From the 11/10/05 Akron Beacon Journal:

 

Public forum to focus on Highland Square

'Anti-sprawl' advocate will give presentation

By John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Highland Square residents who worry that their eclectic neighborhood might be transformed into a Wallhaven-style strip mall will meet tonight.  The town hall meeting begins a 7 p.m. at King School, 805 Memorial Parkway, and features a presentation by David Hudson, executive vice president of the Congress for the New Urbanism.  The Chicago organization advocates anti-sprawl development that is friendly to walkers and mixes residential, public and commercial activities.

 

Early last year, developer Steve Albrecht revealed plans to redevelop the northeast corner of West Market Street and North Portage Path that include a new library, a retail complex and a new grocery store to replace the Star Market, which closed in August.  The Highland Square Neighborhood Association worries that without firm guidelines in place, the development plans could lead to excessive parking lots that would ruin the pedestrian character of the area.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/13129681.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

I'm glad to see an organized effort is being made to ensure that the neighborhood retains it's urban feel.

From the 11/17/05 Leader Online:

 

New Urbanist advocates ‘urban grid’ of Highland Square

By Stephanie Kandel

 

HIGHLAND SQUARE — At a well-attended town hall meeting Nov. 10, an energetic guest speaker proclaimed that empty, vacant parking lots are the biggest threat to an urban neighborhood.

 

David Hudson, executive vice president of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) in Chicago, told more than 150 attendees who have a vested interest in Highland Square that their neighborhood is representative of a traditional urban grid, which promotes interaction among people. Cities such as Rome and Istanbul utilize an urban grid format, he said — a mix of retail and residential that is “made for people.”

 

“You still have it; it’s not too late,” he said.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.akron.com/20051117/wsl3.asp

 

From the City of Akron web site, 12/28/2005

 

IMPORTANT FACELIFT FOR ‘DISTINCTIVE’ NEIGHBORHOOD

HIGHLAND SQUARE PLAN IS READY

 

Mayor Don Plusquellic today announced a $6 million construction project that will provide a facelift for one of Akron’s most historic neighborhoods.

The City of Akron, the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Albrecht Incorporated and First Merit Bank have entered into an agreement that will see the first major re-development of the Highland Square business district in more than 50 years.

 

Albrecht will build a new retail and grocery center at the now-vacant corner of West Market Street and Portage Path. The private developer will also build a second retail and office complex on the site of the old Star Market.

 

A new West Hill branch of the library at Highland Square will be constructed starting in 2006.

 

The City of Akron will construct public parking, which is critical to the success of the project.

 

"In the history of Akron, it’s unlikely that there’s been a redevelopment project that has been the subject of more discussion and more citizen input than this one," said Mayor Don Plusquellic. "Highland Square is a distinctive neighborhood in Akron and deserves the thoughtful planning that has gone into this development."

 

The development agreement provides for:

 

Construction of a $1.5 million retail center of about 10,000 square feet on the triangle-shaped piece of property bounded by Market, Portage Path, and Edgerton Road. The city will lease the property to Albrecht for 20 years. Albrecht will develop a 6,400 square foot grocery store on the site, the operator of which is yet to be named. The retail development will create initial employment of just under 50 persons. Albrecht has an option to purchase the property.

Construction of a $1.2 million retail center of roughly 9,000 square feet, on West Market Street at North Highland Avenue on property currently owned by Albrecht, the site of the former Star Market. Employment here will be about 40 persons.

Construction of a $2.15 million Akron-Summit County Library of about 12,000 square feet, on the site of its current West Hill branch at Market and Highland. The existing building will be demolished and North Highland Avenue will be vacated to provide land for the construction.

Development by the city of 112 new public parking spaces on the site for which Albrecht and the Library will be assessed.

 

The city will also build 92 parking spaces at the corner site under a cooperative agreement with FirstMerit utilizing existing parking owned by the bank. These will be for use by bank customers and by tenants of the Albrecht development. The parking will be paid for by FirstMerit and Albrecht.

Public improvements along West Market Street, Portage Path, Edgerton Road, Conger, and Highland avenues that will be made by the City of Akron.

Plusquellic recognized the diligence and professionalism of the major players, developer Steve Albrecht and the board of the Akron Summit County Public Library. "Steve Albrecht and the Library each owned their land and could have built new projects earlier," the mayor said. "They took time to give residents the opportunity to be heard and their ideas to be integrated into this final plan."

 

"This redevelopment will be the first step in a long awaited re-invention of Highland Square," said Jim Nilsen, president of Albrecht, Incorporated. "It represents the collaborative efforts of citizens, business and local government working together to create a distinctive, urban business district."

