Does anyone know when they are suppose to be breaking ground for the new Marriott in Northside?

 

It was supposed to be by the end of this year.  I don't see that happening now, unless it's just a ceremonial ground breaking.  Here's its own thread:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15116.0.html

Young's Hotel and Restaurant laid to rest

 

Akron landmark falls along with snowflakes to make way for development

 

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

It was the beginning of the end for city-owned Young's Hotel and Restaurant on Manchester Road (state Route 93) at Carnegie Avenue.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/111395694.html

 

 

Y members give new center a test run

 

By Jim Carney

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Willie McCall, one of the first to use the University Park Y early Monday morning, couldn't say enough about the new $11 million facility.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/111414464.html

Bridgestone progress:

 

Summa's urgent care center moving to new Fairlawn site

 

Ex-Hollywood Video building is in a more visible location for patients, says top executive

 

By Cheryl Powell

Beacon Journal medical writer

 

Summa Health System is relocating its urgent care center in Fairlawn to a former Hollywood Video site.

 

The renovated building on West Market Street is expected to open by the end of January or early February, said Bryan Fredericks, chief operating officer for Summa Physicians Inc., the health system's physician practice arm.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/112992719.html

 

Bath buys former BP property

 

1/6/2011 - West Side Leader

By Anne Dennee

 

“Most of our residents feel very strongly about the property,” said Snow, adding that many see the intersection as a gateway to the Ghent area. He said Bath would start cleaning up the property as soon as possible.

 

In addition to aesthetic improvements, Bath hopes to address safety concerns about the intersection, which has a high accident rate, according to Bath officials.

 

http://akron.com/akron-ohio-community-news.asp?aID=11280

YG, thanks for posting news articles about Akron/Canton developments. I am glad you (and sometimes others) are keeping the rest of the state informed of what's going on development-wise in Akron/Canton. Keep 'em coming!

Riedinger renovations on horizon

 

Former middle school is approved to house Opportunity Center, Alternative Academy

 

By John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Akron's Riedinger Middle School — which has been empty since it was closed in 2009 because of falling enrollment — will have students once again after the district spends$2.5 million on a new roof and other repairs.

 

The school board and city officials approved spending the money on Monday so that two alternative programs now housed at the former Central- Hower High School can be relocated to Riedinger on West Thornton Street.

 

That would enable the district to turn Central-Hower into a high school specializing in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/114533389.html

CVCA announces $6.6 million expansion plan

 

Christian school in Falls to build new classrooms; offices; wrestling, weight, locker and fine arts rooms

 

Published on Wednesday, Feb 02, 2011

 

Beacon Journal staff report

CUYAHOGA FALLS: Citing a rise in enrollment and a desire to expand its academic offerings, the Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy announced plans for its largest capital improvement project in the school's 42-year history.

 

School officials on Tuesday publicly unveiled plans for a $6.6 million, 35,000-square-foot expansion to the private Christian school on Wyoga Lake Road.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/115092359.html

 

renderings there

Update on the project on Hawkins Ave., previous pic one page back.

 

Welcome to fabulous New Orleans....err...Akron, Ohio!

 

 

 

Two projects top list for funds

 

Goodyear, Bridgestone developments dominate Akron's proposed capital budget for 2011

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Nearly a third of Akron's proposed capital budget this year will go to two projects: Goodyear and Bridgestone.

 

The budget includes about $83 million to support Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s new headquarters and $4.3 million for Bridgestone Americas' new technical center.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/115409114.html

Is that site considered part of Wallhaven?  It would seem out of place otherwise I would think..

No, it's West from Wallhaven on Hawkins.  It is a really great project idea, just a strange design.  The bottom floor was a strip mall, and from what I could tell during construction they built up from that footprint.

Since you captured the original photo with Rolling Acres Mall, I'm guessing this must be by Romig Square towards the border of Barberton.. Hawkins is one straight North/South road.  So its definitely not west.  I figured it wasn't N. Hawkins but I still thought something like that might work fairly well in the Wallhaven area especially with the styling of the new Swensons..  Still will have to check that out at some point..

