March 9, 201213 yr However, I also note from that article that Richland will still be renting the units by the bedroom, not by the unit. That was the first time I've seen that confirmed. That is disappointing to me. Whatever Richland might say about orienting the complex towards "students and young professionals," I don't see a great deal of young professional interest in a lease structure like that. YPs might not mind having roommates (though there are plenty who won't even go that far), but they at least want to choose them themselves. Well it also said it would have several studio apartments. I think the studios are what will be directed at the YP more so than the "per bed" concept.
March 9, 201213 yr Hah! I saw that as well, but I'll be interested in how many of those fill. Maybe I'm just not as young a young professional as I used to be, but I fill a two-bedroom apartment reasonably comfortably by myself at this point, and in Akron, two bedrooms for one person are not as cost-prohibitive as that would be in NYC or SanFran.
March 12, 201213 yr Not much in the way of "news" just yet, but I just saw the auction signs go up for the YMCA space in the Canal Square building. If anyone's looking for a 55,000sf commercial condo, there's a space open in the middle of Downtown.
March 21, 201213 yr I did find this, which I'm betting you've seen: http://akronrrclub.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/university-plans-to-raze-akron-union-depot/ You would bet correctly. I was pretty involved in the Akron RR Club when I was at KSU in the 80s. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 21, 201213 yr I did find this, which I'm betting you've seen: http://akronrrclub.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/university-plans-to-raze-akron-union-depot/ You would bet correctly. I was pretty involved in the Akron RR Club when I was at KSU in the 80s. Cool! I was pretty involved with KSU's bars when I was at Akron in the 90's!!
March 22, 201213 yr Cool! I was pretty involved with KSU's bars when I was at Akron in the 90's!! And a big reason why KSU's bars were there for you in the 90s is 'cuz I helped keep them in business in the 80s! :oops: And now, on with our regularly scheduled program! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 23, 201213 yr No, and it's on hold indefinitely now. State pulled their funding, so they have to figure out where to get some $$$, looking at donors. here's a link to the feasibility study they did in which they determined to build a new building instead of remodeling the existing: http://www3.uakron.edu/bids/lawschoolcmdrawingss.ppt My understanding was that UA had to fund the whole thing themselves from the get go (which is why the new education building was put on hold). Additionally it shows where the state's priorities are lacking (if funding was pulled) because the Law schools accreditation is contingent on improving or replacing the current building.
March 23, 201213 yr No, and it's on hold indefinitely now. State pulled their funding, so they have to figure out where to get some $$$, looking at donors. here's a link to the feasibility study they did in which they determined to build a new building instead of remodeling the existing: http://www3.uakron.edu/bids/lawschoolcmdrawingss.ppt My understanding was that UA had to fund the whole thing themselves from the get go (which is why the new education building was put on hold). Additionally it shows where the state's priorities are lacking (if funding was pulled) because the Law schools accreditation is contingent on improving or replacing the current building. When the originally released the info to start moving forwards with the project they said they need $23.6 million, of which $750,000 was secured from non-state source(s). They had released State funding as "TBD". I heard they did get money which was pulled, but I don't have a source for it. College of Education is about $13 million with $5 million coming from the state.
March 27, 201213 yr Akron purchasing former Bridgestone facilities; developer may buy them from the city By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer Akron is purchasing the former Bridgestone technical center and clubhouse, which a national developer is also eyeing and may buy. The city agreed to pay Bridgestone Americas $5 million for the property as part of a 2009 deal that kept Bridge-stone in Akron, where the company has nearly completed a new technical center. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-purchasing-former-bridgestone-facilities-developer-may-buy-them-from-the-city-1.284858
March 27, 201213 yr Anyone have any other info on the Thistledown move? I have seen a couple of articles and from I've seen they are saying moving it to the CAK area or Mogadore?
