I actually don't think 22 Exchange is that aesthetically unpleasant.  It's not going on the National Register of Historic Places, but it wasn't intended to, either.

I actually don't think 22 Exchange is that aesthetically unpleasant.  It's not going on the National Register of Historic Places, but it wasn't intended to, either.

Funny you should say that. The building had to be approved by the City Historic Preservation Commission, whatever that means.

http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/planning/common/programs/highexchange.htm

 

I was looking at it this weekend. I don't mind the brick and fake stone, it's pretty decent all things considered actually. What I dislike is the EIFS areas and the white "bay windows". Not really sure what you call those architecturally.

 

I agree with what has been said that Akron needs to provide more living options downtown for young professionals post-graduation. However, I think part of the reason why that has been slow in the making is the fact that the University has been pressed to meet housing needs for its burgeoning student enrollment. That trend may be leveling off somewhat now, so UAP in conjunction with the city might begin to focus on the next step, which involves doing what it takes to keep and lure more young professionals into the city center.

 

Part of the dilemma I see for Akron is that, unlike Cleveland as was mentioned before, it doesn't have a lot of old empty warehouses still sitting around that can repurposed into lofts. Unfortunately the city and the rubber companies demoed a lot of these buildings during the 80s and 90s when they packed up and headed south in search of cheap non-union labor. So much of what Akron builds over the next 25 years to house new residents downtown will be entirely new, likely adding to the cost of development.

I actually don't think 22 Exchange is that aesthetically unpleasant.  It's not going on the National Register of Historic Places, but it wasn't intended to, either.

 

Along with its adjacent "sister" building, it looks like a structure that was meant to last 20 years at best, but not much longer than that.

Part of the dilemma I see for Akron is that, unlike Cleveland as was mentioned before, it doesn't have a lot of old empty warehouses still sitting around that can repurposed into lofts. Unfortunately the city and the rubber companies demoed a lot of these buildings during the 80s and 90s when they packed up and headed south in search of cheap non-union labor. So much of what Akron builds over the next 25 years to house new residents downtown will be entirely new, likely adding to the cost of development.

 

I think that may ultimately be for the best.  While my personal taste is for older buildings, there are many to whom those buildings are completely unmarketable as residences.  For some it's just a matter of taste, for others maybe a bad experience in the past.  But I think it is incorrect to view rehabs and new builds as serving the same market.  If the availability of warehouses somehow prevents construction of modern apartments in Cleveland... advantage Akron.

I agree with what has been said that Akron needs to provide more living options downtown for young professionals post-graduation.

 

Part of the dilemma I see for Akron is that, unlike Cleveland as was mentioned before, it doesn't have a lot of old empty warehouses still sitting around that can repurposed into lofts. Unfortunately the city and the rubber companies demoed a lot of these buildings during the 80s and 90s when they packed up and headed south in search of cheap non-union labor.

 

I always thought the O'niells building would make for great housing. Especially since a good portion of it overlooked Canal Park field.

 

Sadly, in this pic you can see O'niells before half of the building was torn down for parking.

 

 

Part of the dilemma I see for Akron is that, unlike Cleveland as was mentioned before, it doesn't have a lot of old empty warehouses still sitting around that can repurposed into lofts. Unfortunately the city and the rubber companies demoed a lot of these buildings during the 80s and 90s when they packed up and headed south in search of cheap non-union labor. So much of what Akron builds over the next 25 years to house new residents downtown will be entirely new, likely adding to the cost of development.

 

  Not to say there wasn't some demolition of especially older, run down tire factories and warehouses, I don't think there were that many tire factories in the downtown area.  BF Goodrich was pretty much the only one I'm aware of.  I'm not sure about any of the other tire companies.  I don't think rubber plants would make especially good "loft spaces".  I like to think that  lot of the buildings that were in worse shape perhaps used the most were knocked down.  Others became Spaghetti warehouse or the Akron Incubator space. 

  There is a lot of potential loft space as one looks around downtown Akron.  I had a friend live in one I guess by the Cotter building many years back.. Not much money had been put into it.  It was still a pretty sweet layout.  There are many types of examples of that throughout Akron its just that there isn't the money or vision to develop these things.  I have other friends that live in an old factory near Elizabeth Valley.  They insist its absolutely amazing loft space.  By them is the ice house lofts too.