Correct, S. Hawkins, NE Corner of the intersection w/Diagonal, here's the strip mall that is was before:

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=rsvp&aq=&sll=41.068072,-81.569082&sspn=0.002443,0.003508&ie=UTF8&t=h&rq=1&ev=zi&split=1&radius=0.11&hq=rsvp&hnear=&ll=41.068558,-81.569565&spn=0.002443,0.003508&z=18

 

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qvb87z862bfp&lvl=18.276259819060943&dir=97.59865501867435&sty=b&where1=1553%20S%20Hawkins%20Ave%2C%20Akron%2C%20OH%2044320-4054&q=1553%20South%20Hawkins%20Avenue%2C%20Akron%2C%20OH

 

 

Does anybody have any information regarding plans for the former Parrish McIntyre Tire property at Cedar and Main? Half of the building was gone this afternoon when I drove by, I suspect the remainder will be down by tomorrow.  I must say that I am glad that they have decided to demo it as it added nothing to downtown, in terms of use or architecturally, but now I fear it will just turn into another surface lot.  Any thoughts?

First off ... welcome to the boards!

 

Second, regarding your question: I've heard conflicting rumors and no real facts, and this is a subject near and dear to my heart because I work in the Advanced Elastomer Systems building across the street.  One person told me that it was indeed becoming a surface parking lot--parking for residents of 22 Exchange.  Another person told me that it was actually going to be the site of another student housing complex like 22 Exchange, which would be a much more welcome development.  (There should be room enough for parking up near High St., anyway, which is no great loss because that stretch is already not particularly pedestrian-friendly and not conducive to becoming so.)

 

If anyone out there has any more info, I'd welcome some real news, too.  Yanni?

I could try dig something up. I hope they are not building new housing, there are plenty of existing sites to build new or renovate more towards the core of the city.

There are, but this is right near Gojo, Canal Place, and AES, as well as the new restaurants that have come in at the south end of downtown in the past year (Cilantro, Nervous Dog, Subway, Pita Pit, Rubber City Grill), as well as any new restaurants that might fill the remaining spots in 22 Exchange.  It's not as close the core of the city as that dilapidated stretch across Main from Canal Park, but it's hardly the middle of nowhere, either.

Thanks for the responses.  I work down at Canal Place so I drive by the site everyday just as I suspect you do.  With the AES building right on the street, it would be nice to complement that and add something that at least fronts Main.  Leave the back of the block as parking if they must, but something new on the corner of Cedar & Main, residential or otherwise, would be a nice extension of the block between Cedar and Exchange.  Sure there are other parcels in the core that would add more to downtown, but every little piece counts and I don't want to sit around waiting for the center of downtown when there is plenty of development/redevelopment opportunities (and willing property owners) on the fringes...unless of course they just want to build more surface lots.

I agree..We do not need another surface lot going on this space. If they were to build more housing at this spot with shops and  food underneath it like 22 exchange, it could a lot a lot to the area and compliment the AES building nicely. If they want parking they need to find a way to incorporate a building that includes both parking and residential.

I'm more interested in the height (read: density) of any development there.  Even if they were to add more residential here with no retail/restaurant space on the ground floor, it would be a significant improvement and would likely hasten the infill of the remaining empty storefronts on 22 Exchange itself, which would be within easy walking distance for any new residents there (especially for whatever business takes the empty southwest corner of 22 Exchange, which currently just faces AES building and this building being demolished).

 

Incidentally, does anyone know the residential occupancy rate of 22 Exchange?  That would be a good predictor of whether we're likely to see more midrise residential there.

My brother just moved into 22 Exchange and I talked to the people in the leasing office. At the time they only had two open rooms, but just because people had just moved out, so I'm sure by now they are all completely full. 22 Exchange is a great example that shows people are willing to live downtown.

 

If they build another residential building at this space I agree it needs to be build higher, but it should also be a place that isn't just for students. They need to start making more affordable apartments downtown. I am graduating in May and I am hoping to find a job downtown. If I did find a job downtown it would be nice to live downtown as well, but currently I do not have many options.

