I think this is going in the 22 Exchange St development, so not that close to the new Aroma.  Probably the Student Union's Starbucks is closer.  IIRC, they are closing the Polsky's Starbucks when this location opens?  I can't find anything online to back that up though..

 

However, closer to Aroma is the Thirsty Dog brewery on Grant St.  I was told they were expecting to have their tap room opened "as soon as the end of April".  That was a good month ago.  Good to have options for whatever type of brew you're looking for..

I think this is going in the 22 Exchange St development, so not that close to the new Aroma. Probably the Student Union's Starbucks is closer. IIRC, they are closing the Polsky's Starbucks when this location opens? I can't find anything online to back that up though..

 

However, closer to Aroma is the Thirsty Dog brewery on Grant St. I was told they were expecting to have their tap room opened "as soon as the end of April". That was a good month ago. Good to have options for whatever type of brew you're looking for..

 

The Starbucks is going into the Exchange St. Residence Halls (U of A).  I heard about that tap room a couple of months ago, but nothing since.  Wonder if it ever opened?

UA to move plaques from Memorial Hall

Signs honoring service members killed in WWII will be relocated before demolition of building

 

By Jim Carney

 

When the University of Akron's 57-year-old Memorial Hall is demolished this year to make way for a new school of education, more will be dislocated than physical education facilities and aging classrooms.

 

Memorial Hall, where university and high school basketball games were played for many years, is so named for its recognition of the Akron area's war heroes.

 

In the entryway are plaques bearing the names of more than 1,500 local service members killed in World War II.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/93556494.html

Titanium bridge design competition for University of Akron narrowed to five finalists

By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer

May 16, 2010, 10:30AM

 

The University of Akron and the Defense Metals Technology Center in North Canton plan to announce Thursday the winner of a college and university student competition to design what they believe will be the world's first bridge made entirely out of titanium.

 

In a ceremony at the university's InfoCision Stadium, the two institutions will rank the five finalist teams with first- and second-place winners and three honorable mentions. The finalists were winnowed by judges from roughly 14 teams that entered the competition. 

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/05/titanium_bridge_design_competi.html

 

couple of renderings

University of Akron Blue Team captures design competition for all-titanium bridge

Spanning future

Span will make trip to campus quicker

 

By Linda Golz

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Members of the University of Akron's Blue Team are anything but sad. They're the winners of the Design the Future: Titanium Pedestrian Bridge Design competition.

 

Billed as the first bridge in the world that will be made solely with titanium — rather than steel or other metals — it is designed to span the railroad tracks between the Quaker Square Inn, which houses about 100 students, and the university's main campus.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/94559069.html

 

so cool...wish we could see creative thinking like this in the I-90 bridge

Wait, the Quaker Square Inn is actually used as student housing?  Heh.  I didn't know that.

 

Also on that note, there is a ton of construction going just north of Quaker Square right now--anyone know what all that's about?

Wait, the Quaker Square Inn is actually used as student housing? Heh. I didn't know that.

 

Also on that note, there is a ton of construction going just north of Quaker Square right now--anyone know what all that's about?

They are replacing the Mill St. Bridge.  I believe they also took out one of the buildings that was on the other side of the tracks.

They are replacing the Mill St. Bridge. I believe they also took out one of the buildings that was on the other side of the tracks.

 

I didn't think they took out any buildings, but I just looked at an aerial:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Akron+near+Quaker+Street,+OH&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=38.690438,50.537109&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Quaker+St,+Akron,+Summit,+Ohio+44308&ll=41.08126,-81.512455&spn=0.002252,0.005128&t=h&z=18

 

There is one building there, the Bel Aire Building, that isn't there anymore.  I'm pretty sure that has been gone for a couple years at least though.

Found this video relating to the redevelopment of the Kaiser building in downtown Akron.  This is near the South end of Main Street, by the new student housing that was completed late last year.  There is a lot of new commercial space at this end of town, no doubt drawn there by the students. 

 

http://vimeo.com/groups/15456/videos/13280460

Some progress photos of the National Polymer Innovation Center:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like Akron will be building yet again another residence hall! Can't wait to see it go up!

http://www.ohio.com/news/100008744.html

Great news....can't wait to see the renderings!!