 

Library Director David Jennings said that the new West Hill branch will serve residents of Highland Square for many years. "On behalf of the library board and the community we thank Fred and Francia Albrecht whose generosity made locating the library at this site possible. Their love of reading and the arts will be recognized with the dedication of a garden at the branch."

 

The first phase of the grocery store and the accompanying office/retail space is expected to start early in 2006. Phase II of the re-development project will begin in April of 2006 with the library construction and the construction of the adjacent single story retail/office building.

 

"This plan has been a long time in coming," said Akron first ward councilman Dan Horrigan who first convened neighborhood meetings about the project almost five years ago. "I am pleased that the developers listened to the residents’ concerns and have incorporated many of their suggestions into the final design."

 

The Department of Planning and Urban Development will hold a public meeting on January 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Portage Path School to discuss future planning issues in the Highland Square business district. It is expected that the information collected will allow the city to create an urban renewal plan that will also include development guidelines to direct future development in the neighborhood.

 

The proposed development package must now be submitted to the Akron Planning Commission and Akron City Council. The Board of the Library has given its approval to the proposal.

 

 

Contact: Mark Williamson ([email protected])

http://ci.akron.oh.us/News_Releases/2005/1228.html

The following images appeared in today's Akron Beacon Journal.

 

Plenty of parking!!!:

 

 

From the 1/5/06 Akron Beacon Journal:

 

Highland Square's soap opera

By David Giffels

 

For too much of the past four years, the big Highland Square redevelopment project has had all the harmony of a kazoo recital. There were disputes over the parking layout. And the library location. And the design standards.

 

There were questions about the sidewalk elevation, about the businesses on the other side of the street and about public parking. There even was grumbling about who controls the neighborhood's Christmas tree, which has the misfortune of being rooted within the project's boundaries.

 

In public forums and behind closed doors, the project has been talked nearly to death. As recently as a month ago, when Mayor Don Plusquellic brusquely left a neighborhood meeting after being insulted by a resident, I wondered whether spite would poison the whole thing. Welcome to Highland Square, where consensus building has the density and complexity of quantum physics -- without the easy answers.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/13554321.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

 

From the 1/18/06 Akron Beacon Journal:

 

Akron promotes renewal of Highland Square

Residents quiz city officials

Planning administrator says blighted areas could be corrected in historic neighborhood

By John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

About 90 Highland Square residents took the news in stride Tuesday that Akron considers part of their neighborhood blighted.  "We are not saying this is a slum,'' said the city's comprehensive planning administrator, Jerry Egan.

 

But declaring a "renewal'' area blighted -- that includes buildings fronting West Market Street, Portage Path and Highland Avenue -- allows the city to acquire buildings and homes within the area and use other methods to correct and prevent blight.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/13651338.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

 

From the 2/18/06 Akron Beacon Journal:

 

Library, grocery project backed

Panel hears nagging concerns, OKs plan for Highland Square

By Paula Schleis

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Plans to build a grocery store, retail center and new library in Highland Square are finally in the hands of the Akron City Council.  On Friday, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the long-debated and once-controversial proposal.  Barring further setbacks, the $6 million project could break ground this spring and be finished by early 2007.

 

The commission's vote came after a public hearing in which Highland Square residents and business owners who had fought for changes to the initial proposal said they were largely satisfied with the plan to remake the area of West Market Street between Portage Path and North Highland Avenue.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/ohio/news/13904462.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

 

From the West Side Leader, 3/23/06:

 

Highland Square plan passes hurdle

By Stephanie Kandel

 

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The renewal plan and eligibility report for an area of Highland Square poised for a major face-lift received clearance from the Akron City Planning Commission March 17.

 

The three members of the commission who were present at the meeting — David Bryant, Michael Dowdell and Anthony Gorant — voted unanimously to pass the plan to Akron City Council with a recommendation for approval.  At the public hearing prior to the vote, the only Highland Square resident to speak was Susan Vogelsang, who thanked the city’s Planning Department for the pending redevelopment action in Highland Square and the way in which the department was open to input from residents.

 

The Planning Department hosted three public meetings in Highland Square regarding its plans for renewal and redevelopment in the neighborhood.  The department established a renewal area roughly surrounding the intersection of West Market Street and Portage Path, then determined the area to be blighted. In meeting with Highland Square residents, department officials explained the plan for redevelopment and asked for input going forward.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.akron.com/20060323/wsl6.asp

 

From the 4/25/06 Akron Beacon Journal:

 

Highland Square guidelines approved

City Council adopts parking, entranceway, building height rules, creating two zoning districts for redevelopment planned along West Market Street

By John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

The Akron City Council adopted guidelines for development in Highland Square on Monday that take into account suggestions raised during long discussions about the area's redevelopment.  The council approved the creation of two zoning districts for new construction that fronts West Market Street.

