April 17, 200916 yr I was driving on Howard st today and seen the sign for this project just north of downtown. I knew something was going on but now there are specific plans for the site. The project is in the beginning stages of construction. I've copied/pasted the layout pics from the website. See the website for further information. http://www.cascadelocks.org/millsite.htm
April 18, 200916 yr Looks good. I'm trying to picture where this is, exactly, but there wasn't a map on the sight to provide context. Is this close to the Interbelt Nightclub?
April 18, 200916 yr Close to the interbelt. The stop light down the street is at north st. The bridge in the illustration is for the train that runs right past the interbelt.
April 19, 200916 yr Actually, I think it is the next set of tracks North. Looks like it will be nice, but honestly, I rarely ever make it down there. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Akron,+Ohio+Howard+and+North+Street&sll=41.090826,-81.516323&sspn=0.002248,0.004603&ie=UTF8&ll=41.090838,-81.516645&spn=0.002345,0.004603&t=h&z=18&iwloc=A
April 20, 200916 yr I heard the construction management/design will be done by the same firm that did the canal park stadium. If so then I think it will be a great design.
May 21, 200916 yr KeyBank starts work on new Akron headquarters building by Michelle Jarboe/Plain Dealer Reporter Thursday May 21, 2009, 12:00 AM Courtesy of KeyBank.Elevation plans for KeyBank's new Akron headquarters, which could open in fall 2010 at the northeast corner of University Avenue and South Main Street downtown. KeyBank is starting construction on a new Akron headquarters building, at the northeast corner of University Avenue and South Main Street downtown. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/05/keybank_starts_work_on_new_akr.html#preview
May 27, 200916 yr KeyBank starts work on new Akron headquarters building by Michelle Jarboe/Plain Dealer Reporter http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=largekeybankakronelevat.jpg Very unispiring imo. I thought that downtown was moving in a great direction with the new buildings, but this one takes a step back.
May 30, 200916 yr Business incubator attracts two firms to Akron Mayor thanks firms for investing in Akron By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal business writer Published on Saturday, May 30, 2009 Akron's relationship with Israel's business community has given birth to two new companies at the city's business incubator. Executives with two Israeli firms, introduced at a news conference at the Akron Global Business Accelerator on Friday, suggested their enterprises could add a collective 80 jobs in the next two to three years.
June 3, 200916 yr Unorthodox thinking filling Knight Center Car shows, roller skating plug gaps left by traditional conventions By Rick Armon Beacon Journal staff writer The number of events has climbed from 132 in 2003 to 220 last year. The number of visitors jumped from 280,000 to 427,000 over the same period. http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/46788712.html
June 9, 200916 yr UA students filling up unfinished apartment complex Martin Mehall could use the motto, ''Build it and they will come.'' He did, and they have. University of Akron students have snapped up all 140 beds in the first phase of an apartment complex in downtown Akron.
June 11, 200916 yr ^ Right by the new housing for students on S. Main St. Cool pics of the building in the article. http://www.ohio.com/business/47636312.html Landmark rescued By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal staff writer POSTED: 06:22 p.m. EDT, Jun 10, 2009 A downtown Akron building whose last owner lost it to foreclosure after a failed attempt to sell it on eBay is getting new life under the eye of historic building renovator Tony Troppe. Plans call for the Kaiser Building, across from Canal Park on South Main Street, to have a cafe or store in two slots on the first floor, offices on the second floor and a mix of offices and loft apartments on the third floor. CHOPPED
June 11, 200916 yr /\/\ Thats great, Tony is pretty much trying to single-handedly make downtown Akron a great place. Sure, the new housing will help (Northside & Student Block), but saving all of these historic structures provides the bones for a great small city. http://www.1akron.com/home.htm
June 23, 200915 yr Photo of the completed Northside Lofts developed and built by Testa Architect - City Architecture http://www.northsidelofts.com/ I believe these start at $375,000, guessing about 1,500 s.f. 20 of 32 condos sold, but I believe some are unoccupied and owned by Testa as models. The new brownstones on Main St., an extension of Northside Lofts developed and built by Testa Architect - ? (I don't believe City did these) http://www.northsidelofts.com/index2.html The brownstones start at $235,000, guessing about 1,500 s.f. 2 bedrooms & loft space They are currently finishing the first 7 units in phased construction. 5 of 14 total units sold, according to the website. I don't know who is buying these at this price, but I don't see how you could get your money's worth.
