^Re: The Parking Deck -- I wondered too why the retail space was angled that way. Maybe they were hoping for a coffee shop or a small casual restaurant (e.g. Subway) to locate in it? It would also be a great location for some kind of regional welcome/travel center, similar to Positively Cleveland's space at Euclid and E. 4th Street in Cleveland. Nothing has been there though since it was completed. It would be interesting to see it finally take shape and supplement the shops and restaurants on the opposite side of Market.

 

Maybe being located in a parking deck just isn't all that attractive? This could change, however, if the Market-Main district continues to grow and receive new investment, shops and apartments.

I've had the same idea about the welcome center and visitors shop. It would be a great place for Rubber City Clothing to expand and sell their clothing/akron memorabelia. If not that I think it would be a great place for an ice cream/frozen yogurt shop. Either there or under 22 Exchange. It would be great to get something like a Menchies downtown. 

Back to drawing board for group seeking to build hotel in Fairlawn

 

By Marilyn Miller

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: July 2, 2012 - 11:38 PM

 

FAIRLAWN: It’s back to the planning board for the company that wants to build a Marriott Residence Inn near state Route 18 and Interstate 77.

 

The upscale extended-stay hotel would be within walking distance of the Crystal Clinic and Akron General Wellness Center.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/back-to-drawing-board-for-group-seeking-to-build-hotel-in-fairlawn-1.317936

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/wally-waffle-moving-to-highland-square-1.320755

 

Wally Waffle moving to Highland Square

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: July 16, 2012 - 11:39 PM

 

Wally Waffle is losing its downtown spot because of Akron Children’s Hospital’s expansion project, but it has found a new home in Highland Square.

 

The restaurant will be the latest business in a city-owned building that also houses Chipotle and the trendy Next clothing store.

 

Akron City Council on Monday approved legislation leasing the space in the 845 W. Market St. building — formerly occupied by Metro Burger — to Wally Waffle.

 

“I’m excited about it,” said Adele Roth, the city’s development manager. “It will be a really great fit.”

Wasn't a big fan of the previous location, but I do think Highland Square will be a great new location for them in a district that will benefit from its being there.

 

This news is agony for me.  Wally Waffle is currently two blocks from my apartment and is basically the only breakfast & lunch option on the weekends, especially on Sundays.  I hope that another downtown storefront gets something similar soon.

There might be something in the works for UPA area, and it would be a better option. Hope it works out!

Schulman breaks ground on dual-role Fairlawn headquarters

 

By Jim Mackinnon

Beacon Journal business writer

 

Three to four firms competed to design the headquarters, Gingo said. They were told what Schulman wanted the building to accomplish, he said.

 

Every firm but one came back with a design that looked like a strip mall, he said.

 

The winning design came from Mike Ritenour, president of Landridge Development. Ritenour’s design met Schulman’s requirements and used different materials to distinguish the functions of the building, Gingo said.

 

“I think it’s going to look great on this corner here,” Gingo said.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/schulman-breaks-ground-on-dual-role-fairlawn-headquarters-1.321151

 

 

Another force-me-to-drive-to-do-everything design. I hope they aren't interested in competing for anyone younger than 40 to work there....

It's Fairlawn.  No matter how pedestrian-friendly they might have tried to make this, it wouldn't have made a difference.  Market Street would still be fifty or so lanes wide right there, and the nearby buildings would still be far apart and separated by parking lots, as well as set back from the road, generally with dead greenspace frequently broken up by driveways.

Yep, I know Fairlawn. A dumb location to build for the future.

But a very popular location to build for the present, particularly when the company in question is already there.  And Fairlawn might not be sustainable over the long term, but it's got a lot of life left in it, and its location right on I-77 (with easy access to I-76 and I-271) makes it a fairly desirable bedroom community in addition to its commercial sector.  Remember that even though Market Street is sprawling and unattractive there, Fairlawn directly abuts West Akron and Northwest Akron (the most desirable parts of the city) and is actually still fairly close to downtown.  It's technically an inner-ring suburb, even though you wouldn't know it looking at Market through there.

Yep, I know Fairlawn. A dumb location to build for the future.

