That "innerbelt" makes no sense.  If you plan on using it to get to 76 east or 77 south, you're in for a long tour.  While I would love a completed 59 highway into Kent-- Kent is maddeningly hard to get to-- this current setup does nothing for anyone.  Tear it down.     

That "innerbelt" makes no sense.  If you plan on using it to get to 76 east or 77 south, you're in for a long tour.  While I would love a completed 59 highway into Kent-- Kent is maddeningly hard to get to-- this current setup does nothing for anyone.  Tear it down.     

 

Ask KJP about the train connection between Kent-Akron. Some day you might be able to just hop on the line at Quaker Square. Would be so cool for UA and KSU.

Problem is, tearing down the Innerbelt will cost a lot of money that nobody has. Unless the state or someone else starts selling off certain sections of land (such as the marginal roads alongside the core highway that could be turned into a boulevard) to park districts, developers or construction debris recyclers, I don't see the Innerbelt going anywhere.

 

As for Akron-Kent, the City of Tallmadge tried to get some funding last year from AMATS to do a feasibility study of Akron-Kent commuter rail. The railroad right of way is already owned by Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority and I've had preliminary discussions with Metro's staff about ways to reactivate the rail infrastructure either in pieces or in total. Those discussions follow Metro's adoption of study of using light-density freight activity to leverage investments in rail infrastructure improvements. But the Akron-Kent route adds the availability of two major universities having a total enrollment of 40,000 and which do a lot of shared curricula and other programs. The Metro-owned right of way goes right through Akron University's campus and KSU's campus is steadily expanding east into downtown Kent where the rail line is located (as is a beautifully renovated brick station built in 1877).

 

It will take a meeting of the minds of downtown interests in Kent and Akron, KSU, UofA, Metro, PARTA and others to realize they can all benefit from this rail link.

 

But the Akron-Kent route adds the availability of two major universities having a total enrollment of 40,000 and which do a lot of shared curricula and other programs. The Metro-owned right of way goes right through Akron University's campus and KSU's campus is steadily expanding east into downtown Kent where the rail line is located (as is a beautifully renovated brick station built in 1877).

 

It will take a meeting of the minds of downtown interests in Kent and Akron, KSU, UofA, Metro, PARTA and others to realize they can all benefit from this rail link.

 

KJP this makes so much sense it's astounding. Please keep up the good fight.

 

I really hope U of Akron gets on board with this asap so they can plan their infrastructural changes to Quaker Square with the future in mind.

 

This rail line is a fantastic idea and I really hope it happens.

Problem is, tearing down the Innerbelt will cost a lot of money that nobody has. Unless the state or someone else starts selling off certain sections of land (such as the marginal roads alongside the core highway that could be turned into a boulevard) to park districts, developers or construction debris recyclers, I don't see the Innerbelt going anywhere.

 

As for Akron-Kent, the City of Tallmadge tried to get some funding last year from AMATS to do a feasibility study of Akron-Kent commuter rail. The railroad right of way is already owned by Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority and I've had preliminary discussions with Metro's staff about ways to reactivate the rail infrastructure either in pieces or in total. Those discussions follow Metro's adoption of study of using light-density freight activity to leverage investments in rail infrastructure improvements. But the Akron-Kent route adds the availability of two major universities having a total enrollment of 40,000 and which do a lot of shared curricula and other programs. The Metro-owned right of way goes right through Akron University's campus and KSU's campus is steadily expanding east into downtown Kent where the rail line is located (as is a beautifully renovated brick station built in 1877).

 

It will take a meeting of the minds of downtown interests in Kent and Akron, KSU, UofA, Metro, PARTA and others to realize they can all benefit from this rail link.

 

Agreed on the Innerbelt. The problem is that it will need major repairs again sooner or later like any highway, and then the question becomes one of whether or not to sink the additional money into bringing it up to code and kick the can down the road for another couple of decades, or else allocating the funds for a one-off demolition and conversion of the land to another use.

