On tax incentives for home building, Horrigan says no time ‘to be timid or reserved’

By Doug Livingston

Published: April 9, 2017 - 10:54 PM | Updated: April 10, 2017 - 07:20 AM

 

Tucked between the Little Cuyahoga River and scenic cliff, a sign beckons Akronites to come home.

 

“A great place to live along the Towpath Trail,” it reads. Beyond it, two houses stand like lonely sentinels at the frontier of a development off Hickory Street. White flowers blossom on rows of dogwood trees. A winding road connects fire hydrants and electrical boxes, each with an address but no mailbox.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/on-tax-incentives-for-home-building-horrigan-says-no-time-to-be-timid-or-reserved-1.759483

This happened quietly. I guess a data center doesn't make the mouth water but $17 mil. is nothing to sneeze at.

 

Bridgestone Americas rededicates its data center in Akron

By Beacon Journal staff report

Published: April 18, 2017 - 06:02 PM | Updated: April 19, 2017 - 08:22 AM

 

Bridgestone Americas on Tuesday rededicated its newly consolidated data center in Akron after a two-year, $17.3 million renovation project.

 

The 10,000-square-foot Akron Data Center houses the tire maker’s core information technology systems, including 3,000 physical and virtual servers.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/bridgestone-americas-rededicates-its-data-center-in-akron-1.761344

Akron to consider taking ownership of J.C. Penney store at Rolling Acres Mall to tear it down

By Rick Armon

Published: May 8, 2017 - 02:48 PM | Updated: May 9, 2017 - 07:24 AM

 

Akron is considering taking ownership of the former J.C. Penney store at Rolling Acres Mall and possibly demolishing the building.

 

The Plano, Texas-based department store chain has agreed to give the vacant building to the city at no cost.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-to-consider-taking-ownership-of-j-c-penney-store-at-rolling-acres-mall-to-tear-it-down-1.765600#

Fairlawn approves project to bring CoreLife Eatery and City Barbecue to community

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: May 12, 2017 - 12:43 PM

 

RLAWN: The city Planning Commission has approved a proposal to tear down the aging Wyant Buildings along West Market Street to make room for a new complex featuring two restaurants.

 

“That’s a big plus for that area,” Mayor Bill Roth said Friday. “Those buildings have outlived their use.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/fairlawn-approves-project-to-bring-corelife-eatery-and-city-barbecue-to-community-1.766473

CoreLife is so good. We just had one open up in Ithaca, NY and it's like Chipolte, but healthy and cheap. You can get a decent meal for about $10.

 

These are the buildings to be razed: https://goo.gl/maps/UC6x86LEdK12 . Not a big loss it would be nice if this was the catalyst for more urban developments along West Market.

CoreLife is so good. We just had one open up in Ithaca, NY and it's like Chipolte, but healthy and cheap. You can get a decent meal for about $10.

 

These are the buildings to be razed: https://goo.gl/maps/UC6x86LEdK12 . Not a big loss it would be nice if this was the catalyst for more urban developments along West Market.

 

Look at the aerial. These are deep buildings. I wonder if the whole strip mall is coming down on both lots?

I am thinking so. They were not that well maintained partly because of the vacancy.

Akron commission to guide ‘complete streets’ effort

By Paula Schleis

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: May 15, 2017 - 10:10 PM

 

new Akron city commission will guide efforts to create safer and friendlier streets that blend cars, pedestrians and bikes to meet modern urban needs.

 

City Council Monday approved the formation of the Complete, Livable and Green Streets Advisory Commission, which will develop recommendations for use in future transportation and infrastructure plans.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-commission-to-guide-complete-streets-effort-1.767223

 

I always have mixed feelings about announcements like that.  Of course, I support efforts to create safer and friendlier multimodal streets (not to mention multimodal developments along those multimodal streets).  But why does this need a new commission?  Why not just incorporate complete streets principles into the operating principles of the already-existing planning department, zoning commission, etc.?  There are plenty of urban enthusiasts already in those departments; it's not like the people there are just hearing about these principles for the first time and need an advisory commission to get them up to speed.  Is this just going to effectively add another cook to the kitchen?