 

Actually Farilawn is thriving economically.  One of the few places in the region that wasnt' hit too hard by the recession.  Yes it has it's sprawl but as was pointed out, it's location fairly close to downtown and the highways makes it a good location for business.  Oh, and that comment about attracting anyone under 40 to work there, all of the people I know who work in Fairlawn at some office park, for law firms  or in a medical related industry are under 40 and happy to be working where they do.  I'm sure this company will have no problem recruiting the talent they need.

Fairlawn. Such misguided souls.... :)

...

Fairlawn. Such misguided souls.... :)

and their biggest concern right now is losing Wal-Mart.

Yep, I know Fairlawn. A dumb location to build for the future.

 

Actually Farilawn is thriving economically.  One of the few places in the region that wasnt' hit too hard by the recession.  Yes it has it's sprawl but as was pointed out, it's location fairly close to downtown and the highways makes it a good location for business.  Oh, and that comment about attracting anyone under 40 to work there, all of the people I know who work in Fairlawn at some office park, for law firms  or in a medical related industry are under 40 and happy to be working where they do.  I'm sure this company will have no problem recruiting the talent they need.

Fairlawn is the Akron area's equivalent of Dublin, the virtually recession-proof Columbus suburb that manages to evade severe economic trouble and other related issues that would knock just about any other burb down to wasteland status.

 

Also unlike most of the Akron-Canton area's other burbs, it's really not all that dull and unlivable of a place. Fairlawn has the Akron-Canton area's second most diverse selection of restaurants and shops after Belden Village, and it is close enough to Sand Run Park and the Merriman Valley for genuine outdoor fun and entertainment. It's also somewhat walkable, though I still wouldn't live there without a car. I can definitely see the appeal it would have as a place to live for young professionals 40 and under who are looking to settle down and start a family. Very good schools too in the Copley-Fairlawn District.

 

For these reasons I concur that Fairlawn will likely be around for quite a while yet.

I wouldn't call Fairlawn walkable, particularly from Summit Mall westward toward I-77.  It's also even less bikeable; I would never advise an inexperienced cyclist to bike on any of Fairlawn's major streets.  I biked on Miller recently and it was a nightmare.  On Market, I commit the diehard cyclist faux pas of riding on the sidewalks, but I'm basically never breaking 15 MPH and cruise generally at a speed in the 10-12 range.  (There are none on Miller, which makes amateur cycling as well as walking along that stretch a less-than-fun experience.)  If you live in the northeastern part of Fairlawn just south of Market, you may have a few walkable options for dining (basically whichever restaurants happen to be in the particular stretch of Market you abut), but not too many.  And if you live in the western reaches of Fairlawn (e.g., wast of Cleveland-Massillon Road), you're going to be walking across a sea of asphalt to get to Market; you won't be as close to it as you would be farther east, towards Akron proper.

 

That said, I do agree that it seems to be one of the most recession-proof suburbs in the Akron metro area.  It's got a good blend of commercial and residential space (though essentially no mixed-use, of course), as well as a good mix within the residential category (multifamily residential rental plus a good stock of both small and large houses).

You can't walk to any retail or restaurants in Fairlawn / Montrose. The main reason that a good number of people live there is because it's a "sleeper" area for people that work north of Akron being right on 77.

^I was thinking about the area along West Market around Summit Mall. Definitely not Montrose.

 

^I was thinking about the area along West Market around Summit Mall. Definitely not Montrose.

 

You can walk in that area I guess. The question is why would you.

Yep, I know Fairlawn. A dumb location to build for the future.

 

Actually Farilawn is thriving economically.  One of the few places in the region that wasnt' hit too hard by the recession.  Yes it has it's sprawl but as was pointed out, it's location fairly close to downtown and the highways makes it a good location for business.  Oh, and that comment about attracting anyone under 40 to work there, all of the people I know who work in Fairlawn at some office park, for law firms  or in a medical related industry are under 40 and happy to be working where they do.  I'm sure this company will have no problem recruiting the talent they need.

Fairlawn is the Akron area's equivalent of Dublin, the virtually recession-proof Columbus suburb that manages to evade severe economic trouble and other related issues that would knock just about any other burb down to wasteland status.

