Pretty cool jazz club opening up in Akron. https://www.facebook.com/blujazzakron

 

Can't wait!

 

 

 

 

Akron’s new King elementary school prepares for opening

 

By Doug Livingston

Beacon Journal education writer

Published: August 21, 2014 - 09:32 PM | Updated: August 22, 2014 - 06:20 AM

 

 

Principal Mary Dean is still in awe after working for two months in the new King Community Learning Center.

 

“Each day I come in, I see something new,” she said, stepping into an open-air, ground-floor library with a view from the second floor.

 

“I can’t wait for the kids to come back because I know they’ll be excited.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-s-new-king-elementary-school-prepares-for-opening-1.515686

This is a letter to the editor, but a really interesting one from a local developer:

 

Letters to the editor - July 30

 

Your July 12 editorial, headlined “Like a startup,” urging further support for a re-purposed Austen BioInnovation Institute, was disappointing and perplexing.

 

After six years of effort, millions of dollars of capital investment and negative cash flow, and a current, gaping expanse between revenue and expenses, Beacon Journal readers deserve more than a fuzzy justification for the re-purposing of the institute. What we need are hard-hitting editorials explaining what went wrong, who is accountable, and thoughtful guidance for the community so such costly misallocations of financial and human resources can be avoided in the future.

 

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/vop/letters-to-the-editor-july-30-1.508796

 

Steve Albrecht.  I didn't expect that.  That seems unusually vocal for someone of such stature.

New Marriott hotel at Akron Northside, as seen from the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad station.

 

Akron Northside Marriott, seen from near Luigi's.

^Thanks for the pics. It's about time this got built. I can't help but wonder why Akron seems to stagnate while so many projects are happening in Cleveland. I think Akron's mayor of 20+ years should retire and let some new blood in. Very few of the projects he's talked about over the last decade have happened. Goodyear is the exception.

^Thanks for the pics. It's about time this got built. I can't help but wonder why Akron seems to stagnate while so many projects are happening in Cleveland. I think Akron's mayor of 20+ years should retire and let some new blood in. Very few of the projects he's talked about over the last decade have happened. Goodyear is the exception.

 

Change in Akron happens on a glacial pace. For example they've been touting the future Highland Square grocery since 1999. I'm not sure if it's simply the economic limitations of a smaller city, or if it has something to do with their insular political climate. But it is very frustrating. Still it's nice to go downtown and see the Library, Art Museum, Towpath, Musica, Canal Park, etc. Something to build on.

^Thanks for the pics. It's about time this got built. I can't help but wonder why Akron seems to stagnate while so many projects are happening in Cleveland. I think Akron's mayor of 20+ years should retire and let some new blood in. Very few of the projects he's talked about over the last decade have happened. Goodyear is the exception.

 

I don't the mayor had anything to do with Northside.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't development incentives getting held up in bureaucracy or anything else the city government could control.  It was just the market, and the hangover from Testa's overinvestment in Northside Lofts.

^Thanks for the pics. It's about time this got built. I can't help but wonder why Akron seems to stagnate while so many projects are happening in Cleveland. I think Akron's mayor of 20+ years should retire and let some new blood in. Very few of the projects he's talked about over the last decade have happened. Goodyear is the exception.

 

I don't the mayor had anything to do with Northside.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't development incentives getting held up in bureaucracy or anything else the city government could control.  It was just the market, and the hangover from Testa's overinvestment in Northside Lofts.

 

I agree it is very frustrating. Even similar sized cities like Dayton and Louisville are able to pull projects together. The mayor may not have had anything to do with Northside, but there seems to be a lack of vision in the city and I believe that starts at the top. I think there can be a greater push to create a more vibrant core in Akron. I'm just not seeing that from multiple areas. The only real hope I had for development was UPA, but we all saw how that turned out.

Before the recession, things were moving at a glacial pace in Cleveland too. Of course, nothing moved anywhere during the recession. But at some point the recession would be over. I remember sitting down with one of Mayor Jackson's staffers at Erie Coffee on East 4th in about 2009. I told him how downtown Cleveland didn't see any major construction for nearly 30 years after the Great Depression of the 1930s started. But the mayor's aide doubted that would happen this time around as a bunch of major, publicly subsidized capital construction projects would see construction very soon, creating an economic jolt to Cleveland. These were all huge projects in the $200 million-$600 million range -- Flats East Bank, Convention Center, Inner Belt highway and, having just opened, the Euclid Corridor HealthLine. These were all catalytic and created so many new construction jobs that the city's general fund got a boost in income taxes that helped it avoid making budget cuts. That kicked the glacier into a snowball and got it rolling faster. Now it has its own breathtaking momentum.

 

So to bring this back from a general discussion to specific development projects, the Marriott hotel will certainly help kickstart things. And the development that's happened on the south side of downtown near Canal Park shouldn't be discounted. That's a great project, too. Each private investment can be ratcheted up by the next public infrastructure project followed by next private spinoff and so on. Gotta keep the momentum going by building off each new step forward.

The grocery in Highland Square was a result of two forces: 1. a developer who was allowed to make promises that were not kept because of a conflict of interest 2. the City allowing the developer to do this and ultimately eating crow and buying out the developer.