June 23, 200915 yr Blaze guts former home of Wally Waffle By Beacon Journal staff Akron firefighters battled a blaze at a Marion Avenue building that formerly housed Wally Waffle around 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Wallhaven-area restaurant, which was the original in the local group of breakfast spots, closed in 2007. http://www.ohio.com/news/48209087.html So long Wally Waffle
June 23, 200915 yr Some progress being made at the former location of The Grotto in the Merriman Valley.
June 23, 200915 yr I don't know who is buying these at this price, but I don't see how you could get your money's worth. Simple. If someone is enjoying their home with no regrets, then they are getting their money's worth. The development is next to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's Akron Station and accessible to the Towpath Trail... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 23, 200915 yr Simple. If someone is enjoying their home with no regrets, then they are getting their money's worth. The development is next to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's Akron Station and accessible to the Towpath Trail... I don't disagree with you, but you could build new for cheaper than that in that area. It is still and industrial and blighted area. It is not in walking distance to a grocer. The whole point of living in an urban area is so you don't have to rely on car and there are lots of amenities. The towpath is great, but I would doubt that the rail gets used very often by residents, especially after a few years and the nostalgia has worn off.
June 24, 200915 yr I don't disagree with you, but you could build new for cheaper than that in that area. It is still and industrial and blighted area. It is not in walking distance to a grocer. The whole point of living in an urban area is so you don't have to rely on car and there are lots of amenities. The towpath is great, but I would doubt that the rail gets used very often by residents, especially after a few years and the nostalgia has worn off. The rail service and towpath trail are recreational, but they do boost the value of the surrounding lands. And I don't think many Ohio real estate developers (or housing buyers) understand the urban experience as we do. My guess is that they see the urban experience as living as close to downtown as possible, but still have a yard, a garage and garden. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 24, 200915 yr The rail service and towpath trail are recreational, but they do boost the value of the surrounding lands. And I don't think many Ohio real estate developers (or housing buyers) understand the urban experience as we do. My guess is that they see the urban experience as living as close to downtown as possible, but still have a yard, a garage and garden. I think the developers have a good understanding of it, it's getting the people that live in Akron to understand it. There is still a lot of old money here and people like their 3,000 s.f.+ homes on 2 acres. The only housing that has been downtown in a long time is low-income. Now they have these lofts & brownstones and some new student housing. All great ideas, but it will take a while for the density to get anywhere near where it was 100 years ago.
June 29, 200915 yr Falls to raze State Road plaza soon http://www.ohio.com/news/49387862.html By Gina Mace Special to the Beacon Journal POSTED: 05:20 p.m. EDT, Jun 28, 2009 CUYAHOGA FALLS.: State Road Shopping Center should be gone by fall. Cuyahoga Falls is expected to award a nearly $2 million contract Monday to demolish the run-down, vacant plaza. The council approved the expenditure June 22. The city received $2 million from the state to pay for the demolition.
June 30, 200915 yr Martha Avenue As part of the Goodyear Redevelopment, Martha Avenue (Seiberling Street to 2200’ north) will be reconstructed to include four (4)-12' lanes of full depth asphalt reconstruction with 6x18 concrete curb, sidewalks, water main, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, street lighting, a modern day roundabout with concrete pavement at the existing Seiberling/Martha intersection, traffic signalization with fiber optic interconnect, and an underground utility duct bank. A center landscaped median will be installed on Martha Avenue. The center of the roundabout will also be landscaped. Executive Drive will extend to the west off of the roundabout. Eagle Street will extend to the east off of the roundabout for a future roadway. Drop off lanes will be installed on the west side of Martha Avenue along with access points into the future parking garage and hotel. http://ci.akron.oh.us/engineering2/requestsconsultserv.asp This sounds pretty ambitious.