March 27, 201213 yr No. But if you come across more articles, please share a headline, a few paragraphs, and a link to the full article. Thanks! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 6, 201213 yr Northfield Park, Hard Rock team up on venture; about 1,000 jobs expected By Rick Armon Beacon Journal staff writer Published: April 5, 2012 - 09:40 AM | Updated: April 6, 2012 - 08:26 AM The iconic Hard Rock — known worldwide for its music-themed restaurants and casinos — is coming to Summit County. Northfield Park and Hard Rock International announced a partnership Thursday to develop a Hard Rock-branded gambling facility at the harness racing track in Northfield. The Northfield Park-Hard Rock deal is unrelated to Thistledown in North Randall and any possible moves or partnerships in the thoroughbred track’s future. http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/northfield-park-hard-rock-team-up-on-venture-about-1-000-jobs-expected-1.291825
April 9, 201213 yr Bridgestone Americas prepares to unveil its new Akron tech center By Jim Mackinnon Beacon Journal business writer Published: April 7, 2012 - 10:45 PM | Updated: April 9, 2012 - 12:30 PM The 430 or so people who just started working in the brand new Bridgestone Americas Akron Technical Center get to write on their office walls. They are actually encouraged to do so. Really. Lest anyone think that the world’s largest tire maker wants the interior of its state-of the-art facility splattered with graffiti, one wall in each office is covered with a special white paint that acts as an erasable marker board. http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/bridgestone-americas-prepares-to-unveil-its-new-akron-tech-center-1.292632 some photos there
April 10, 201213 yr Developer, city agree on ‘financial center’ deal for downtown Akron By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer Published: April 9, 2012 - 11:39 PM | Updated: April 10, 2012 - 09:38 AM An Akron developer hopes to turn a prime corner of downtown into a hub for financial and business activity. Developer Tony Manna’s vision for the corner of East Market and High streets came a step closer to reality Monday when Akron City Council approved legislation to help to make it happen. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/developer-city-agree-on-financial-center-deal-for-downtown-akron-1.293669#comment-493244493
April 10, 201213 yr Developer, city agree on financial center deal for downtown Akron I don't understand how the same 8 people always have negative comments on anything happening in Akron? If you hate what is going on so much, change it or leave.
April 10, 201213 yr Developer, city agree on financial center deal for downtown Akron I don't understand how the same 8 people always have negative comments on anything happening in Akron? If you hate what is going on so much, change it or leave. Haha, couldn't agree more. Somehow the mayor is always stealing our money.
April 10, 201213 yr A. Schulman to stay in Fairlawn - build new HQ The new building, which will be located at the intersection of Cleveland-Massillon and Ridgewood roads, will consist of 34,000 square feet and cost about $6.5 million. full article: http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/a-schulman-to-stay-in-fairlawn-1.293743
April 11, 201213 yr A. Schulman to stay in Fairlawn - build new HQ The new building, which will be located at the intersection of Cleveland-Massillon and Ridgewood roads, will consist of 34,000 square feet and cost about $6.5 million. full article: http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/a-schulman-to-stay-in-fairlawn-1.293743 Good to hear. Wish they would move downtown, but this is better than nothing! Schulman should stay in the area (ie: its various polymer/plastics plants), considering the massive amounts of ethane that will come from the Utica shale and the cracker plants that will produce dozens of railcars full of polyethylene pellets per day. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 11, 201213 yr Tech center opening celebrates Firestone red, green By Jim Mackinnon Beacon Journal business writer Harvey Firestone’s gaze is squarely on the present and future of Bridgestone Americas. The big bronze statue of the founder of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., acquired by Bridgestone Corp. in 1988, directly — and deliberately — faces the main entrance of the state-of-the-art, $100 million Bridgestone Americas Akron Technical Center. http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/tech-center-opening-celebrates-firestone-red-green-1.293945 Photos there Green residents, council members voice opposition to ‘racino’ in city By George W. Davis Special to the Beacon Journal Published: April 10, 2012 - 11:19 PM | Updated: April 11, 2012 - 10:18 AM GREEN: If those who spoke at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting have their way, the city won’t be getting a racino. Greenfield Road resident Pat Carleski stated she is “radically opposed” to a combined horse race track/video slot machine complex, commonly called a racino, on 80 of 192 acres of Akron-Canton Airport-owned land on the south side of Greensburg Road between Lauby and Massillon roads http://www.ohio.com/news/green-residents-council-members-voice-opposition-to-racino-in-city-1.293903
