I just drove past the state rd shopping center... part of the ward autocenter has been torn down. thats about all for now... looks as if they just too a few swings at it.

 

meanwhile I drove into downtown Akron. Many faces over by the new student housing. seems like that area will be busy.

New fieldhouse building at St. Vincent-St. Mary's, designed by WRL

 

 

A lot of character, a lot of work

 

Tour of old Young's Restaurant reveals disrepair, reminders of earlier charm as city, partners seek proposals for building

 

By Linda Golz

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/57181267.html

Akron gets grant to revitalize Landmark Building

 

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

POSTED: 08:10 p.m. EST, Nov 20, 2009

 

Plans call for upscale lofts on the upper floors and a restaurant on the ground level. The restoration has a $10 million price tag.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/70668182.html

Summit County Agrees On Firestone Tech Center

11/23/2009 10:54:59 PM | Mike Ward, AkronNewsNow.com

 

Summit County has come to an agreement over its part of the effort to start building Bridgestone-Firestone's Tech Center in Akron.

 

 

 

advertisement

 

County officials say they came to a tentative pact regarding their own role with the Tech Center on Monday.

 

The county's end of the deal involves $6.8 million for the tech center's parking facility and $500,000 for its pedestrian walkway.

 

more with audio:

http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/itemdetail.asp?ID=36120&section=news&subsection=localnews&title=AUDIO_Summit_County_Agrees_On_Firestone_Tech_

 

edit 11/25/09:

 

here's another article with a rendering

http://www.ohio.com/business/73289237.html

Redone building called work of art

 

Tony Troppe, other developers spend about $2 million on renovations

 

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/74427327.html

County begins renovations for new animal shelter

 

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

"County leaders kicked off renovations at a former Akron warehouse that will be transformed into the $2.96 million facility."

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/78261077.html

Here's a link to the grant writeup that was used to secure money for the Landmark Building mentioned 4 posts ago.  It gives a good detail about where they want downtown Main St. to go, specifically around the Lock 3 area.

 

http://ci.akron.oh.us/planning/pdf/City_of_Akron_Landmark_Building_CORF_Grant_Application_Info.pdf

Akron animal group plans new building

 

One of a Kind Pet Rescue will add retail space and kennel areas by razing W. Market St. bowling alley

 

By Kathy Antoniotti

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

The building, slated to open in October, will sit behind the Walgreens drugstore about one-eighth mile west of the current location. The former Fairlawn Bowling Lanes will be razed after the first of the year to make room for the adoption center, said Georjette Thomas, director of organization advancement for the group.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/79286442.html

 

This is great news, not only for the area, but also for the city as it seems that more people are starting to build and invest.

/\/\/\

WOW! There is a lot going on it that article! Big shot in the arm for Canton!

 

Bridgestone Americas holds groundbreaking event for tech center

By Paula Schleis

Beacon Journal business writer

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/84723322.html

This sucks....

 

175-year-old home razed: Historic Olin House in Franklin Township was owned by Akron

March 11, 2010

Matt Fredmonsky

Record-Courier staff writer

 

The city of Akron razed a 175-year-old piece of Portage County history this week when crews demolished the Olin House in Franklin Township, one of about 42 properties countywide on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Arvin Olin built the Franklin Township homestead at Diagonal and Ravenna roads in 1835 practically of solid brick. He had settled in the township a year earlier.

 

READ MORE AND SEE PICTURES OF THE HOUSE AT:

http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4786281

I don't really understand what makes or made that structure "historic," other than the construction date.  But then again, I'm a self-confessed Neanderthal when it comes to "historical" structures.  Something like the Stark County Courthouse, I get.  This just looks like a brick house to me.

It was a very old house, and somewhat interesting architecturally, but not historic. Still sad to see it go though.

 

I grew up about a 2 miles from there and can recall referring to it as the "haunted house". It was abandoned and falling apart back in the 80s, I can't imagine how bad it must have been recently. I always found it interesting that it was a match (pretty much) to the flower shop on St Rt 14 in Streetsboro.