"Currently the university has 3,365 beds on campus, including the 450-bed Spicer Street residence hall that will open later this month."

 

"The University of Akron may build another residence hall with 735 beds — and eventually up to 2,500 — through a partnership with a private developer."

 

So unless I'm misunderstanding something, that would bring our on campus enrollment to 5865!  That's what I'm talking about baby! :mrgreen:

 

Combine that with the 10,000 living in University Park/Highland Square and you've got yourself a nice little college town going.

thats a 5,865 enrollment that is not even including the two other phases that they still need to build on the corner of brown and exchange. Once those are done im sure it will be well over 7500. I can't wait to see the whole area in about five years.

Man, just when you think they can't possibly build more, they go even bigger!  My guess is they will need to partner with a private developer as they are stretched pretty far in terms of being able to borrow money.  If they do pull this off, and it is as big as I imagne, that will be amazing.  I hope they do something to link the South side of Exchange with the main part of campus.  A bridge or something.  I know it was crazy walking across Exchange street when I lived over there, I can't imagine what it would be like with another 2000 students trying to cross the street!

 

I also hope they put some green space in there too and it isn't solid buildings.  It is a city campus, and it has come a long way, but that area of campus with the new parking deck is VERY urban.  Lots and lots of concrete! 

I wonder if there will be expansion on Grant st. It would be good to see UA build some buildings over there. Perhaps the city and UA combine efforts and create a walkbridge from Grant to Southern Downtown near the transit station. It would open up easier access for students to use the transit system. And if High Speed Rail comes to Akron on those tracks it would really boom.

The RR tracks in Downtown Akron and Cleveland were once an important part of the city but now, it seems they act to divide the city.  It seems the only way to effectively couple Downtown and the University if for UofA to move into downtown more, which isn't always welcomed with open arms.  Seems that this is the way things are going though.

Unfortunately the highspeed rail system that ohio plans to pursue is going to completely bi-pass Akron. I read up on the situation and by adding Akron it will add almost another hour of time on the Cincinnatti-Cleveland route.  If Ohio would get smart they would stray from the 75mph system and go for a quicker system. I realize it will cost more, but I am really not willing to go on something that goes as slow as my car.

that is exactly the plan; step 1 is conventional service, step 2 is higher speed, 110 MPH service.  The state signed a contract to study the 110 service, which is part of the process to get funding for construction.

 

http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/07/19/ohio-hub-advances-as-passenger-rail-connections-to-toledo-and-pittsburgh-studied/

 

Thanks for the info! Its nice to know people are finally getting smart! I'm still bummed the main corridor isn't going to go through Akron. Last time I read Akron was third in the state for tourism.

Hi all, just to keep this thread on topic, check out the 3C thread at:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18328.0.html

 

I realize there's a lot in there, but if you search you can find things like the 3C mythbusters at:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18328.msg460809.html#msg460809

 

THE MYTH…  3C trains are too slow because they go through Dayton, and won’t carry enough people because they don’t go through Akron.

 

THE FACTS!  The Dayton rail corridor is only 8 miles longer and has 1 million more residents along it than the most direct rail corridor via Wilmington which requires more costly improvements. The Akron rail corridor is 49 miles longer than the direct route, will cost $100 million more to improve and add more than 1 hour to the 3C travel time, resulting in no net ridership or revenue gains.

 

For rail discussions involving Akron, check out these threads:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3566.0.html

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,11978.0.html

 

And this one tangentially involves Akron because it passes through the northern/eastern suburbs of Hudson and Ravenna...

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12576.0.html

A friend of mine told me that UA is exploring the option of opening up another campus similar to UA-Wayne and UA-Medina in the Cleveland area.

What's the goal?  We already have CSU covering the area fairly effectively.

What's the goal?  We already have CSU covering the area fairly effectively.

 

Beats me, X.  UA is without a doubt cementing itself as the premier public research University in Northeast Ohio.  This fall, enrollment will be at an all time high: ~30,000.  That makes it the third largest university in the state behind UC and OSU(obviously). 

 

Anyway, perhaps it's a new research center they're putting in Cleveland?  I agree though. If it's just a branch campus, then it's rather redundant. 

 

The city of Akron is quietly turning into something special.  It's fun to watch.