 

I also wholeheartedly agree on the university commuter line and would love, love, love to see this happen. :-D I do find it very interesting that Tallmadge has taken up a serious interest in it and that they seem to recognize the potential benefits they could derive from it, since the corridor runs right through them. Definitely a positive development since not every suburb would be as perceptive and forward-looking.

 

I am curious about their economic development plans associated with this interest and I have to assume that they realize Tallmadge as presently situated is looking at a demographically bleak future, given the fact that it is almost exclusively non-walkable suburban development or rural farmland. If their leaders do nothing now, in 20 years time Tallmadge will be a virtual ghost town as its aging population dies off and fewer new people move in. Maybe they are considering a stop with mixed used walkable development, apartments, etc. that will cater to Gen Y/Millennials attending school at UA and KSU and other young adults/professionals?

 

As for the overall project, I don't think it will really take that much effort to get the other interests and stakeholders onboard. Downtown Akron, Downtown Kent, UA and KSU would all stand to benefit enormously from this. Not to mention that it could serve as a model for additional commuter rail expansion throughout the Akron-Canton area and eventually throughout much of urban NE Ohio. It's not much of a stretch at all beyond this to envision commuter lines from Downtown Akron/UA to the Valley, Akron-Canton Airport, Downtown Canton, the Riverfront in Cuyahoga Falls, Downtown Hudson, Downtown Medina, between Downtown Canton and Downtown Massilon, etc.

Noticed a new tenant is going in where Caroline's Cupcakes use to be under 22 Exchange. Looks to be a late night cookie shop. I at first thought this was just some local venture but after researching online they looks to have several locations...some even in NYC. I have attached a link below showing one near Michigan State University. I hope they use similar signage to the one shown in the link.

 

http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/Home/Sites/Downtown/PlacestoEat/Business/162/

 

 

Glad to see that the space is getting filled, but I am highly skeptical on the longevity of a business model like that. While I wish it was close, Downtown Akron is no NYC.

Yeah, I'm keeping my fingers crossed as well.  Even if the 401 Lofts were completely finished and occupied, I don't see how there would be a sustainable market for this, particularly as a standalone business.

I think it can be sustainable with the foot traffic at night along there. They'll need to make the oven smells waft onto the street though.  You wouldn't expect a store in downtown selling a single type of low priced item to survive but look at the peanut shoppe.

I think it can be sustainable with the foot traffic at night along there. They'll need to make the oven smells waft onto the street though.  You wouldn't expect a store in downtown selling a single type of low priced item to survive but look at the peanut shoppe.

 

People come from the suburbs to go to the Peanut Shop. These are people that used to shop at O'Neils Department Store. I don't see that happening with this cookie shop, but who knows.

I'm fairly optimistic that this shop will succeed. Their website showed that they recently started selling frozen yogurt and everyone knows how successful those have been recently. I'm not sure why Caroline Cupcakes went out of business, but I would have to take a guess and say that it's due to limited amount of product they would make for that shop. They would only make a certain amount for the day and once they sold out they would close. To me it seemed like an odd business model. The optimism I have is due to the fact thag Caroline's cupcakes would sell out almost everyday. I would love to go grab frozen yogurt after an aeros game, and I'm sure many others would enjoy the same.

Much as I would also love to see something like this work in Downtown Akron, I am highly skeptical of its chances. For all of the progress made so far with downtown's rebirth, it still has nowhere near the foot traffic necessary on an average night to sustain most niche shops like this one. Perhaps that will change as UPA finally makes headway in redeveloping the south side of East Exchange to include more street level shops and retail, creating a steady flow into the Canal Park District downtown.

 

Using a food cart for a trial run would be a better way to gauge the potential of this concept.

Looked over the website for insomnia and they have over 20 locations pretty much at large college campuses. It looks like their niche is actually study parties rather than drinking parties. That is why they do late night delivery. I guess i'm impressed that they feel that Akron would have enough students on campus for this business model to work. 

  I personally can't see myself or anyone i know stepping in there while bar hopping downtown. It sounds like they are targeting sweet tooths and 18-20 yr olds.