April 11, 201213 yr Bridgestone Corp. unveils new Akron Technical Center By CHUCK SODER 3:13 pm, April 11, 2012 Bridgestone Corp. expects employees at its Akron Technical Center to develop high-tech products, so it's only fitting that they get to work in a building that has “a high-tech feel,” said Steve Shelton, vice president of product development for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC, a subsidiary of the Tokyo-based tire company. Bridgestone showed off its new, 260,000-square-foot technical center to more than 200 corporate executives, politicians and other members of the community during a grand opening event this afternoon. The building at the southeast corner of South Main Street and Firestone Boulevard in Akron is a lot different than the company's previous technical center, which was based in the former Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. headquarters located a few blocks north. That hulking building is 101 years old, and its many internal walls made it hard for employees to work together efficiently, Mr. Shelton said. READ MORE AT: http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120411/FREE/120419956# "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 12, 201213 yr Bridgestone unveils $100 million tech center as Akron celebrates investments by the tire industry Article also talks about the new Goodyear HQ and provides a nice aerial view of the progress http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/04/bridgestone_unveils_100_millio.html
April 12, 201213 yr Tech center opening stirs Firestone Park revitalization By Jim Mackinnon Beacon Journal business writer Published: April 11, 2012 - 11:15 PM | Updated: April 12, 2012 - 08:18 AM Akron’s Firestone Park neighborhood has gone global with the opening of the $100 million Bridgestone Americas Technical Center. People from around the world are coming to the tire maker’s state-of-the-art facility off South Main Street, and the products developed there are being sold worldwide, and that should bode well for the future of the neighborhood long associated with the venerable Firestone name. http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/tech-center-opening-stirs-firestone-park-revitalization-1.294381 New Hartville Hardware offers something for everyone By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal staff writer Published: April 11, 2012 - 11:15 PM HARTVILLE: For nearly two years, area residents have watched the new Hartville Hardware off state Route 619 slowly rise from the ground, wondering what this third incarnation of the local family-owned icon would look like. Today, their questions will be answered. The store — seven acres of indoor heaven to home builders, room designers and do-it-yourselfers — will open at 8 a.m. to the wide-eyed masses. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/new-hartville-hardware-offers-something-for-everyone-1.294373 Hard Rock plans event in Northfield By Rick Armon Beacon Journal staff writer Published: April 11, 2012 - 11:27 PM Northfield Park and Hard Rock International will hold a party Wednesday at the horse racetrack in Northfield to celebrate their new business partnership. The event, which is open to the public and begins at 11:30 a.m., includes a performance by Art Alexakis, lead singer for the rock band Everclear; a display of rock ’n’ roll memorabilia; and remarks by Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen and Northfield Park owner Brock Milstein. http://www.ohio.com/news/hard-rock-plans-event-in-northfield-1.294384
April 13, 201213 yr http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/04/old_bridgestone_tech_center_ma.html Robert Schoenberger, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Firestone's century-old offices and tire plant in Akron may become the site of an oil, gas and chemicals research hub. Mayor Don Plusquellic could today sign an agreement to sell the 35-acre site to Amerimar Realty, a Philadelphia real estate company that has developed hotels, offices and other projects in Pennsylvania, California and Colorado. The agreement gives Amerimar a one-year option to buy the property for $5 million, giving the developer an opportunity to shop the Firestone building to potential tenants. "This is going to be big," Amerimar owner David G. Marhsall said Thursday from his office in Philadelphia. "What we want to do is really create a hub for research in the gas and oil and polymer industries."
April 25, 201213 yr I don't think this article was ever posted on here, but I noticed towards the end they mention the Marriott Courtyard that was suppose to go in next to Northside Lofts. The article says that they should be breaking ground for the new hotel in a few months. This article is from December of last year. Does anyone have an update on the new hotel? DBA will be doing business as Akron’s newest eatery By Lisa Abraham Beacon Journal food writer Published: December 2, 2011 - 12:00 AM Cleveland chef Dante Boccuzzi has partnered with local developer Joel Testa and others to open a restaurant in the former VegiTerranean location in Akron’s Northside Lofts. [url=http://http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/dba-will-be-doing-business-as-akron-s-newest-eatery-1.248316] http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/dba-will-be-doing-business-as-akron-s-newest-eatery-1.248316
April 25, 201213 yr This new hotel has been planned and unstarted for a long time now--since the construction bust, basically. There is construction fencing up around the site. Has been ever since I started looking at buying a loft in Northside almost two years ago. I've seen it every summer I've been here when the CVSR drops me and my bike off at Northside Station. It hasn't changed. If you showed me a picture of that site from April of 2010, 2011, and 2012, I couldn't put them in chronological order. That said, the plans remain ambitious and I think that Testa still does plan to dust them off. The project may be on ice for the time being, but that's not because the developer went bankrupt, as was the case with some partially-completed housing developments after the boom and bust. From everything I know (which admittedly isn't detailed), Testa isn't just still around, it's still rock solid. Testa also wants a successful project next door to Northside Lofts to increase the value of Northside Lofts, which are still not 100% sold (there are shell space units remaining in the building, including a potentially lucrative penthouse unit or two). The concept is one familiar in many denser coastal cities but rare in the Midwest, to the best of my knowledge: to have adjoining or adjacent hotel and condo buildings and shared amenities between the two (exercise room, pool, meeting facilities, etc.).