July 1, 200915 yr A grain of hope City talking to potential grocer to serve Highland Square area. Market study will be launched By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer Published on Wednesday, Jul 01, 2009 The city of Akron might have found a grocer for Highland Square. City officials for several months have been in talks with Cornucopia Inc., a nonprofit corporation with an organic and fresh foods store in Lakewood, about opening a second store in West Akron. Mayor Don Plusquellic will hold a press conference today to announce that the city will conduct a survey to determine if such a store would meet the needs of Highland Square residents, who have been clamoring for a grocer for several years.
July 6, 200915 yr Knight Center to take over historic Greystone building O'Neil says he's put millions into building By Katie Byard Beacon Journal staff writer Published on Saturday, Jul 04, 2009 Developer Jeffrey O'Neil said his purchase 10 years ago of one of Akron's grandest buildings — the old Masonic Temple downtown — was ''a charity thing more than a business opportunity.'' Passionate about preservation of unique structures, O'Neil wanted to see the 1917 building — now called Greystone — preserved, not torn down or partitioned into offices. Now, facing a loss in investments amid the weak economy, O'Neil is cutting his ties to the building at Mill and High streets, across from the John S. Knight Center. http://www.ohio.com/news/49910702.html O'Neil said a Thai restaurant is scheduled to open soon in the 326 S. Main building. This is the former location of Piatto, which has been vacant for years.
July 6, 200915 yr New office building under way on White Pond WEST AKRON — Zumpano + Hanson Building and Development has begun construction on a new office building in West Akron. The three-story, contemporary structure is located at 701 White Pond, adjacent to Interstate 77. Planning for the project, which is visible from the interstate, began nearly a year ago, according to partner Terry Hanson. http://akron.com/akron-ohio-business-news.asp?aID=5873
July 6, 200915 yr Here is the current progress on the previous article building Right next to the Brown Mackie College building pretty typical office park garbage, across the street, in Park West, there is a building of better design note under construction right now also.
July 9, 200915 yr Good design and color scheme for the new park west building.. Wonder what's going to be in there..
July 9, 200915 yr Good design and color scheme for the new park west building.. Wonder what's going to be in there.. I would assume medical offices. I think that's what Testa would like Park West to develop towards. They still have a sign out front trying to sell off more land.
July 14, 200915 yr Downtown Irish pub to open Monday By Ed Meyer Beacon Journal staff writer http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/50730452.html POSTED: 12:16 p.m. EDT, Jul 14, 2009 The serpentine bar — with seating for 40, dark-wood fixtures and hardwood floors — has rounded corners shaped like a four-leaf clover. Twelve 50-inch plasma televisions are recessed into the walls above canopied wooden booths and paneled standing-room tables. The high-tech audio system is connected to a touch-screen jukebox with thousands of online songs at your fingertips, like some gigantic iPod.
July 14, 200915 yr note to self: make note of appearance and the clientele you will attract when posing for photos in the newspaper.
July 16, 200915 yr From rubber to rubble: Historic building to be torn down to make way for Goodyear project By Beacon Journal staff POSTED: 06:44 p.m. EDT, Jul 15, 2009 A large, former General Tire building off Seiberling Street in East Akron dating to 1898 that most recently was used as a warehouse and business incubator is being turned to rubble. Once all of the structure is knocked down and removed as expected in October, the $900 million Goodyear headquarters/Riverwalk project will have more land to grow on. The new property owner, California-based Industrial Realty Group, is removing asbestos from the interior before completing the demolition of the two-story, 276,846-square-foot building. http://www.ohio.com/business/50894667.html
July 22, 200915 yr State Road Plaza demolition planned in August CUYAHOGA FALLS: Fences will be going up around State Road Plaza next week in advance of demolition scheduled to begin in August. Falls Development Director Sue Truby gave an update on the demolition and reconstruction plans at Monday's council meeting. See for more: http://www.ohio.com/news/51355062.html This is for the Stark Development, I believe City Arch did the planning.