 

Walked by the new soccer stadium today and it looks AWESOME!  It isn't complete yet, but it has got to be one of the nicest facilities for college soccer in the country!

A friend of mine told me that UA is exploring the option of opening up another campus similar to UA-Wayne and UA-Medina in the Cleveland area.

 

They have been eyeing a site in Twinsburg.

UA's high-minded gallery opens

 

Home movie starring Freud, doll used in aggression study are among items on display in psychology history center

 

By Carol Biliczky

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

The University of Akron is unveiling the new home for the Center for the History of Psychology in the former Roadway Express building at College and Mill streets.

 

The first two floors of the 95-year-old building have been remodeled into the largest depository of psychological materials in the world.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/101777413.html

New apartments are replacing the old East Crown complex.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/103261564.html

 

 

http://www.uakron.edu/im/online-newsroom/news_details.dot?newsId=1430248&pageTitle=UA%20News&crumbTitle=UA%20to%20unite%20area%20biomaterials%20experts%20for%20event

 

^ I thought this might be relevant, considering that this will have a direct impact upon the new "biomedical corridor" downtown.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/103727179.html

 

^ Akron soccer sells out a week ago.  Awesome atmosphere at the games. I suggest any soccer fans in the NEO area to take a trip and watch the #1 team in the country.  Easily the best sports team in Ohio(yes, better than OSU Football).

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/The-University-of-Akron-Chooses-Acuity-Brands-Lithonia-Lighting-RTLED-Luminaire-to-Meet-Sustainability-Goals-835951

 

Acuity Brands, a market leader in innovative energy efficient lighting and control solutions, is proud to support the University of Akron in its sustainability, design and energy conservation goals for the University's new Multiplex residence hall. The new residence hall features more than 700 Lithonia Lighting® RTLED luminaires in hallways, study lounges and social lounges.

http://www.ohio.com/news/104552209.html

 

"For decades, donors have milled around the corner of East Exchange and Brown streets near the University of Akron as they waited to sell their blood — or more accurately, their plasma.

 

That could end in coming months when CSL Plasma moves several blocks south to the former Akron Teamsters Building at 727 Grant St."

Oh man.....get that place off of campus asap!!!

 

 

Memories remain

 

Major parts of UA's Memorial Hall are down, but tributes to veterans will find new homes

 

By Jim Carney

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

The inside, large structural steel supports that held together Memorial Hall on the University of Akron campus fell to earth Wednesday.

 

Demolition on the 57-year-old basketball arena and sports complex on campus started about a month ago.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/104925684.html

 

There are some interesting demolition photos on the site.

Here ya go!

 

This takes a little longer but it is a different angle:

 

UA eyes Edwin Shaw for fire training center

 

Talks preliminary, but county looking for a buyer

 

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Summit County has approached the University of Akron about putting its proposed training center for fire, police and emergency service personnel on the former Edwin Shaw property in Lakemore.

 

The university and Summit County, which owns the site, are in ''very, very, very preliminary discussions,'' said Jason Dodson, chief of staff for County Executive Russ Pry.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/111652364.html

I finally got a good look at the brand new dorms that are right next to Infocision Stadium. Great looking building from a distance, but....

 

I'm now convinced that the U of A has absolutely zero understanding of urban planning. I haven't seen worse street presence since Stonebridge  in the Flats west bank...it is not the least bit inspiring.

 

At Akron there is disturbing pattern of treating the surrounding streets and sidewalks as hot lava to be avoided at all costs. Look at Polsky building and that massive parking deck on Exchange! These places should be inspiring street life, not killing it.

 

It's very disappointing. My school continues spending hundreds of millions to remake the campus into a less walkable place in order to 1) cater to speeding cars and 2) wall off the student population from the surrounding area. Perhaps there is no foresight, or worse, the powers that be are surrendering to the idea the the neighborhood just isn't safe or worth welcoming.

 

I can't believe I have to suggest this, but Akron would be well served to bring in arch nemesis Kent State Univeristy to help out. Someone needs to straighten out this backward, anti-urban mindset that is suddenly so pervasive. It's one thing to understand the haunting, looming effect of the past few decades of bad planning (hello Cleveland State), but when the mistakes of the past continue on, that is just intolerable.