 

Was at Lockview last night for food and it was pretty packed with people at 10:30.  Didn't go upstairs though but it sounds like it was also fairly packed on the patio. I guess part of the crowd was coming from the Rock the Lock series that just started across the street at Lock 3.  It just felt like a big happy gathering of hipster central. Great place and great food and beer.

Love the Lockview!  I live about two blocks away and it's been my preferred watering hole in Akron since I came to this burg about 2.5 years ago.

^I agree about Lockview. Love that place.

 

As a 21 year old college student, I can garuntee that I will be headed to Insomnia cookies...a lot. Does anyone know when they open?

I often hold lunch or dinner meetings at the Lockview, but it is pretty loud sometimes. So the last one I had was at Bricco and it was much quieter -- and more expensive!

I haven't been able to find any dates, but my brother who lives in 22 exchange told me that he has seen people constantly going in there. Hopefully they will open in soon since it sounds like they are working on it already. I found out that they are also opening one up near Kent's campus.

 

As far as the lack of foot traffic...there is a lack of foot traffic due to the lack of businesses.

 

Akron needs to stop adding bars and night clubs in every single vacant space downtown. I got excited to see another business going in a few buildings down from the lockview, but after driving past it the other day I noticed it was just another bar.

^are you referring to Primos?  Supposedly it is a franchise of the same named deli by rolling acres. I popped in there last Saturday but the kitchen had closed.

 

Rolled down w. exchange tonight and noticed that the massive parking lot across from Akron Childrens and Wally waffles had a chain linked fence around it and a rather large bull-dozer in the middle. I'd say that work on that parking deck will begin soon. Interesting how parking deck friendly Akron is.

No it's not Primos. This on is going in just left of the peanut shop across from Lock 3. I believe that they had a sign up saying what it was, but all I remember is that it was another bar.

As far as the lack of foot traffic...there is a lack of foot traffic due to the lack of businesses.

You could try to attract more businesses, but I think a better strategy would be to first work on creating more sources for foot traffic. Namely more downtown apartments and homes/condos.

Akron needs to stop adding bars and night clubs in every single vacant space downtown. I got excited to see another business going in a few buildings down from the lockview, but after driving past it the other day I noticed it was just another bar.

Better a bar than a vacant spot. But I do agree. Some diversity in businesses would certainly go a long way, maybe as part of a new development downtown, but again see my previous statement.

I understand your response. I agree there needs to be more apartments...but apartments marketed towards young professionals. There needs to be a 50/50 mix of housing and businesses.

 

Today young professionals would love to live in an urban setting, but an urban setting that they can sustain living without the use of a car. Instead of bars, planners should be more concerned about putting in places that sustain downtown living. I talked to a someone a few weeks ago who was in his late 20s.. A few months ago he moved to Akron from Washington DC without a car, due to him never needing one in DC. I asked him how he does the essential things like grab groceries, get haircuts, etc... He told me he actually rides his bike from Canal Place to Howe Ave to get a haircut, and rides five miles to grab groceries.

 

The fact is people would love to live downtown but are unable to live the way they want to..(no car, close shops for walking, better public transit, and more affordable housing options.) For downtown to survive and grow away from becoming a college town they need to really focus on these areas and how they can all work together.

Downtown to Howe Ave? Wow, that's dedication! But it is also striking that there aren't really any better options for him and other students between UA and the distant north end of town. I agree with you, this definitely needs to change for the heart of Akron to grow and attract more people.

This problem is hardly unique to Akron.  Businesses can't just wait for the downtown population to grow, they have to be there to help create that growth.  The nice thing about businesses is that they can draw customers from outside walking distance.  Their market isn't limited to current and future downtown residents.  But current and future downtown residents are sharply curtailed by lack of walkable businesses.  That's the nature of a downtown... retail has always been a core function.  Downtown residential is a more novel development, and it's a lot easier to build that if said downtown is fully functional in the traditional sense.