April 25, 201213 yr This new hotel has been planned and unstarted for a long time now--since the construction bust, basically. There is construction fencing up around the site. Has been ever since I started looking at buying a loft in Northside almost two years ago. I've seen it every summer I've been here when the CVSR drops me and my bike off at Northside Station. It hasn't changed. If you showed me a picture of that site from April of 2010, 2011, and 2012, I couldn't put them in chronological order. That said, the plans remain ambitious and I think that Testa still does plan to dust them off. The project may be on ice for the time being, but that's not because the developer went bankrupt, as was the case with some partially-completed housing developments after the boom and bust. From everything I know (which admittedly isn't detailed), Testa isn't just still around, it's still rock solid. Testa also wants a successful project next door to Northside Lofts to increase the value of Northside Lofts, which are still not 100% sold (there are shell space units remaining in the building, including a potentially lucrative penthouse unit or two). The concept is one familiar in many denser coastal cities but rare in the Midwest, to the best of my knowledge: to have adjoining or adjacent hotel and condo buildings and shared amenities between the two (exercise room, pool, meeting facilities, etc.). Yeah I remember them unveiling the plans back in June 2010. I remember talking to a few people in October 2011 about the progress of the hotel and they made it sound like as of then it was completely off the table. (Which surprised me) Seeing this article from a few months ago gives me new hope that they will start construction very soon. And from what I gathered from the article it sounded like a few more businesses were interested in filling the vacancy of Vegiterranean. Perhaps those businesses will move into the spaces next to DBA.
April 27, 201213 yr Check out the Restaurant section for the news on DBA http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,19677.0.html
May 3, 201213 yr Apartments for students and young professionals take shape in downtown Akron Published: May 2, 2012 - 09:37 PM Workers are installing foam insulation at the 401 Lofts apartments under construction in downtown Akron. The $12 million complex, expected to be ready for occupants in August 2013, is being built on the site of the former Parrish McIntyre auto repair store. It is a project of student housing development company Campus360, which built the fully occupied 22 Exchange apartments across the street at Main and Exchange. READ MORE AT: http://www.ohio.com/business/apartments-for-students-and-young-professionals-take-shape-in-downtown-akron-1.304502 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 7, 201213 yr Former Church of the Good Shepherd building to be razed for McDonald’s today Beacon Journal staff report Published: May 7, 2012 - 09:54 AM | Updated: May 7, 2012 - 11:32 AM The former Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church at 785 S. Main St. in Akron is scheduled to be razed today. In 2009, the church merged with Church of the Master to form a new congregation, Family of Faith United Methodist Church. Members worship at the former Church of the Master building at 800 E. Market St. In 2011, Rubber City McDonald’s purchased the former church near Interstate 77/76 south of downtown Akron for $500,000. The company also bought a cell phone store building adjacent to the church on Broadway. Plans are to build a new McDonald’s with a dining room to replace a location nearby across the freeway on Wolf Ledges, where there is no dining room. http://www.ohio.com/business/former-church-of-the-good-shepherd-building-to-be-razed-for-mcdonald-s-today-1.305418
May 13, 201213 yr Seems like a such a waste to demo the building only to put a McDonalds (of all things) in its place. :roll: There are several examples elsewhere of church buildings that have been recycled into other non-religious uses.
May 14, 201213 yr Again its not just a store going in. Its going to be an office building for rubber city mcdonalds group too.
May 29, 201213 yr Akron studies whether Cedar, Exchange streets should return to two-way traffic By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer More student housing is taking shape on Cedar Street. Akron Children’s Hospital plans to begin a major expansion project soon that will include a six-story parking deck on Exchange Street. The Akron City Council recently approved plans for the first phase of the project, which will be a six-story parking deck at Exchange and Locust streets that will provide parking for the hospital’s 1,156 employees. The deck, expected to cost about $18 million, will eventually be connected to another new building across Exchange via a sky walk. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-studies-whether-cedar-exchange-streets-should-return-to-two-way-traffic-1.310172
May 29, 201213 yr Sorry if there is some information about this in this or another thread but... I was in downtown Akron for the first time in a long time on Sunday evening and noticed what appeared to be a very nice new apartment or condo building and some very well done townhouses right by Luggi's Restaurant. Was really impressed by the apartment building. Does anybody have any information or details?