 

For comparison here's the house that was knocked down, http://tinyurl.com/y925j78

And here's its much better cared for twin, http://tinyurl.com/ya35f6b

Well, I don't know for sure, but by the age I'd guess there are a few likely possibilities for why it is considered "historic"

 

1). It was one of the first generation of permanent structures built in the area- and probably could be considered a good example of Western Reserve style architecture.  Most earlier structures than that would have been crude cabins or trade posts.

 

2). The family that built it, or one later associated with it, was prominent in the history of the area.  It'd be hard for a family arriving in the Western Reserve in the 1830's not to be prominent in the area, as they tended to be the ones to do important firsts that are necessary in settling a new land- set up the first general store, or mill, or post office.

Traffic planner touts benefits of slimmer streets

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Jason Schrieber wants us to think narrow — as in narrower streets.

 

That was just one of the suggestions Schrieber, a transportation planner, gave at a presentation Tuesday on creating a better balance between cars and other ways of getting around in neighborhoods.

 

Slimming down streets by adding turn lanes and bike lanes and extending curbs can have the effect of ''calming'' — or slowing — traffic, Schrieber said at the Urban Innovators Speaker Series.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/87282382.html

I've never understood the entire concept of "traffic calming."  These kinds of measures would have the exact opposite effect of "calming" me when I'm trying to get around.

I've never understood the entire concept of "traffic calming." These kinds of measures would have the exact opposite effect of "calming" me when I'm trying to get around.

 

I think it would be a shock to most people at first.  Americans don't know how to operate w/o their car.  The idea is to make areas more friendly for pedestrians.  Most people don't walk b/c either there are no sidewalks, they feel the areas are unsavory, or are lazy or in a hurry.  Fact of the matter is how much time do you really save driving somewhere that you could walk?  Until you get in your car, go through stops, find parking.  I don't mean downtown even, I'm talking at a strip mall or something. 

The main idea is to get people to start using public transportation and walking; therefore ACTIVATING the area which promotes business and livability.

No, I walk to work and wherever else I can; driving gets me in a bad mood.  I live four blocks from work, so unless I'm carrying something heavy to or from the office, there's no sense driving.  However, when I want to head down to the Aldi--or to get out of town to see my SO out in the suburbs--the last thing I want is to be deliberately slowed in order to protect jaywalkers.  (Obviously, crosswalks are a different story.)  I'm with the much-loathed-among-urbanists traffic engineers on this point: the primary purpose of a street is utilitarian.  It is to get people from Point A to Point B efficiently.  Beautification measures that interfere with the utilitarian purpose of streets (or any other public infrastructure) are inherently suspect, and deliberately attacking the entire concept of utilitarianism (i.e., trying to reorient priorities to say that the purpose of streets *isn't* for movement, and therefore there's nothing conceptually wrong with retarding movement along them) is an absolute non-starter, as far as I'm concerned.

 

Also, my walk to work takes me across Cedar and Exchange, both one-way.  I haven't found it problematic.

I applaud your initiative to walk.  Unfortunately you only find a handful of people willing to do that and half of them are on this board. 

I will however disagree with the fact that "the primary purpose of a street is utilitarian.  It is to get people from Point A to Point B efficiently"

In most areas, this is true; most are arterial streets.  I would not consider urban streets to serve this purpose, which is where measures like this would be proposed.  Urban streets are part of the composition of the urban setting as a whole.  These thought as a "whole" is what activates downtown areas.  That sense has been lost in most and is why downtowns in general are dead.  A good example is Cleveland which is on the way back up with the major improvements that have been made to Euclid Ave.

 

 

As a side for others, I came across this article printed today on Philadelphia implementing bike lanes:

 

Urban cycling jumped 48% in the past decade:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2010/03/11/ST2010031100069.html

Driving along Euclid is absolutely nightmarish; I've had one near-death experience (literally) with the Rapid and once almost got out of my car in the middle of the street and walked because of gridlock (true gridlock) at Euclid & 9th ... I was trying to get to the Fifth Third building, barely three blocks away, and it took me almost fifteen minutes.  It should have taken two, tops.