 

Also unlike most of the Akron-Canton area's other burbs, it's really not all that dull and unlivable of a place. Fairlawn has the Akron-Canton area's second most diverse selection of restaurants and shops after Belden Village, and it is close enough to Sand Run Park and the Merriman Valley for genuine outdoor fun and entertainment. It's also somewhat walkable, though I still wouldn't live there without a car. I can definitely see the appeal it would have as a place to live for young professionals 40 and under who are looking to settle down and start a family. Very good schools too in the Copley-Fairlawn District.

 

For these reasons I concur that Fairlawn will likely be around for quite a while yet.

Of course Dublin is still doing well.  They have done an incredible job of mixing businesses, corporation headquarters, and attracting a large number of all income levels. I don't like Dublin and I don't like Fairlawn, but they do serve their necessary purposes.  Walkable or bikeable?? I think not unless your in the metro parks.

Familiar downtown building coming down today

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

 

The demolition of the familiar round building with a white roof in downtown Akron will begin today.

 

It will make way for parking as Akron developer Anthony Manna describes the area as a hub for financial and business activity. Manna is creating a campus of his businesses in the area and has purchased a second nearby building to add to the project.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/familiar-downtown-building-coming-down-today-1.324097

 

 

yaawwwnnn...........highly visible sight, and they are planning for a parking lot.  :wtf: Where are we? Cleveland (just kidding.....kind of)

Familiar downtown building coming down today

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

 

The demolition of the familiar round building with a white roof in downtown Akron will begin today.

 

It will make way for parking as Akron developer Anthony Manna describes the area as a hub for financial and business activity. Manna is creating a campus of his businesses in the area and has purchased a second nearby building to add to the project.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/familiar-downtown-building-coming-down-today-1.324097

 

 

As usual, I disagree with the decision makers.

 

Manna said he did not entertain the thought of reusing the circular building, which is the neighbor of his law firm, Brennan, Manna & Diamond. He has said for years he would look forward to tearing it down.

 

“To be completely frank, I didn’t like it. It has not stood the test of time. It clearly was from the ’70s and looked like a spaceship,” Manna said Wednesday. “I see absolutely no architectural significance to that building other than it’s just round.

Familiar downtown building coming down today

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

 

The demolition of the familiar round building with a white roof in downtown Akron will begin today.

 

It will make way for parking as Akron developer Anthony Manna describes the area as a hub for financial and business activity. Manna is creating a campus of his businesses in the area and has purchased a second nearby building to add to the project.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/familiar-downtown-building-coming-down-today-1.324097

 

 

As usual, I disagree with the decision makers.

 

Manna said he did not entertain the thought of reusing the circular building, which is the neighbor of his law firm, Brennan, Manna & Diamond. He has said for years he would look forward to tearing it down.

 

“To be completely frank, I didn’t like it. It has not stood the test of time. It clearly was from the ’70s and looked like a spaceship,” Manna said Wednesday. “I see absolutely no architectural significance to that building other than it’s just round.

 

In this case I have to agree with Manna.  I've never liked that building.  I don't see any problem with tearing it down.  A parking lot?  Not great, but if he can build out the surrounding area, I'm ok with it.

Remodeled Acme store rises around existing location in Cuyahoga Falls

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

 

Steel beams are literally hovering over the existing Acme Fresh Market store on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls as it undergoes a major renovation.

 

“It’s pretty amazing to see the new structure rising up and overcoming the old one,” said Jim Trout, Acme executive vice president.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/remodeled-acme-store-rises-around-existing-location-in-cuyahoga-falls-1.328543

Resident plans to revive classic arcade in Akron Featured

Written by  Chris Miller

 

“Growing up every kid wants to do something,” said DiDomenico. “I wanted to work in an arcade. We don’t have an old-fashioned classic arcade in town anywhere.”

 

For location, he said he’d like to set up the arcade in North Hill, Elizabeth Park or the Chapel Hill area, but most importantly, he wants the business to launch in Akron.