 

Maybe I'm overrreacting, of course, and I obviously appreciate the general symbolic statement of priorities that the city is making here.

I would imagine that the purpose is to revisit all thoroughfares in the city and figure out where they can be improved with these new guidelines. Figure out how much it will cost per street and let the powers that be figure out which streets will give the community the biggest bang for the buck to implement.

I would imagine that the purpose is to revisit all thoroughfares in the city and figure out where they can be improved with these new guidelines.

 

My first thought is how strange and off putting it is to be walking to Musica or Crave on Market St. and have cars zipping past you going +50 mph. 

I always have mixed feelings about announcements like that.  Of course, I support efforts to create safer and friendlier multimodal streets (not to mention multimodal developments along those multimodal streets).  But why does this need a new commission?  Why not just incorporate complete streets principles into the operating principles of the already-existing planning department, zoning commission, etc.?  There are plenty of urban enthusiasts already in those departments; it's not like the people there are just hearing about these principles for the first time and need an advisory commission to get them up to speed.  Is this just going to effectively add another cook to the kitchen?

 

Maybe I'm overrreacting, of course, and I obviously appreciate the general symbolic statement of priorities that the city is making here.

 

The ordinance states that the commission is comprised of the following:

Director of Planning (or someone designated by them)

Director of Public Service (or someone designated by them)

Two City Council members

3 members of the public at large (non-compensated positions)

Fairlawn looks to buy vacant property along Ridgewood Road

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: May 18, 2017 - 02:50 PM | Updated: May 19, 2017 - 07:39 AM

 

FAIRLAWN: The city is looking to buy 14.5 acres of vacant property along Ridgewood Road to help expand its Fairlawn Corporate Park and improve stormwater retention.

 

Fairlawn has a tentative deal in place to purchase the land for $805,000 from the Presentation of Our Lord Romanian Orthodox Church at 3365 Ridgewood.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/fairlawn-looks-to-buy-vacant-property-along-ridgewood-road-1.767959

Old Akron buildings are new again thanks to historic preservation that earns recognition

By Katie Byard

Published: May 30, 2017 - 09:12 PM | Updated: May 31, 2017 - 08:26 AM

 

Dan Sarvis stands on an old wood floor in one of Akron’s newest urban apartment buildings — in a restored old tire factory near downtown.

 

“This is ancient ground,” Sarvis said of the restored floor. “This wood would have been grown in the 1700s and 1800s and put in here in 1904.”

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/old-akron-buildings-are-new-again-thanks-to-historic-preservation-that-earns-recognition-1.770826#

Akron planning commissioners recommend against approving medical marijuana facilities

By Doug Livingston

Published: June 2, 2017 - 04:48 PM

 

The Akron Planning Commission shot down every proposal in the first round of prospective medical mari­juana growers.

 

The five-member commission met Friday, splitting 3-2 on four proposals for marijuana grow sites in Akron and unanimously voting down a fifth on South Broadway after its backer didn’t show up to lobby for the plan.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-planning-commissioners-recommend-against-approving-medical-marijuana-facilities-1.771577

Akron opens application window for residential property tax breaks

By Doug Livingston

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: July 5, 2017 - 02:20 PM | Updated: July 5, 2017 - 11:02 PM

 

Akron is now accepting applications for tax breaks on new or remodeled homes, including work completed months ago.

 

The Ohio Department of Development in June accepted Mayor Dan Horrigan’s request to make the entire city a “community reinvestment area.” The declaration allows for tax exemptions on the improved value of property due to new construction. Horrigan’s plan, among the most liberal adopted by any Ohio mayor, forgives 100 percent of additional property taxes for 15 years on any new home or projects of $5,000 or more.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-opens-application-window-for-residential-property-tax-breaks-1.778547

Whole Foods in West Akron to open Sept. 14, anchors new plaza

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: July 12, 2017 - 12:02 PM | Updated: July 13, 2017 - 08:04 AM

 

Whole Foods has finally revealed an opening date for its store in the Wallhaven neighborhood of West Akron: Sept. 14.