 

I always like to look at Cleveland as a great example of how to reinvent a downtown area. Think about what was there 10 years ago. E. 4th was one of the main catalysts in a revived interest. That was done by one developer taking a chance and creating "place". Placemaking is a key term used in urban development. Of course I'm diminishing the contributions of lots of other parties, but I really feel that the development of E. 4th was the turning point in Clevelands revival.

 

Once a "place" was created, housing renovations followed and in-general, people wanted to live downtown again. I believe a lot of the same principles are valid in Akron, but there are too many loud antagonists. Those that "crap" on Akron. They are not the majority, but they are vocal and the attitude of the Mayor does not help.

 

There is one developer in Akron who is trying their best Downtown, but they have yet to have a mass of affordable housing for YP's like E. 4th has. Unfortunately the newer housing Downtown is out-of-town money and there is no real stake in locality.

^Thanks for the pics. It's about time this got built. I can't help but wonder why Akron seems to stagnate while so many projects are happening in Cleveland. I think Akron's mayor of 20+ years should retire and let some new blood in. Very few of the projects he's talked about over the last decade have happened. Goodyear is the exception.

 

I don't the mayor had anything to do with Northside.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't development incentives getting held up in bureaucracy or anything else the city government could control.  It was just the market, and the hangover from Testa's overinvestment in Northside Lofts.

 

Yeah, you're right about the Mayor and Northside. What frustrates me, as was mentioned by someone else, is the seeming lack of vision for Akron and that starts with the Mayor.  He should be Akron's loudest cheerleader and encouraging local investment in downtown (not just for transient student housing).  Hopefully, as KJP mentions, some of these projects will act as catalysts for further development. Akron has great bones and I want to see more meat.

^Thanks for the pics. It's about time this got built. I can't help but wonder why Akron seems to stagnate while so many projects are happening in Cleveland. I think Akron's mayor of 20+ years should retire and let some new blood in. Very few of the projects he's talked about over the last decade have happened. Goodyear is the exception.

 

I don't the mayor had anything to do with Northside.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't development incentives getting held up in bureaucracy or anything else the city government could control.  It was just the market, and the hangover from Testa's overinvestment in Northside Lofts.

 

Yeah, you're right about the Mayor and Northside. What frustrates me, as was mentioned by someone else, is the seeming lack of vision for Akron and that starts with the Mayor.  He should be Akron's loudest cheerleader and encouraging local investment in downtown (not just for transient student housing).  Hopefully, as KJP mentions, some of these projects will act as catalysts for further development. Akron has great bones and I want to see more meat.

 

I think the biggest asset for downtown is the canal and that is under-utilized. I understand there has been recent private investment downtown, but it seems to only be for student housing. The focus right now needs to be how we can market the downtown area to appeal to investors. The Civic block is another example....There is so much potential in that area and still nothing.

I don't think anyone has posted this.  Not sure where this would go otherwise..  It is more development..  Essentially, they want to have the bike path go through downtown instead of finishing at the Northside due to "steep slopes".  This is certainly better I would think for UA students or anyone in the Goodyear Heights/Tallmadge area that wants to bike downtown or bike to Kent for that matter..

 

http://www.summitmetroparks.org/News/ConstructionUpdates.aspx

 

Construction began in summer 2012 on this new multipurpose trail on land owned by METRO Regional Transit Authority. It follows an unused railroad corridor and, when completed, will connect the cities of Akron and Kent. The first 4.2 miles of Phase I, from Middlebury Road in Kent to Southwest Avenue near Tallmadge Circle, were dedicated May 1, 2013. Phase II construction, two miles from Tallmadge Circle to Eastwood Avenue in Akron, will begin in summer '14.

 

Freedom Trail: Public Comments

Park planners have revised future plans for extending the Freedom Trail. Because this project is funded by a federal grant, the park district is required to offer the public a chance to comment or submit questions about the proposed plans for future extensions.

 

Click here for proposed plans for additions to the Freedom Trail (1.5 MB)

 

University Edge is nearly finished. Students have moved in and Chipotle and Penn Station are open.

The architectural design is nothing special, but they really got the urban design of the buildings right. It pushes right up to the sidewalk.

 

 

University Edge is nearly finished. Students have moved in and Chipotle and Penn Station are open.

The architectural design is nothing special, but they really got the urban design of the buildings right. It pushes right up to the sidewalk.

 

Given the historic lack of concern for integrating buildings into the urban landscape, I would call it a win.  I am concerned though with how well all of these buildings plus the existing neighborhood will fare over time.  That is a lot of additional rental space to drop into a stagnant student population.  I have heard of some aggressive rent negotiation going on.

University Edge is nearly finished. Students have moved in and Chipotle and Penn Station are open.

The architectural design is nothing special, but they really got the urban design of the buildings right. It pushes right up to the sidewalk.

 

Given the historic lack of concern for integrating buildings into the urban landscape, I would call it a win.  I am concerned though with how well all of these buildings plus the existing neighborhood will fare over time.  That is a lot of additional rental space to drop into a stagnant student population.  I have heard of some aggressive rent negotiation going on.

 

I totally agree on both counts. At the same time, it is unfortunate that so many new student housing complexes have gone up downtown that we are much less likely now to see the full buildout of East Exchange in front of the university, meaning that those vacant lots between Spicer and Rt. 8 are probably going to remain just that for awhile, maybe for years at this point if UA doesn't see a sustained uptick in enrollment. Downtown has essentially run off with University Park's plan as far as student housing goes.