If he's riding five miles from Downtown to grab groceries, it's by choice, not by necessity.  I live north of Canal Place and go by Canal Place to the Aldi at S. Main & Thornton frequently.  On a good day when I don't anticipate carrying any more than two bags out of the store (or one heavy one), it's walkable (1.3 miles).  If someone wants some more upscale groceries than Aldi offers, West Point Market is 3.4 miles and it's an easy shot down Exchange, which is a wide, one-way street for most of the way that is almost never crowded, so traffic flows very quickly.

 

And, of course, there is the Main Street Market right next to the Mayflower for basics like a carton of milk.  It's just a little local carryout, not a full-service grocery (and the amount of shelf space given to pre-wrapped snack foods bursting with processed sugar, artificial ingredients, and little else is discouraging), but it can save a grocery run.

 

That said, it will be a very, very long time before downtown Akron is developed enough to allow for genuinely car-free living.  If people are using that as a reason not to live downtown, they're effectively using it as a reason not to live in Akron at all.  My WalkScore is 88 (it was 92 before they changed the scale).  I doubt you'll find anything better than that in Akron, even in Highland Square.  I still need my car, though.  I do like to go to the West Point Market and Acme between Highland Square and Wallhaven, and even Aldi is better driving than walking; it's just a very quick, easy drive.  And, of course, truly car-free living is generally only really practicable in places with both top-tier intermodal public transit as well as intercity connections that don't require a car.  It will be many decades before Akron makes it to that level, if ever.  After all, even if downtown had a full-service grocery, a barber, and all the other amenities that your acquaintance could ask for, you still wouldn't want to be effectively unable to leave the downtown area.

 

I think that 22 Exchange and the 401 Lofts (and Spicer Village over in University Park) are doing the right thing by having parking, but keeping the parking hidden from the street so that it doesn't visually dominate the streetscape.

I agree that if the cookie place has frozen yogurt, it should work. I have felt that was one niche that was missing downtown. I also think a small hot dog place would be successful for quick lunches and late night snacks.

 

UPA is working hard on bringing affordable housing for yp's. Obviously since they are doing it, it will be in the University Park area, not Downtown (Main St.).

University of Akron law dean to step down

 

By Carol Biliczky

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: June 2, 2012 - 09:26 PM

 

Belsky has led the effort to raise $10 million for a new $23.6 million law school building.

 

That project has been put on hold pending a study by Sasaki Associates that will update the campus plan. The results of the study are expected to be presented to UA trustees at the next board meeting June 13.

 

“The options are a new building where we are, a new building at a new site or renovating the current building,” Belsky said.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/university-of-akron-law-dean-to-step-down-1.311422

 

 

Falls mayor seeks change to developer’s contract

 

By Gina Mace

Special to the Beacon Journal

 

Under the contract approved by council and signed in 2010, Stark Enterprises would pay nearly $3.8 million to buy the State Road property from the city. Nearly $1 million of that would be used to pay down debt from the city’s $11 million purchase of the property. The city and Stark Enterprises split the nearly $900,000 cost of purchasing a BP gas station at State Road and Portage Trail.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/falls-mayor-seeks-change-to-developer-s-contract-1.311421

 

 

Summit speeds up land bank effort

 

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: June 3, 2012 - 11:26 PM | Updated: June 4, 2012 - 12:24 PM

 

Summit County is speeding up plans to launch a land bank program so it can nab $3.78 million in state money available to demolish vacant and abandoned properties

 

Local leaders estimate that there are at least 2,600 — and possibly up to 3,500 — vacant and abandoned homes in the county, with the majority in Akron, Barberton, Lakemore, Springfield Township and Twinsburg Township.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/summit-speeds-up-land-bank-effort-1.311638

BTW, I'm glad to see all of the Akron development. I'm down there more and more often, and I'm continually impressed with the pace and quality of center-city development.

