is no Cleveland State(nothing against CSU). It's closer to a Toledo sort of vibe, but unlike Toledo, 'campus' as we know it is still expanding. Akron is a sleeping giant. And it's growing every year(in acres and in enrollment).   The future is bright.

 

I agree. Just like many look at the chapel as being the UA church yet its not. Its basically on campus but not associated with the University.

 

I like how the campus is becoming. I attended Malone in Canton and I never felt like I was on a college campus. When I transferred to Cincinnati Christian University I felt the same. Had a great view of cincinnati but lacked the campus feel. I attend Cinti state right now and it is truely a campus.

 

Akron now has a campus feel but 10 years back it didn't. EJ thomas hall and the goodyear building kind of bring downtown onto campus slighty. Soon downtown Akron will be fit to gain off of more students living on campus. There's a need for a dave and busters type of facility downtown and I'm sure it would flourish..(JMO)

 

Trust me, the UA campus 10 years ago was COMPLETELY different than it is today.  It might as well have been 100 years ago.  Personally, I think the stadium should be thrown up next to the existing JAR in an effort to keep the athletic facilities close together.  I also think LBJ would support an arena in Akron and would likely want it in downtown, not on the UA campus. If a new arena is to be built, UA does not need City cooperation to get it done, though throwing LBJ in the mix could make it interesting.  Though I enjoy the thought of a new arena, it is not needed at this point in time.  We need to sell out the JAR first on a consistent basis. 

 

As for the topic of what defines campus, I do believe there is an actual designation of what is "On Campus" as UA has its own Police Dept. and is responsible for what goes on "On Campus".  I don't know the exact boundaries, but this is probably your best bet for defining campus.  There are also a lot of hard feelings about campus expansion.  UA is landlocked when it comes to undeveloped land surrounding campus and it has probably been this way for over a century.  From my point of view, UA has two choices, it can expand or it can keep the existing footprint and die.  Campus was VERY cramped when I was in school and the only way to go was UP.  Most students aren't looking college defined by concrete high rise buildings.  UA is actively expanding and doing it in many ways.  I believe the Polsky building was given to UA and that got the foot in the door to downtown.  UA needed quick dorm space for both the increasing student population and the dorms to be demolished for the Stadium construction.  This led it to purchase Quaker Square.  The stadium required eminent domain to get done, which I have mixed feelings about.  In the end, I believe that UA is the single biggest asset the City of Akron has right now and though the expansion is painful, it is necessary to grow the University and the Region.

I'm not sure there is space for a decent arena by all the athletic fields unless the JAR is torn down.  That means putting the arena someplace other than campus since free campus acreage is pretty filled up.  The advantage to an arena on South Main is multi-use, like CSU has with the convocation center.  An arena is still in Akron whether its on campus or not.  We're not talking the rubber bowl situation where it was not easy for fans to get to.  An arena could be 2 blocks from the campus.  By pooling resources of the city, county, St. V?, convention center, and whoever else, an arena can be made bigger and nicer than an exclusively UA arena.  I don't want to see UA build an arena that holds only 2x more people than the JAR on campus.  That to me sounds boring.

I'm not sure there is space for a decent arena by all the athletic fields unless the JAR is torn down. That means putting the arena someplace other than campus since free campus acreage is pretty filled up. The advantage to an arena on South Main is multi-use, like CSU has with the convocation center. An arena is still in Akron whether its on campus or not. We're not talking the rubber bowl situation where it was not easy for fans to get to. An arena could be 2 blocks from the campus. By pooling resources of the city, county, St. V?, convention center, and whoever else, an arena can be made bigger and nicer than an exclusively UA arena. I don't want to see UA build an arena that holds only 2x more people than the JAR on campus. That to me sounds boring.

 

Exactly.  If built downtown it wouldn't have to house just U of A events.  I'm sure the city would love to compete with Blossom and get some of the revenue from events like that, at least during colder seasons when they can't have concerts outside.

St. V is building a new field house or something, so I doubt they would be interested in contributing.

St. V/M is a high school.. They have money for their own stuff.

 

Put the arena on wolfs ledges and build a new parking deck in downtown with a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks..

St. V/M is a high school.. They have money for their own stuff.