 

http://www.akronist.com/Business/Resident-plans-to-revive-classic-arcade-in-Akron.html

An arcade would thrive if it were put in the university park area or even the sourthern portion of downtown near the student housing. If it were put in Elizabeth park or north hill it would fail massively just based off of the clients pulled from the areas (known for crime, thugs, and other negative things.) Akron already has children's arcades ( CEC, Roccos Pizza.) So an arcade for college students and young adults would work fine.

An arcade would thrive if it were put in the university park area or even the sourthern portion of downtown near the student housing. If it were put in Elizabeth park or north hill it would fail massively just based off of the clients pulled from the areas (known for crime, thugs, and other negative things.) Akron already has children's arcades ( CEC, Roccos Pizza.) So an arcade for college students and young adults would work fine.

 

Yea, I don't really get the locations that are being proposed. I think it is supposed to be more like a youth center idea, just to get kids off the street from doing bad things. I could definitely see it in University Park.

Gordon Canute, designer of Akron landmarks, dies at age 87

 

By Jim Mackinnon

Beacon Journal business writer

 

There’s the old Akron-Summit County Public Library headquarters, the Federal Building and Cascade III, all in downtown Akron.

 

Mr. Canute also was involved in designing several University of Akron dormitories and some local schools. And there are lots more, including the Tangier restaurant, where a large mural inside the main entrance includes a depiction of Canute. (He’s the guy on the left).

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/gordon-canute-designer-of-akron-landmarks-dies-at-age-87-1.334574

Plans for former Young’s Hotel site fall through; Akron to seek new proposals

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic held a news conference in September 2010 announcing that the dilapidated Young’s Hotel would be torn down and replaced by a new hotel and retail complex.

 

Plusquellic said a local construction manager planned to buy the site from the city and redevelop it with private investors. He said Akron would recoup the $800,000 the city had invested in the building and renovations to keep it

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/plans-for-former-young-s-hotel-site-fall-through-akron-to-seek-new-proposals-1.337045

Akron may invest in Aeros’ stadium to keep team in city for longer period

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

With the sale of the Aeros in progress, Akron is considering investing in the stadium to keep the baseball team longer than the five years remaining in the stadium’s lease, Mayor Don Plusquellic said Monday.

 

“It’s a concern of the new owner that the stadium needs improvements,” Plusquellic said during a council meeting

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-may-invest-in-aeros-stadium-to-keep-team-in-city-for-longer-period-1.338711

I'm obviously in favor of keeping the Aeros for longer than just another five years, but I'm curious as to what they're suggesting the stadium needs that it doesn't already have.  I actually think it's a pretty sharp looking ballpark as it is.  And, of course, it only dates back to the late '90s; we're not talking about something built 50 years ago.

Maybe a hot tub in the outfield like in Arizona:

 

The restaurant/bar in the outfield could use some sprucing up for sure.

Fairlawn to market city-owned lot for sale

 

10/4/2012 - West Side Leader

      permalink bookmark

By Sean Patrick

 

During the Oct. 1 meeting, Fairlawn City Council unanimously approved an ordinance approving the transfer of 12,326 square feet of city-owned real estate on South Cleveland-Massillon Road to Fairlawn’s Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) for the purposes of economic development.

 

“It’s a piece of vacant land off Cleveland-Massillon Road,” said Mayor William Roth. “The city acquired it when Cleveland-Massillon was widened, right by West Market Street. This real estate will now be transferred to the CIC, and the CIC has already retained a Realtor to sell real estate and that Realtor is going to market the property. There are already two buyers that have approached the city. The Realtor — Warren Blazy with Jones, Lang, LaSalle — will market the property and obtain the best price for the city that he can. When the real estate is eventually sold, the proceeds will be placed in the CIC.”

http://akron.com/akron-ohio-community-news.asp?aID=17163

 

Ahern’s building cleared for development

 

10/4/2012 - West Side Leader

      permalink bookmark

By Kathleen Folkerth

 

FAIRLAWN — Crews worked to tear down the former Ahern’s Florist building starting Sept. 26. Fairlawn officials said the building, pictured standing below right at the corner of Trunko Road and West Market Street, was the oldest commercial building in the city. It was built in 1925 and over the years housed several businesses, such as Flowerland in the 1930s and ’40s. It later was the site of Garver’s Pancake House from about 1959 to the mid-1970s. Ahern’s opened for business there in the late 1970s, according to Fairlawn officials, and that’s when the greenhouse in back was added. The building has been vacant for a few years.