  Its not because these warehouses were knocked down as much as Akron was so spread out even during the tire boom. Both Goodyear and Firestone created their own communities for workers in their parts of Akron.  Maybe "downtown" will encroach onto the Firestone HQ property and it will get repurposed for housing.  Think of Goodyear Hall that has pretty much been empty for 30-40 years looking for a new purpose.  Who knows what will happen to the old Goodyear HQ when that gets cleared out in the next few months.

  How Akron grew in the 1800s, as in the oldest manufacturing buildings are by the canal and by the railroads.  One of those types of buildings was recently purchased and is being turned into loft space right next to the canal across from the Mustill Store.  http://nohoakronlofts.com/

  Akron I don't think ever had massive urban warehouse space since it wasn't a major city.  But there are hundreds of machine shops, manufacturing, and warehouse spaces that are all over Akron that are and can still be turned into 2-4 story lofts. 

^I guess I should have been more clear about my definition of "Downtown Akron." I was also including South Main near the old Firestone HQ complex and the "Middlebury District" around East Exchange, East Market and Arlington and near the soon-to-be old Goodyear HQ complex, so maybe I was overly broad in scope. I should have just said "Central Akron" or "Downtown Akron and its surrounding districts." At ant rate, I do agree that both of these districts have some old warehouse type buildings or factories that could be renovated into residential or mixed use space.

Recap of 10/16/2012 Developing Downtown breakfast

 

I attended the Developing Downtown breakfast this morning at Greystone Hall, hosted by the Downtown Akron Partnership.  There were two sets of presenters, the first including Lin Gentile and Tim Ziga from Akron Children's Hospital and the second including Dave Lieberth and someone else in economic development for the city.

 

The Akron Children's presentation was fairly dry and technical, focusing more on the new form of integrated construction contract (and the cooperative management structure for the same) used by the hospital, the national and local architects, the national and local contractors, and others involved in the project (basically one contract for everyone instead of a network of individual contracts among the critical players based on their roles in the project).

 

Dave Lieberth's presentation, however, was a tour de force of downtown development in the pipeline (or dreamline).  Some of it is not news to those of us who follow these events, but it was nevertheless nice to hear it all in one place:

 

General State of Construction:  The credit markets for new commercial construction remain relatively tight, so many projects on the drawing board from 2008 remain on the drawing board in 2012.  The $200M Akron Children's project is an obvious exception, but Akron Children's is big enough, and has high enough operating margins, that they can compete for financing even when the market is tight.  (After all, tight doesn't mean nonexistent; the pie may be smaller, but someone is still getting it, and Akron Children's is one of them.)

 

Mayflower: Lieberth identified this as a top development priority for the city.  The good news (and this was news to me, though others might have known it) is that it is no longer under a long-term contract with HUD for subsidized housing on the site.  The long-term HUD subsidized housing contract expired in 2009.  It has been renewed annually on a year-to-year basis since then and can be allowed to expire when a better development opportunity presents itself.  The city does not actually own it and I'm still not sure what the city's relationship with the building is; apparently two private individuals (brothers) are the actual owners.  The city may have an option to buy it, though the way Lieberth was talking, they would gladly yield that option to anyone else interested in buying it, too, since the city doesn't have the $8-10M estimated purchase price.

 

The city is aware of the university's and UPA's interest in the building and has been working with them and with the EPA (apparently there may be some environmental issues with the building? Not sure ...) to develop ideas for new uses for the building.  Ideas (no real plans, just ideas) have been floated for the building including regular student housing, graduate student housing, and professional housing (obviously, I would hope for the latter, but if the university or UPA becomes the primary development capital source, it will likely be one of the former two options).

 

Estimates are that it would take a full year to relocate the current residents.

 

Landmark Bldg/Civic: Another high priority.  The goal for the building is ground floor retail facing both the Canal/Lock 4 and Main Street, with 70 market-rate residential rental units above (I believe this was the figure for both the Landmark and Civic-block upper floors, but he might have meant just the Landmark).

 

Beacon Journal rail station: This is the property between the Beacon Journal building and the railroad tracks.  Some entities have taken a look at the site and the ABJ is known to be willing to entertain offers on the site.  It is not at the top of the priority list just yet, but it is a critical parcel in the path along Exchange between the university and the growing Main-Exchange entertainment district.