 

Put the arena on wolfs ledges and build a new parking deck in downtown with a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks..

 

I understand your logic, but I think that would bring an atmosphere similar to going to a Browns game.  People drive to the parking space, walk over the bridge, walk back to their car, and leave.  That doesn't help the city.  You need people walking around on the streets.  If they have to park a little farther away and walk that's ok.  It won't deter them from going to an event and you get some liveliness to the street.  Who knows, they might even pass a store / restaurant that they would want to come back to visit!

Well, we almost made it a week w/o a story in the ABJ about the new stadium...almost.

 

UA stadium chalks up another addition

By Beacon Journal staff

POSTED: 12:06 p.m. EDT, Jul 17, 2009

 

Installation of the scoreboad at the University of Akron's InfoCision Stadium got under way this morning.

 

The entire structure will be 60 feet by 84 feet with a video board measuring 22 feet by 39 feet, according to information supplied by the university...

 

more at: http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/51031102.html

There's a parking deck just down the street, on the other side of the soccer field. That's not close enough?

Referring back to my earlier posts and thinking about locating an arena where kinkos is now; where kinkos is would make a great block there to have an entertainment district on that side with bars and restaurants. Then I thought some more. Why take that away from downtown? I still think the arena would be better suited for the block where the Mayflower is located downtown now. Build that area up with more bars, restaurants and retail.

 

You had it right the first time. The site near or at Kinkos is a good one because it can be made to look on campus. I'm sorry, downtown in the area of the Mayflower doesn't look like any kind of campus and certainly not the UA campus. Because it is an obvious downtown looking location, it would be next to impossible to be converted to look like an integrated part of the UA campus. The arena needs to help make the real campus stick out just like the new stadium. A downtown arena will shoot UA in the foot.

I'm not sure there is space for a decent arena by all the athletic fields unless the JAR is torn down.  That means putting the arena someplace other than campus since free campus acreage is pretty filled up.  The advantage to an arena on South Main is multi-use, like CSU has with the convocation center.  An arena is still in Akron whether its on campus or not.  We're not talking the rubber bowl situation where it was not easy for fans to get to.  An arena could be 2 blocks from the campus.  By pooling resources of the city, county, St. V?, convention center, and whoever else, an arena can be made bigger and nicer than an exclusively UA arena.  I don't want to see UA build an arena that holds only 2x more people than the JAR on campus.  That to me sounds boring.

 

Exactly.  If built downtown it wouldn't have to house just U of A events.  I'm sure the city would love to compete with Blossom and get some of the revenue from events like that, at least during colder seasons when they can't have concerts outside.

St. V is building a new field house or something, so I doubt they would be interested in contributing.

 

A UA campus arena can look nice. It can also be used for other than strictly UA events. What makes you think it can't? High Schools will use UA's on-campus stadium. The UA on-campus stadium is looking like and billed as one of the best college stadiums in the nation. If our stadium which is on campus can look nice, be multi-purpose and serve the non-campus community and region as it will, then why wouldn't an on-campus arean be capable of doing the same thing. The Coleman Commons held cheerleading camps for highschools in Akron there the other day. UA's EJ Thomas Hall has non- UA events there all the time including High School graduations. The UA campus accomodates conferences which have nothing to do with the college all the time. UA as a whole has been serving the community in this multiputpose way all the time. If UA can put the Rolling Stones and Jefferson Airplane at the Rubber Bowl and fill it, it can do the same at the stadium (which it plans to do) and an on-campus multi-purpose arena. The campus doesn't lock its doors to the community. And, there are plenty of potential locations east of downtown that UA has or is buying as we speak that would easily accomodate an on-campus arena that would seat far less than UA's on-campus stadium.

St. Bernard Church and the Safety Bulding are also on campus?

 

Do students take classes there?

 

BTW, the Rubber Bowl was not on campus yet UA owned it just like the Polsky Building. The point is the church and safety building interrupt the campus flow and that is counter to what UA is attempting to achieve. Yes, Polsky is technically "on-campus", I guess, but that begs the question. It's just a building that is downtown and looks like a downtown building and happens to be owned by UA. Big frigging deal. It is not the end all and be all to UA's real looking campus. And by no means does it make non-campus land next to it on-campus as in the church and safety building.