 

The site was razed, shown above, for the coming of a Giant Eagle GetGo gas station and convenience store. Trunko Road at the intersection had been closed for several weeks as work to widen it to add a turn lane was completed. The road reopened in September.

 

http://akron.com/akron-ohio-business-news.asp?aID=17173

For those of you forumers that have expertise in the Downtown Akron community I have a question.    Is Downtown Akron experiencing a demand for downtown apartments as is downtown Cleveland.

Cleveland is at 97% occupancy.  Is their demand?  Are their any conversions in the works? Is their any new construction in the plans?

Entire blocks of new apartments were recently built along Main south of Exchange, and I believe more are in the hopper.  These are nice looking mixed use buildings and part of a sizeable entertainment district.  They're built by the university I think, but I don't know whether or not they're limited to student housing.  Either way it's very encouraging progress and I'd love to see this sort of thing built in Cleveland.  Not clear why Akron is having so much more success in building exactly what Cleveland needs.

Neither 22 Exchange (already built) nor the <a href="http://www.401lofts.com/">401 Lofts</a> (under construction) are university-owned.  22 Exchange is student housing, but both the housing and the street-level retail are privately owned.  I have actually heard conflicting reports about the 401 Lofts, which is being built by the same company that built 22 Exchange, and the company really hasn't been doing much to create buzz about the new building considering that the exterior of the building has shown a great deal of progress lately, so I think the place will be complete within the next 12 months.

 

The demand is clearly there.  I live in Canal Square, which is basically the only white-collar residential rental option in the downtown core (Northside Lofts is much higher end, but is a condo complex).  There is, I believe, a 15-unit waitlist to move in.

 

I've heard rumblings of a planned conversion of the underdeveloped space in the same structure (or contiguous to the same structure) of the Civic Theatre into residences (apartments or condos ... not sure which).  Those would probably see significant demand, given the centrality of their location.

 

Farther afield, I attended a presentation by the University Park Alliance recently in which Eric Johnson, its executive director, outlined a long-term vision that included redevelopment of the Mayflower Manor, but I'm not sure how long term "long term" is, and the price tags I heard bandied about during that presentation as for what kind of project they put in there suggest that it will be a while before any movement happens there, given that UPA already has a lot of active projects on its plate closer to the heart of the university (i.e., east of the tracks).

Entire blocks of new apartments were recently built along Main south of Exchange, and I believe more are in the hopper.  These are nice looking mixed use buildings and part of a sizeable entertainment district.  They're built by the university I think, but I don't know whether or not they're limited to student housing.  Either way it's very encouraging progress and I'd love to see this sort of thing built in Cleveland.  Not clear why Akron is having so much more success in building exactly what Cleveland needs.

 

Once again 327 is responding without knowing what he is talking about.  Seems to be a pattern.  Cleveland has a lot more that is being renovated into apts.  There is no need for new build yet.  These new apts in Akron (2 buildings of which have been built) are mostly for university students and the pricing and layout is done accordingly.  There is no big mystery as to why Akron got these built. A company saw the opportunity to build on relatively cheap land and they did it.  That's like saying "Cleveland is building a new office tower with the Flats East Bank, why can't Akron get that done."  One has nothing to do with the other.  Please do a bit of basic research before you post.

 

$1 to be exact.

 

Akron City Council approves stadium lease deal with Aeros; deal closes

 

By Phil Trexler

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

The current lease expires in five years.

 

The new lease calls for $3.5 million in improvements to Canal Park that will be paid through the team’s lease payments. The city and the Summit County Port Authority will secure the $3.5 million through tax-exempt bonds.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/akron-city-council-approves-stadium-lease-deal-with-aeros-deal-closes-1.341174

I found the following images of the Akron Children's Hospital expansion. The parking garage is to be 6 stories and the new hospital tower is to be 8 stories.

 

No need to start an arguing match about something that didn't happen in this thread.