 

The greater irony is that demand for downtown living from adult non-students is higher than it has been in decades, yet there are few options available to them. Even for students who graduate and want to stay in town, they are forced to look elsewhere for places to live, usually out of the Akron area altogether.

 

IMHO, the vast bulk of student housing should have been built mostly along E. Exchange instead while the lots at S. Main, High and Exchange should have been reserved for more general adult housing. The city could have done a better job of enforcing this, but I suspect they saw student housing as the key to reviving downtown, and didn't honestly care if that siphoned off energy and momentum from UAPark, though it was already hindered by other issues.

 

Maybe all this will be corrected down the road, but I worry that a struggling UA's and a general shakeout in higher ed will result in reduced need for student housing in general, instead of more of it. Some of the existing complexes will likely eventually need to be "flipped" over to housing for the general adult population.

University Edge is nearly finished. Students have moved in and Chipotle and Penn Station are open.

The architectural design is nothing special, but they really got the urban design of the buildings right. It pushes right up to the sidewalk.

 

Given the historic lack of concern for integrating buildings into the urban landscape, I would call it a win.  I am concerned though with how well all of these buildings plus the existing neighborhood will fare over time.  That is a lot of additional rental space to drop into a stagnant student population.  I have heard of some aggressive rent negotiation going on.

 

I totally agree on both counts. At the same time, it is unfortunate that so many new student housing complexes have gone up downtown that we are much less likely now to see the full buildout of East Exchange in front of the university, meaning that those vacant lots between Spicer and Rt. 8 are probably going to remain just that for awhile, maybe for years at this point if UA doesn't see a sustained uptick in enrollment. Downtown has essentially run off with University Park's plan as far as student housing goes.

 

The greater irony is that demand for downtown living from adult non-students is higher than it has been in decades, yet there are few options available to them. Even for students who graduate and want to stay in town, they are forced to look elsewhere for places to live, usually out of the Akron area altogether.

 

IMHO, the vast bulk of student housing should have been built mostly along E. Exchange instead while the lots at S. Main, High and Exchange should have been reserved for more general adult housing. The city could have done a better job of enforcing this, but I suspect they saw student housing as the key to reviving downtown, and didn't honestly care if that siphoned off energy and momentum from UAPark, though it was already hindered by other issues.

 

Maybe all this will be corrected down the road, but I worry that a struggling UA's and a general shakeout in higher ed will result in reduced need for student housing in general, instead of more of it. Some of the existing complexes will likely eventually need to be "flipped" over to housing for the general adult population.

 

I agree.  While I'm sure the city and UA saw the demolition on East Exchange as blight removal, I don't see any benefit in leaving a bunch of empty lots behind.  At least before most of those buildings were occupied.

 

I also agree about having those student buildings built on East Exchange, and I also agree the city saw them as a way to bring residential living back downtown.  I can't fault them for trying to capitalize on that.

I'm glad that is finally moving, he had signage up for that since he bought the building a few years ago.

 

It's been a very slow process. I thought he had to have half of the project built by the end of this year to meet the agreements of the tax credits, but he must have worked something out.

University Edge is nearly finished. Students have moved in and Chipotle and Penn Station are open.

The architectural design is nothing special, but they really got the urban design of the buildings right. It pushes right up to the sidewalk.

 

Given the historic lack of concern for integrating buildings into the urban landscape, I would call it a win.  I am concerned though with how well all of these buildings plus the existing neighborhood will fare over time.  That is a lot of additional rental space to drop into a stagnant student population.  I have heard of some aggressive rent negotiation going on.

 

I totally agree on both counts. At the same time, it is unfortunate that so many new student housing complexes have gone up downtown that we are much less likely now to see the full buildout of East Exchange in front of the university, meaning that those vacant lots between Spicer and Rt. 8 are probably going to remain just that for awhile, maybe for years at this point if UA doesn't see a sustained uptick in enrollment. Downtown has essentially run off with University Park's plan as far as student housing goes.

 

The greater irony is that demand for downtown living from adult non-students is higher than it has been in decades, yet there are few options available to them. Even for students who graduate and want to stay in town, they are forced to look elsewhere for places to live, usually out of the Akron area altogether.

 

IMHO, the vast bulk of student housing should have been built mostly along E. Exchange instead while the lots at S. Main, High and Exchange should have been reserved for more general adult housing. The city could have done a better job of enforcing this, but I suspect they saw student housing as the key to reviving downtown, and didn't honestly care if that siphoned off energy and momentum from UAPark, though it was already hindered by other issues.

 

Maybe all this will be corrected down the road, but I worry that a struggling UA's and a general shakeout in higher ed will result in reduced need for student housing in general, instead of more of it. Some of the existing complexes will likely eventually need to be "flipped" over to housing for the general adult population.

 

I'm always skeptical of exactly how much development like that can be centrally planned.  I share your concerns about the economic viability of those student housing projects, but I still wouldn't have stood in the way of letting the developers take those risks.  If the developers are later forced to cut rent, that's life and that's business.  The rent being asked for many of those units is considerable and I hardly blame college students (or their parents, as the case may be) from negotiating the rent a little bit.