 

Manna Bldg.: Manna is already moving forward with the new office space planned for the northwest corner of Market & Broadway, where the old Ohio Savings Bank building used to be; this is a smaller project, but it's also one that's already actually happening.

 

Hotels: In general, the city is well aware that the dearth of downtown hotel options, particularly quality downtown hotel options (all due apologies to Quaker and Ramada Plaza), makes it very difficult for the Knight Center to attract major convention business even though the Knight Center itself is capable of handling significantly larger events than it currently generally fills its calendar with.  Akron is one of the largest U.S. cities with so little downtown hotel space.  The question I didn't get to ask is whether the operating assumption of the specific projects mentioned below is "if you build it, they will come," because my impression is that Quaker and Ramada currently seldom fill to capacity as things stand.  Of course, the answer may well be "yes," because people needing to spend multiple days on business in downtown may still sometimes opt for hotels in Fairlawn or elsewhere outside downtown, just because the Ramada and Quaker aren't quite what they're looking for.  Projects in the pipeline or under consideration:

• Just last week, the university brought in a consultant to study the Quaker Inn and develop plans for what can be done with that building.
  
• Another developer (from Charleston, SC, I believe) is looking at the possibility of building a 150-room hotel on land owned by the city between the art museum and the Knight Center.
  
• Another is looking at a smaller hotel where the High Street Christian Church (at High & Bowery) currently stands, just south of Greystone Hall.
  
• And, of course, Paul & Joel Testa have the go-ahead from Marriott to develop a concept hotel by Northside bearing a Marriott imprint.
  

 

CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow): This is actually the largest construction project underway in Akron, and Heaven willing, you'll never actually see it (except for the disruption of the downtown streets while they put it in).  Like many, many other cities nationwide, Akron is under a mandate to separate its stormwater and sewage systems so that raw sewage cannot back up into the stormwater drainage system.  As it stands, Akron owns about 900 miles of sewer line; about 200 of those miles are subject to being mixed with stormwater during heavy rains.  The solution is to build a 28'-wide, 5000'-long tunnel that will essentially be an enormous stormwater holding tank that will hold overflow from even the heaviest rains until it can be released gradually and safely.  The estimated cost is about $700M (i.e., about three and a half times the Akron Children's expansion cost).  The holding tunnel will run along or near the Canal from around the Exchange & OH-59 junction to around the Mustill Store.

 

401 Lofts:  This was just a bonus development tidbit I learned on my walk back from Greystone to my office.  The 401 Lofts has a temporary leasing office that just opened in 22 Exchange between Brubaker's and Insomnia Cookies.  I was arriving just as the office was about to open, so one of the employees was there unlocking the front door.  It is not planned as student housing, at least according to the 90-second conversation I had with the guy.  It's conceived as regular downtown housing for anyone who wants to live downtown.  It was already getting late in the morning, so I didn't stay to ask follow-up questions, but I might try heading down there and seeing what more information is available about the size, price, etc. of the units.  Anticipated occupancy date is August 2013.

Excellent report, thank you!

^Very interesting news and tidbits, Gramarye. Thanks for posting. My random thoughts:

 

-The Knight Center could definitely benefit from having more adjacent hotel space. The city has not even come close to maximizing its economic potential since it was built, and there never really has been any kind of a coherent plan put forth or enacted to do so. It was just built and then pretty much expected to stand and function on its own. UA buying up Quaker Square for more student housing made sense from the standpoint of supporting the university's growth, but it conversely made the Knight Center even less attractive as a venue for conventions with no other full service hotel available until recently. But the Ramada and Testa's plans for a Northside hotel won't suffice. A good convention center should have at least a few hotels immediately adjacent to it and preferably attached somehow. Maybe the developer from Charleston will be the one to realize this?

 

-Personally, I think the Manna building leaves much to be desired. The design is totally lackluster and underwhelming, and the fenced in parking lot on the street is just sad. It certainly adds no value to the surrounding Main-Market District area, which has the potential to further evolve as arts and entertainment district in conjunction with Northside.

 

-I'm interested in seeing how the Mayflower and Landmark buildings take shape, but I'm even more curious now about the Beacon Journal rail station and what will become of it.

 

-Ultimately, Downtown Akron looks like it is re-developing initially at opposite ends, North Main-Market and South Main-Exchange. It would really be something to see them meet in the middle eventually. Maybe the Knight Center can serve as the bridge, or at least contribute to the building of one?