 

One district for a limited retail area covers the north end between Portage Path and Casterton and Grand avenues; a limited business district covers the south end of West Market from Casterton and Grand to Rhodes Avenue for office use.  Both districts comprise a redevelopment area covering 57 acres stretching from Marvin Avenue east to Rhodes, with north and south borders reaching Edgerton Road at Conger Avenue and Portage Path at Grand.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/14422350.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From the 5/4/06 Akron Beacon Journal:

 

 

Highland Square designs sought

 

Want to leave your mark on Highland Square?

 

Albrecht Inc., an Akron retail and industrial real estate firm, is offering $5,900 in prizes to the teams that create the best mathematically themed design elements to incorporate into the buildings and common areas in the redevelopment of West Akron's Highland Square neighborhood.

 

Participants will be asked to collaborate on designs for building facades, a binary clock and a courtyard sculpture. Proposals must be submitted by July 15.

 

A message board at www.albrechtinc.com has been set up so contestants can link up, share ideas and build teams.

 

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/14497245.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

 

From the 6/8/06 West Side Leader:

 

Highland Square development agreement in place

By Stephanie Kist

 

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron City Council approved three final ordinances pertaining to a development project in Highland Square.  The project will establish a new grocery store, retail center and West Hill Branch Library on the north side of West Market Street in Highland Square.

 

At the June 5 meeting, council approved the Joint Development Agreement among the city, Albrecht Inc., FirstMerit Bank and the Akron-Summit County Public Library.  Council also approved establishment of the Highland Square Public Tax Increment Equivalent Fund, exempting the costs of the public improvements from real property taxation.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.akron.com/20060608/wsl2.ASP

 

Story moves right along

 

Ground broken for library alongside Highland Square retail development

By John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

 

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/15458681.htm

From the 1/17/07 ABJ:

 

Highland Theater may be lost

Activists hope to save 1938 building after owner receives permit to raze it

By Bob Downing and John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writers

 

Highland Square activists want to save Akron's Highland Theater, perhaps to turn it into a community-based center for theater, films and music.  About 25 neighborhood residents rallied Tuesday night after learning that the movie theater might be razed.  Residents said they were unsure what was going to happen to the theater: Rumors are the space might be turned into city parking or perhaps be used to rebuild nearby Portage Path Elementary School.

 

The Highland Square Neighborhood Association has been trying to contact theater owner Ted Bare about acquiring the theater, an effort that might cost as much as $800,000, said spokeswoman Lisa Bostwick.  She urged the group to attend Monday's Akron City Council meeting in an effort to enlist city support in keeping the theater from being razed and to give the Highland Square group time to form a nonprofit group to take over the theater.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/community/16478538.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

 

From the 1/18/07 ABJ:

 

City not part of theater step

Mayor says Akron juggling need for Highland Square parking, school renovation

By Stephanie Warsmith and John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writers

 

The city had nothing to do with the Highland Square Theater owner's decision to take out a demolition permit, Mayor Don Plusquellic said Wednesday.  Highland Square Neighborhood Association President Lisa Bostwick held a community meeting Tuesday night after she discovered that TBE Inc., which owns the Highland Theater, filed a commercial alteration permit with the city to tear down the theater.

 

Ted Bare Enterprises received city approval on Jan. 3 to remove the movie-theater section of the 1938 building at 826 W. Market St. and construct a new rear wall.  The permit lists a "target date'' of Jan. 4, 2008.

 

The city's support of new development in Highland Square, coupled with its interest in renovating Portage Path Elementary School just south of the theater, fueled speculation that city officials were working secretly with Bare to acquire the property.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16487435.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

 

From the 1/23/07 ABJ:

 

Council discusses theater

Permit to tear down site upsets neighbors of Highland Square

By John Higgins

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Highland Square residents lobbied Akron City Council on Monday night for more time to save their neighborhood movie theater.

 

The theater's owner, Ted Bare, recently took out a demolition permit to tear down the structure, which has led to speculation among the residents that the city might be considering a deal for the property.  "We are asking for your support to get some time,'' said Lisa Bostwick, president of the Highland Square Neighborhood Association, who spoke for more than 15 residents in attendance.