July 23, 200915 yr Good design and color scheme for the new park west building.. Wonder what's going to be in there.. Yesterday they were putting the signage up for the new building. It's going to be a Strayer University facility. First time I've heard of it. http://www.strayer.edu
July 29, 200915 yr UPDATE Highland Square Eatery Coming http://www.akronnewsnow.com/print.asp?ID=31319 Plans for the reasonably priced wine bar and kitchen in Highland Square is closer to opening in the former Two Amigo's building. Starting in August, the restaurant construction will begin, with the tentative opening date set for late-September or early-October of this year. Cleveland developer Gint Strautnieks says everything on the menu will be under $20, including entrees. Strautnieks hopes Highland Square residents will be pleased with the final product, "I hope they're going to enjoy it because we're definitely thinking of them when we're doing this restaurant. David Haynes, the restaurateur , is creating an affordable menu" with a fun, Italian atmosphere. In October, Strautnieks purchased the Two Amigo's and Dodi's buildings at a sheriff's auction for $423,000. this is from the contractors website: The NGS Development project on Main Street in Akron is a Design Build project. A music studio will occupy the top portion of the building and a restaurant will house the lower half. The exterior building shell remediation work includes removal and replacement of all windows, roofing removal and replacement, new fire escape stair system and modification of the existing storefront system. The two vanilla box build outs will include new flooring, painted drywall, HVAC, new electrical distribution and plumbing. This exciting new project is scheduled to be completed Summer 2009. Please check back for updates! Owner: NGS Development Group, LLC Architect: Fabo Enterprises, Inc. the restaurant will occupy the groundfloor of 804-806 w. market, which means all three storefronts. firefly music will remain the sole occupant of the second floor. cheers, david haynes The restaurant will be called "Canto"
August 3, 200915 yr Progress at 323 and 325 S. Main St., mentioned in article on page 9 South view of 22 Exchange progress http://www.22exchange.com/
August 4, 200915 yr Thanks Yanni, I missed that article. I have mostly assumed that they were working inside to get at least a few apartments ready. Riding my bike past in the mornings there does not appear to be many workers on site. I saw a snipet in the paper about the Hercules factory project, it looks like they are still trying to secure a loan. It's good to see someone working on the former Two Amigos, I like the building and the location. I was not very impressed with Two Amigos the time that I ate there.
August 4, 200915 yr Thanks Yanni, I missed that article. I have mostly assumed that they were working inside to get at least a few apartments ready. Riding my bike past in the mornings there does not appear to be many workers on site. I saw a snipet in the paper about the Hercules factory project, it looks like they are still trying to secure a loan. It's good to see someone working on the former Two Amigos, I like the building and the location. I was not very impressed with Two Amigos the time that I ate there. What is the "Hercules factory project"? Two Amigos was great, when it first opened. The original owners sold it and moved away. The partners that took it over served mediocre food and ran themselves out of town with their business and social behavior.