 

The store — at 1745 W. Market St. in the new West Market Street Station shopping plaza — will be the first Whole Foods store in the Akron area and the first Whole Foods Market 365 to open in Ohio.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/whole-foods-in-west-akron-to-open-sept-14-anchors-new-plaza-1.779821

^Finally. It feels like they've been building that Whole Foods 365 forever.

^Finally. It feels like they've been building that Whole Foods 365 forever.

Yea, they definitely stopped for a while once the shell was done.

^Finally. It feels like they've been building that Whole Foods 365 forever.

Yea, they definitely stopped for a while once the shell was done.

 

I was concerned that the Akron store might be the victim of Whole Food's downsizing over the past six months. There have been several projects across the country that were canceled or abandoned. I'm glad to see that's not the case here.

^Finally. It feels like they've been building that Whole Foods 365 forever.

Yea, they definitely stopped for a while once the shell was done.

 

I was concerned that the Akron store might be the victim of Whole Food's downsizing over the past six months. There have been several projects across the country that were canceled or abandoned. I'm glad to see that's not the case here.

 

It was actually a victim. It was announced and sold as a Whole Foods. Once approved, they came back later and changed it to the 365 by Whole Foods. But, from some of the articles I read they are not building the traditional Whole Foods anymore.

^Finally. It feels like they've been building that Whole Foods 365 forever.

Yea, they definitely stopped for a while once the shell was done.

 

I was concerned that the Akron store might be the victim of Whole Food's downsizing over the past six months. There have been several projects across the country that were canceled or abandoned. I'm glad to see that's not the case here.

 

It was actually a victim. It was announced and sold as a Whole Foods. Once approved, they came back later and changed it to the 365 by Whole Foods. But, from some of the articles I read they are not building the traditional Whole Foods anymore.

 

Late to this, but I think a 365 is clearly a better fit there, anyway.  With Mustard Seed, West Point, and Earth Fare all not far from there, the premium organic grocery section in Akron is already brutally competitive for a metro our size.

^Finally. It feels like they've been building that Whole Foods 365 forever.

Yea, they definitely stopped for a while once the shell was done.

 

I was concerned that the Akron store might be the victim of Whole Food's downsizing over the past six months. There have been several projects across the country that were canceled or abandoned. I'm glad to see that's not the case here.

 

It was actually a victim. It was announced and sold as a Whole Foods. Once approved, they came back later and changed it to the 365 by Whole Foods. But, from some of the articles I read they are not building the traditional Whole Foods anymore.

 

Late to this, but I think a 365 is clearly a better fit there, anyway.  With Mustard Seed, West Point, and Earth Fare all not far from there, the premium organic grocery section in Akron is already brutally competitive for a metro our size.

 

I agree.  Akron has an amazing amount of grocery options, both high-end and on down.  The opening date for WF 365 is September 14.

 

I was back in Akron two weeks ago for a few days and I also got a chance to check out the "new" West Point Market.  I'm happy it's there and the products offered were good, but I really didn't like the way the interior space was chopped up.  There are different rooms for different products as opposed to a large, un-interrupted space where a shopper could look around and see everything.  I thought the design inside was inefficient and looked cheap.

 

The new Mustard Seed it great, especially the upstairs bar area.  My only complaint is the awkward entrance to the upstairs which is by the exit from the downstairs store.  The downstairs store also has a different entrance, so it makes for a strange flow.

^I'm not sure that west point is finished with their layout. I think they are slowly adding departments. If I'm wrong, then yea its lame.  I would expect a flow to it.  This is just putting out their best high margin items with cheese and alcohol.