 

In addition, Downtown still does not lack for land.  Not even remotely.  Even if you completely ignore the land by the ballpark where the always-tomorrow concept of a downtown arena might be realized, there are still plenty of surface parking lots and dead greenspaces (greenspaces that aren't actually ever used by humans and serve mostly as ornamentation for passing cars, which is hardly the best use of such space) in the area.

I'm always skeptical of exactly how much development like that can be centrally planned.  I share your concerns about the economic viability of those student housing projects, but I still wouldn't have stood in the way of letting the developers take those risks.  If the developers are later forced to cut rent, that's life and that's business.  The rent being asked for many of those units is considerable and I hardly blame college students (or their parents, as the case may be) from negotiating the rent a little bit.

 

In addition, Downtown still does not lack for land.  Not even remotely.  Even if you completely ignore the land by the ballpark where the always-tomorrow concept of a downtown arena might be realized, there are still plenty of surface parking lots and dead greenspaces (greenspaces that aren't actually ever used by humans and serve mostly as ornamentation for passing cars, which is hardly the best use of such space) in the area.

 

I would agree with that.  Even though I would have rather seen adaptive reuse of some of the existing structures I'm glad to see multiple large scale developments going on in and around Downtown. 

 

I also agree there is no shortage of land downtown.  The amount of surface lots is ridiculous and at this point I think I would rather see empty older buildings waiting for reuse than another surface lot with the thought that maybe sometime down the road someone might build something on it.  In fact, in the long run I think Akron might do better hanging onto more older buildings as from what I've read it is often historic tax credits that make projects financially feasible, particularly with the relatively low rents we have in this area.  I just don't see runaway demand for new builds any time soon.  Even with the new student housing that was built, it was obvious they were built cheaply - from what I could tell all of those buildings are wood frame construction. 

I'm always skeptical of exactly how much development like that can be centrally planned.  I share your concerns about the economic viability of those student housing projects, but I still wouldn't have stood in the way of letting the developers take those risks.  If the developers are later forced to cut rent, that's life and that's business.  The rent being asked for many of those units is considerable and I hardly blame college students (or their parents, as the case may be) from negotiating the rent a little bit.

 

In addition, Downtown still does not lack for land.  Not even remotely.  Even if you completely ignore the land by the ballpark where the always-tomorrow concept of a downtown arena might be realized, there are still plenty of surface parking lots and dead greenspaces (greenspaces that aren't actually ever used by humans and serve mostly as ornamentation for passing cars, which is hardly the best use of such space) in the area.

 

I would agree with that.  Even though I would have rather seen adaptive reuse of some of the existing structures I'm glad to see multiple large scale developments going on in and around Downtown. 

 

I also agree there is no shortage of land downtown.  The amount of surface lots is ridiculous and at this point I think I would rather see empty older buildings waiting for reuse than another surface lot with the thought that maybe sometime down the road someone might build something on it.  In fact, in the long run I think Akron might do better hanging onto more older buildings as from what I've read it is often historic tax credits that make projects financially feasible, particularly with the relatively low rents we have in this area.  I just don't see runaway demand for new builds any time soon.  Even with the new student housing that was built, it was obvious they were built cheaply - from what I could tell all of those buildings are wood frame construction.

 

Indeed they are. Throwaway buildings that will be in serious need of repairs or demolition in 20 years--think mid-2030s. Ironically, many of the older buildings they replaced would probably still be standing then.

 

The hope seems to rest in the ability of these, as outgrowths of short-term fixes, to be parlayed into longer-term ones. I just don't know that Akron will have that luxury. So much of the city's long-term outlook rides on the confluence of medical research and the polymer technology being developed here, and their roles in laying down the foundation for a new local-regional economy.

 

Some have expressed serious doubts about the direction and fruits of these efforts, including the former President/CEO of Acme no less, long a player in the Akron business community.

 

The University of Akron is also a key player, which itself looks disturbingly shaky and exposed in the face of broader trends looming on the horizon in Higher Ed that could dramatically reduce the number of colleges and alter the focus of the ones that do survive. UA essentially stands as a very modest regional research university, permanently dwarfed by the likes of Ohio State and U-M, and still not remotely on par either with the next-up tier of public universities, such as Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

 

Whatever shakes-out in higher-ed, it's tough to imagine a world without OSU surviving in some relatively significant form or another, but can anyone honestly say the same about Akron, Kent, Cleveland State or Youngstown State?

 

Akron stands to lose big. I hope that isn't the case, but I am wondering what the contingency plan is?

I agree about the University of Akron in the long term, but the critical question there is how "long" the "long term" is.  It is hard to conceive of a world in which the current trends of higher education continue and UA continues to exist in its current form, though some sub-units within it could survive.  It's gotten too expensive for a regional school and it has not acquired the heft of a top-tier research university outside of a tiny handful of programs.  However, inertia is a powerful force, and culturally, this area is not as rapid an adopter of disruptive innovation as areas like SanFran, Seattle, or NYC, or even places like Austin and Atlanta.  UA could have many good years left ahead of it.