That said, it will be a very, very long time before downtown Akron is developed enough to allow for genuinely car-free living.  If people are using that as a reason not to live downtown, they're effectively using it as a reason not to live in Akron at all.  My WalkScore is 88 (it was 92 before they changed the scale).  I doubt you'll find anything better than that in Akron, even in Highland Square.  I still need my car, though.  I do like to go to the West Point Market and Acme between Highland Square and Wallhaven, and even Aldi is better driving than walking; it's just a very quick, easy drive.  And, of course, truly car-free living is generally only really practicable in places with both top-tier intermodal public transit as well as intercity connections that don't require a car.  It will be many decades before Akron makes it to that level, if ever.  After all, even if downtown had a full-service grocery, a barber, and all the other amenities that your acquaintance could ask for, you still wouldn't want to be effectively unable to leave the downtown area.

I more or less agree. I do think things are happening now that could make it very possible to not need a car in Central Akron within 20 years. I'd probably still need one regardless, but lots of other people like future UA students not even born yet will probably benefit from the decreasing importance of car possession for getting around and getting what they need. To a large extent, this is already happening without regard for the convenience factor in walking/biking/riding the bus as opposed to driving.

I do not know about UA or Proenza, but I know that Mayor Plusquellic is not keen on the concept of rail-based transit, preferring instead to expand bus service.  He actually cited the fixed routes of rail-based transit as a strike against that mode of transportation, preferring buses instead because the routes can be changed; I did not have an opportunity to follow up my question (this was in a mid-sized YP group Q&A session with the mayor) with a question regarding whether he was aware of any of the fairly substantial body of research at the moment indicating that developers prefer the fixed routes of rail because they are less susceptible to political and bureaucratic caprice.

 

Hit the nail on the head with that remark....

 

 

Downtown Akron building up for sheriff’s sale

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: June 5, 2012 - 11:17 PM | Updated: June 6, 2012 - 09:28 AM

 

Akron’s Key Building, a prominent downtown property hit by vacancies, is in foreclosure and faces a sheriff’s sale.

 

Meanwhile, owners of another office tower downtown — One Cascade Plaza, also known as the PNC Building — are negotiating to buy back their mortgage for less than what they owe.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/downtown-akron-building-up-for-sheriff-s-sale-1.312063

Notwithstanding the fact that I live two blocks away, I've never actually been inside the Key Building.  Given the age of the building and the flight of tenants, can I assume that it's a little bit outdated?

New massive parking garage!

https://www.akronchildrens.org/cms/news/Childrens_to_break_ground_on_parking_deck/

 

 

Akron Children’s to break ground on parking deck

 

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING OF PARKING GARAGE

 

06-06-2012

 

Akron Children’s Hospital will break ground on a new $20 million, six-level parking garage in June.

 

The garage, to be located on the southwest corner of Exchange and Locust streets, will serve patient families, visitors and hospital staff.

 

The garage will have approximately 1,200 parking spaces, as well as space for an ambulance garage on the lower level.

 

“As our main campus has expanded, so has our need for parking spaces,” said Linda Gentile, vice president for professional and support services at Akron Children’s. “We have added programs, services and physicians and that has increased patient visits and traffic. Many of our patient families travel with babies, children, strollers and wheelchairs so we want them to get in and out of their appointments as quickly and easily as possible.”

 

Akron Children’s currently has two parking decks – one on Locust Street and another Bowery Street – and also owns several surface lots for employees.

 

Thomarios of Akron is the designer/building for the project. Akron Children’s has also been working with KLMK Group, of Richmond, Va., on long-range planning for its Akron campus.

 

Construction should be complete by September 2013.

 

New trash recycling plant in Akron. That in itself doesn't sound too revolutionary. Lots of them all over the US. This one is going to be a dominant one regionally however since money back to communities will be higher. Also a startup tech company in Akron is tacking on their system of turning plastics into crude oil as a further enhancement.

http://www.ohio.com/news/recycler-unveils-akron-processing-plant-1.312409

Recycler unveils Akron processing plant

 

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Published: June 6, 2012 - 10:53 PM | Updated: June 7, 2012 - 06:58 AM

 

Greenstar Recycling on Wednesday unveiled its $7 million facility to sort and recycle newspaper, plastics, metals, cardboard and glass in Akron.