 

The association has worked feverishly to create a business plan since learning about the permit last week.  Bostwick said the group has identified a serious potential buyer.  They are proposing that the theater serve a variety of uses, including student performances, award ceremonies, community hall meetings, seminars, film screenings, concerts and theatrical performances.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16524050.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

 

From the 1/31/07 ABJ:

 

Group vows to save theater

Highland Square panel organizing to buy landmark

By Connie Bloom

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

She was a beauty in her day. It only cost 50 cents to see a shoot-'em-up. The construction workers who built her in post-Depression 1937 were mighty glad to earn $2.50 a day. They worked hard for their money and scaled the steel beams of the Highland Theater with their hands and feet, working without hard hats or safety wires. That's a legacy worth saving, a crowd agreed.

 

About 90 fans of the theater, mostly residents of Highland Square, watched a digitally restored vintage film of the Wallace Construction company building the neighborhood jewel in 1937. Several members of the Wallace family, which made the film -- Nelson, Dick and Blaine -- sat in the front row of a meeting Tuesday at First Grace United Church of Christ, and talked about the theater like it was their first born.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16586383.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

 

From the 2/1/07 ABJ:

 

Portage Path divides crowd

School ideas debated at heated forum

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

While the debate about the development of Highland Square continues, the Akron school district tried Wednesday night to advance discussion of what should happen with the neighboring Portage Path Elementary School.  School and city leaders presented three possible site plans for a new school, including two proposals involving the Highland Theater property nearby.  About 150 parents, teachers, students and residents attended the heated meeting in the nearly 100-year-old school at 55 S. Portage Path.

 

Speculation on plans for the school have run rampant, especially since the recent news that the owner of the struggling Highland Theater had obtained a demolition permit.  The Highland Square Neighborhood Association has been trying to save the theater and turn it into a community performing arts center.  Portage Path Elementary is caught in the middle, with parents and staff wanting a new school to be built, not put on hold because of the area's development debate.  City and school leaders who attended the meeting said there are no formal plans to buy the theater property. 

 

When the possibility of the theater space came to light, Mayor Don Plusquellic said, they decided this property had to be considered in the plans for the new Portage Path.  "I live in the real world here and these kids need a quality school,'' Plusquellic said. "We also need to do what we can to protect this Highland Square neighborhood.''

 

MORE AT: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/education/16594881.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

 

From the 2/8/07 West Side Leader:

 

Plans for Portage Path CLC unveiled at meeting

By Stephanie Kist

 

HIGHLAND SQUARE — Amid controversy over the fate of the Highland Theater, a community meeting on future plans for the Portage Path Community Learning Center (CLC) took place Jan. 31.  The number of people attending the meeting was well more than 100, and a great many city, school and school board officials also attended.  While the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the CLC, which will be built on the footprint of the current Portage Path School of Technology, much discussion included the theater.

 

After a permit was filed with the city to demolish the theater portion of the Highland Theater building, some residents of Highland Square feared there had been secret dealings among the city, school district and theater owner Ted Bare Enterprises Inc. (TBE) to prompt the razing of the theater to make more room for either parking for the square or a new playground for the CLC or simply to expand the CLC site.  The school site is located directly behind the theater.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.akron.com/20070208/wsl5.asp

 

From the 3/29/07 West Side Leader:

 

PHOTO: The new retail development in Highland Square includes two new buildings that are nearly complete. Chipotle opens there this weekend, and efforts are being made by Albrecht Inc. to secure tenants for the rest of the space. A third building, intended to house a grocery store, also is planned.

 

Highland Square project closing in on completion

By Stephanie Kist

 

HIGHLAND SQUARE — Progress continues to be made on a new addition to the distinctive West Akron neighborhood Highland Square.  The Highland Square Redevelopment Project, which began last summer after years of discussion, is a joint effort among Albrecht Inc., the city of Akron, the Akron-Summit County Public Library (ASCPL) and FirstMerit Bank.

 

The project includes the construction of three retail buildings, a new West Hill Branch Library and new parking.  Albrecht said two of the three retail buildings are nearly complete.  A third building, which is intended to be a grocery store, has not yet been constructed, as Albrecht Inc. works to secure an operator for the store. 

 

Albrecht said the grocery building, which will be about 6,400 square feet, is build-to-suit, so the building won’t be constructed until a deal is completed with an operator.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.akron.com/20070329/wsl5.asp

 

From the 5/3/07 West Side Leader:

 

Developer broke agreement, claim HSNA officials

By Stephanie Kist

 

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Members of the Highland Square Neighborhood Association (HSNA) attended Akron City Council’s Economic Development and Job Creation Committee meeting April 30 to express concern about the lack of a grocery store in the new development under way in the square.

 

HSNA member Mark Smith read a prepared statement that said the group believes Albrecht Inc. has broken its agreement with the city, FirstMerit Bank and the Akron-Summit County Public Library.  “Prior to its closing, the successful Star Market was a great asset to the citizens of Highland Square, especially the elderly and disabled who now are forced to take the bus to Acme No. 1 for their groceries,” Smith said.