 

If you catch me in a darkly cynical moment, you might even hear me muse that UA may have already seen the long-term writing on the wall.  I've seen Scott Scarborough, the new UA president, at a number of functions (he did the usual whirlwind tour when he first assumed the role, so I saw him at a reception at the stadium and at the Akron Roundtable).  He is an accountant's accountant, every number-crunching stereotype incarnated into one dry, practical mannequin and fitted with a suit.  He uses the word "passion" the way I might use the word "linoleum"--it's something you'll consider having, but you need to think about it a bit first.  But he knows his numbers.  His background is financial and he is very comfortable in a world of statistics, charts, and graphs.  Reading between the lines, the knowledge that the UA trustees considered him the best fit for the job suggests to me that the latter skill set was what they really needed, which in turn suggests to me that (a) some of Luis Proenza's passions and visions turned out to be surprisingly expensive, and the university needed someone capable of managing the hangover, and (b) the mindset, consciously or otherwise, of the trustees (and now of the administration they've selected) is one of managed decline, possibly with an eye towards consolidation or restructuring rather than liquidation, but not towards anything sufficiently transformative to withstand the gathering winds over the long term.

If you catch me in a darkly cynical moment, you might even hear me muse that UA may have already seen the long-term writing on the wall.  I've seen Scott Scarborough, the new UA president, at a number of functions (he did the usual whirlwind tour when he first assumed the role, so I saw him at a reception at the stadium and at the Akron Roundtable).  He is an accountant's accountant, every number-crunching stereotype incarnated into one dry, practical mannequin and fitted with a suit.  He uses the word "passion" the way I might use the word "linoleum"--it's something you'll consider having, but you need to think about it a bit first.  But he knows his numbers.  His background is financial and he is very comfortable in a world of statistics, charts, and graphs.  Reading between the lines, the knowledge that the UA trustees considered him the best fit for the job suggests to me that the latter skill set was what they really needed, which in turn suggests to me that (a) some of Luis Proenza's passions and visions turned out to be surprisingly expensive, and the university needed someone capable of managing the hangover, and (b) the mindset, consciously or otherwise, of the trustees (and now of the administration they've selected) is one of managed decline, possibly with an eye towards consolidation or restructuring rather than liquidation, but not towards anything sufficiently transformative to withstand the gathering winds over the long term.

 

I was not much at all impressed by Scarborough's candidacy or his selection by the UA Board of Directors' to succeed Proenza. (I didn't endorse Tressel either.) It seems to me that they settled for someone in Akron's backyard this time (Toledo, relatively speaking) instead of casting a wider net with the intent to land a high-quality candidate as they did in 2000 when they landed Proenza.

 

I do see and understand as you do, the reasoning for why they chose him, however.

 

All the same, and as you also grasp, I don't think mastery of number-crunching alone in Buchtel Hall will be enough to save UA. It's too conservative and "safe" of an approach when a more proper balance between cost-cutting/consolidation and visionary leadership is what's needed at this time. And yes, I know that's paradoxical. But such leaders do exist. Just not right now at the head of UA.

 

Accountants will do what they do best, typically without regard for sensitivities. But in this case, you need a leader with a firm grasp of the grim math Akron faces who will also engage people in a vision of the future beyond the dark and stormy night, and bring them along and through it for the journey. Even if there is going to be a lot of blood-letting and heads-rolling along the way. Such a balance in approaches might make all the difference between whether there is anything and anyone around in the aftermath to still call a University of Akron.

 

UA presidents usually stick around awhile, but I give Scarborough 2-4 years before he's gone or ousted. He's not a proven leader, but he'll have to learn fast, or they're going to have his head on a pike. Then again, maybe the full intention all along was to bring him in as the proverbial hatchet man, who may then unwittingly serve afterwards as the fall guy.

 

Long term, on the order of 5-10 years, I suspect the proposal floated a few years ago for a Northeast Ohio University or "NEO U" will be dusted off and receive much more serious consideration. A key question then will be what Akron's standing and bargaining power will be at that time within the merger/consolidation process, relative to that of the other three universities (Kent, CSU and YSU). What happens these next few years at UA will be pivotal.

As far as a contingency plan goes, given the utter decimation of the fabric of our region, I'm just happy they have some semblance of one plan.  Even then, while the area has definitely made strides since the dark days of the 1970s and 1980s, all motion seems to be precariously put into place.  I'm as big of a cheerleader as anyone for the region but I can't help but look at the glass as half empty sometimes when we're running news stories that an Italian company has opened their US office in Akron!  Total employment: 3.  And that is big news.

 

I think Proenza's plan made sense 14 years ago and probably in the long run did a good bit to move UA from being an overpriced, glorified community college to a full fledged regional University.  Unfortunately in that time the economic and educational environment has changed significantly.  Online colleges abound, for profit universities have satellite locations in the area, and community and technical colleges have stepped up their game.  Degrees aren't as safe of a bet as they were for solid middle class or above employment, costs have spiraled out of control, and it looks like the fire hydrant of student loans will slowly begin tapering off as either the government places more restrictions or students become more leery of taking them out as the economy falters, or both.

 

I would really like to see a public college or university take the reigns and go all out on strictly offering an education and nothing else, even beyond current community colleges.  What does a college REALLY need?  Classrooms and professors (and support staff).  That's it.  No gyms or pools or flashy dorm rooms or brand new buildings.  How much would that cut the cost of an education?