Nice report Gramarye, very in depth. Were you reporting for the newspaper?  :clap:

 

401 Lofts is aimed at attracting both:

“These are upscale, high-end apartments located in downtown that we think will attract not only students, but young professionals and others who have that desire to live in downtown Akron,” said Michael Weiss, project manager for 401 Lofts and 22 Exchange.

http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/new-downtown-akron-lofts-taking-shape-1.269373

 

But from my recollection, they were only going to have 30 or so beds for young professionals. I don't see that in writing anywhere though.

 

The new five-story development, which will be called 401 Lofts, will feature 209 apartments — two-bedroom and studio or loft-style. The 167,000-square-foot complex also will have an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, media room, game room, tanning bed, study lounges and surface parking for more than 100 cars.

 

The $12 million complex will be marketed to University of Akron students and downtown workers. The rent will be about $700 a month per bed, compared to $600 a month at 22 Exchange.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/student-housing-gets-green-light-1.208880

 

 

Ken Babby takes over Aeros with fan experience a top priority and no name change in plans

 

By Stephanie Storm and Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writers

 

“I want to make Canal Park the destination place to be from April to September,” Babby said. “Despite all the hectic natures of our lives — difficult jobs, relationships, et cetera — we all need that place where for two or three hours we can relax, take a deep breath, rewind, slow down and enjoy ourselves.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/ken-babby-takes-over-aeros-with-fan-experience-a-top-priority-and-no-name-change-in-plans-1.342334

Hah!  I write on the Internet instead of for a newspaper because newspapers have word-count limits and hold a certain animadversion to my proclivity for delving the more vibrant but more esoteric echelons of the English lexicon.

 

Regarding 401 Lofts, I'm going to stop into that leasing office sometime over the next couple of days and ask them to clarify regarding the residential model, and I might just take those articles you linked with me to see if they can specifically state whether the details in those articles are still accurate.  After all, one is from April 2011 and the other is from March 2012; the plans might have changed in the past seven months.

Hah!  I write on the Internet instead of for a newspaper because newspapers have word-count limits and hold a certain animadversion to my proclivity for delving the more vibrant but more esoteric echelons of the English lexicon.

 

Such as that sentence? ;)

Hah!  I write on the Internet instead of for a newspaper because newspapers have word-count limits and hold a certain animadversion to my proclivity for delving the more vibrant but more esoteric echelons of the English lexicon.

 

Such as that sentence? ;)

 

OK Mr. MOTO, go burn down your own neighborhood!

Hah!  I write on the Internet instead of for a newspaper because newspapers have word-count limits and hold a certain animadversion to my proclivity for delving the more vibrant but more esoteric echelons of the English lexicon.

 

:wtf: :wtf:

Eight new regional trails costing $46 million on map for Summit County

 

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: October 25, 2012 - 10:21 PM

 

Summit County trail supporters Thursday celebrated the completion of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in the county, then announced plans for eight regional trails with a total price tag of $46 million.

 

The announcement by the Summit County Trails program came at a daylong forum that drew 100 people to Goodyear Heights Metro Park in East Akron.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/eight-new-regional-trails-costing-46-million-on-map-for-summit-county-1.345184

Given the availability of blocks on Exchange they have already made open, I don't see much purpose to dropping yet another one.  It is a convenient way to clear out more low cost / low prestige retail space though, which seems to be what they've been going for.  I would have preferred renovation of existing structures instead of going all Cleveland Clinic on the Zip Strip, but I suppose development is better than some of the other alternatives.  I just wish they would reuse blocks they have already leveled first.

 

 

Scope of retail and student housing project fronting Exchange Street more than doubles; project now tops $40 million

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/politics/local/scope-of-retail-and-student-housing-project-fronting-exchange-street-more-than-doubles-project-now-tops-40-million-1.351667

I'm happy for the project. It is serious investment that will benefit students, residents, other businesses in the area. This is going from a block with current value of maybe a half mil to one with over $40 million.  This gets rid of lower end retail space. That is not a bad thing. It makes other retail space that is left more valuable.  This will improve the general safety and quality of life of that area. This will spur other land-owners in the area to step up their investment in their properties.