 

According to the statement, the HSNA believes Albrecht broke the contract because it has not, as is outlined in the Joint Development Agreement among the four parties, used “its commercially reasonable best efforts to lease to a grocery store operator” and has not commenced site preparation and construction.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.akron.com/20070503/wsl7.asp

 

Residents decry lack of grocery

Sign-carrying Highland Square protesters ask why a store hasn't been built yet on West Market Street

By Jim Carney

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007

 

Where's the beef?  That was one slogan inscribed on a picket sign carried by one of about 35 protesters Tuesday in Akron's Highland Square.  The group had gathered in front of a space where they hope a new grocery store will be built in the West Akron neighborhood.

 

The protesters, many of whom were senior citizens, are upset that the retail development's owner, Albrecht Inc., has not yet found a grocer for the site.  The development firm is an Albrecht family-owned company, as is the F.W. Albrecht Grocery Company that operates Acme Fresh Market stores in Northeast Ohio.

 

Some of the protesters speculated that a grocery store has not opened there because the property owners do not want the grocery store competition.  But Joe Albrecht, manager of retail properties for Albrecht Inc., said there is no conspiracy at play in Highland Square and his company wants a grocery store in Highland Square.

 

More at http://www.ohio.com

 

Retail building fills up

Sellers of cell phones, jewelry, pizza set up shop at Highland Square site

By Katie Byard, Beacon Journal, November 07, 2008

 

One of two new retail buildings designed to rejuvenate the Highland Square neighborhood in West Akron is finally filling up with tenants.

 

A Verizon cell phone store opened about two weeks ago and a jewelry shop and a Georgio's Pizza outlet are set to open sometime in December, leaving no available space in the West Market Street building, said Joe Albrecht, manager of retail properties for Albrecht Inc.  The building already is home to a Chipotle restaurant and the Market Path store, which opened last year.  Metro Burger opened in the building in June of this year.

 

The lease deals were struck before the stock market turmoil, Albrecht said.  Despite the weakening economy, Albrecht said, ''We're still getting inquiries from people that want to lease space — from national tenants to mom and pops.''

Posted two articles on this today. See above.

 

City looking for Highland Square grocer

By Stephanie Kist, West Side Leader, November 6, 2008

 

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Members of Akron City Council’s Economic Development and Job Creation Committee heard an update on efforts to bring a grocery store to Highland Square Nov. 3. 

 

Adele Roth, a senior economist with the city’s Economic Development Department, told the committee the three vacant spaces in the building currently housing Chipotle and Metro Burger have been leased and will be occupied by a cell phone store, a jewelry store and a pizza restaurant.  They all hope to open by the Christmas season, Roth said.

 

However, the second retail building constructed by Albrecht Inc. remains vacant, and an operator for a planned grocery store on the “triangle parcel” at the intersection of West Market Street, Portage Path and Edgerton Road has not been located after two years of effort.  There are two main reasons for this, according to Roth: the small size of the site and the difficult nature of the grocery business.

 

Interesting news about Highland Square.  The best bet for a market going in would be a http://www.kriegersmarket.com/ .  The downside is its such a bizarre shape of land that's left, likely purposefully, after Albrecht stuck that still vacant building right up against this plot.  To add a grocer and to have enough parking for all the other businesses that are around is going to very challenging with the limited footprint available.  To see what I mean, go to MSN map and bird's view 10 N. Portage Path, Akron, OH and compare it to google map which is about 4 years old.  The other problem will likely be the architecture to fit in.  Kriegers like's to employ a "red barn" style which doesn't necessarily fit in with 15-20 story buildings and multi-story brick apartment complexes. But HS doesn't necessarily have problems with things that don't fit in unless its glaringly so which this could be if they want to add the tractor, buggy,  and silo motifs.

 

The other point people bring up is that its hard to put another grocer in the area when there's the Acme #1 a little over a mile and a half away.  Well before you get to Albrecht's Acme is one of the top gourmet grocers in the (I'll be bold) world in West Point Market.  Mustardseed Market then is also 5 miles away.  Incredible grocery shopping options.  Thats why I think a fresh produce market should go in to this location.

Highland Square development in Akron faces challenges

Posted by Laura Johnston/Plain Dealer Reporter

December 07, 2008 02:17AM

 

AKRON -- Skinny and squat, brick and painted wood and concrete, the storefronts of Highland Square are a mishmash that becomes one scruffy, quirky district.  There's the 1938 movie theater that lends the neighborhood its name, and the bars, one-of-a-kind restaurants and odd boutiques that bestow its hip Coventry Village-type vibe -- all on the south side of West Market Street.