 

It fills nearly half of a former airplane hangar, with 196,000 square feet of space, off Exeter Road at the southwest corner of Akron Fulton International Airport.

 

The equipment consists of a maze of conveyor belts, screens, bins, chutes and pipes — all painted blue and gold — plus a dose of technology. Materials move in a dozen directions in the dizzying array of equipment that stands three stories tall inside the building.

The place going in between Lockview and The Peanut Shop is going to be a bar. Looks nice, real wood floors. They probably have about 3 weeks left until they get open.

 

Plans for GetGo approved in Fairlawn

 

By Marilyn Miller

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: June 15, 2012 - 10:59 PM

 

FAIRLAWN: The Fairlawn Planning Commission approved the site plan for a new Giant Eagle GetGo gas station Thursday night.

 

Plans call for the grocery store chain to put in fuel pumps and a convenience store on the southwest corner of Trunko Road and West Market Street.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/plans-for-getgo-approved-in-fairlawn-1.314345

Association’s new director envisions big things for Cascade Locks Park area

 

By Bob Downing

 

The historic Mustill Store has been saved and refurbished next to the Towpath Trail. A plaza and waterwheel sculpture later were added to Cascade Locks Park with its five canal locks just north of downtown Akron.

 

But don’t suggest to the grass-roots Cascade Locks Park Association that its work is done.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/association-s-new-director-envisions-big-things-for-cascade-locks-park-area-1.315486

 

Just took a look at the Cascade Lofts (NOHO Lofts) site and they have some plans for the building. This is across the street and beside Cascade Locks.

 

http://nohoakronlofts.com/photos

A little confused at what the guy is trying to do.  I think he's probably confused too. Great ideas- more landscaping and bridges over the canal connecting to the lofts development. Restaurants, venues and such I'm not sure I get the Branson thing or even the relevance of that. Howard street was apparently a hub of black culture in particular jazz and blues clubs from the 1920s to as late as the 1960s. Ninety percent or more of those buildings are gone.  I don't believe that the area he is focused on is included in the state "special entertainment district" which has 20+ liquor licenses available within it.  Northside is a part of that. 

  I suppose there is room for more bars in Northside area and maybe a bigger venue in there but Akron has I would think enough venues. The only positive I see is Howard street is fairly ripe for new development. There really isn't much unused land left in downtown proper and so it will be hard to avoid that street finally being developed in some way over the next 3-5 years.  There would have to be incredible buy-in by the city for that area to be repopulated with bars and I can't see that happening unless they put a streetcar back in which was the original impetus.

So unless this guy has connections to $$$ or big time developers I really think the guy is out to lunch.  To bad the reporter did not ask any probing questions on how he thought this would start to come together.

^I pretty much thought the same thing when I read the article. Lofty ideas, but no wherewithal to see them through. It'll likely remain a park with a shop at best.

 

Northside could definitely grow further along Furnace Street, though, with the vacant land further east down the street providing room for additional mixed use development. Perhaps with bars and restaurants that could use up those additional liquor licenses.

 

My one wish for Northside is that it could be better connected with the Main-Market arts district. Having MLK Blvd run between them both as a four lane highway certainly hasn't helped connectivity and the growth of either towards a critical mass of vibrancy. Maybe a tunnel could be built that would connect the two underneath the road, but that's a pipe dream.

 

 

 

I agree, I can't really see the City getting behind this with how much they have vested in Lock 3. The proposed loft development will help, but there are still two barren corners at that intersection as well which will take a good bit of time to develop, if it happens at all.

^I pretty much thought the same thing when I read the article. Lofty ideas, but no wherewithal to see them through. It'll likely remain a park with a shop at best.

 

Northside could definitely grow further along Furnace Street, though, with the vacant land further east down the street providing room for additional mixed use development. Perhaps with bars and restaurants that could use up those additional liquor licenses.