 

If simply taking classes in any old building was the litmus test for on-campus, then I guess UA's landscape for learning and all the millions it spent on creating a beautiful self-contained campus is for naught. Heh?

The city would like an arena to attract concerts and conventions and such. The university will need a new arena soon. (With more on campus students who want/will attend games) It seem logical that both parties come together to meet this need.

 

The city will want it downtown and the University will want it on campus. A logical location is where the campus mets downtown. I'd check into seeing it the ABJ would sell it wearhouse and build the Arena there. Plenty of room edge of downtown and edge of campus.

 

Or another possibility is to relocate whatever is in that lil building across form the law library and EJT and place the arena there. There wouldn't be room for parking so many will park downtown and that is on campus. Could create an Arts/entertainment district on campus that downtown could advertise to visitors.

 

I don't think that UA will keep quaker square after it has built enough dorms. They'll try to sell that off to a hotel chain a few years down the line.

The same way you put a 30,000 seat stadium on campus.

 

All campuses exist in a city and many are in the downtown area. UA is not unique in that regard

 

1. U of A is supposed to frivolously spend millions of dollars buying property and using the courts to get eminent domain the same way as the football stadium?

 

2. How do you define the campus? Is the Polsky Building on Campus? If so that would mean all of downtown would be "on campus". Parts of where the football stadium is now were privately owned business (bars). So there were bars on campus before?

 

The city was willing at one point to do a joint venture with U of A for an ice arena.

 

As far as keeping it "out of downtown" why? Columbus built up the area around their convention center with a thriving district.

 

"Is the Polsky Building on Campus?  If so that would mean all of downtown would be "on campus". "

 

You are kidding right? UA ownership of the Polsky Building in no way makes "all of downtown on campus". What an over the top and ridiculous statement to make. UA owns the Rubber Bowl. That must make the air dock and muni airport on campus too according to your thinking. Get back to us when UA buys all of the land that encompasses downtown and closes off Main Street and Broadway for a pedestrian mall/commons and then I'll be happy to entertain your thoughts on the matter. Until then, you are just splitting hairs, blowing smoke and basically being disingenuous.

The city would like an arena to attract concerts and conventions and such. The university will need a new arena soon. (With more on campus students who want/will attend games) It seem logical that both parties come together to meet this need.

 

The city will want it downtown and the University will want it on campus. A logical location is where the campus meets downtown. I'd check into seeing it the ABJ would sell it wearhouse and build the Arena there. Plenty of room edge of downtown and edge of campus.

 

Or another possibility is to relocate whatever is in that lil building across form the law library and EJT and place the arena there. There wouldn't be room for parking so many will park downtown and that is on campus. Could create an Arts/entertainment district on campus that downtown could advertise to visitors.

 

I don't think that UA will keep Quaker square after it has built enough dorms. They'll try to sell that off to a hotel chain a few years down the line.

 

I think the area you mention is just west of UA's law school and south of UA's performing arts hall. From what I've learned, that area is slated for a new law school since C. Blake McDowell is under serious scrutiny and must expand if not rebuild. I like your thinking though. I have the same intuition about Quaker Square as do you.

 

And, I support UA going at it alone when it comes to building an on-campus (not downtown) multi-purpose arena. There is too much room for incestuous politics that would interfere with UA's vision if they were to engage in a joint venture with the city. The city has a track record of discounting UA's existence in the media in order to dupe people into thinking UA facilities are city of Akron facilities. That is why UA's PAH is still having marketing problems to this date.

 

Having the UA owned arena on the campus instead of downtown will still meet the entire community's and region's needs and not just downtown. Plus, there is an added bonus of having the prestige and drawing power of an on-campus university arena in our community. It will make Akron look more credible than having a confusing and muddled shell game of an arena downtown.

Blake, please use the "modify" button on the top right of your posts to add thoughts if you click "post" before you say everything you need to say.  You can put multiple thoughts into the same post, and if you need to you can put multiple quotes in the same thread.  This makes the thread easier to read than having 4-5 posts in a row by the same person.  Thank you.

 

Everyone, please stay away from attacking each other personally.  Be civil.  If necessary, agree to disagree.  Off topic posts and posts containing ad-hominem attacks will be removed, and if necessary, posters will be disciplined.