I think the Whole Foods 365 will be a better fit, too. For those who weren't familiar with Whole Foods (like me) the thinking was that it would be almost a direct a replacement for West Point - which it clearly is not. The "365" concept is even further from this; far less "high-end" offerings, but more quality-at-a--fair price-focused, and with prepared foods, etc. as well. Hopefully this will complement what Mustard Seed and even Acme #1 has to offer. Regardless, folks in West Akron can't complain.

Akron's resurgence helps to lure Colliers

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170820/NEWS/170829988/akrons-resurgence-helps-to-lure-colliers

Akron awarded $5.7 million for Evans Avenue bridge construction

Posted on August 23, 2017 at 3:59 PM

By Brittany Nader, special to cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio -- Akron will receive $5.7 million in FASTLANE grant funding to construct a bridge along Evans Avenue over CSX and Metro RTA railroad tracks.

 

The project includes the construction of pair of bridges to realign Evans Avenue, removing a potentially dangerous at-grade crossing with both CSX and Metro RTA railroads.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/08/akron_awarded_partial_funding.html#incart_river_mobile_index

This isn't really downtown as its in the chapel hill area.  The road is not that heavily used of a road but since the crossing gets blocked a lot by some traffic and train movements it was decided to build a bridge over it in order to allow safety vehicles through and not have school buses cross the tracks any more.

  This is definitely a nicety.  It is one less at-grade crossing to worry about for trains in the Akron area.  I don't think this changes the equation much of any new passenger service whether the dinner train concept or commuter.

Testa Cos. plans 40 townhomes for refugees in Akron's North Hill

Posted on August 25, 2017 at 3:59 PM

By Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio - Testa Companies plans to build 40 townhomes in North Hill, in what will be the first new family housing development in North Akron in more than 20 years.

 

Through a partnership with the International Institute of Akron, the city and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Testa plans to break ground in spring 2018 on the International House at San Tomasso (Italian for St. Thomas). The units will be built on land near St. Thomas Hospital and St. Anthony of Padua Parish on N. Main Street and is intended to be largely occupied by refugees.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/08/testa_companies_to_build_new_h.html#incart_river_index

 

 

 

Rolling Acres demolition continues; JCPenney is coming down

Published: August 24, 2017 - 4:02 PM | Updated: August 24, 2017 - 9:34 PM

By Betty Lin-Fisher

 

Demolition on the former Rolling Acres Mall continues, including at the former J.C. Penney Outlet building.

 

Wrecking crews began work on the former department store a few weeks ago after the city of Akron officially took ownership. J.C. Penney donated the building to the city, but legal issues took longer than expected for the transfer, said Brad Beckert, city development engineering manager in the mayor’s office of economic development.

 

https://www.ohio.com/akron/breaking-news/rolling-acres-demolition-continues-jcpenney-is-coming-down

Plan to transform Akron's iconic Rubber Bowl into entertainment venue is dead

Updated on August 29, 2017 at 2:28 PM Posted on August 29, 2017 at 2:26 PM

By Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio - Efforts to revitalize Akron's iconic Rubber Bowl as a live music and entertainment venue have come to an end.

 

Team 1 Marketing Group, the Rubber Bowl's recent owners, posted this message on the stadium's Facebook page on Tuesday.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/08/efforts_end_to_transform_akron.html#incart_river_home

Plan to transform Akron's iconic Rubber Bowl into entertainment venue is dead

Updated on August 29, 2017 at 2:28 PM Posted on August 29, 2017 at 2:26 PM

By Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio - Efforts to revitalize Akron's iconic Rubber Bowl as a live music and entertainment venue have come to an end.

 

Team 1 Marketing Group, the Rubber Bowl's recent owners, posted this message on the stadium's Facebook page on Tuesday.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/08/efforts_end_to_transform_akron.html#incart_river_home

 

Not surprised about this. The RB is in such bad shape it's going to be difficult to rehab it. I would like to see it repourposed, but I have a feeling the wrecking ball is imminent.

