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LeBron James teaming up with hotel group to develop housing for I Promise School families

By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal/Beaconjournal.com

Posted at 10:29 AM

LeBron James is working with a hotel group to develop transitional housing for families with students in the I Promise School in Akron.

The housing will be in the 22-unit Tudor-revival style Westmont apartment building on Rhodes Avenue, not far from the I Promise School on West Market Street, west of downtown.

 

https://www.beaconjournal.com/news/20191104/lebron-james-teaming-up-with-hotel-group-to-develop-housing-for-i-promise-school-families

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  • Updated photos of the Bowery Development in Downtown Akron - its more than 50% complete, and must be live-in ready by end of November to retain eligibility for Historic Preservation Tax Credits. Progr

  • yanni_gogolak
    yanni_gogolak

    New Summa tower. Or S mma depending which side you are looking at.

Posted Images

On 10/16/2019 at 2:54 PM, yanni_gogolak said:

Here's a project that's starting to see some notable progress. International Houses at San Tomasso. 50 units of refugee resettlement housing in North Hill.

https://goo.gl/maps/aj7zDonQZobWpLq27

 

You can click on these for larger images. They start at the corner of Schiller & Olive which is the community building. Proceed down Olive towards Main St. and then around the block.

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Are those houses only for refugees? That's interesting. Who paid to build them?  And would the refugees pay rent or would they be given the homes outright?

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Pugu said:

 

Are those houses only for refugees? That's interesting. Who paid to build them?  And would the refugees pay rent or would they be given the homes outright?

 

It's an affordable housing project which is partially funded through state tax credit allocation. Nobody is given housing through the state tax credit process. Projects are developed by housing developers. It's a long chain of parts and a process that if I tried to explain all the pieces and parts I would probably leave something out or state something incorrectly. But annually there are about 50 projects in the State of Ohio funded through this process.
https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2017/08/testa_companies_to_build_new_h.html

November 12, 2019 10:28 AM updated 4 hours ago

Bridgestone gives peek inside new Akron race tire plant

DAVID MANLEY/TIRE BUSINESS

 

Bridgestone Americas Inc.'s Cara Adams, a Green native, talked with passion as she described the pride of seeing "made in Akron" stamped on the side of Firestone Firehawk racing tires.

And Adams, the director of race tire engineering and production at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Firestone Racing, wasn't alone.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/bridgestone-gives-peek-inside-new-akron-race-tire-plant

  • 1 month later...

Akron to shut down Chapel Hill Mall over late utility bill

By Doug Livingston
Beacon Journal

Posted Jan 2, 2020 at 5:59 PM Updated Jan 2, 2020 at 11:53 PM

Akron public utilities workers are expected to disconnect the water at the Chapel Hill Mall on Friday for nonpayment.

This is the third time in the past year that the mall has faced a utility disconnection. Ohio Edison scheduled and rescinded electricity shutoffs in April and December after accepting late payment.

 

https://www.beaconjournal.com/news/20200102/akron-to-shut-down-chapel-hill-mall-over-late-utility-bill?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Akron Beacon Journal daily 2020-01-03&utm_content=GTOH_ABJ&utm_term=010320

10 minutes ago, yanni_gogolak said:

 

Probably not going to be much longer though. The power was almost shutoff last month.

Yeah, once a mall starts dying there’s not much hope for a turnaround.

Summit County to begin foreclosure proceedings against Chapel Hill Mall

Updated Jan 06, 2020;Posted Jan 06, 2020

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio -- Summit County has begun preparing a foreclosure complaint against the owners of Chapel Hill Mall, which avoided being forced to close Friday after the property owner made a partial payment on an overdue water and sewer bill.

 

As of Monday, the mall’s owner - Chapel Hill Mall Realty Holdings, managed by Mike Kohan of New York-based Kohan Retail Investment Group - owes $166,290.04 in real estate taxes, LaMonica said. In the middle of this month, the fiscal office will send out the property’s first-half real estate tax bill in the amount of $237,128.19. Kohan will owe a combined $403,418.23.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2020/01/summit-county-to-begin-foreclosure-proceedings-against-chapel-hill-mall.html

 

I wonder what this land could be re-purposed for...

Amazon must really want that. 

Another Amazon facility is probably the quickest way to get the mall torn down and replaced with some measurable employment. 

If the owner is only making partial payments on overdue utilities and the property taxes are behind as well, one has to assume for the moment that they're just trying to hold onto it until they can sell it and have no real plans for a turnaround in its current form (i.e., as an enclosed retail shopping center).