 

And then there's the shinier, more suburban-looking north side -- a $6 million, eight-year project by the city of Akron, Akron-Summit County Public Library and developer Albrecht Inc., with a sparkling 12,000-square-foot library, a strip of stores, a vacant two-store structure and plenty of parking in back.

 

A "face-lift," the city called the redevelopment in 2005, "a long-awaited reinvention of Highland Square."  But now, the promise seems to have fallen flat.  The decades-old Dodie's Highland Cafe has shut down on the south side; three chains have moved into the new plaza and the long-promised grocery store anchor remains a patch of dirt.

 

MORE AT: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/highland_square_development_in.html

Store plan advances

AKRON: Mayor Don Plusquellic will ask the City Council on Monday to approve entering into a contract for the purchase of 1.9 acres of land and buildings at Highland Square.

 

The move would be a key step in attracting a grocery store to the neighborhood.

 

The sales agreement, for $3.1 million, would be between the city and Albrecht Inc., and would involve Albrecht-owned property between West Market Street, Portage Path, Edgerton Road and Highland Avenue.

 

Akron and Albrecht have been operating under a Joint Development Agreement, the mayor's office said in a statement Friday. The new contract would replace that and give Akron sole control over the development.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/98655714.html

 

City closes on Highland Square land purchase

 

HIGHLAND SQUARE — City officials say a real estate closing Dec. 30 moves the Highland Square neighborhood one step closer to obtaining a grocery store.

 

Implementing legislation adopted by City Council in July, the city of Akron has acquired title to property previously owned by Albrecht Inc. north of West Market Street and bounded by North Portage Path, Edgerton Road and Highland Avenue.

 

http://akron.com/akron-ohio-community-news.asp?aID=11284

Proposals could turn Highland Square site into store

 

Four companies submit plans to Akron officials for long-awaited grocery

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Akron's want ad for a grocery store for Highland Square netted proposals from four established grocers.

 

Three are familiar names to the Akron area — Freshway, IGA and Mustard Seed. The fourth, Santisi, isn't well-known here but is in Youngstown.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/118636539.html

 

This is great news. Out of the four proposals: 1 wants City to pay for new building, 1 wants to lease a new building with option to buy, 1 wants financing guaranteed by the City, and 1 "offered to buy the property and buildings — and agreed to operate a store there for ''a minimum of five years'' — or to lease the property and buildings from the city, with an option to buy at a later date."

 

I think it's pretty obvious what the choice should be, although I would love to see a Mustard Seed store in HS.

Mustard Seed does seem like the kind of place that could operate a small-footprint store in HS and find a warm reception there, just given the demographics.  That said, Santisi certainly seems to be making the most attractive offer.  Then again, I've never even heard of Santisi, and I couldn't even find a Web site for them, just some <a href="http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Santisi.Wholesale.Food.Co.330-746-6331">online business listings</a>.

 

Has anyone ever shopped there?  What are they like?

The Mayor will be making an announcement regarding an agreement this afternoon.

 

Highland Square needs somewhere to buy groceries of some sort.

I lived there in the mid-90s and would go to the Sparkle Mkt. I believe that was the name.

Mustard Seed would be the best choice for now though. I still go to their W. Mkt St. location in Montrose.

/\/\/\ you have been heard!

 

Mustard Seed is chosen grocer for Highland Square

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

POSTED: 01:40 p.m. EDT, Mar 30, 2011

 

Mustard Seed is Akron's chosen grocer for the Highland Square neighborhood that has been clamoring for a store for many years.

 

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic made the announcement this afternoon. The city picked Mustard Seed, which already has stores in Montrose and Solon, from four grocers who submitted proposals.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/118925269.html

 

Can anyone answer this question for me:  I was reading the comments on the Mustard Seed location in Highland Square (in the Ohio.com article) and many people mentioned how security was needed and there was a general tone that HS is undesirable.  I lived in HS ten years ago before I had to move for my job, but when I lived in an apt on N. Portage Path, the neighborhood was very desirable and well kept.  There were a lot of families, a large gay population which had fixed up a lot of buildings, etc.  Did something happen to the neighborhood?  The building stock in HS is still amazing and everytime I come home to Akron, I stop into HS for a visit.  Thanks.

Can anyone answer this question for me:  I was reading the comments on the Mustard Seed location in Highland Square (in the Ohio.com article) and many people mentioned how security was needed and there was a general tone that HS is undesirable.  I lived in HS ten years ago before I had to move for my job, but when I lived in an apt on N. Portage Path, the neighborhood was very desirable and well kept.  There were a lot of families, a large gay population which had fixed up a lot of buildings, etc.  Did something happen to the neighborhood?  The building stock in HS is still amazing and everytime I come home to Akron, I stop into HS for a visit.  Thanks.