May 29, 201213 yr Sorry if there is some information about this in this or another thread but... I was in downtown Akron for the first time in a long time on Sunday evening and noticed what appeared to be a very nice new apartment or condo building and some very well done townhouses right by Luggi's Restaurant. Was really impressed by the apartment building. Does anybody have any information or details? Here ya go: http://www.northsidelofts.com/index2.html p.s. this is where Chrissy Hynde's restaurant was.
May 29, 201213 yr Akron studies whether Cedar, Exchange streets should return to two-way traffic By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer More student housing is taking shape on Cedar Street. Akron Children’s Hospital plans to begin a major expansion project soon that will include a six-story parking deck on Exchange Street. The Akron City Council recently approved plans for the first phase of the project, which will be a six-story parking deck at Exchange and Locust streets that will provide parking for the hospital’s 1,156 employees. The deck, expected to cost about $18 million, will eventually be connected to another new building across Exchange via a sky walk. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-studies-whether-cedar-exchange-streets-should-return-to-two-way-traffic-1.310172 Long time coming. Here's hoping this change is made asap, and more importantly, that downtown is next on the agenda.
May 29, 201213 yr Sorry if there is some information about this in this or another thread but... I was in downtown Akron for the first time in a long time on Sunday evening and noticed what appeared to be a very nice new apartment or condo building and some very well done townhouses right by Luggi's Restaurant. Was really impressed by the apartment building. Does anybody have any information or details? Here ya go: http://www.northsidelofts.com/index2.html p.s. this is where Chrissy Hynde's restaurant was. Thanks for the info. Some pricey rentals for Akron (or anywhere in Northeast Ohio for that matter).
May 29, 201213 yr Actually, that Northside Lofts site is somewhat out of date. (Note the "© 2005 Testa Corporation" at the bottom.) There are basically no rentals available in the building. I've inquired. Also, where there are still some shell spaces remaining, there are significantly fewer such spaces than the impression that site gives. Note that that rental rate sheet says "rates current as of 12-28-07." Most, though not all, of the units in the building have sold. Looking at just the spaces that have sold once, the building would appear to be fine. The more serious issue is that many of those units are on the market again, suggesting that they were bought by flippers or just by owner-occupants who overextended. At least one unit in the building is REO. I don't know if others might be short sale candidates, but I would not be surprised. The price per square foot is high enough, and is even higher when one views only unit-interior square footage, rather than allocated square footage (which includes a pro rata share of the common area).
May 29, 201213 yr Akron studies whether Cedar, Exchange streets should return to two-way traffic By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer More student housing is taking shape on Cedar Street. Akron Children’s Hospital plans to begin a major expansion project soon that will include a six-story parking deck on Exchange Street. The Akron City Council recently approved plans for the first phase of the project, which will be a six-story parking deck at Exchange and Locust streets that will provide parking for the hospital’s 1,156 employees. The deck, expected to cost about $18 million, will eventually be connected to another new building across Exchange via a sky walk. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-studies-whether-cedar-exchange-streets-should-return-to-two-way-traffic-1.310172 Long time coming. Here's hoping this change is made asap, and more importantly, that downtown is next on the agenda. If you ask Akron Children's, they will tell you that they believe that they are downtown; they're certainly not West Akron or Highland Square, after all. They're inside the innerbelt, and Exchange & Locust is only a few blocks from the canal, Bricco, 22 Exchange, etc. As for building a garage at Locust & Exchange, I sincerely hope that they mean the surface parking lot at the southwest corner of Locust & Exchange, not the park immediately adjacent to the hospital itself. That surface parking lot would never be missed.
May 29, 201213 yr ^ Come on Gramarye you know what i mean. Actually, I missed that, but now I'm guessing that you meant the two-way street conversions. I can't actually say that I'm on board with that one. Downtown already has plenty of two-way streets. I'm much more a fan of keeping the four big commuter arterials (Cedar, Exchange, Broadway, High) as efficient one-way pipelines and leaving the rest of the area (which includes plenty of big commercial streets, e.g., Main, Market, State, Mill, etc.) as calmer two-way commercial and/or mixed-use streets.