Driving along Euclid is absolutely nightmarish; I've had one near-death experience (literally) with the Rapid and once almost got out of my car in the middle of the street and walked because of gridlock (true gridlock) at Euclid & 9th ... I was trying to get to the Fifth Third building, barely three blocks away, and it took me almost fifteen minutes. It should have taken two, tops.

 

Ha, yea well, that's why you don't drive through there.  If you need to get somewhere quick you don't go through the hardest part.  It has been revived in the sense of activity and retail.  That's what makes a city, not how many cars can get from point A to B in a certain time.

Fair point.  Next time, when I need to get to Cleveland, I'll just take the train ...

 

... wait, whoops. :-(

Fair point. Next time, when I need to get to Cleveland, I'll just take the train ...

 

... wait, whoops. :-(

 

Just avoid Euclid and you'll be fine.

Faith Family Church opens new home in former Hoover plant

 

By Colette M. Jenkins

Beacon Journal religion writer

 

JACKSON TWP.: Nearly 4,000 people showed up Sunday at the former Hoover Co. Industrial Park Plant to witness its transformation as a megachurch.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/87621117.html

 

 

Park center gets natural look

 

District to celebrate reopening of refurbished Seiberling building

 

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Welcome to the brand-new Seiberling Nature Realm, the nature center operated in Northwest Akron by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/87554412.html

New Key Bank, Downtown Akron, apparently inspired by Tetris

 

 

Renovated and relocated historic Howe House

 

 

New U of A-Polymer Innovation Center

 

 

"All-America Bridge" next to Quaker Square, old bridge demolished currently

 

 

I think you'd need more colors for Tetris.  Monochrome Tetris kind of defeats the point.

 

I'd much rather see the Hoover factory still making sweepers, or anything involving taxpaying and job-creating commercial activity, but I guess this is better than the building standing vacant.

I think you'd need more colors for Tetris. Monochrome Tetris kind of defeats the point.

 

I'd much rather see the Hoover factory still making sweepers, or anything involving taxpaying and job-creating commercial activity, but I guess this is better than the building standing vacant.

 

True, there has been a lot of local negativity surrounding the takeover.  No manufacturing jobs and the church doesn't pay property tax since it's a non-profit.  NPR had a story on it last week:

http://www.wksu.org/news/story/25018

Humane Society moves to new digs

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/89463087.html

 

 

KeyBank plans for move

By Betty Lin-Fisher

Beacon Journal business writer

 

An awning outside the branch will have a ticker electronic display showing marketing messages and rates.

 

''We think that'll get additional flair,'' Tulodzieski said.

:wtf:

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/89466497.html

Any word on what, if anything, might be moving into the old Key space at Bowery & Main?

Any word on what, if anything, might be moving into the old Key space at Bowery & Main?

 

I haven't heard anything.  There are some other businesses in that building though.  I was surprised to read that they only leased that space.  Odd b/c they have their sign at the top of the building.

I don't think there's anything particularly unusual about that.  Many marquee tenants don't own their own office buildings; professional management companies do.  I'm pretty sure the Advanced Elastomer Systems building just a couple of blocks to the south, for example, isn't owned by AES.

I don't think there's anything particularly unusual about that. Many marquee tenants don't own their own office buildings; professional management companies do. I'm pretty sure the Advanced Elastomer Systems building just a couple of blocks to the south, for example, isn't owned by AES.

 

I understand that.  It makes sense that if a large company is leasing space under a contract that you would give them priviliges, or maybe they pay more for that.  The problem is when they leave and take their sign down the older, sometimes historic buildings are left with holes in the stone/ masonry and irregular weather in those spots.

Too true. :-(  Though I think the larger problem is the empty space on the inside of the buildings, not the outside.