August 5, 200915 yr I ate at Two Amigos after it was sold, right around the time they started fighting with their neighbors. I had heard really great things about it but was left with a luke warm feeling, that happens I guess. The Hercules Factory project that I mentioned is a very large historic engine factory just south of downtown Canton. The factory has been abandoned since 1995 and used in recent years as a haunted house. Anyway, Robert Timken of Cormony Development announced plans to develop the site into a convention/shopping/condo complex. Cormony secured a state historic tax credit and began limited demo and site cleanup earlier this year. The company ran into trouble securing a loan and could not pay the contractors for the work they have done, so the building has sat empty for almost the entire summer. I am not sure where they stand at the moment, but it did appear that they were seeking loans and it also appears that they have scaled back their plans. Here is a link to Cormony's page about the project: http://cormonydevelopment.com/projects-hercules.html Here is an address if you are interested in the location: 1038 Market Ave S canton oh
August 13, 200915 yr Hah. Nice to see the 22 Exchange development approaching completion. It will at least make my lunchtime walks more convenient. On the flip side, I just visited Akron (going to be moving there in September) and was actually disappointed to learn that they're going to be putting student-only housing there. I'm going to be working less than two blocks away. Would have been a great walking commute in a walkable area.
August 13, 200915 yr Hah. Nice to see the 22 Exchange development approaching completion. It will at least make my lunchtime walks more convenient. On the flip side, I just visited Akron (going to be moving there in September) and was actually disappointed to learn that they're going to be putting student-only housing there. I'm going to be working less than two blocks away. Would have been a great walking commute in a walkable area. Yes it would have. It's too bad that there isn't any affordable & decent downtown housing for someone like you. Spicer Village seems decent, but that's also a little pricey and its across from the football stadium, so not a good location for you.
August 13, 200915 yr Update on that: I hadn't heard of Spicer Village, so I just visited their Web site and gave their sales & leasing office a call. They're only a build-out development at the moment, so they have no finished units ready to lease. They have three of their <a href="http://www.spicervillage.com/floorplans.asp">Cuyahoga</a> shells still ready and waiting for tenants, but even if the $1149/mo. rent were within my budget (and with a roommate, it would be), they wouldn't have anything livable available before October at the earliest. So it goes.
August 13, 200915 yr Update on that: I hadn't heard of Spicer Village, so I just visited their Web site and gave their sales & leasing office a call. They're only a build-out development at the moment, so they have no finished units ready to lease. They have three of their <a href="http://www.spicervillage.com/floorplans.asp">Cuyahoga</a> shells still ready and waiting for tenants, but even if the $1149/mo. rent were within my budget (and with a roommate, it would be), they wouldn't have anything livable available before October at the earliest. So it goes. Maybe try and contact somebody from Downtown Akron Partnership. That, along with bringing new business in, is what they are there for. (at least I hope) http://www.downtownakron.com/
August 17, 200915 yr New housing to welcome UA students this week Private downtown complex offers private baths, by-the-bed leases Starting Saturday, activity in downtown Akron will ratchet up a few notches. That's move-in day at 22 Exchange, the new apartment complex for 141 college students — most attending the University of Akron — who have signed yearlong leases for two- , three- or four-bedroom units. The first phase of the complex is full, and there is a waiting list, said project director Michael Weiss of developer Richland Communities in Middleburg Heights. See for more: http://www.ohio.com/news/53383327.html
August 19, 200915 yr Weathervane will show off renovations at open house Playhouse has new lobby, box office and gift shop By Kerry Clawson Beacon Journal staff writer Published on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 Weathervane Community Playhouse will kick off its 75th anniversary season in grand fashion with the unveiling of its newly expanded and renovated lobby, box office and gift shop, which it will show off with a community open house at 3 p.m. Saturday. See for more: http://www.ohio.com/news/53646837.html
August 21, 200915 yr State Road demolition to start today Ceremony begins preparation for Portage Crossing, a new retail center at Cuyahoga Falls location Published on Friday, Aug 21, 2009 Beacon Journal staff report The long-ailing and now vacant State Road Shopping Center in Cuyahoga Falls will start to come down today. The shopping center at 2891 State Road is being demolished to make way for a retail center called Portage Crossing, which will face Portage Trail. See for more: http://www.ohio.com/business/53917067.html
August 21, 200915 yr Better than abandoned land and buildings. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
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