 

I was able to be a small part of the previous effort to look at consolidating some of the services of the area Universities.  Absolutely amazing they couldn't work something out.  At some point it will probably become an economic necessity much like it is slowly becoming in other areas of local and state government.

I think Proenza's plan made sense 14 years ago and probably in the long run did a good bit to move UA from being an overpriced, glorified community college to a full fledged regional University.  Unfortunately in that time the economic and educational environment has changed significantly.  Online colleges abound, for profit universities have satellite locations in the area, and community and technical colleges have stepped up their game.  Degrees aren't as safe of a bet as they were for solid middle class or above employment, costs have spiraled out of control, and it looks like the fire hydrant of student loans will slowly begin tapering off as either the government places more restrictions or students become more leery of taking them out as the economy falters, or both.

 

Agreed on all points, but I'd break this down.  Some things on this list are not like the others.  If UA's only competition were for-profit colleges like Brown Mackie and Strayer, both of which have campuses in the Akron area, I'd feel much more confident about UA's future.  If anything, I think we'll see outfits like BM and Strayer fold first.  The prospects for online competition are significantly more daunting, because that's one where the content and price structure are already there and the missing link is the widespread acceptance (or lack thereof) in the job market.  Stanford might have enough content online for someone to take the equivalent of two years of Stanford classes on Coursera, but employers won't treat it as a Stanford education yet, and in fairness, it probably isn't there yet.  (This is particularly true for courses that require labs.)  But they're getting a lot closer.  As an employer, I'd personally be more inclined to hire someone who completed two years for free at Stanford than four years at full tuition at Brown Mackie or Strayer.

I was able to be a small part of the previous effort to look at consolidating some of the services of the area Universities.  Absolutely amazing they couldn't work something out.  At some point it will probably become an economic necessity much like it is slowly becoming in other areas of local and state government.

I recall that Proenza and the president of CSU at the time were quite interested in the possibilities of a consolidated regional university, even to the point that they actually seriously considered just merging UA and Cleveland State if Youngstown and Kent wanted no part in it (The conversation even went as far as considering which president would lead the combined institution). I think YSU was also receptive to it. I could also see their reluctance, given that Youngstown State is one of the last major institutional anchors remaining in the Mahoning Valley.

 

Kent was the one that was vehemently against any kind of a merger. They were very adamant about not giving up their autonomy.

 

The initial proposal was floated fairly late during Strickland's administration by higher-ed chancellor Fingerhut. Strickland's loss in 2010 to Kasich and administrative turnover probably had a great deal to do with why talks stalled-out. I agree though that sooner or later this will be revisited, if by no other reason than economic necessity.

I was able to visit the site of the new Akron Children's Hospital building. The inside is still fairly raw. They don't have many finishes in yet. I should have gotten a shot of the atrium but I forgot. The views out though are great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I noticed this really cool LED banding at the top of the two ends on E. Echange St. of the University Edge development. pffft.

:shoot:

 

Seven years after construction began, Heaven’s Gate is ready to open its doors

 

By Colette M. Jenkins

Beacon Journal religion writer

Published: October 23, 2014 - 10:01 PM

 

Calvin Guess spends his days working construction.

 

Lately, he’s been using his carpentry skills as a volunteer, in his off time helping to get his church ready for its opening this weekend. The church — Heaven’s Gate Community Church, at 2095 Romig Road in Akron — will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, more than seven years after construction began at the site.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/seven-years-after-construction-began-heaven-s-gate-is-ready-to-open-its-doors-1.534563

^ I just visited their website....very very interesting.

 

http://heavensgate.com/

Has it only been seven years?  It seems like that place has been under construction for double that.

^ I just visited their website....very very interesting.

 

http://heavensgate.com/

 

That is referring to the Heaven's Gate cult. 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven's_Gate_(religious_group)

Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, director Wes Anderson suggest starting amusement park in Akron

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: November 5, 2014 - 10:54 PM

 

An amusement park ... in Akron.

 

The idea may seem far-fetched — and it may well be — but it earned a mention in a recent book and a Time Magazine article published this week.

 

Whimsical director Wes Anderson poses the concept in the foreword to a new book about Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, with whom he’s collaborated on several movies.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/devo-s-mark-mothersbaugh-director-wes-anderson-suggest-starting-amusement-park-in-akron-1.538534

 

TIME Magazine article:

 

https://time.com/3556593/wes-anderson-mark-mothersbaugh-theme-park/#3556593/wes-anderson-mark-mothersbaugh-theme-park/

Akron Children’s Hospital offers sneak peek at new $200 million expansion

 

By Cheryl Powell

Beacon Journal medical writer

Published: November 30, 2014 - 11:09 PM | Updated: December 1, 2014 - 11:31 AM

 

Even without all the equipment, furnishings and other finishing touches, the newest addition to Akron’s pediatric hospital is taking shape.

 

Akron Children’s Hospital recently began offering staff, community leaders and donors a sneak peek at its $200 million expansion project with tours of the Kay Jewelers Pavilion under construction on the downtown campus.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-children-s-hospital-offers-sneak-peek-at-new-200-million-expansion-1.545718

Hilton brand’s hotel in Bath Township is first in Akron area

Homewood Suites hotel opens in Bath Township

 

Beacon Journal staff report

Published: December 12, 2014 - 05:35 PM | Updated: December 12, 2014 - 08:01 PM

 

Another Akron-area hotel is celebrating being open for business.