  I'm not sure what blocks that have been leveled could be reused.  In that immediate area I cannot think of any blocks like that. There are some by Market by the highway but I believe there is already construction going on there. There isn't really much vacant land in the university or downtown area to build on.

The block immediately west should be leveled, not this one. But let's keep the anti-pedestrian McDonald's and raze the existing pedestrian-friendly buildings at Exchange and Allyn.... Oy.

The block immediately west should be leveled, not this one. But let's keep the anti-pedestrian McDonald's and raze the existing pedestrian-friendly buildings at Exchange and Allyn.... Oy.

 

I agree, that McDonald's really breaks the continuity.

I'm happy for the project. It is serious investment that will benefit students, residents, other businesses in the area. This is going from a block with current value of maybe a half mil to one with over $40 million.  This gets rid of lower end retail space. That is not a bad thing. It makes other retail space that is left more valuable.  This will improve the general safety and quality of life of that area. This will spur other land-owners in the area to step up their investment in their properties.

  I'm not sure what blocks that have been leveled could be reused.  In that immediate area I cannot think of any blocks like that. There are some by Market by the highway but I believe there is already construction going on there. There isn't really much vacant land in the university or downtown area to build on.

 

The biggest areas that come to mind are right around FedEx Office - that is a giant block that is more than 1/2 weeds.  You've also got the 3/4 leveled block on Exchange between Spicer and Rt 8, as well as the sea of surface parking that stretches almost the entire frontage of the Stadium.  I don't even understand how that seemed like a good idea.

 

As far as leveling the existing buildings, renovation is entirely normal and wouldn't destroy the vibe of the neighborhood.  Sure if I had to choose between the new development and looking like South St I'll take the new development, but there is nothing wrong with embracing the history and design of a Midwestern city.  It's who we are, it's what we are.  How many southern cities try to mimic the neighborhood aesthetics that we destroy regularly?  I also am confident that most of the new development is built cheaply - replacing buildings that were built to last.  22 Exchange for example, while a nice addition to downtown, is just an inexpensive wood frame structure - there's nothing quality about it.

 

Bottom line, new development is great but why don't we fill in the gaps we already have - as there are plenty of them - than destroy functional structures.

 

While I'm throwing out gripes, how about Bridgestone or Goodyear's new developments out on the fringes?  I understand the need to support the neighborhoods, but honestly, what kind of economic generation is going to occur over there?  The locations don't support it.  If one or both of those were closer to downtown they could have added to the synergy that the University and hospitals are providing downtown.

 

Otherwise, better that development than no development!

While I'm throwing out gripes, how about Bridgestone or Goodyear's new developments out on the fringes?  I understand the need to support the neighborhoods, but honestly, what kind of economic generation is going to occur over there?  The locations don't support it.  If one or both of those were closer to downtown they could have added to the synergy that the University and hospitals are providing downtown.

The new Bridgestone Tech Center really isn't all that far away from downtown proper. It's actually close enough that continued redevelopment of South Main could eventually result in it becoming part of a revitalized "near-downtown" district, possibly with a technology theme. Goodyear's new HQ is a bit of a different story, though. Both location decisions were likely influenced by the companies' "company town" legacies, a.k.a. Goodyear Heights and Firestone Park. Although both Goodyear and Firestone divested themselves of active interests in their respective communities decades ago, apparently there is some lingering desire on the part of each company to be close to its roots.

 

I do agree though that Downtown Akron would have benefitted greatly from having a tech corridor anchored by the new Goodyear and Bridgestone buildings. But Goodyear won't move to South Main any more than Bridgestone would set up shop along East Market.

 

I'm happy for the project. It is serious investment that will benefit students, residents, other businesses in the area. This is going from a block with current value of maybe a half mil to one with over $40 million.  This gets rid of lower end retail space. That is not a bad thing. It makes other retail space that is left more valuable.  This will improve the general safety and quality of life of that area. This will spur other land-owners in the area to step up their investment in their properties.

  I'm not sure what blocks that have been leveled could be reused.  In that immediate area I cannot think of any blocks like that. There are some by Market by the highway but I believe there is already construction going on there. There isn't really much vacant land in the university or downtown area to build on.

 

The biggest areas that come to mind are right around FedEx Office - that is a giant block that is more than 1/2 weeds.  You've also got the 3/4 leveled block on Exchange between Spicer and Rt 8, as well as the sea of surface parking that stretches almost the entire frontage of the Stadium.  I don't even understand how that seemed like a good idea.