 

 

 

My one wish for Northside is that it could be better connected with the Main-Market arts district. Having MLK Blvd run between them both as a four lane highway certainly hasn't helped connectivity and the growth of either towards a critical mass of vibrancy. Maybe a tunnel could be built that would connect the two underneath the road, but that's a pipe dream.

 

 

 

 

I had this saved from a couple years ago. It shows the whole plan for Northside Lofts with what appears to be an amphitheater. I had seen other plans for Northside that includes the new park, but I'm not sure where I saved them.

^I remember this now. The house in the amphitheater-looking place on the left-central side of the diagram was the old Painted Lady that was torn down due to extensive damage caused by repeated vandalism. A real shame because it was a genuine cultural asset in Northside. I suppose they could still create the amphitheater without it though.

 

I am curious about those townhomes in the diagram lining the other side of Howard Street from the existing ones, as well as the ones along Ridge Street behind the Northside condo tower and site of the future hotel. I am assuming they will eventually be built out when housing market conditions improve, although they could consider building them for rentals also.

I believe these plans came out when this was just a concept. Since then the new plans show Town homes lining the east sign of Howard St. as well as behind Northside Lofts on Ridge St. I don't believe the new plans have them on the west side of Howard. Like I said before I have seen plans that outline the entire Cascade/Northside area and I'll try to find them.

 

I would also like to see them start developing east of Northside down Furnace Street.

A great place for a loft building would be the empty spot next to the chemstress building. A 6-8 story building could be connected to the the market/high parking deck for resident parking. It could even be taller due to the limited space there.  Could also serve as a hotel spot. If connected to the parking deck it would then have a presence near the convention center which the city wants.

 

That's just an idea. Not a fan of the empty space there between buildings. Looks odd. This is not Detroit

I wouldn't exactly describe that section of Market Street as evocative of Detroit's urban prairies. Instead, I consider it one of the more vibrant areas of downtown Akron.

Which space is this?  Is this the dead greenspace on the southeast corner of Main and Mill?

The Chemstress building is next to the library. There is a vacant plot between that and the Nantucket Building that has the Stew Pot Kitchen on the ground floor. Albrect Inc. has had a sign up in the space for years. Then there is another vacant plot between Nantucket and the United building which is known as Commerce Park. There was a idea generated for infill of that at one point, but I don't think there is much demand for it right now.

 

Thats the united building addition. Don't see that one happening soon unless western reserve media needs more space. Both spaces just seem odd empty. Kinda like lock 3 main st street view. A few buildings there would be good as well with the park being a hidden jewel behind. And if townhomes were to be built there on a canal it would definitely be hidden.

^Perhaps as the economy picks up, these projects could become a reality. I would definitely love to see the streetwall restored in front of Lock 3 park with some kind of an alley/gateway entrance on Main St. Perhaps it could be incorporated into the building design as a tunnel gate of sorts. Townhomes here would be nice, but really only a few people would benefit from them. A multi-level mixed use building with space for additional shops and restaurants and a rear view of the park would make the entire project more appealing.

Here are other pictures for that project.

I was also thinking looking at those pictures...was anything ever suppose to go into that empty space in the parking deck across from the Art Museum? With how busy that intersection usually is I am surprised nothing has gone in there yet.

Yes, there is retail space on the 1st floor facing Crave. It doesn't seem to be the most prominent though due to the design of the building. I'm not sure why they angled it away from the street except to create a small outdoor patio area possibly.

 

Local group looks to buy Rubber Bowl, put Akron Fire in as part of USFL

 

By George M. Thomas

Beacon Journal sports writer

 

If a Canton-based marketing group has its way, the Akron Fire will be burning up the abandoned football field of the Rubber Bowl next spring.

 

Sean Mason, president of Team1 Marketing Group, announced Wednesday that an investment group his company heads intends to purchase the dormant Rubber Bowl and place a United State Football League team in the facility. The Fire would potentially begin play next spring as part of the eight-team USFL, whose formation was announced earlier this year.

 

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/local-group-looks-to-buy-rubber-bowl-put-akron-fire-in-as-part-of-usfl-1.316991