 

I don't know the official figures, but just from walking around downtown at lunchtime and in the evenings, there are way too many "Space Available" signs up, including some on buildings that look to be in pretty good shape.  In addition, many of the largest buildings don't put up such signs, so if any of the towers in the Cascade area

Havnt been on here in awhile..so heres my two cents..

I like whats being down around lock 3.. The new Key building is nice.. Akron needs more steel and glass structures.. (could have been taller though) 

 

I would love to see the area around gojo and spaghetti warehouse built up a bit more..  Oh..and when are we going to see that new downtown hotel?  I would love to see an art museum hotel like the one in louisville,ky..

Too true. :-(  Though I think the larger problem is the empty space on the inside of the buildings, not the outside.

 

I don't know the official figures, but just from walking around downtown at lunchtime and in the evenings, there are way too many "Space Available" signs up, including some on buildings that look to be in pretty good shape.  In addition, many of the largest buildings don't put up such signs, so if any of the towers in the Cascade area

 

Very true.  DAP is working to get more small business downtown, maybe even do a market type setup.  As a side note, I looked up at the Key signage on the old building and it looks like its hung with hooks over the parapet,  not attached directly to the building. 

 

Havnt been on here in awhile..so heres my two cents..

I like whats being down around lock 3.. The new Key building is nice.. Akron needs more steel and glass structures.. (could have been taller though) 

 

I would love to see the area around gojo and spaghetti warehouse built up a bit more..  Oh..and when are we going to see that new downtown hotel?  I would love to see an art museum hotel like the one in louisville,ky..

 

The hotel should be officially announced in about 1-2 months.

I was surfing the web and found this company (MSI) that has drawings for an renovation of the Cascade plaza area.

 

The project description states the following:

The premier business and public center in downtown Akron, Cascade Plaza is a rooftop structure consisting of a 6-acre public square, built over a 5-level underground parking facility. The goal is to redesign the plaza, improve connections to the garage below, and strengthen the connections between the plaza and surrounding streets and venues. Surrounded by the highest density of office use in Akron, the plaza has a unique opportunity to become the civic gateway to the city.

 

 

The hotel should be officially announced in about 1-2 months.

 

If you have any other information on this please share.

 

I had heard several "theories" and rumors on something being attached to the Greystone or something being built around Canal Park.  Mostly though I had heard that hotels were reluctant to do anything without a commitment from the city to get more people downtown (meaning shows, expos, arena?)

oops  :-( repeat post

oops again

The hotel should be officially announced in about 1-2 months.

 

 

If you have any other information on this please share.

 

I had heard several "theories" and rumors on something being attached to the Greystone or something being built around Canal Park.  Mostly though I had heard that hotels were reluctant to do anything without a commitment from the city to get more people downtown (meaning shows, expos, arena?)

 

I don't really have any concrete evidence, just some rumors.  Someone pointed and said, you should hear about a chain hotel there in about 1-2 months.  As far as location, let me put it this way.  There is one venue that already attracts out of town visitors, but can't get a large amount b/c of...no chain hotel.  People want to be able to reserve a hotel online, get to the hotel and walk to their destination as well as restaurants/nightlife.

Nice!  I just posted some photos of this area.  Any idea if this is still a go, or how old this is?  The reason I ask is b/c the Lock area on the south of the plan is built a little differently than what is shown.

 

I know the Art Museum attracts alot of out of towners especially on free admission sundays.. the Knight Center is innovative on events that attract visitors..  You talking about one of those or another?

 

I've heard rumors of a Hyatt Regency trying to get into the Akron scene. It would def have to be somehow connected to the Knight center.

2010 STATE-OF-THE-CITY ADDRESS

Plusquellic takes lead

 

Highland Square grocery and Goodyear complex are priorities for Akron

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Akron wants to take the lead on bringing a grocery store to Highland Square, Mayor Don Plusquellic announced Thursday in his annual state-of-the-city speech.