Hey guys. I don't want to dwell too much in the past, but I think what's going on in Akron is pretty stupid planning.

 

To me it would have been ten times more beneficial for 22 Exchange to go at the Parrish McIntyre site.

 

Gramarye, you rightly mention density concerns. Why did the city allow the Jillians building, a historic building that was COMPLETELY RESTORED AND BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED to get torn down when there is so many vacant spaces in the downtown area?

 

So while I'm 100 percent supportive and glad that more UA students will be housed downtown, it's hard for me to for me to appreciate the mindset. The idea that there will possibly be even more surface lots at the stupid McIntyre building astounds me.

 

Then again, I'm still in disbelief that they demolished 75 percent of the amazing O'neils building. How awfully and unforgivably short sighted!

 

I suppose I lived in Akron so long I was just ecstatic to see Jillians bring life to a downtown that so desperately needed it.  And to be at the first game at Canal Park and seeing the fabulous O'neil building perfectly frame the right field.

 

Oh well, Akron is turning a corner in many positive regards. I guess I really just don't understand the place.

 

 

That's all ancient history to me; I moved here in 2009, so I have no idea what the O'Neill's building and Jillians Building even were.  22 Exchange was already mostly built by then, and the first phase of it was already open.  I've heard some other people mention basically what you're saying--that too many solid, older buildings have been demolished--but I don't think the Parrish McIntyre site will be sorely missed, at least, and I wouldn't let previous bad demolitions color my view of current projects.

 

That greyish-purple building across the street from Canal Park (just north of the Pita Pit/Karma Cafe building) would be another good candidate for some dynamite therapy.

If they build another residential building at this space I agree it needs to be build higher, but it should also be a place that isn't just for students. They need to start making more affordable apartments downtown. I am graduating in May and I am hoping to find a job downtown. If I did find a job downtown it would be nice to live downtown as well, but currently I do not have many options.

 

Couldn't agree more.  I looked at 22 Exchange before I knew it was student housing.  A market-rate apartment complex at the Parrish McIntyre site would probably find a fair number of takers--maybe not 12 floors plus penthouses like the nearby Canal Square building, but a good three or four.  In the meantime, Canal Square is probably your best option for "actual" downtown living (as opposed to just nearby, in University Park).  I know a lot of young professionals live in this building (contra, e.g., Mayflower Manor).

That's all ancient history to me; I moved here in 2009, so I have no idea what the O'Neill's building and Jillians Building even were.  22 Exchange was already mostly built by then, and the first phase of it was already open.  I've heard some other people mention basically what you're saying--that too many solid, older buildings have been demolished--but I don't think the Parrish McIntyre site will be sorely missed, at least, and I wouldn't let previous bad demolitions color my view of current projects.

 

That greyish-purple building across the street from Canal Park (just north of the Pita Pit/Karma Cafe building) would be another good candidate for some dynamite therapy.

 

LOL at dynamite therepy!

 

Right, no one will miss McIntyre, that's why they should've demoed that place and placed 22 Exchange there instead of destroying a fully restored historic building next door.

 

O'neils still exists right on Main, they simply tore down 3/4 of it for a parking garage and to "open up" the open sewer that is the canal. Here's a far off shot of original O'neils for some perspective:

 

http://assets.sbnation.com/imported_assets/10459/canal_20park_20akron_20aeros.jpg

 

Ten minutes of google couldn't locate any shots of Jillians/Best Furniture...so therefore it never existed.  But really, all of the doors/windows fronting the sidewalk could slide open on warm days. It had a really great street presence, better than the new 22 Exchange. 

 

In a city sorely lacking in sidewalk friendly street presence, with the arrival of 22 Exchange it was really just one step forward one step back.

It would seem they feel they have a successful product and are willing to tear down their own leasing offices in order to build a new set of these apartments.  I believe they also own the block just to the east as well that includes a building that once was a First Merit bank/Akron area realtors association.  I wouldn't be surprised to see this knocked down next but maybe not quite right away.. That would make a nice leasing office for the next complex that we're contemplating they will build.