22 hours ago, Gramarye said:

If the owner is only making partial payments on overdue utilities and the property taxes are behind as well, one has to assume for the moment that they're just trying to hold onto it until they can sell it and have no real plans for a turnaround in its current form (i.e., as an enclosed retail shopping center).

 

The company that currently owns the mall is known for doing this all over the country. They buy "dead" malls. I assume they hope that someone like Amazon will want the land and they can profit. I also assume if that happens 1 out of 5 times, for instance, they are in the black.

 

I was talking to someone yesterday who was actually mad that the "City" was basically trying to get them to close. Obviously there are a lot of parts to this equation and it's not the city's fault that someone isn't paying their water bill. The power is due to a private company and the taxes are due to the county. But this is the thought of the average person.

 

Ultimately though, the county or city would come to posses it if it went into foreclosure they would be on the hook to demolish it. This is what happened at Rolling Acres / new Amazon.

 

I was thinking about what could repurpose it as well. My unfortunate thought was a Walmart with grocery. I'm not sure how much more retail the area can support. I noticed recently that the Walgreens, that is in a new strip mall with other new retailers, closed.

This Chapel Hill location, sitting as high as it does, would be an excellent location for a municipal wind/solar power farm developed privately or by Akron to sell electricity. The Rolling Acres land would have had the same opportunity because of its position but the use by Amazon was a better fit.

  • 2 weeks later...

As other shopping malls decline, Summit Mall thrives

FAIRLAWN - As customers have shifted from shopping in person to shopping online, malls have suffered.

 

https://cl.s7.exct.net/?qs=75cde601fd1fe016018ae499ce5b546f821aa86a894e7bcea78dec8fb0ec3284b209b49f2769d3d0bc2d39e29238f0e09a90eb5c4922dbb9

 

J.C. Penney to close store at Akron’s Chapel Hill Mall in April

Updated Jan 17, 2020;Posted Jan 17, 2020

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio -- Amid the Chapel Hill Mall’s financial troubles, its last remaining anchor store is set to close on April 24.

J.C. Penney decided to close the Akron store as part of an annual review, company spokeswoman Kristen Bennett said in a statement.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/business/2020/01/jc-penney-to-close-store-at-akrons-chapel-hill-mall-in-april.html

10 minutes ago, yanni_gogolak said:

As other shopping malls decline, Summit Mall thrives

FAIRLAWN - As customers have shifted from shopping in person to shopping online, malls have suffered.

 

https://cl.s7.exct.net/?qs=75cde601fd1fe016018ae499ce5b546f821aa86a894e7bcea78dec8fb0ec3284b209b49f2769d3d0bc2d39e29238f0e09a90eb5c4922dbb9

 

J.C. Penney to close store at Akron’s Chapel Hill Mall in April

Updated Jan 17, 2020;Posted Jan 17, 2020

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio -- Amid the Chapel Hill Mall’s financial troubles, its last remaining anchor store is set to close on April 24.

J.C. Penney decided to close the Akron store as part of an annual review, company spokeswoman Kristen Bennett said in a statement.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/business/2020/01/jc-penney-to-close-store-at-akrons-chapel-hill-mall-in-april.html

Being a Clevelander I have only been to Summit Mall 3-4 times in my life.  A couple of months ago I had to go there to pick something up for my sister who lives in Hudson.  It was late afternoon on a Saturday with a ton of very important college games on.  I was shocked how crowded it was.  I had to park at the edge of the parking lot and I cannot tell you the last time I had to do that at any shopping center.  Also was surprised by the retail mix.  It clearly is doing well and I sure it benefits from being in the center of some pretty good demographics.

10 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

Being a Clevelander I have only been to Summit Mall 3-4 times in my life.  A couple of months ago I had to go there to pick something up for my sister who lives in Hudson.  It was late afternoon on a Saturday with a ton of very important college games on.  I was shocked how crowded it was.  I had to park at the edge of the parking lot and I cannot tell you the last time I had to do that at any shopping center.  Also was surprised by the retail mix.  It clearly is doing well and I sure it benefits from being in the center of some pretty good demographics.

 

Yes, I think that is something that is overlooked when thinking about why malls fail / survive now. Although, isn't Beachwood Place not doing too well?

Summit Mall would do well to attract an H&M, Zara or Uniqulo.  I don't shop at any of those stores (except Uniqulo for socks), but they do bring people in.