 

The city is working on an agreement with Steve Albrecht and his real estate company to buy the buildings, property and parking lot that Albrecht owns in Highland Square for ''just their cost,'' Plusquellic said.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/90331719.html

Board rejects State Road deal

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher,

Katie Byard

and Gina Mace

Beacon Journal writers

 

CUYAHOGA FALLS: A proposed $60 million retail development on the site of the former State Road Shopping Center has fallen through after the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education rejected a tax-sharing plan.

 

The school board, in a 3-2 vote Monday, rejected the city's proposal to split tax revenues on improvements 78 percent to 22 percent, with the city taking most of the money to pay for its $13 million in costs to buy the land and make

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/90802359.html

Board rejects State Road deal

 

By Betty Lin-Fisher,

Katie Byard

and Gina Mace

Beacon Journal writers

 

CUYAHOGA FALLS: A proposed $60 million retail development on the site of the former State Road Shopping Center has fallen through after the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education rejected a tax-sharing plan.

 

The school board, in a 3-2 vote Monday, rejected the city's proposal to split tax revenues on improvements 78 percent to 22 percent, with the city taking most of the money to pay for its $13 million in costs to buy the land and make

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/90802359.html

 

Yeah Cuyahoga Falls really let the school board "screw the pooch" on this one.  What part of $250,000 is more than 0 did they miss out on?  What because you want it 50/50 so that the city ends up defaulting on the debt?  They were also going to build housing in parts of that project and that revenue wouldn't have been part of the "in lieu of taxes" proposal, it was just for the retail.  Have fun getting money from the dirt piles that are there.

 

 

^The development plans for this are murky at best.  I think the school board realizes this.  Basically they are needing to take a pittance of the tax money and like it so that this development can be started and be successful.  Well maybe the development plans aren't so good then.  If $20-30,000 a year in additional tax revenue is going to do this project in, then really they shouldn't do the project.

 

  The premise for the project is that Starks wants to put a big flashy grocery store smack up against Portage Trail.  A store has not been named.  There is a nice Giant Eagle 2-3 blocks away.  There is an ACME that is in need of a serious makeover/rebuild about 10+ blocks away.  The obvious thought would be to make this a new ACME.  But that is not the Albrecht's M.O.  The Albrechts own much property in Akron and own ACME and would likely require that the store be on Albrecht controlled land and buildings. 

 

  Say that Starks has come up with a Heinens to fill the space or maybe a Buehlers.  He still needs to fill the other retail spots and is supposedly going to keep it mixed with offices and condos up above the retail below.  i think this idea could've got off the ground 7-8 years ago.  The reality is Chapel Hill's retail complex is 5 minutes away and it takes 8-10 minutes to get to Montrose/Summit Mall from there.  There are still retail shops up and down State rd and Portage trails. 

 

I don't believe that Starks has retailers banging down his door to try to get their stores into this development.  Even the development he's essentially trying to emulate, 1st and Main in Hudson is having a challenging time keeping their stores from being vacant.

 

So perhaps another more community-minded developer with a bit more vision can put something together without needing to raid the property taxes.

Falls school board greenlights State Road project

 

By Gina Mace

Special to the Beacon Journal

 

CUYAHOGA FALLS: With two small changes and no extra money on the table from the city, the Cuyahoga Falls school board voted unanimously Monday to clear the way for the $60 million Portage Crossing development to move forward.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/92728134.html

Looks like Tangier's is getting some facade work. There was a crew mortaring/nailing foam board to it when I ran by at lunch.

Looks like Tangier's is getting some facade work. There was a crew mortaring/nailing foam board to it when I ran by at lunch.

 

Yea, its starting to deteriorate pretty badly.  The parking garage is in bad shape as well and will probably get some work.

10 charter schools sue White Hat over assets

 

For-profit management firm founded by David Brennan has too much power, boards say

 

By John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

The governing boards of 10 Ohio charter schools are challenging the legality of the state law regulating the for-profit corporation that operates their schools, Akron-based White Hat Management.

 

In a suit filed Monday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, the school boards argue the law is unconstitutional because it gives too much power to White Hat, one of the largest charter school operators in the nation.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/94046789.html