  They may need to create parking garages in the mix of all this if they plan on building another 2 buildings.

 

There is already a lot of dorms being set up for UofA students right now over the next 4-5years.  Perhaps this will complement the progress the University is making.  I would hope they would go 5-6+ stories.  We should expect some kind of announcement soon as this is right within view of the Beacon Journal, so somebody must be sniffing this story out..

 

If they do what we're envisioning, that could have around 1000 students/professionals in 3 small blocks of downtown.  The change currently to that area of downtown is that most every night seems like a low key Friday night and Thursday nights are never dead anymore.  There was an announcement made earlier I forget if it was noted on UO that the dance club Lux is moving into the corner spot of 22Exchange.  Therefore I think think almost all of the leases are accounted for..

A review on the Summit County property records indicates that it is the City of Akron that owns this property, as well as the property to the east (former AABofR).  I suspect that the owners on 22 Exchange were only leasing the building for their leasing office.  The City has owned these properties since 2008.  I would like to think that they are acquiring properties with good potential and simply waiting for the right developer/project to come along, but that may be giving the City too much credit.

I can't see this being the case at this point.  Those two blocks are solidly being used for parking for 22 Exchange.  They put up their wrought iron fencing around the lots that they paved.  I don't see the city involving itself in paving lots for developers unless there was some crazy arrangement.  But even if the city did set up the parking lots to be paved, landscaped, and have controlled access the developer would likely have to buy the property at some point.  I'm just thinking of the arrangement that was made with either the city or county to build a parking deck for Goodyear.  Paving a parking lot isn't that complicated or expensive so I can't see the need for that arrangement..

 

They certainly could've been leasing the building but I can't see why if the city owns the building, the city would be so eager to knock it down so quickly after it was vacated.  Property records aren't the most fleet of records to be updated.  A building that is in fairly good condition that is less than 40 years old is not going to be so aggressively knocked down in Akron unless there is a serious plan going forward and it is in the way of progress.    My bet is sometime in January the land ownership changed hands.

 

A developer that is 99% sold out after build out in a bad economy is certainly going to be interested in expanding the vision and perhaps doubling down. 

The building that was knocked down hasn't been the leasing office since the second half of the apartments opened up. 22 Exchange's leasing office is now on the first floor next to the weight room, and has been there since the second half opened. Downtown has a real advantage for students at this time looking to move. With all the crime that is happening south of Exchange St, I see no problem with developers having a hard time selling apartments downtown. Even with UA planning on building three new residents halls in the next 4-5 years I'm sure students would rather live downtown where they can walk easily to all the restaurants, clubs, and bars, and not to mention the rate that 22 Exchange goes for is equivalent or less than what it costs to live in a University residence hall.

 

I really don't know what I think about LUX going in at 22 Exchange though. To be it seems like there would be too little room, and at the corner I think it would look a little trashy. If they are looking to add new apartments around the vicinity and getting close to 1000 people within those two blocks they should really look into getting a small market to fill that area to fulfill the needs of nearby residence.

Even if 22 Exchange was only leasing those properties/lots, they very well could have put up the money for the improvements.  Providing an attractive parking area right across the street goes a long way in marketing those units, even if they don't own the land.  That would be no different than a company who leases office space sinking a ton of money into an office remodel for the benefit of employees and clients.  The fact that it may have been a recent sale could be a good possibility, or that the City has agreed to do the demo in order to prepare the lot before the transfer in ownership.  I don't disagree that the demo is part of some proposed plan, I am just going to be really disappointed if the City held on to a property for three years only to sell it to a developer who is going to turn it into one giant surface lot.  At this point, it seems that a new building is just speculation.  When developers and City officials love to get their names in the newspaper talking about their next big investment when a project is nothing more than a sketch on a napkin, doesn't it seem odd that we haven't heard anything yet considering this would be another multimillion dollar development?