I am not aware of anything that would have changed the condition of the neighborhood from when you used to live there. If anything, I would say that it has improved slightly. I really like Highland Square and I am slightly jealous of my friends who live in the neighborhood.

 

Edit: To get back on topic, I am glad that HS finally will have some type of grocery option, hopefully it is not too expensive.

Well I'll be darned  :lol:

 

/\/\/\ you have been heard!

 

Mustard Seed is chosen grocer for Highland Square

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

POSTED: 01:40 p.m. EDT, Mar 30, 2011

 

My one negative experience with Mustard Seed was when I ate at the upstairs cafe in their Montrose store.  My waitress was, I'm pretty sure, a strident vegan (or maybe vegetarian), and I think judged me a bit for ordering the turkey wrap (one of the few non-vegetarian items on the menu, IIRC).  She barely said two words to me after I ordered.  Meh.

 

On the flip side, I keep returning to the store (not the cafe), most particularly because Mustard Seed is the one place in Akron that stocks <a href="http://www.snowvillecreamery.com/">Snowville Creamery</a> milk, which is twice as expensive as the more factory-farmed stuff from Aldi but worth every dime.  A couple of foodies from ColumbusUnderground kept talking about it until I finally picked up a carton; now I'm hooked, though I almost never go out to Montrose, so I'm seldom in a position to pick any up.  Highland Square is a lot closer to downtown, though, so I'm hoping that this new location carries it!

Can anyone answer this question for me:  I was reading the comments on the Mustard Seed location in Highland Square (in the Ohio.com article) and many people mentioned how security was needed and there was a general tone that HS is undesirable.  I lived in HS ten years ago before I had to move for my job, but when I lived in an apt on N. Portage Path, the neighborhood was very desirable and well kept.  There were a lot of families, a large gay population which had fixed up a lot of buildings, etc.  Did something happen to the neighborhood?  The building stock in HS is still amazing and everytime I come home to Akron, I stop into HS for a visit.  Thanks.

I am not aware of anything that would have changed the condition of the neighborhood from when you used to live there. If anything, I would say that it has improved slightly. I really like Highland Square and I am slightly jealous of my friends who live in the neighborhood.

 

Edit: To get back on topic, I am glad that HS finally will have some type of grocery option, hopefully it is not too expensive.

 

I don't think HS has changed much. Being a college student I go up there all the time and feel completely safe. It is nice to walk around the area to the different places. One thing that I have noticed about most Ohio.com commenters is that they are constantly portraying every part of Akron as being crime ridden and has nothing good to say about anything that could be considered positive for the city. I have shopped at Mustard Seed before and they seem to be fairly priced. This will be a great addition into this neighborhood. Now if only we can get a grocer to come downtown! :D

In the previous beacon article it mentioned  the ones grocers that didn't win this round being offered a chance at a downtown location..  I don't think there are many places a store could go downtown..  Intrigued by the milk too mentioned by gramayre, better than the glass bottled ones from hartzler?

In the previous beacon article it mentioned  the ones grocers that didn't win this round being offered a chance at a downtown location..  I don't think there are many places a store could go downtown..  Intrigued by the milk too mentioned by gramayre, better than the glass bottled ones from hartzler?

 

I haven't tried Hartzler milk yet.  Hmm.  Blind milk tasting? 8-)

 

The Snowville Creamery stuff is from grass-fed, free-range cows, is non-homogenized (so you have to shake before you pour), and is only regularly pasteurized (instead of the more usual ultra-pasteurized milk from larger operations) ... 170F instead of 280F, if I remember my numbers correctly.  Through some law of chemistry that I still don't fully understand, the fact that it's pasteurized at a lower temperature actually helps the milk keep longer, which matters to me because I just don't drink milk that quickly and I live alone.  It's also fairly local (from Southeastern Ohio), and cream from that same dairy is also the base of <a href="http://www.jenisicecreams.com/">Jeni's ice creams</a> (which, ironically, are not available at Mustard Seed, but which are available at DeViti's Italian Market in Tallmadge).

Can anyone answer this question for me:  I was reading the comments on the Mustard Seed location in Highland Square (in the Ohio.com article) and many people mentioned how security was needed and there was a general tone that HS is undesirable.  I lived in HS ten years ago before I had to move for my job, but when I lived in an apt on N. Portage Path, the neighborhood was very desirable and well kept.  There were a lot of families, a large gay population which had fixed up a lot of buildings, etc.  Did something happen to the neighborhood?  The building stock in HS is still amazing and everytime I come home to Akron, I stop into HS for a visit.  Thanks.