May 29, 201213 yr ^ Come on Gramarye you know what i mean. Actually, I missed that, but now I'm guessing that you meant the two-way street conversions. I can't actually say that I'm on board with that one. Downtown already has plenty of two-way streets. I'm much more a fan of keeping the four big commuter arterials (Cedar, Exchange, Broadway, High) as efficient one-way pipelines and leaving the rest of the area (which includes plenty of big commercial streets, e.g., Main, Market, State, Mill, etc.) as calmer two-way commercial and/or mixed-use streets. I just think that with the relative small size of DT Akron the commuter arterials are not only unnecessary, they're detrimental. Just as Leibrith (sp?) said in the article, people are re-thinking/remembering how a downtown is supposed to look and feel. With S. Broadway and S. High acting basically like freeways, it's time to reconsider a more balanced approach for DT to reach its fullest potential.
May 29, 201213 yr My feeling on this would be keep Cedar the same but add 1 lane of traffic on Exchange st going in to downtown. That might be control the flow a little better than 4-5 lanes of traffic heading west with timed lights. It would give a lot more flexability and ease of access to businesses on Exchange too. I don't see a need to change Cedar.
May 29, 201213 yr They are nice for getting in and out of DT quickly. I use them often. I would much rather see them be two-way streets with retail. That's the key. If they are going to turn them back to two-way, they will need to invest some development funds to get the areas back into shape for retail. I'm very surprised Temo's has survived as long as it has at it's location. I think the parking garage is going to be on the South side of Exchange between Pine & Locust. They mentioned a skybridge connecting to another future building, which I think would be on the North Side, where Wally Waffle is now. The park in front of Children's, Perkins Park, is historical. I believe it was the first park in Akron, or first downtown, something of that nature.
May 29, 201213 yr ^ Come on Gramarye you know what i mean. Actually, I missed that, but now I'm guessing that you meant the two-way street conversions. I can't actually say that I'm on board with that one. Downtown already has plenty of two-way streets. I'm much more a fan of keeping the four big commuter arterials (Cedar, Exchange, Broadway, High) as efficient one-way pipelines and leaving the rest of the area (which includes plenty of big commercial streets, e.g., Main, Market, State, Mill, etc.) as calmer two-way commercial and/or mixed-use streets. I just think that with the relative small size of DT Akron the commuter arterials are not only unnecessary, they're detrimental. Just as Leibrith (sp?) said in the article, people are re-thinking/remembering how a downtown is supposed to look and feel. With S. Broadway and S. High acting basically like freeways, it's time to reconsider a more balanced approach for DT to reach its fullest potential. "Supposed" to look and feel? "Balanced" approach? We're talking about four streets out of dozens. Leaving them as they are would be a balanced approach--striking a balance between the interests of commuters and the interests of students and other downtown locals (including myself, since I live at State & Bowery). We have plenty of development to do on our existing two-way streets, including critical, highly visible ones like Main, Market, and Exchange (east of Main).
May 29, 201213 yr ^ Come on Gramarye you know what i mean. Actually, I missed that, but now I'm guessing that you meant the two-way street conversions. I can't actually say that I'm on board with that one. Downtown already has plenty of two-way streets. I'm much more a fan of keeping the four big commuter arterials (Cedar, Exchange, Broadway, High) as efficient one-way pipelines and leaving the rest of the area (which includes plenty of big commercial streets, e.g., Main, Market, State, Mill, etc.) as calmer two-way commercial and/or mixed-use streets. I just think that with the relative small size of DT Akron the commuter arterials are not only unnecessary, they're detrimental. Just as Leibrith (sp?) said in the article, people are re-thinking/remembering how a downtown is supposed to look and feel. With S. Broadway and S. High acting basically like freeways, it's time to reconsider a more balanced approach for DT to reach its fullest potential. I agree with surfohio's analysis. Downtown Akron is certainly not Downtown Columbus. Even during rush hour/peak traffic times, there doesn't appear to really be a need or benefit derived from the commuter arterials as presently situated. That's pretty much been true for the entire time (> 30+ years) that I have lived in Akron. They were created back when a far greater percentage of the jobs and major economic activity in the region were still located in or near the CBD, before the rise of Fairlawn/Montrose, Green/CAK/North Canton, Stow-Hudson, etc. as significant economic hubs. On a related note, Mayor Plusquellic has stated on several occasions that he would like to see the Interbelt/Rt. 59 come down. Given that it was never fully built out as originally intended, to span from Barberton to Kent, and likely will never be finished now, the case has probably never been stronger for its removal, as it is well underused and would free up land in Akron's heart for other, more productive uses. Personally, I think they could convert the stretch between Howard/Main and Exchange into an urban park, but that's just one possibility.