 

There is already plans for housing in that area. Check the University Park thread.

 

 

FirstEnergy to build $45 million transmission center in Akron

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: November 27, 2012 - 10:44 PM

 

FirstEnergy Corp. will build a $45 million transmission control center at its West Akron campus, replacing an existing center in Wadsworth Township.

 

The Akron-based electric utility announced plans Tuesday to construct what it’s calling a “state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly transmission control center” in Akron. The highly secure facility will be built off the Mull Avenue entrance to the company’s 150-acre campus that already houses an Ohio Edison service center, a FirstEnergy call center and a large office building and several company subsidiaries.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/firstenergy-to-build-45-million-transmission-center-in-akron-1.353450

 

You've also got the 3/4 leveled block on Exchange between Spicer and Rt 8, as well as the sea of surface parking that stretches almost the entire frontage of the Stadium.  I don't even understand how that seemed like a good idea.

 

 

UA has been frustratingly slow to embrace good urban design. 

Plans changing for Akron block that housed church

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: November 30, 2012 - 08:46 AM

 

A high-profile block near downtown Akron is still getting a big makeover, but the project has changed.

 

A “national retailer” is now planning to build at South Main and Thornton streets, south of Interstate 77-76, said the property’s owner, local McDonald’s franchisee John Blickle.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/plans-changing-for-akron-block-that-housed-church-1.353960

This is the first image I have seen for the new Children's Hospital building(s):

 

Wadsworth YMCA to open this month

 

By Beau Dusz

Special to the Beacon Journal

Published: December 6, 2012 - 11:14 PM

 

WADSWORTH: Workers are putting the finishing touches on the soon-to-open Wadsworth YMCA Community Center.

 

Executive Director Maureen Mizerak said the pools have been filled and the fitness equipment is installed at the new facility set to open later this month at 623 School Drive.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/wadsworth-ymca-to-open-this-month-1.356065

 

 

 

Summit health district buys Akron office complex

 

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: December 7, 2012 - 12:25 PM

 

The health district, which announced the deal Friday, has been looking for a new site since last year when it combined with the Akron and Barberton health departments.

 

The district paid $600,000 for the property, which is located at 1867 W. Market St. behind the Acme grocery store. The 78,837-square-foot building has housed a variety of businesses over the years, including physician offices, radio stations and newspaper offices.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/summit-health-district-buys-akron-office-complex-1.356189

Here are some new images I found of the Akron Children's Hospital expansion project. These come from the Facebook page of the rendering company that the Architect uses, I would think.

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/M2-Studio-Inc/80513537880

 

 

 

and then a new article with another image:

 

Akron Children’s expansion getting under way in 2013

12/13/2012 - West Side Leader

By Kathleen Folkerth

 

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron Children’s Hospital officials said they plan to break ground in the spring for a substantial expansion to the hospital’s current campus.

 

Work is already under way on a new $20 million parking garage. Hospital officials said it’s possible for groundbreaking to take place at property at Locust and West Exchange streets in April for the new $180 million critical care tower.

 

www.akron.com/akron-ohio-community-news.asp?aID=17985

 

Plaza Cinemas to close in Akron

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

Published: December 13, 2012 - 09:48 PM

 

The eight-screen complex, part of The Plaza at Chapel Hill shopping strip off Howe Avenue, will show movies through Jan. 3 and then cease operations, said David Huffman, director of marketing for the theater’s operator, regional chain Cleveland Cinemas of Solon.

 

Huffman said Cleveland Cinemas has been operating the theater under a management agreement with Plaza at Chapel Hill owner Visconsi Cos. Ltd., and Visconsi wants to find another use for the property.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/plaza-cinemas-to-close-in-akron-1.357738

Akron Art Museum announces seven-figure pledge from donors for a new sculpture garden

Published: Friday, December 21, 2012, 3:24 PM

 

The Akron Art Museum announced Friday that supporters Rick and Alita Rogers have pledged an unspecified amount of money as the lead gift for the design and construction of the museum’s long-awaited sculpture garden.