3 minutes ago, jeremyck01 said:

Summit Mall would do well to attract an H&M, Zara or Uniqulo.  I don't shop at any of those stores (except Uniqulo for socks), but they do bring people in.

Agreed. There isn't an H&M close to the area. I personally love shopping there, and every time I go to a store it's pretty crowded.

To this day I always check this thread to see if Akron gets a new addition to the skyline. Keep pushing guys!

On 1/20/2020 at 5:30 PM, tastybunns said:

To this day I always check this thread to see if Akron gets a new addition to the skyline. Keep pushing guys!

 

We're still working on trying to not having buildings demolished and renovating the vacant ones for occupancy. I don't know why, but Akron has seemed to lag behind the other metro's in Ohio in their downtown redevelopment.

New seafood eatery, plaza renovations set to help boost retail area near Chapel Hill Mall

From the Akron Beacon Journal: A new seafood restaurant is set to open this year in a space previously home to an Outback Steakhouse near the struggling Chapel Hill Mall. It’s a positive move for the shopping plaza where the new restaurant — called A+ Crab — plans to open, as well as the larger retail area near the mall, noted Nichole Booker of SVN Summit Commercial Real Estate Group LLC.

 

https://www.beaconjournal.com/news/20200121/new-seafood-eatery-plaza-renovations-set-to-help-boost-retail-area-near-chapel-hill-mall?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200122&utm_content=article12-readmore

Smucker’s donates $1 million to LeBron James Family Foundation for gym, family center at Akron’s I Promise School

Posted Jan 23, 2020

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio – The J.M. Smucker Company on Thursday announced a $1 million donation to the LeBron James Family Foundation to support the development of a gym and family center at Akron’s I Promise School.

Construction is slated to begin this year on the so-called “HomeTown Hall” on the school’s campus on West Market Street in Akron’s West Hill neighborhood, the foundation said in a news release.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2020/01/smuckers-donates-1-million-to-lebron-james-family-foundation-for-gym-family-center-at-akrons-i-promise-school.html

  • 3 weeks later...

There's a ton of potential for the Summit Lake and Kenmore area of Akron. I hope to see some a lot of revitalization in that part of the city. Having a lake like that in the city is definitely an asset that should be taken advantage of!

 

On 2/10/2020 at 12:07 PM, Dblcut3 said:

There's a ton of potential for the Summit Lake and Kenmore area of Akron. I hope to see some a lot of revitalization in that part of the city. Having a lake like that in the city is definitely an asset that should be taken advantage of!

 

Agreed, the issue is we are now living with the damage that previous industrial companies have caused to it.

It is a great asset though, even if only to look at.

Neighborhood Watch: Akron's Cascade Valley is bridging city's past and potential future

February 16, 2020 04:00 AM updated 2 hours ago

Dan Shingler

 

"We have plans to continue this development at North and Howard with another 24 units we'll be putting atop a parking garage," he said.

He's also looking to build on land that he owns across Howard Street.

"That's slated for 40 units on top of 25,000 square feet of mercantile space: retail, restaurants banking, all sorts of mixed-use," Troppe said.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/akron-news/neighborhood-watch-akrons-cascade-valley-bridging-citys-past-and-potential-future

 

 

Akron uses new law to reject latest discount store proposal

From the Akron Beacon Journal: Citing a new local law that prevents discount stores from flooding Akron neighborhoods, council rejected another Dollar General on Monday, Feb. 24. But the vote was not unanimous. Councilwoman Tara Samples broke with her colleagues, saying that planning staff failed to notify residents in her neighboring city ward who may lack transportation and would benefit from another retail option. The proposed location was 1,400 feet from an existing Family Dollar on Arlington Street near Dave’s Market. A law passed in the fall prohibits new dollar stores within 2,500 feet of existing ones.

 

Article

  • 1 month later...

April 05, 2020 04:00 AM

New Amazon distribution site spurs apartment developments in Akron

Dan Shingler

 

To build more than 160 apartments for future Amazon workers in Akron, a Richfield builder and developer is using the same modular construction techniques that allowed China to erect a 1,000-bed hospital in just 10 days.

He's also willing to take the apartment building now under construction apart if someone here needs the modular units he's using for a health care facility in response to the COVID-19 crisis, said Todd Tober, president of Tober Building Co.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/new-amazon-distribution-site-spurs-apartment-developments-akron

  • 1 month later...