 

Thank you.

Guys, enough of the argument about what's in UA campus boundaries, Downtown boundaries, whatever boundaries.  It's silly, and the tone of the argument is also silly.  If there are any more problems, we'll lock the thread and/or give out some time off as we see necessary.

wrong thread

The city would like an arena to attract concerts and conventions and such. The university will need a new arena soon. (With more on campus students who want/will attend games) It seem logical that both parties come together to meet this need.

 

The city will want it downtown and the University will want it on campus. A logical location is where the campus meets downtown. I'd check into seeing it the ABJ would sell it wearhouse and build the Arena there. Plenty of room edge of downtown and edge of campus.

 

Or another possibility is to relocate whatever is in that lil building across form the law library and EJT and place the arena there. There wouldn't be room for parking so many will park downtown and that is on campus. Could create an Arts/entertainment district on campus that downtown could advertise to visitors.

 

I don't think that UA will keep Quaker square after it has built enough dorms. They'll try to sell that off to a hotel chain a few years down the line.

 

I think the area you mention is just west of UA's law school and south of UA's performing arts hall. From what I've learned, that area is slated for a new law school since C. Blake McDowell is under serious scrutiny and must expand if not rebuild.

 

Law School Renovation and/or Addition - Feasibility and Site Selection Study

"The Associate will provide options to The University of Akron for modifications to the school of law building.  All options will reflect architectural character compatible with recently completed buildings on The University of Akron Campus.  The exterior of the building will feature masonry, glass and aluminum elements to match other new University buildings.  The project will include approximately 120,000 square feet.  Several site configurations (up to five) requiring different building solutions will be studied by the Associate.  Solutions may include renovation and expansion of the existing law school, or demolition of existing buildings.  Relocation costs (interim or permanent) for affected departments will be included in the feasibility study.  A comparative analysis of the sites and related project costs will be provided by the Associate.  Final architectural design and site selection will be approved by The University of Akron, Department of Capital Planning and Facilities Management.  "

http://www.uakron.edu/information/stadium/

 

 

Some cool pics on the university's website. :mrgreen:

Look for mayor Don to inact the UA/Akron arena soon..

 

Not going to happen.

Blake, a week ago I suggested you learn to use the modify button.  For some reason, my post was deleted by the moderater X who then proceeded to suggest the same thing: i.e. use the modify button. This time however, I would suggest not digging up comments from Febuary to comment on now in JULY!  Especially since you have contributed very little to this threat except negativity, with very little insight and an apparent lack of knowledge about what is actually happening with the Univeristy of Akron.  If you don't know what you're talking about, Shhhhhhhh....say nothing (to paraphrase Mary Poppins)

Blake, a week ago I suggested you learn to use the modify button. For some reason, my post was deleted by the moderater X who then proceeded to suggest the same thing: i.e. use the modify button. This time however, I would suggest not digging up comments from Febuary to comment on now in JULY! Especially since you have contributed very little to this threat except negativity, with very little insight and an apparent lack of knowledge about what is actually happening with the Univeristy of Akron. If you don't know what you're talking about, Shhhhhhhh....say nothing (to paraphrase Mary Poppins)

 

I'm embarased for you, jeremy. That was a pretty desperate post

I agree with jeremy on the whole post it only once theory however calling someone out for not doing so on the public thread is somewhat improper. It is viewed as being said in a rude manner. That is one of the things private messages are for. You'll get your point across and it won't be taken rudely (unless worded rudely) since its private.

Blake, since you're from Columbus you should check out this post:

 

 

I'm not averse to seeing it built downtown at all.

 

Actually, I think the downtown proposal would be viable IF the arena were:

 

1) incorporated into the existing fabric of downtown

2) while preserving the historic buildings on Main St. and

3) it was adjacent to new dorms in a renovated Mayflower Hotel

 

Now I've really gotten to thinking about all of this... To me, the most important aspect of the new arena is overall fan experience. The opportunity for spinoff retail in the form of bars and restaurants should be a high priority. Downtown is possibly on the verge, very near that tipping point of becoming a special, thriving urban destination filled with residents (students!) and visitors around the clock. A downtown arena, done the right way could very well help anchor a growing entertainment district. And I believe there has been talk of integrating restaurants/bars and shopping right into the Main St. arena proposal, as with Quaker Steak and Lube and Gordons Sports Bar inside Quicken Loans Arena in CLE.