 

A press advisory released by the City of Akron Thursday stated that the gift was a “very substantial (seven figure)” pledge, but a museum spokeswoman said Friday that the donors did not want the amount given. The museum offered no further explanation.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/12/akron_art_museum_announces_sev.html

Tallmadge considering two senior housing proposals

 

By Paula Schleis and Katie Byard

 

Tallmadge has one of the oldest populations in Summit County, so Economic Development Director Dennis Loughry spends a lot of his time talking to businesses wanting to serve the area’s seniors.

 

“I field those calls all day long — about senior housing, assisted living, nursing homes, doctors who specialize in that age group. You name it,” Loughry said.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/tallmadge-considering-two-senior-housing-proposals-1.362804

Signs of Children’s growth sprouting in downtown Akron

 

By Cheryl Powell

Beacon Journal medical writer

Published: January 7, 2013 - 11:32 PM

 

The latest sign of Akron Children’s Hospital’s growth is sprouting in downtown Akron.

 

Construction is under way on a 1,250-space parking garage across from the hospital’s campus on West Exchange Street.

 

The parking garage, which is expected to open in September, is part of a massive $200 million expansion planned for the pediatric hospital’s main campus.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/signs-of-children-s-growth-sprouting-in-downtown-akron-1.363349

New housing development opens in West Akron

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Asked what she’s most excited about in her new West Akron house, Lakeia Whitson instantly responded: everything.

 

Whitson is one of the first residents to move into one of 30 houses in the Moon-Mallison Homes, a new development near the Akron Zoo.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/new-housing-development-opens-in-west-akron-1.363564

Akron plans to dig massive tunnel for sewer system

 

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: January 10, 2013 - 11:20 PM

 

By every measure, the sewer tunnel that Akron plans to build to resolve problems with its combined sewer system will be a behemoth.

 

The $200 million tunnel will be:

 

• 27 feet in interior diameter.

 

• Buried 150 feet below ground.

 

• More than one mile long.

 

• Able to store up to 25.6 million gallons of stormwater and raw sewage after heavy rains and snow melts.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-plans-to-dig-massive-tunnel-for-sewer-system-1.364157

City Council Brings Power To Akron

Written by  Aaron Coleman

 

"What this will do is create 100 full-time high tech jobs and we're hoping down the road to add another 50," Fusco said.

 

City Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing a development agreement paving the way for the construction of the 70,000 square foot facility as well as related improvements to the area.

 

http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/69240-city-council-brings-power-to-akron

Beacon Journal might sell warehouse property to developer planning more student housing

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Published: January 18, 2013 - 10:14 PM

 

Another new student housing development may be coming to downtown Akron.

 

The Akron Planning Commission approved plans Friday for a $20 million, four-story student housing development on the south side of East Exchange Street, east of South Broadway and west of the CSX railroad tracks.

 

The proposal will go before Akron City Council in early to mid-February.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/beacon-journal-might-sell-warehouse-property-to-developer-planning-more-student-housing-1.366124

Aeros owner Ken Babby begins upgrading Canal Park with new $1.65 million video board

 

By Stephanie Storm

Published: January 22, 2013 - 10:31 PM | Updated: January 23, 2013 - 06:53 AM

 

A crew was set to begin tearing down the scoreboard Tuesday afternoon at Canal Park, about an hour and a half after new Aeros owner Ken Babby announced a privately funded $1.65 million project for a new video board.

 

“I believe our board will be in the top five in terms of size in all of minor-league baseball and definitely is the largest at the Double-A level,” Pfander said. “I think it’s going to revolutionize what fans expect when they come to the ballpark. It’s really going to knock their socks off.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/aeros-owner-ken-babby-begins-upgrading-canal-park-with-new-1-65-million-video-board-1.367031

Akron Hotel Plans Could Be Revived

 

Written by  Larry States

Thursday, 24 January 2013 15:52

 

Plans for a new hotel in downtown Akron are far from dead. A couple of years ago there was optimism a new hotel could be attracted to the downtown area but plans languished. New Akron City Planning Director Marco Sommerville tells AkronNewsNow there's a renewed push now to make it a reality.

 

"The economy is starting to pick up and also our efforts in bringing a hotel to the city. We have been working on a couple of projects with a couple of people, nothing we can really talk about right now, but we are moving in that direction."

 

http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/70786-akron-hotel-plans-could-be-revived

Key Building in downtown Akron going on auction block

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

 

The Key Building, one of downtown Akron’s landmark office towers, is going on the online auction block.