Plan to transform Akron's iconic Rubber Bowl into entertainment venue is dead

Updated on August 29, 2017 at 2:28 PM Posted on August 29, 2017 at 2:26 PM

By Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio - Efforts to revitalize Akron's iconic Rubber Bowl as a live music and entertainment venue have come to an end.

 

Team 1 Marketing Group, the Rubber Bowl's recent owners, posted this message on the stadium's Facebook page on Tuesday.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/08/efforts_end_to_transform_akron.html#incart_river_home

 

Not surprised about this. The RB is in such bad shape it's going to be difficult to rehab it. I would like to see it repourposed, but I have a feeling the wrecking ball is imminent.

 

It's a goner at this point. Give the land to the airport or Derby.

September 10, 2017 4:00 am      Updated 2 days ago

Akron's Middlebury neighborhood is a microcosm of the city itself

Area mixes the new development, old character and blight typical of former industrial towns

By DAN SHINGLER

 

Put the entire Rust Belt into a snow globe, and you might get something like Middlebury.

 

"There's definitely a little bit of everything here," said Jason Segedy, Akron's director of planning and urban development, on a recent tour he gave of the Akron neighborhood, which he says was a town even before the Rubber City itself was founded in 1825.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170910/news/134896/akrons-middlebury-neighborhood-microcosm-city-itself

The Akron Whole Foods 365 was/is slated to open today, Sept 12. At least that's what the sign said when I was there a month ago. Anyone stop in?

I did, and it was packed.  Of course it still has the newness factor.

 

The integration with Amazon is still a work in progress.  For example, Business Insider reported some time ago that Amazon Prime members would get discounts at Whole Foods (http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-prime-whole-foods-discount-2017-8), but no such system was in place there and the place was aggressively signing people up for its 365 Rewards program.

 

The place felt surprisingly small, all things considered.  I don't know if that was an illusion because of the crowds, but I don't really think it is.  Also, because of the lack of a second level, the cafe portion of the store really feels a lot more like just eating in the middle of a grocery store (which will likely greatly limit its appeal, especially in colder months when the street-level outdoor seating isn't really usable), whereas the second-floor Mustard Seed Cafe only a mile or two away down Market is going to get much more mileage out of its cafe.  The prepared food section of the Whole Foods 365, however, is considerably larger.

 

I laugh at the plaza as a whole now, because it's like a Buzzfeed article about "How Basic Are You?" come to life: Whole Foods 365, Lululemon, OrangeTheory, a nail spa, and a ritzy pet store (as well as the Piada and the Great Clips, but eh).

^The 365 stores are generally smaller than most regular Whole Foods size stores. Also, the café in the middle of the store is a similar set up to how most Whole Foods stores have them set up. It does lead to some awkward shopping traffic patterns as Whole Foods stores are not known for their great inside design or traffic flow.

 

I'm interested to see how this new store as well as the upscale stores in the plaza will impact the Wallhaven neighborhood which can sometimes be a little rough around the edges.

Downtown Akron Vision & Redevelopment Plan lays out plan for more vibrant city

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2017/09/donwtown_akron_vision_redevelo.html

 

Construction underway at Stark State's new Akron campus

Rachel Abbey McCafferty

 

STAFF BLOG : Manufacturing and Education

 

 

I had the chance to visit Stark State College's under-construction Akron campus last month.

 

Plans for the new Akron location were announced in May 2016. Stark State's main campus is in North Canton.

 

The campus is set to open in fall 2018, and the new building will have 68,000 square foot of space for the college to use. To start, the community college will use the first and second floors for classrooms, computer labs, offices and a bookstore, leaving the third floor as open space for future expansion, said project coordinator Rich Rosenberger. Some of the basement will also be used initially.