 

The 105-room Homewood Suites, at 210 Springside Drive on the Bath Township/Fairlawn line in the Montrose area, will hold a grand-opening celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday. The event is open to the public.

 

Homewood Suites, a Hilton brand, is an extended-stay hotel.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/homewood-suites-hotel-opens-in-bath-township-1.549306?localLinksEnabled=false

Hands-on event a sneak peek at possible Akron Children’s Museum

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: December 14, 2014 - 10:57 PM | Updated: December 15, 2014 - 10:49 AM

 

As youngsters were skating on an indoor “ice” rink or playing with a life-sized Lite Brite among other activities on Sunday afternoon at the Highland Theatre, Betsy Hartschuh was dreaming about how the holiday event could turn into a real Akron Children’s Museum.

 

The first “Hands-On Holidays” event was a kid-centered fundraiser designed to give Akron-area parents a sneak peek at activities a children’s museum could have.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/hands-on-event-a-sneak-peek-at-possible-akron-children-s-museum-1.549810

Bass Pro Shop will anchor huge Marketplace development in Boston Heights

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/katie-byard/bass-pro-shop-will-anchor-huge-marketplace-development-in-boston-heights-1.591618?localLinksEnabled=false

Bass Pro Shops, a megastore retailer specializing in outdoor gear, said Wednesday it will open a store in Boston Heights, its third store in Ohio.

The store will be built at the northwest quadrant of Interstate 80 and state Route 8 in Boston Heights, on the site of the former Boston Mills Country Club.

Bass Pro Shops said the store will anchor a huge, 1 million-square-foot “mixed use” Marketplace at Boston Heights. The project includes 350,000 square feet of retail space, and Bass Pro’s store will account for 100,000 square feet.

Bass Pro Shops, of Springfield, Mo., said the projected opening date for the Boston Heights store is summer 2016.

Costco to be part of huge development in Boston Heights with Bass Pro

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/costco-to-be-part-of-huge-development-in-boston-heights-with-bass-pro-1.591897

Oh good. More exurban retail.

West Point Market to close. Sounds like a Whole Foods or similar will be moving in.

 

<b>West Point Market closing after nearly 80 years; unnamed specialty grocer to anchor new development at West Akron site </b>

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

 

Iconic Akron grocery West Point Market is closing at the end of year.

The nearly 80-year-old independent gourmet food emporium had an offer too good to pass up.

The West Market Street property in Akron’s Wallhaven neighborhood is to be sold to a developer planning a new and expanded shopping center anchored by an as-yet unnamed specialty grocer — possibly Whole Foods.

 

Read more: http://www.ohio.com/news/local/west-point-market-closing-after-nearly-80-years-unnamed-specialty-grocer-to-anchor-new-development-at-west-akron-site-1.592166

 

^Wow. I was just talking to someone the other day about how the current Walmart location in Montrose would be a good location for Whole Foods, but it looks as if Walmart won't be moving down the road to a new location closer to 77, so I guess they won't be vacating their current store.  The West Point Market was nice, but I'll take a Whole Foods. Especially since it sounds as if a developer is planning a whole shopping center there. Whole Foods will bring in top tenants and really inject some life into that area, which could use it. Hopefully it will also spur some spinoff development.  The West Point Market building was a bunker facing the street, and Whole Foods Markets have better architecture.

Oh good. More exurban retail.

Boston Heights isn't exactly an exurb. More like a second/third ring Akron suburb, and one that should be annexed into a larger municipality (e.g. Hudson) to end its speed trap fetish.

 

Regardless though, it is disappointing to see more sprawl in the Greater Akron area. As if the area really needs another retail district.

^Wow. I was just talking to someone the other day about how the current Walmart location in Montrose would be a good location for Whole Foods, but it looks as if Walmart won't be moving down the road to a new location closer to 77, so I guess they won't be vacating their current store.  The West Point Market was nice, but I'll take a Whole Foods. Especially since it sounds as if a developer is planning a whole shopping center there. Whole Foods will bring in top tenants and really inject some life into that area, which could use it. Hopefully it will also spur some spinoff development.  The West Point Market building was a bunker facing the street, and Whole Foods Markets have better architecture.

It does seem like Wallhaven is long overdue for some new investment and general TLC, similar to what Highland Square seems to be getting lately, although I hate to see it come at the expense of another local institution. But West Side Market might have been on borrowed time anyway, given the expansion of specialty grocers into the area. At least they are looking now at ways to keep the brand alive.

West Point Market to close. Sounds like a Whole Foods or similar will be moving in.

 

<b>West Point Market closing after nearly 80 years; unnamed specialty grocer to anchor new development at West Akron site </b>

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

 

Iconic Akron grocery West Point Market is closing at the end of year.

The nearly 80-year-old independent gourmet food emporium had an offer too good to pass up.

The West Market Street property in Akron’s Wallhaven neighborhood is to be sold to a developer planning a new and expanded shopping center anchored by an as-yet unnamed specialty grocer — possibly Whole Foods.