 

On the other hand, if the arena is buried in the heart of campus the possibilities for spinoff development just aren't the same. This is one reason the JAR sucks so bad. The fan experience of walking past frozen and locked Olin Hall or even the open Student Center, no matter how nice it is, just isn't exciting to me. Even if built on the periphery of campus, I'm not sure how being built along a one-way Route 8 access road is beneficial. I suppose Exchange St. does have businesses that would benefit and serve Arena visitors, I just don't see anywhere near the same upside as with the potential renaissance downtown.

 

Here's a scenario that I believe is worth looking into with our own situation....It's like the difference between the Nationwide Arena vs. the Schottenstien Center down in Columbus, just on a smaller scale. The Nationwide Arena District, home of Blue Jackets Hockey, is downtown and there are a great number of places to go before and after any event. Tons of shopping, bars, theaters, restaurants, residents and street life. The Schott, home of Buckeyes Basketball is in the heart of OSU's campus, but it's lifeless, surrounded by landscaping, grass and parking lots. Nobody tailgates there (do people ever tailgate for basketball?) or ever hangs out around there unless it's immediately before or after an event. It's sterile, just a big nondescript building on campus. If you're not familiar with them, the links can help show the difference in what an arena/entertainment district can do:

 

Schott

http://scottdo.files.wordpress.com/2009/06...tein_center.jpg

 

Nationwide

http://www.arenadistrict.com/

 

It's the spinoff neighborhood around the Arena District, including the AAA Clippers Ballpark that make it one of the best fan experiences in the country. It's all about good planning, and what is most beneficial.

 

To be honest, for the amount of space a new arena would take up on campus, I might rather prefer an area of quiet solace for students like a reflection pool, wetland area or even a grass field for intramurals. I don't see how dropping a place like the Schottenstien anywhere on campus really helps. Drawing arena visitors to check out our campus is a good point...but again, I just cannot envision how an on campus arena maximizes the fan experience at all.

 

I guess any plan that could better integrate and spur outside development is the plan that really makes the most sense to me. And right now I think downtown has, by far, much more potential for positive cooperative growth. As long as everything is well planned out and the arena says "UNIVERSITY OF AKRON" on it, it will be a tremendous positive step for our school even if it's located downtown, just a few blocks off campus.

 

 

Growing up in the Columbus area, The Ohio State University was a constant and clear presence in the community.  The boundries were obvious, even though it is smack in the middle of the city.  Buildings, events and facilities are marketed in a way that makes it overwhelmingly clear who, WHERE and what is the Ohio State University. 

 

If Ohio State can do it so can The University of Akron. UA is trying to create a park-like, pedestrian friendly, town within a city appearance. Putting a brand new multi million dollar, major people attracting structure downtown takes away from that goal. It makes no sense for the university to take great pains and expense to put a stadium on campus only to turn around and place an arena downtown. The existance of the Polsky building justifies nothing and is irrelevant to this issue. Areas that were once "off-campus" but ar no longer were areas that had obvious potential to look like part of the campus. Downtown does not share that qualtiy. It looks like a downtown area and has major interruptions which prevent an integrated campus flow. Are you going to tell us that St. Bernard Church and the Safety Bulding are also on campus?

Great points nicely stated.

 

The JAR is small and somewhat outdated. It was built for a smaller university population so with a new Stadium for football the need for a new arena will be forth coming.

 

Integration of an arena for public use in (as in the exchange st dorms with retail on first floor) and near by would benifit the university greatly.

The University of Akron and the Defense Metals Technology Center to sponsor competition to design titanium pedestrian bridge

 

06/24/2009

 

The Defense Metals Technology Center (DMTC) of North Canton, Ohio, and The University of Akron will sponsor a competition among civil engineering, architecture and industrial design departments of universities in “America’s Metals Heartland” to design a pedestrian bridge made of titanium.

 

“We welcome the opportunity to participate in this demonstration project,” says Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron. “A titanium bridge will continue to reflect the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit we engender on our campus.”