 

Rosenberger said there's also room on the site for two to three more buildings, if that becomes necessary in the future.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20171019/blogs09/139336/construction-underway-stark-states-new-akron-campus

November 19, 2017 4:00 am      UPDATED 8 HOURS AGO

APV lends a hand to revive Firestone site

By DAN SHINGLER

 

The land around where Firestone's headquarters and plant once hummed, about a mile south of downtown Akron, probably has never looked worse.

 

And that's just fine with local officials hoping to redevelop it into Firestone Business Park.

 

Things have to get ugly before they can get better, they say, referring to the demolition that's going on in much of the old industrial complex.

 

...And now the county and the city of Akron, which owns part of the site, have a champion on their side, one they say already has accelerated the pace of redevelopment: APV Engineered Coatings.

 

...All told, there are about 18 acres of the site now ready for development. APV owns about 12 of them, and the city owns the rest, Venarge said. At $25,000 an acre, companies are already starting to express interest, because good industrial lots are in short supply in Akron right now, he added. That's one reason he wants to be able to build on more of his site as well.

 

MORE:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20171119/news/142896/apv-lends-hand-revive-firestone-site

Akron School Board approves plans for LeBron James’s I Promise School

Published: November 27, 2017 - 8:40 PM | Updated: November 28, 2017 - 9:35 AM

By Theresa Cottom

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Kids will have an additional hour in school every day called the “illumination period” to use for intervention, enrichment or after-school activities.

 

School will also start in the summer almost 20 days before other Akron Public Schools to encourage information retention and reduce the “summer slide.”

 

https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/akron-school-board-approves-plans-for-lebron-jamess-i-promise-school

Third Akron site selected to grow marijuana is second spot in Chapel Hill area

Published: November 30, 2017 - 11:37 AM | Updated: December 1, 2017 - 8:46 AM

By Doug Livingston

Beacon Journal/Ohio.com

 

The state announced more provisional licenses for marijuana farms on Thursday, and Akron is getting its third. No other city or town in Ohio will have as many.

 

Canton, following Thursday’s announcement, is now the only place in Ohio with two approved marijuana cultivation sites. And despite operators in the industry expecting the state to spread these medical marijuana businesses out, two of Ohio’s 26 cannabis farms will be next door neighbors in Akron’s Chapel Hill neighborhood.

 

https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/local/third-akron-site-selected-to-grow-marijuana-is-second-spot-in-chapel-hill-area

FirstEnergy Corp. to build advanced technology center in Akron

By DAN SHINGLER   

December 14, 2017 11:15 am      Updated 21 hours ago

 

Akron is getting a new, $37 million advanced energy center, FirstEnergy Corp. announced Thursday, Dec. 14.

 

According to a news release, the Akron-based company "is seeking permits to build the Center for Advanced Energy Technology, an 88,000 square-foot facility in Akron, Ohio, dedicated to evaluating, testing and training staff on new, digital grid technologies that enhance the company's ability to serve customers."

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20171214/news/145741/firstenergy-corp-build-advanced-technology-center-akron

City prices Rubber Bowl demolition and delays new courthouse in 2018 budget

Published: January 22, 2018 - 7:18 PM | Updated: January 22, 2018 - 10:11 PM

By Doug Livingston

 

No courthouse, yet

 

There will be no new municipal courthouse in 2018, and maybe not in 2019, either.

 

For years, the city has been squirreling away court fees in a special fund, hoping to have enough someday to build a new municipal courthouse on the site of the Morley Health Center at 177 South Broadway.

 

The health center will be torn down. On top of an existing underground parking deck, the new courthouse would be erected at an estimated cost of $26 million to $30 million. Last year, court administrators deposited about $1.6 million in the special fund, which sits at about $8 million, or less than a third of what is needed.

 

https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/city-prices-rubber-bowl-demolition-and-delays-new-courthouse-in-2018-budget

There are a couple moving pieces / parts in this article for Wallhaven and Downtown.