 

The 11-story building, at 159 S. Main St., sits nearly 70 percent vacant and was foreclosed on last year. It will be offered at a public auction in late February through Auction.com.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/key-building-in-downtown-akron-going-on-auction-block-1.368968

Nice looking old building. Many old office buildings are finding new lives as apartments and I suspect this one will too.

Nice looking old building. Many old office buildings are finding new lives as apartments and I suspect this one will too.

 

That's a possibility, but there is a housing adaptive reuse across the street that has been stalled for 5 years.

Is it stalled because of the market or the principals involved?

Largely because of the market--the financial market probably as much or moreso than the construction market.

Largely because of the market--the financial market probably as much or moreso than the construction market.

 

Which is strange because there is no shortage of new student housing being built downtown, but nothing else can get off the ground. I don't think that's a good sign.

^Could it be that Akron is simply too small of a city at this point to support much in the way of new development beyond student housing? How are Toledo and Dayton faring in this category? It seems that larger cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Columbus have all been quite successful at drawing post-college professional adults back into their downtown districts, but much less has been said about the next tier down that includes smaller mid-sized cities like Akron, Dayton, and Toledo.

 

Maybe it's just me, but part of me wonders if its the lack of strong community culture that also impedes Akron's growth? I can speak on this as someone who has been a lifelong resident of the city. The larger cities mentioned above each have stronger economies and vibrant communities/districts that have garnered attention from tourists and media, like Over-the-Rhine in Cincinnati, the Short North and German Village in Columbus, University Circle, Tremont and Ohio City in Cleveland, and Squirrel Hill and Oakland in Pittsburgh.

 

Akron's most vibrant community is arguably Highland Square, but it would be a real stretch to say that it even remotely rivals any of the others mentioned above in terms of culture, things to do and see, etc. Yet these are precisely the types of communities that will hook natives and newcomers alike into picking up stakes and relocating into town, as well as motivate college grads to stick around at least for a couple years after walking across the stage.

 

Beyond Highland Square, Downtown, and maybe Wallhaven, so much of the city just seems tired and on life support these days. Northside, much like Highland Square, is also promoted as an arts community of sorts, but it remains more a destination district than a casual authentic community. Places like North Hill and Middlebury east of UA once thrived and still have the potential to do so again, while Kenmore has been pretty much written off and left for dead. Goodyear Heights, Firestone Park, and Ellet are kinda just sitting around, motionless and quietly aging into decline and obscurity.

 

City leadership has done little to nothing to empower communities to act on their own behalf and address their issues. Community non-profits are virtually nonexistent.

 

I've believed for awhile that a rail line direct to Cleveland from Akron would at least bring south some of the overflow demand for urban living there, but then I ask what is it that is drawing people back into Cleveland in the first place and why does Akron lack it? The above might not be the full story, but it's what I make of things.

That's correct to a point. If you look at Cleveland, it had all those great areas, which are now blossoming. Downtown was lifeless and had no demand for housing for a long time, now there is a waiting list. I can't pinpoint when that turned, but once the developers started renovating the lists started forming.

 

What do you mean by "community non-profits are virtually nonexistant"?

 

While I love the idea of rail as a novelty, in NE Ohio people are too tied to the idea of having their car at all times. It will take more than our lifetime to change that.

Sorry, I meant community foundations. It seems like Cleveland has them for many of its neighborhoods. I don't see anything remotely matching that kind of community re-invstment currently in place in Akron. Don't get me wrong though, the city certianly would benefit from them.

 

As for rail, it may be unlikely, but visionary and determined leadership in the region could make it a reality. Unfortunately, I think we will need to see more of a turnover in generations holding the reigns of leadership in govt. and business in NE Ohio first. Gen Xers and the Millennials are nowhere near as married to their cars as the Boomers are, even in this region.

Maybe living in the Highland Square area makes me biased, but I think Akron is great.  It has a lot going for it.  Redevelopment may be slow but it seems steady, and the new stuff seems well designed and well thought out.  I don't think it's necessarily too small.  That can be an advantage over larger cities in that you can get around so easily.  Cleveland has neighborhoods like Highland Square but none that are so close to major retail.  And while there are blight issues, they're less serious than what I've seen in other nearby cities, smaller and larger.  The 3C's, Dayton, Youngstown, Toledo... they all have worse blight than Akron. 

 

So cheer up!  It ain't half bad here.