 

Read more: http://www.ohio.com/news/local/west-point-market-closing-after-nearly-80-years-unnamed-specialty-grocer-to-anchor-new-development-at-west-akron-site-1.592166

 

 

I used to love this place...sorry to hear this news. It was leaps and bounds by far the best beer selection back in the 1990's.

 

The story of Akron, one step forward one step back.

Oh good. More exurban retail.

 

I'm not thrilled about more retail being built on undeveloped land.  There are already too many shopping centers in the Akron area and these additional retailers could have found space to redevelop.

 

Also very sad to see West Point close, but at least it sounds like that property will be redevolped into something useful.

Oh good. More exurban retail.

 

I'm not thrilled about more retail being built on undeveloped land.  There are already too many shopping centers in the Akron area and these additional retailers could have found space to redevelop.

 

Also very sad to see West Point close, but at least it sounds like that property will be redevolped into something useful.

 

West Point isn't closing because of bad business. They were bought out by the developer so a Whole Foods could be developed. As the article says, West Point was made an offer they couldn't refuse.

West Point Market to close. Sounds like a Whole Foods or similar will be moving in.

 

<b>West Point Market closing after nearly 80 years; unnamed specialty grocer to anchor new development at West Akron site </b>

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

 

Iconic Akron grocery West Point Market is closing at the end of year.

The nearly 80-year-old independent gourmet food emporium had an offer too good to pass up.

The West Market Street property in Akron’s Wallhaven neighborhood is to be sold to a developer planning a new and expanded shopping center anchored by an as-yet unnamed specialty grocer — possibly Whole Foods.

 

Read more: http://www.ohio.com/news/local/west-point-market-closing-after-nearly-80-years-unnamed-specialty-grocer-to-anchor-new-development-at-west-akron-site-1.592166

 

 

I used to love this place...sorry to hear this news. It was leaps and bounds by far the best beer selection back in the 1990's.

 

The story of Akron, one step forward one step back.

 

How is this one step forward, one step back? This is a choice by the owners of West Point market to take an offer and sell to a developer. Should we not allow them to make a choice of what to do with their own business?  Yeah, WPM had a great beer selection in the 90's before anyone else was doing it, but now everyone has a great beer selection, so that doesn't make WPM special anymore.

 

I can see a certain sadness that a business unique to Akron is being replaced by out of town Whole Foods, but overall, I think WF will add to a revitalization of the area and probably employ more people.

West Point Market to close. Sounds like a Whole Foods or similar will be moving in.

 

<b>West Point Market closing after nearly 80 years; unnamed specialty grocer to anchor new development at West Akron site </b>

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

 

Iconic Akron grocery West Point Market is closing at the end of year.

The nearly 80-year-old independent gourmet food emporium had an offer too good to pass up.

The West Market Street property in Akron’s Wallhaven neighborhood is to be sold to a developer planning a new and expanded shopping center anchored by an as-yet unnamed specialty grocer — possibly Whole Foods.

 

Read more: http://www.ohio.com/news/local/west-point-market-closing-after-nearly-80-years-unnamed-specialty-grocer-to-anchor-new-development-at-west-akron-site-1.592166

 

 

I used to love this place...sorry to hear this news. It was leaps and bounds by far the best beer selection back in the 1990's.

 

The story of Akron, one step forward one step back.

 

How is this one step forward, one step back? This is a choice by the owners of West Point market to take an offer and sell to a developer. Should we not allow them to make a choice of what to do with their own business?  Yeah, WPM had a great beer selection in the 90's before anyone else was doing it, but now everyone has a great beer selection, so that doesn't make WPM special anymore.

 

It's a gain, covering up an immediate loss. That's all.

:shoot:

Developer of new retail complex on West Point Market property tries to address property owners’ concerns; Akron City Council vote expected next week

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: July 20, 2015 - 10:19 PM | Updated: July 21, 2015 - 10:35 AM

 

The developer of a new retail complex that will be built where West Point Market now stands has gone to great lengths to address neighboring property owners’ concerns, including curving a corner of a building to try to improve the visibility of a local art gallery.

 

S.J. Collins, the Georgia-based developer, also added trees to the rear of the development, addressed a resident’s drainage concern and agreed not to put a restaurant into a smaller retail building that will be closest to the residential area near the site.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/developer-of-new-retail-complex-on-west-point-market-property-tries-to-address-property-owners-concerns-akron-city-council-vote-expected-next-week-1.609778#

 

:shoot:

Developer of new retail complex on West Point Market property tries to address property owners’ concerns; Akron City Council vote expected next week

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: July 20, 2015 - 10:19 PM | Updated: July 21, 2015 - 10:35 AM

 

The developer of a new retail complex that will be built where West Point Market now stands has gone to great lengths to address neighboring property owners’ concerns, including curving a corner of a building to try to improve the visibility of a local art gallery.

 

S.J. Collins, the Georgia-based developer, also added trees to the rear of the development, addressed a resident’s drainage concern and agreed not to put a restaurant into a smaller retail building that will be closest to the residential area near the site.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/developer-of-new-retail-complex-on-west-point-market-property-tries-to-address-property-owners-concerns-akron-city-council-vote-expected-next-week-1.609778#

 

 

Why the machine gun emoticon? Do you not like this project?

Why the machine gun emoticon? Do you not like this project?

 

Nope...