Akron approves $2.5 million Penske truck center at former Donzell’s Garden Center

Posted May 19, 9:08 AM

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio – City Council has given permission to the Penske Truck Leasing company to build a $2.5 million truck rental and sales center on the former Donzell’s Garden Center property that is expected to employ 32 people.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based Penske Truck Leasing Co., LP, had an option to purchase the vacant 10.3-acre garden center property, pending the city’s approval, Mike Antenucci, Akron’s Zoning Manager, told council Monday.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/business/2020/05/akron-approves-25-million-penske-truck-center-at-former-donzells-garden-center.html

Akron developer awarded $10 million in tax credits toward building affordable apartments for I Promise School families

Posted May 27, 2020

 

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio – An Akron-based community development corporation has received $10 million in tax credits to help pay for the construction of a 50-unit apartment building on the city’s West Side intended to provide affordable housing for families of students at the I Promise School.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2020/05/akron-developer-awarded-10-million-in-tax-credits-toward-building-affordable-apartments-for-i-promise-school-families.html?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200528&utm_content=article2-readmore

Summa deal canceled; CEO says system healthier, won’t need a partner

 

The deal for a Michigan-based health system to acquire Summa Health is off and Summa's CEO says the Akron-based health system is healthy enough to continue on its own without looking for a new partner.

https://www.beaconjournal.com/news/20200529/summa-deal-canceled-ceo-says-system-healthier-wonrsquot-need-partner?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Akron Beacon Journal daily 2020-05-30&utm_content=GTOH_ABJ&utm_term=053020

  • 1 month later...

City of Akron mulls another $1 land sale, this time for 17 acres

For the second time in about a year, the city of Akron is giving acres of public property to a private housing developer for $1.City Council on Monday will consider an agreement to sell the old Perkins Middle School on the southwest corner of Mull and Hawkins avenues to Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc.

 

https://cl.s7.exct.net/?qs=41e883ef87b4d116cf81b7fca47fd319221f25301242f2355d1aef6be31e3bd38bd45cb4c6f85dec80981e217b0035aec0018824c8b915b9

Old nursing school building demolished

Crews demolishing the vacant School of Nursing building on Summa Akron City Hospital’s campus are making way for a new health center. The building at Arch and Main streets will be replaced with a 60-bed inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facility, on track for completion in 2022. At that time, Summa will leave the historic St. Thomas Hospital, which currently houses behavioral health and other hospital services.

 

https://www.beaconjournal.com/news/20200713/summa-building-demolition-makes-way-for-behavioral-health-facility

’Walkable’ neighborhood with 80 homes proposed at former Perkins Middle School in West Akron

Updated 5:24 PM; Today 5:22 PM

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio – City Council is considering selling about 17 vacant acres for $1 to developers who plan to build about 80 townhouses, detached houses and custom homes at the former Perkins Middle School in West Akron.

Neighborhood Development Corporation and parent company, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, in partnership with the city, have proposed the nearly $20 million so-called Residences at Good Park development, which would be at the southwest corner of the traffic circle at Mull Avenue and South Hawkins Avenue, just north of the Good Park Golf Course.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2020/07/walkable-neighborhood-with-80-homes-proposed-at-former-perkins-middle-school-in-west-akron.html

On 7/14/2020 at 8:26 PM, MuRrAy HiLL said:

’Walkable’ neighborhood with 80 homes proposed at former Perkins Middle School in West Akron

Updated 5:24 PM; Today 5:22 PM

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

 

AKRON, Ohio – City Council is considering selling about 17 vacant acres for $1 to developers who plan to build about 80 townhouses, detached houses and custom homes at the former Perkins Middle School in West Akron.

Neighborhood Development Corporation and parent company, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, in partnership with the city, have proposed the nearly $20 million so-called Residences at Good Park development, which would be at the southwest corner of the traffic circle at Mull Avenue and South Hawkins Avenue, just north of the Good Park Golf Course.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2020/07/walkable-neighborhood-with-80-homes-proposed-at-former-perkins-middle-school-in-west-akron.html

It's good to see some development like this in Akron! "Walkable" might be a stretch as it doesnt seem to include any retail or anywhere to walk to necessarily, but this will still be a great project. It should definitely help strengthen that neighborhood. The northwest part of Akron (Highland Square, Wallhaven, ect) is actually one of my favorite areas - great architecture in the homes there!

 

^Is that where Cardinal and Buckeye streets are laid out?

24 minutes ago, ink said:

^Is that where Cardinal and Buckeye streets are laid out?

Yep! 

51 minutes ago, ASPhotoman said:

Yep! 