 

 

Proposed land swap between Akron Public Schools, city would bring new housing development

By DAN SHINGLER 

January 30, 2018 8:04 am 

 

A proposed land swap deal between the city, county and Akron Public Schools (APS) could bring Akron its biggest housing development in decades.

 

As part of the plan, the city would give the school system a big parking lot it owns that sits around the downtown SummaCare building that APS will take over once SummaCare moves to Akron's East End development.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180130/news/150221/proposed-land-swap-between-akron-public-schools-city-would-bring-new

Akron takes ownership of Rubber Bowl in preparation for demolition

Updated 3:55 PM; Posted 3:58 PM

 

 

By Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

 

jconnCleveland[/member].com

 

AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Rubber Bowl is one step closer to its demise.

 

On Monday, Akron City Council approved a measure to transfer title for the Rubber Bowl from the Summit County Land Bank to the city, so it can move forward in tearing down the iconic stadium where the University of Akron football team once played.

 

The city has applied for a state grant to cover half of the cost of demolition but has not heard back yet, said Chief of Staff James Hardy. Louisville-based Eslich Wrecking Co., which demolished Rolling Acres mall, estimated demolition of the Rubber Bowl at $400,000.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2018/01/akron_takes_ownership_of_rubbe.html#incart_river_index

^ Eslich Wrecking Crew! Super nice family. You could always count on seeing them or Coon Caulking doing something interesting around the city.

 

Sad to see the Rubber Bowl go, but really its been gone for a while now. So many memories of working there in school and then tailgating for Zips football after I graduated. Man I've seen a lot of heart wrenching losses there, along with a few truly great games in between. I was also usually very drunk by the half. There's no way my friends and I would even attempt to smuggle several cases of beer into Infocision Stadium. 

^ Eslich Wrecking Crew! Super nice family. You could always count on seeing them or Coon Caulking doing something interesting around the city.

 

Sad to see the Rubber Bowl go, but really its been gone for a while now. So many memories of working there in school and then tailgating for Zips football after I graduated. Man I've seen a lot of heart wrenching losses there, along with a few truly great games in between. I was also usually very drunk by the half. There's no way my friends and I would even attempt to smuggle several cases of beer into Infocision Stadium. 

 

haha

Akron mulls first applications for pot dispensary and processing operations

Published: February 11, 2018 - 8:58 PM | Updated: February 11, 2018 - 11:08 PM

By Doug Livingston

Beacon Journal/Ohio.com

 

A medical marijuana dispensary could soon be coming to the Chapel Hill area.

 

The first applications are in for the processing and sale of marijuana edibles and medicines in Akron.

 

https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/local/akron-mulls-first-applications-for-pot-dispensary-and-processing-operations?#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccl-akronmorning&utm_campaign=ccl-akronmorning-20180212&cci_test=akron

Akron to break ground on new $4.3 million Fire Station No. 2 this summer

Updated Mar 16; Posted Mar 16

By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio - The City of Akron will break ground this summer on its new, $4.3 million Fire Station No. 2, located at 952 E. Market St.

 

The new station will replace the existing station, which has been in operation for more than 70 years. The city is finalizing plans to continue operations during the construction period. Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of2019. The new station, funded by the Issue 4 tax issue voters passed in November, will be the city's first new station in more than two decades.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2018/03/akron_to_break_ground_on_new_4.html#incart_river_index

Akron to partner with Copenhagenize Design Co. to plan connected bicycle grid

Updated Mar 21, 12:48 PM; Posted Mar 21, 12:50 PM

By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio - The city of Akron is working with Copenhagenize Design Co. to plan a connected bicycle grid that will make it easier for residents to bicycle around the city.

 

The grid, which will be funded in part by a $127,000 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant, is the next step in the city's plan to build out its bicycling infrastructure. Currently, the city has 25 miles of bike lanes and 16 additional miles are in the planning or construction phases.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2018/03/akron_to_partner_with_copenhag.html#incart_river_index