Couldn't agree more.

^^I'll slightly agree.. Most of those buildings were built on parking lots that had been there for 20+ years, if I recall.  So anything was better than that.. That said, I think it was priority to get housing in there quickly and not to think about future planning.  Hopefully they don't replicate that building going towards Exchange which were/are the plans.

 

News story on a public/private partnership with I think nicer buildings along Grant st and Exchange by the other newish Exchange st. dorms:

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/111983339.html

 

Public-private partnership to house 520 students

 

By Carol Biliczky

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Published on Thursday, Dec 16, 2010

 

The University of Akron is moving ahead with a public-private partnership to build a residence hall for 520 students.

 

Trustees agreed Wednesday to finalize contracts with the Signet Development Group of Akron for a 167,000-square-foot student dorm east of the Exchange Street Residence Hall and south of the Greeleaf Family Center on East Exchange Street.

 

The total project cost is $40 million, including furnishings.

 

 

I really hope they have some sort of street presence with all of these buildings going in. They really need to put more shops and places to eat under these buildings.

Affordable housing explored near UA

 

University Park neighborhood could get started within a year

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Published on Sunday, Jan 16, 2011

 

University Park Alliance Executive Director Eric Anthony Johnson has set a goal of breaking ground within a year on a 100 percent ''LEED-certified'' neighborhood.

 

LEED projects are certified by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

 

Johnson said the UPA is exploring the best potential locations for the neighborhood within the 50-block area around the University of Akron. The neighborhood would have single-family housing, apartments and town homes mixed with retail.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/113836204.html

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.  "

UA moves forward with plans for new law building

 

By Carol Biliczky

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

POSTED: 06:54 p.m. EST, Dec 16, 2009

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/79453982.html

 

 

I saw the plans and UA has chosen to rebuild the law school just across the street west of the existing law school. Also, the fact that UA may become a more residential campus is not all that germane to attracting a large number of students to large events. UA students can drive their cars back to campus and fill up a facility as they have done for years. They don't have problems driving to the Q or other places far away. If it's worth it, they'll drive back to their own campus. The trick is to give them what they want to see. Other people drive to campus for what they want to see. What makes a UA student any different?

 

Cleveland State has The Wolstein Center on its campus. I believe it seats between 12,000 and 15,000 and they don't have any dorms on their campus currently.

 

All in all, It's still good to see UA become more residential.

 

And, the only logical place for a new UA arena is near the remaining sports, recreation and physical education facilities already on campus such as the stadium, Jackson Fields and Rec Center.

"UA's high-minded gallery opens"

 

Little by little we will see UA moving departments out of the archives currently in the Polsky Building. This is just one of more to come.

I finally got a good look at the brand new dorms that are right next to Infocision Stadium. Great looking building from a distance, but....

 

I'm now convinced that the U of A has absolutely zero understanding of urban planning. I haven't seen worse street presence since Stonebridge  in the Flats west bank...it is not the least bit inspiring.

 

At Akron there is disturbing pattern of treating the surrounding streets and sidewalks as hot lava to be avoided at all costs. Look at Polsky building and that massive parking deck on Exchange! These places should be inspiring street life, not killing it.

 

It's very disappointing. My school continues spending hundreds of millions to remake the campus into a less walkable place in order to 1) cater to speeding cars and 2) wall off the student population from the surrounding area. Perhaps there is no foresight, or worse, the powers that be are surrendering to the idea the the neighborhood just isn't safe or worth welcoming.

 

I can't believe I have to suggest this, but Akron would be well served to bring in arch nemesis Kent State Univeristy to help out. Someone needs to straighten out this backward, anti-urban mindset that is suddenly so pervasive. It's one thing to understand the haunting, looming effect of the past few decades of bad planning (hello Cleveland State), but when the mistakes of the past continue on, that is just intolerable.

 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at UA's abilities regarding urban planning. Remember how buildings looked butted up against what was once Buchtel Ave and Carroll Streets? Also, take a look at what used to be Brown Street now running along side of the stadium, rec center, and blending into the area around the JAR and Olin Hall.

 

UA has plans for what is now Spicer Street next to the newest residence hall as well as for all the slumish houses east of Spicer. So, I wouldn't be so quick to condemn UA's knowledge of Urban Planning.