 

That site is surprisingly bucolic compared to the neighborhood past Cuyahoga Street in North Hill. So close on a map, but the bridge over the little Cuyahoga feels like a substantial pedestrian barricade to any sort of physical or social connection with the surrounding neighborhood.

3 minutes ago, infrafreak said:

 

That site is surprisingly bucolic compared to the neighborhood past Cuyahoga Street in North Hill. So close on a map, but the bridge over the little Cuyahoga feels like a substantial pedestrian barricade to any sort of physical or social connection with the surrounding neighborhood.

Yeah, it's so separated by the river and the hill. There are some pretty nice homes along Hickory St as well. The dog park and Towpath are nice assets to have so close by.

On 7/15/2020 at 10:32 PM, Dblcut3 said:

It's good to see some development like this in Akron! "Walkable" might be a stretch as it doesnt seem to include any retail or anywhere to walk to necessarily, but this will still be a great project. It should definitely help strengthen that neighborhood. The northwest part of Akron (Highland Square, Wallhaven, ect) is actually one of my favorite areas - great architecture in the homes there!

Yes, I think the author or "marketing" person is confused at to what walkable relates to. There are sidewalks, yes, but this is more suburban in relation to any amenities.

  • 2 weeks later...

Akron requests proposals for housing development in Merriman Valley

Updated Aug 03, 2020; Posted Aug 03, 2020

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio – Akron’s Office of Integrated Development announced Monday it is seeking proposals from developers to purchase nearly 45 vacant acres in the city’s Merriman Valley neighborhood and build single-family homes.

The site on Theiss Road is north of Hardy Road, west of Northampton Road and east of Hampton Hills Metro Park. It is about two miles from the Merriman Valley shopping district, and about the same distance from Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2020/08/akron-requests-proposals-for-housing-development-in-merriman-valley.html

  • 1 month later...

Akron City Council approves improvements to Akron Executive Airport, paving way for development on nearby land

Updated Sep 15, 2020; Posted Sep 15, 2020

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio – City Council on Monday approved plans for more than $6 million in work at Akron Executive Airport, including improved runway lights and reconstruction of a runway that would allow for development of nearby land.

The city is slated to pay for $149,500, or 5%, of $2.99 million for improvements to runway lights and signs, pavement markings and the reconstruction of about 6,000 feet of the fence around the airport perimeter, and is asking the Ohio Department of Transportation to cover the other 95%,

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2020/09/akron-city-council-approves-improvements-to-akron-executive-airport-paving-way-for-development-on-nearby-land.html

On 8/4/2020 at 9:35 AM, yanni_gogolak said:

Akron requests proposals for housing development in Merriman Valley

Updated Aug 03, 2020; Posted Aug 03, 2020

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio – Akron’s Office of Integrated Development announced Monday it is seeking proposals from developers to purchase nearly 45 vacant acres in the city’s Merriman Valley neighborhood and build single-family homes.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2020/08/akron-requests-proposals-for-housing-development-in-merriman-valley.html

 

More info on on the proposals. Personally, I hope the conservancy is able to purchase the land but it seems really unlikely.

 

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2020/09/18/akron-sells-merriman-valley-property-new-housing-development/5818904002/

Akron moves forward with ‘Rubber City Heritage Trail’ on abandoned elevated railway
 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2020/09/akron-moves-forward-with-rubber-city-heritage-trail-on-abandoned-elevated-railway.html

 

AKRON, Ohio – Akron and the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition are moving forward with plans to design the six-mile “Rubber City Heritage Trail” on a stretch of an abandoned elevated rail line.

City Council has approved legislation to pay $75,000 as part of a matching grant with the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition for the $150,000 project. The money will pay to design the first phase of the trail, spanning a railway near River Street from 3rd Avenue near the former Goodyear headquarters on East Market Street to the intersection with Exchange Street.

Dan Rice, president and CEO of the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition, said the trail will be constructed on the former Akron-Barberton Belt elevated railway corridor, and is intended to resemble the High Line in New York City. It will be 10-feet wide and can accommodate hikers and cyclists.

 

4S7W6F6MB5H2NGRIOFSRYASS4Y.jpg

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

^Intriguing project. I would think the track hasn’t been used in 80-90 years.    I can’t even see any trace of it on google maps past exchange st.   

 I’d love to see what the ROW was. I76 is likely covering a lot of its path and that was built in the early 50s. 

  It seems like a crazy idea creating an aerial walkway winding its way through various neighborhoods. It would definitely be a nice strolling attraction for the Goodyear HQ complex. i can’t see this getting past Exchange. 

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