May 29, 201213 yr The park in front of Children's, Perkins Park, is historical. I believe it was the first park in Akron, or first downtown, something of that nature. It was intended to be part of a downtown square for Akron, somewhat similar to Public Square in Cleveland, but obviously never quite turned out that way. Children's more or less absorbed it into its campus, but Perkins intended it to be the true downtown.
May 29, 201213 yr "Supposed" to look and feel? "Balanced" approach? We're talking about four streets out of dozens. Leaving them as they are would be a balanced approach--striking a balance between the interests of commuters and the interests of students and other downtown locals (including myself, since I live at State & Bowery). We have plenty of development to do on our existing two-way streets, including critical, highly visible ones like Main, Market, and Exchange (east of Main). Commuters will survive a conversion to two-way streets. As I previously pointed out, it's not like there is anything remotely approaching a traffic jam in Downtown Akron these days. Converting them to two way will do much more to spur economic development, far more quickly than simply leaving them as is.
May 29, 201213 yr ^ Come on Gramarye you know what i mean. Actually, I missed that, but now I'm guessing that you meant the two-way street conversions. I can't actually say that I'm on board with that one. Downtown already has plenty of two-way streets. I'm much more a fan of keeping the four big commuter arterials (Cedar, Exchange, Broadway, High) as efficient one-way pipelines and leaving the rest of the area (which includes plenty of big commercial streets, e.g., Main, Market, State, Mill, etc.) as calmer two-way commercial and/or mixed-use streets. I just think that with the relative small size of DT Akron the commuter arterials are not only unnecessary, they're detrimental. Just as Leibrith (sp?) said in the article, people are re-thinking/remembering how a downtown is supposed to look and feel. With S. Broadway and S. High acting basically like freeways, it's time to reconsider a more balanced approach for DT to reach its fullest potential. "Supposed" to look and feel? "Balanced" approach? We're talking about four streets out of dozens. Leaving them as they are would be a balanced approach--striking a balance between the interests of commuters and the interests of students and other downtown locals (including myself, since I live at State & Bowery). We have plenty of development to do on our existing two-way streets, including critical, highly visible ones like Main, Market, and Exchange (east of Main). I'm not defining downtown by "dozens" of streets. To me, the heart of downtown is largely made up of Main/S.Broadway/S.High.
May 30, 201213 yr "Supposed" to look and feel? "Balanced" approach? We're talking about four streets out of dozens. Leaving them as they are would be a balanced approach--striking a balance between the interests of commuters and the interests of students and other downtown locals (including myself, since I live at State & Bowery). We have plenty of development to do on our existing two-way streets, including critical, highly visible ones like Main, Market, and Exchange (east of Main). Commuters will survive a conversion to two-way streets. As I previously pointed out, it's not like there is anything remotely approaching a traffic jam in Downtown Akron these days. Converting them to two way will do much more to spur economic development, far more quickly than simply leaving them as is. Commuters "surviving" is not the standard I think we should set. On a related note, Mayor Plusquellic has stated on several occasions that he would like to see the Interbelt/Rt. 59 come down. Given that it was never fully built out as originally intended, to span from Barberton to Kent, and likely will never be finished now, the case has probably never been stronger for its removal, as it is well underused and would free up land in Akron's heart for other, more productive uses. Personally, I think they could convert the stretch between Howard/Main and Exchange into an urban park, but that's just one possibility. Now this, I completely agree with. The innerbelt is barely used for most of the day and isn't even that heavily trafficked at either rush hour. Also, counting the feeder streets (Dart and Rand), it is ridiculously wide when you count all the land it takes up from actual development on one side to actual development on the other. The maintenance expenses for limited-access highways are significantly larger than those for ordinary streets, too. Sadly, I just don't think the capital budget is there for that, even if we had the political will. Removing it and replacing it with something worthwhile (as opposing to just leaving a hideous, gaping wasteland there) would be a significant undertaking and would almost certainly go well into the eight figures.
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