 

I think you will like what you will see.

 

As far as the Polsky Building goes, that's not really campus anyway. Besides, that area is hopeless. It's part of downtown and it's going to stay that way, especially after UA vacates the building.

UA has plans for what is now Spicer Street next to the newest residence hall as well as for all the slumish houses east of Spicer. So, I wouldn't be so quick to condemn UA's knowledge of Urban Planning.

 

Do you have a link to any of these plans?  I completely agree that there is a need for some serious reinvestment in those blocks, but I haven't seen either a coordinated, top-down vision for such investment or any grassroots enthusiasm by individual, small-time urban pioneers doing the same.  I'm not an ideologue in favor of or against either approach to urban planning or urban renewal (top-down, institution-driven or bottom-up, individual-driven).  That said, neither approach appears to be taking hold out there.

 

As far as the Polsky Building goes, that's not really campus anyway. Besides, that area is hopeless. It's part of downtown and it's going to stay that way, especially after UA vacates the building.

 

Not all college campuses have sharply defined boundaries.  Perhaps the most notorious is the University of Michigan, which certainly is *not* a contiguous, defined plot in Ann Arbor.

 

Also, I'd seriously hesitate to call that area "hopeless."  It's true that Mayflower Manor, just south of Polsky, and the stretch for two blocks south of it is seriously underutilized.  However, there is a lot more on that stretch from Gojo to Northside than there was even just a year and a half ago when I came to Akron.

 

It's also true that Polsky itself does basically nothing for the pedestrian-friendliness of the area; walking past it on Main feels like walking past a small fortress.

It's also true that Polsky itself does basically nothing for the pedestrian-friendliness of the area; walking past it on Main feels like walking past a small fortress.

 

That is all I meant by calling that particular area (The Polsky Building) hopeless. It is next to impossible to make it into anything more warm and inviting. Also, contiguous vs non-contiguous is really not my point. The Polsky Building is obviously part of a downtown metro appearing, non-campus area. Afterall, it was once a department store and still looks like one on the exterior. At best, it is seen as an annex to the authentic campus (the students hate it because it makes them feel like step children when forced to use it) and is being used temporarily for low priority academics and storage of archives which is also temporary. I look for UA to unload the place...the sooner the better!

 

While UM has four distinct campuses, each is contiguous in itself and there are distinct functional purposes for each of the four. Each of the four look like and are actual campuses. The same can't be applied to the Polsky Building as it relates to the UA campus.

 

The Ann Arbor campus is divided into four distinct areas – North, Medical, Central, and South Campuses. Located about two miles away from Central Campus, North Campus contains the College of Engineering as well as the Schools of Music, Art, and Architecture. The Medical Campus includes the renowned University of Michigan Hospital and Medical School. Central Campus is the main area, with the Diag, classroom buildings, most residence halls, and close proximity to (and not in) downtown Ann Arbor. South Campus is also known as the Athletic Campus, and it holds UM’s athletic arenas, including the famous Michigan Stadium. Go Blue!

It wouldn't be too hard to make the Polsky inviting on Main St., just add retail.  I'm not sure what is behind the storefront now, but there is storefront there and Barley House is right across the street.  Mix that with the Civic, Lock 3 and the retail across from Lock 3 and that becomes a nice stretch of a couple blocks.

I agree with Yanni.  Polsky is hopeless, but not incurably hopeless.  The university doesn't seem to think of pedestrian-friendliness and urban landscape integration when it designs (or redesigns) its facilities.  I think they did better with 22 Exchange, but I don't even know if that's technically university-owned or if it's simply privately owned student housing built specifically with UA in mind.

U of A had nothing to do with 22 Exchange.  It was a private developer.  With that being said, a private developer has much more incentive to make sure everything is thought out, done right and maybe even have upgraded amenities.  Why? b/c they don't have any taxpayer (free) money to use, in most cases.  They may have gotten TIFF financing for that specific project.

 

U of A has used private developers for the Honors Dorms and the existing Exchange St. and the newly planned dorms.  You will see in the existing Exchange St. dorms that the street level is lined with filled retail, while across the street is a huge parking decking that almost abuts the street.