327 mispoke about who paid for the lofts, which were privately developed, but stated "I think" after he said the University paid for them.

 

Cleveland is building these types of developments at Cleveland State which are also privately funded by developers.

The apartments in Downtown Akron are almost all setup to only be leased by students of any university in Ohio. The 401 Lofts, which are under construction, are slated to have some minimal apartments for "Young Professionals".

^You're right, YG. My apologies.  On another note, when I was in Akron in June, there was construction going on in Highland Square in the former corner burrito place.  I heard it was becoming a gastropub.  Any news on that?

YG, with respect, you just misquoted me and you are glossing over some complex legal relationships.  I did not claim to describe who "paid for" the lofts... but the university was rather intimately involved in making them happen, per its own website.

^Good grief man, just let it go.  This is the problem...

Enough with the personal attacks.  Nothing in your post relates to Akron.  If you want to discuss me, do it in a PM with me.  Better yet don't. 

Entire blocks of new apartments were recently built along Main south of Exchange, and I believe more are in the hopper.  These are nice looking mixed use buildings and part of a sizeable entertainment district.  They're built by the university I think, but I don't know whether or not they're limited to student housing.  Either way it's very encouraging progress and I'd love to see this sort of thing built in Cleveland.  Not clear why Akron is having so much more success in building exactly what Cleveland needs.

 

Akron is not building what Cleveland needs. The different between Akron and Cleveland right now is that Cleveland has hundreds of buildings that have a great potential to be turned into loft apartments, as you are already seeing this trend happen on Euclid and E.4th. Before Cleveland builds any new apartment buildings it would be better for them to utilize existing buildings. This is what Akron needs and plans to do desperately with the Civic Theater block.

 

You are seeing things like 22 Exchange and 401 Lofts popping up in Cleveland around the Universities where there is a need for the housing close to campus. The problem with Akron is they are currently building for the students. Until they start developing for young professionals downtown, Akron will be far behind Cleveland for a while. They must begin focusing on keeping the 25-35 age groups downtown. Unfortunately I have beef with 401 Lofts as they are combining it with students and young professionals.

 

If there is going to be any hope of a population boom downtown Akron needs to focus mainly on young professionals and start turning it into a talent retention city rather than a college town.

I completely agree with you on YP/student issue. 

 

As far as the Akron/Cleveland issue, please note the CSU project is strictly residential and not mixed use.  Also that issues have been raised regarding its design quality, issues that the Akron buildings do not have.       

What build qualities are you talking about? I'm not very impressed with the build quality of 22 Exchange. Does anybody know if 401 Lofts will be completely furnished? I understand furnishing student housing, but if you're trying to market to young professionals I think that is a terrible choice.

The off-Chester buildings have a very cookie cutter suburban look to them, particularly the roofs.  Similar to some of the postwar apartments seen off Rt 8 near UA.  Creating such a large single-use area downtown could itself be considered a design issue as well.

YG, with respect, you just misquoted me and you are glossing over some complex legal relationships.  I did not claim to describe who "paid for" the lofts... but the university was rather intimately involved in making them happen, per its own website.

 

Entire blocks of new apartments were recently built along Main south of Exchange, and I believe more are in the hopper.  These are nice looking mixed use buildings and part of a sizeable entertainment district.  They're built by the university I think, but I don't know whether or not they're limited to student housing.  Either way it's very encouraging progress and I'd love to see this sort of thing built in Cleveland.  Not clear why Akron is having so much more success in building exactly what Cleveland needs.

 

Ok, I tried to help out here. If you want to get down to semantics I have quoted what you said. The University is not a Building Contractor, so you were incorrect.

 

The project was developed (paid) by Richland Communities who is also doing 401 Lofts. Vista Construction LLC was the General Contractor. Richland has since sold 22 Exchange to another company.

 

22 Exchange is New Urbanist garbage design aesthetically. It's a bunch of cheap materials put together in poor fashion. The idea of it is successful.

401 Lofts on the other hand is more aesthetically pleasing, to me, but it will not have ground level retail.

You're right about the CSU project. There had been a lot of public backlash in the design community about their appearance.