 

“This unique competition will also illustrate that titanium can readily be used in meaningful commercial projects,” says Charles D. Clark, executive director of the DMTC.  “In turn, such interest should heighten demand for titanium of a quality that the military requires and thus lead to the creation of new jobs.”

 

Designing the bridge will help to solve a logistical problem at The University of Akron’s Quaker Square residence hall and conference center, which is separated from the main campus by busy CSX railroad tracks. Each day numerous pedestrians walk precariously across the tracks, rather than accessing two nearby conventional bridges.

 

Once the titanium bridge competition is completed, federal, state, and local funding will be sought for its construction.

Bridge to be first of a kind

 

“The University of Akron-DMTC sponsorship is also a way to draw upon the military’s knowledge to benefit the nation’s infrastructure by designing the first bridge to be constructed exclusively of titanium,” says Clark.

 

In 2007, Congress funded the DMTC at North Canton’s Stark State College as a U.S. Army Center of Excellence. The goal: to find innovative, cost-saving techniques for the use of specialty metals and to improve the military’s security and America’s economy.

 

Titanium has advantages over other metals: it is only half the weight of steel, yet just as strong.  It does not rust and is corrosion-resistant to sea water and chlorine.  Many experts believe that bridges secured with titanium would be better protected against a possible collapse than conventional steel-supported bridges.

 

For years the military has used titanium in advanced aircraft. Today it is a major structural metal for numerous aerospace applications. Recently, the military has employed titanium on a limited basis to protect Humvees and other vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Students in six states eligible

 

Qualified to participate in the Design Competition are schools and departments of civil engineering, architecture, and industrial design from institutions in what the DMTC calls America’s Metals Heartland — Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Indiana, southeast Michigan, northern Kentucky and northern West Virginia.

 

As an incentive, the DMTC will provide scholarship money to students on the first and second place and honorable mention teams. Likewise, it will convey grants to the winning institutions for the study of specialty metals in commercial applications.

 

The DMTC sent applications to qualified institutions on June 15. The winners will be announced at a dinner at The University of Akron in May 2010. The selection committee is composed of Northeast Ohio civic leaders.

 

More information can be obtained at www.defensemetals.org.

 

 

 

Just an update:

 

Akron has eight verbal commitments to play football here in 2010.  Some of the kids turned down offers from BCS schools like Indiana, North Caralina, Iowa, Boston College, Cincinatti, Air Force, Columbia, and Harvard, and just about every other MAC school.

 

Did I mention Harvard?

 

I digress.  Anywho, Akron typically would be lucky to have any commitments yet.  Gee, I wonder why this year is different?

 

"I've seen the new stadium twice and it's really sweet," Hoobler said. "Their facilities all-around are some of the best I've seen on any of my college visits."

 

http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4638240

 

:-o

surfohio : sounds like you really don't like The University of Akron. "buried in the heart of campus" WERE YOUR WORDS. You've got to be kidding? Have you not witnessed the campus renaissance. It far outdoes any alleged downtown renaissance that's for sure. You don't realize that it is that campus that has brought life to this community including its downtown. I think you did a lot of stretching of the truth in your post by using well chosen and loaded language. Your position is so far from the truth and facts that I'll just have to say, NO CIGAR FOR YOU SURFOHIO 

 

And it is comforting to know that you feel the new on-campus stadium is "buried in the heart of the UA campus" where it will suck like Rhodes arena. Rhodes Arena sucks because of its structural make-up and not its location. Try not being so disingenuous when you debate, surfohio.

And it is comforting to know that you feel the new on-campus stadium is "buried in the heart of the UA campus" where it will suck like Rhodes arena. Rhodes Arena sucks because of its structural make-up and not its location. Try not being so disingenuous when you debate, surfohio.

 

Oh, ok, thanks for the update.

Update: Pictures of the stadium

 

http://zipsnation.org/forums//index.php?showtopic=14373

 

Enjoy.

/\/\/\ Oh, that's where your were talking about?  That wouldn't be a bad spot for an arena.  Why wouldn't the Greek Housing be disrupted though?  Did they buy all that land behind there, b/c there used to be lots of greek housing between Exchange and Buchtel.

 

Im interested to see what happens on the other side of Exchange St. as the land becomes more valuable.  Would be great to revitalize that area for game day festivities and bar crawls.