The City and the Developer worked together to get funding to get 22 Exchange off the ground. I believe the City did own the property originally, so I wouldn't be surprised if they still owned the Tire site. They may have just torn it down for speculative investors, but who knows. 

22 Exchange is pretty much filled up, I believe they can fit about 500 residents. With how quickly they filled up, I wouldn't be surprised if they were thinking about another building. I don't know if there will be as much demand in the future with the new plans for dorms around the Exchange St. Residence Hall at the University.

APS board OKs King CLC design

 

2/17/2011 - West Side Leader

 

WEST AKRON — The new King Community Learning Center (CLC) will retain elements that residents said were important: a classic design and a large front yard.

 

Architect Mark Salopek, the GPD consortium architect who is overseeing the rebuilding program, displayed the new King CLC building plans, which were approved at the Akron Public Schools (APS) Board of Education meeting Feb. 14.

 

http://akron.com/akron-ohio-community-news.asp?aID=11626

Went by the former Parrish tire site last night and it was totally leveled with the excavator on top of it as victor..  I noted there was a construction trailer not too far away.  Reading the tea leaves, I wouldn't think a trailer would be set up to simply knock a building down or expand a parking lot..  So barring any news releases, the next sign to look for is construction fencing going up around the site.  It would make sense that a stipulation of buying the land from Akron is for Akron to knock the building down.  Also noted that the parking lot next to it is owned/ran by Ampco.

 

With the available sea of parking around Spaghetti warehouse and around AES, there shouldn't be a need to aggressively expand parking in the area. 

Green considering townhome project

 

Plan for retail, eatery gets planning panel's OK

 

By George W. Davis

Special to the Beacon Journal

 

The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommending City Council approve a rezoning that could mean more retail, office and residential growth along Massillon Road.

 

The commission made the recommendation Wednesday night to change 11.4 acres, now zoned for professional offices, and 11.9 acres, now zoned for single-family homes, to planned development use.

 

The property is south of Graybill Road and Burgess Drive, on a private roadway on the east side of Massillon Road.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/116456938.html

 

renderings there

 

I can't figure out why they would put townhomes with retail below in this area. There is nowhere close to the density or walkability that would make this successful.

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=burgess+dr,+green+ohio&aq=&sll=40.955206,-81.441393&sspn=0.036689,0.053215&g=massillon+rd,+green+ohio&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Burgess+Dr,+Green,+Summit,+Ohio+44685&ll=40.953788,-81.463623&spn=0.004586,0.006652&t=h&z=17

I can't figure out why they would put townhomes with retail below in this area. There is nowhere close to the density or walkability that would make this successful.

 

+1 ... not getting it, even with the lower costs of greenfield development.

GERMAN MANUFACTURING FIRM SELECTS AKRON FOR NEW FACILITY

RÖCHLING BRINGS 100+ JOBS

Published: Tuesday, February 22, 2011

 

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic announced today that the city has landed a German high-performance plastics manufacturing company that will come to the city with more than a hundred new jobs for Akron area residents.

 

Röchling (RURSH ling) Automotive USA has selected Akron for its $15 million, 75,000 square foot facility to be built in the

Massillon Road Industrial Park.

 

http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/news_releases/Display.asp?RecNum=325

I also note that in the last week, the ugly purplish building just north of the Kaiser Bldg on Main, across from Canal Park, has been leveled into an ugly (but less ugly) vacant lot.

That was demolished a few months ago...I really hope they start building something in those lots. That has to be the ugliest part of downtown, and its right next to best parts of downtown.

Some of the speculation was correct about the old tire bldg. site. Should be in the paper tomorrow.

What was correct?! New living space or a boring and ugly parking deck/lot? lol

Thats awesome yanni has some inside information.  Can't wait to read ohio.com tomorrow! Thx

Not sure if I'm looking at this correctly..but I went into Akron's permit search and found this. From what I'm assuming from this they are building more lofts. :)

 

http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/PermitSearch/AdvancedPlRvSearch.aspx

Not sure if I'm looking at this correctly..but I went into Akron's permit search and found this. From what I'm assuming from this they are building more lofts. :)

 

http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/PermitSearch/AdvancedPlRvSearch.aspx

 

Oops it didn't go to the exact page I was on. Type in 401 S Main St as the address!