 

As uastudent said, most comments on Ohio.com say that every part of Akron is bad and the Mayor is horrible and he wastes all of the taxpayer money flying around the world on trips.

That being said, HS around Market St. and North is great, especially North when you get into the single-family homes. A lot of people take pride in living there. There are outskirts that are considered HS, East and South that have some problems, but nothing on a daily basis, that I'm aware of.

Some people will say that the Sparkle Market that was formerly in HS went out of business b/c of theft. I don't know how true that is.

 

Audid,

I never saw that part of the article about going downtown with another grocer. I would think that would be a good model for Stansi who put in a proposal.

Yes I remember reading that as well. The one place that I think would be a great place for a grocer to build is on the corner of Main and  E. buchtel Ave.  With over a 1000 people living within those three blocks I think it would be a great addition. Not to mention they still have plans to turn the upper floors of the Landmark building into loft apartments, so I'm sure it would be nice for them to have a grocer as well. I truly believe that if they were to bring new retail and restaurants downtown more people will want to live there.

 

Now and then I'll drive around the city and envision what could be done to make it more dense and vibrant so I sketch my ideas on paper. I don't want to take this thread off topic so I'll post my idea over on the Akron news and developments thread.

New article with some more details

 

Mustard Seed announced as Highland Square choice

 

City Council must OK plan for Akron-owned property

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

• The Nabors might temporarily open a small store in 2,500 feet of vacant space in the building that includes Chipotle.

 

• Out-of-the box ideas, such as putting parking on the roof of the store or below it, are being considered. The Nabors also are pondering using the roof for a greenhouse or outdoor cafe. City leaders have suggested building loft apartments or offices above the store.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/118972124.html

Retailer ‘Next’ is next for Highland Square

 

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Akron plans to lease a vacant storefront in the Chipotle building at 837 W. Market St. to Finch Co. Inc., which will open a Next Store in the spot between Georgio’s Pizza and a space where Verizon formerly was located. Next will sell high-end, hip clothing and sneakers, mainly catered to a 20-something clientele.

 

“I think they will be a great addition,” said Adele Roth, the city’s development manager, who is in charge of Akron’s retail plans for Highland Square that include a

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/retailer-next-is-next-for-highland-square-1.245632

^Does anyone know what 'Next' is like? Judging from the Ohio.bomb posters, it seems like their selling gangster apparel and a bunch of "thugs" will over run the square.

 

Then again, these are the same guys who constantly make subtle racist comments about Akron. They realize the city is a majority white, right?? :?

Google my friend:

http://ruleofnext.com/

Google my friend:

http://ruleofnext.com/

 

How do they operate four stores, yet in this day only have a free blog website that costs $20 for a unique web address.

How do they operate four stores, yet in this day only have a free blog website that costs $20 for a unique web address.

 

My thoughts exactly. I saw the blog already, but I was hoping someone could provide some inside info. Since, you know, these guys can afford to pay for multiple franchise locations but aren't willing to invest in a real website...

 

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how this fits the demographic of the square...at all. The nieghborhood is primarily college students, young professionals, and the elderly.  Maybe they're hoping to attract the douchie hipster wannabes that I see walking around all the time??

 

I don't know, this just seems like a bad move. I'll hold further judgement until it opens and I can see what type of crowd it attracts, but I'm not very optimistic.

 

The good news is that Highland Square has been, and always will be a cool nieghborhood where you can feel safe walking around at night(at least I do). A single store won't change that.

Oh, by the way, does anyone else get the feeling that the mayor pulled fast one with the whole grocery store fiasco?

 

It sucks driving all the way to the Fairlawn border for groceries.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how this fits the demographic of the square...at all. The nieghborhood is primarily college students, young professionals, and the elderly.  Maybe they're hoping to attract the douchie hipster wannabes that I see walking around all the time??

 

I'm going to assume that you don't live in Highland Square and I'm going to assume that you don't know what a hipster is. If you lived in the square and if you could recognize a hipster you would know that 1. There are already a lot of hipsters here and 2. They would not shop at Next, for the most part (unless they were trying to be ironic). All you have to do to encounter a hipster in Highland Square is to go to Angel Falls or to shop at Revival, their natural habitat(s). The demographics of this neighborhood is predominately made up of college students, gays, and hipsters with some young professionals, families, and old people thrown in.

 

Oh, by the way, does anyone else get the feeling that the mayor pulled fast one with the whole grocery store fiasco?

 

It sucks driving all the way to the Fairlawn border for groceries.

Yeah, I was wondering what was happening with that.