CITY BRINGS MORE HOUSING TO DOWNTOWN

The 401 Lofts to House 300+

 

Construction of a new $12 million five story apartment building on South Main Street will bring new jobs and new residents to Downtown Akron, Mayor Don Plusquellic announced today.

 

The “401 Lofts” building on the site of the former Parrish McIntyre Tire store will offer more than 200 apartment suites - primarily for University of Akron students, but also for people who work Downtown or in the Biomedical Corridor. The more than 300 new residents will further enliven the south end of Downtown.

Another developer, Jeff Lorenzo is presently building out 8,000 square feet of previously undeveloped retail space in the Richland building at the corner of Main and Exchange. His company, Club 349 LLC is investing over a million dollars in “ZAR,” which will be a 2-story nightclub appealing to young professionals, and is expected to open in the summer of 2011.

 

http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/news_releases/Display.asp?RecNum=328

Just saw that link on the Downtown Akron Partnership Facebook page ... looks like I got beat to the punch bringing it here, so I'll just add my three cheers for the announcement.  I wonder how mixed student/non-student housing is going to work, but I'll celebrate the announcement nevertheless.

I'm really interested to see what the price point for the non-student housing will be. Downtown desperately needs some housing for young professionals that is affordable.

Way back in the 90's there were awesome plans to convert a good portion of BF Goodrich into residential.

 

Yada yada yada instead they tore down most of the BF Goodrich complex.....

 

Back then I remember the City was not exactly receptive to getting behind the idea. But now 10 years later it appears things are finally getting on track.

This really is excellent news.  I love that area of S. Main.  I remember when the movie "Demolition Man" came out, MTV was going to run a promotion where the winner got to push the button that detonated the charges to raze the Goodrich buildings along that stretch.  I'm so glad that didn't happen.  The repurposing of those buildings for AES had been a great success and they actually look good.

I have to say that I am impressed, my pessimism resulting from years of watching missed redevelopment opportunities certainly got the best of me.  I am glad they are going with a 5-story building as it will be a great transition between 22 Exchange and the AES building.  A comment on the Beacon article indicated that the City payed $1.5 mil for the property when they bought it, it will be interesting to see what price they are selling it to the developer for.  Even at a loss, the redevelopment and additional downtown residents would seem to be worth it when looking at it as a long term investment to the vibrancy of downtown.  Since land banking seemed to work so well in this situation, does anybody know if this has been pursued for the various parcels/surface lots across from Canal Park that keep getting mentioned?

Housing near UA may grow

 

Developer says Akron complex would provide 'upscale' units

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

More housing soon might be built in downtown Akron.

 

The same developer behind a student housing and retail complex at South Main and Exchange streets wants to build a $12 million apartment complex on the site of the former Parrish McIntyre tire store at Main and Cedar streets. The apartments would be targeted to University of Akron students and downtown workers.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/116798493.html

I'm really interested to see what the price point for the non-student housing will be. Downtown desperately needs some housing for young professionals that is affordable.

 

From that article you just posted, in case you missed it:

 

The rent for the new Akron apartments will be about $700 a month, per bedroom, Mehall said.

 

Since they're mostly going to be 2-bedroom units, that's $1400/mo., which will be on the steep side for Akron.  The 1-br. lofts will be in the $700 range, which is closer to normal for downtown 1-br units (basically what you'd pay in Canal Square), but still steep for what you'd pay just outside downtown for even 3-br and larger units.  The inner-ring-suburban apartment complex I lived in in Canton (right on the North Canton border) was under $600/mo. for a 2-br unit.  Canal Square is about $875/mo. for a 2-br, 1.5-ba; $800/mo. for a 2-br, 1-ba; and $700/mo. for a 1-br.  I know that a couple of the townhomes at Northside were on the rental market with an asking price of $2000/mo.  I don't know of any other reference points for white collar rentals in the downtown area.