Jake

essentially on campus is not the same as on campus. Off campus is off campus. It's prety easy to figure out unless one is trying to pull a fast one. I know if I were to build an $80,000,000 university arena, I'd make damn sure it was more than essentially on campus. And I would change your terminology from essentially on campus to pseudo campus, which means "false campus"That was only addressing the point that a facility on the outside edge of the campus would be as easy to walk to as one on the inside edge of the campus. "Off campus" ranges from a few steps over the border to many miles away. So obviously some off campus solutions would be much different from others, and lumping them all together can be misleading.In any case, if UA really wants a new facility inside the campus borders, and if they have the financing to make it happen, I have no doubt that they'll find the space to do it. If UA can't make the numbers work alone and requires a partner to build a multipurpose facility off campus, then I think the level of success will be proportional to the proximity to the campus. In that case, the ideal solution would be to build it right on the campus border so that it appears to be a part of the campus to all but those who might show up with surveying equipment. ;)I believe that is what is called smoke and mirrors. Thanks but no thanks.

Yeah what he meant by the comment is that University isn't just taking over downtown. Which it's not. It's a neighbor and part of downtown, even the University Park Alliance recognized the importance of developing around the central business district.By the way, there are only 2800 students that live in University residence halls "on campus" not 5000 like you claim. Spend sometime reading all the comments on the board and you'll see we had this discussion already.I said there are 3,000 to 4,000 students on campus and will soon be 5,000. 2800 students on campus? I think not, but it sure is more than 300 in a non-campus apartment complex. And I knew you'd put words in Proenza's mouth just like you do mine and others. It's what liars do. I have neighbors too but I don't call their property my property just because they are my neighbors. People make the romantic statement that UA is downtown. Even if that were true, it doesn't make downtown on campus. All poodles are dogs but not all dogs are poodles.Cincinnati has just over 3000 living on campus. So you should "think so". And more to the point is that we have 19000 undergrads and just under 25000 total students. Meaning the bulk of them live "off campus". But you will probably call them "pseudo students" as in false students.All I have said is open your mind. At one point the other side of Exchange was "off campus" at another point the other side of Union was "off campus". The entirety of the Greek Village is technically "off campus" though you propose that as a potential site. That is what happens with growth, borders get redefined. As for the Proenza comment, you took it out of context in the first place and I corrected you. The comment followed questions about the University buying Quaker Square hence "eating up downtown." Also as to your two sites, the parking lots and Greek Village. I want you to look at the size of the JAR, and then look at the size of the lot you suggested. It is much smaller than the JAR footprint, same as Memorial hall. As far the Greek Village area, you have several houses and proposed houses being built there, it is just bad for the school to kick all of those Fraternities and Sororties out of there. You talk about game day experience. The Greek Council has a huge impact on that, and running them out is not going to be beneficial to school.No one including me has suggested that the fraternities and sororities located east of the stadium should be relocated. Again, with the intellectual dishonesty and lies. Also, my mind is open and yours is not. I'm quite aware of areas that may not be campus now but can be in the future and I'm all for that kind of progress. If you recall I'm the one encouraging the campus to spread south of Exchange. The site east of the stadium is not all UA owned but it can be and it has enough room to accommodate a sizeable arena. What will never look on-campus is Main Street in downtown. Its meant to be a downtown and will stay that way. There is no reasonable way UA can make downtown look as pedestrian friendly as it has made the campus look. Going downtown is going backwards to the days when UA faded into the woodwork and the mayor ran the university. Downtown Akron (city hall, the Beacon) has a notorious track record for emasculating The University of Akron and hijacking its facilities and that is precisely what the mayor has in mind.

I believe the state already runs The Univerity of Akron. That's why it is called a state university. The state can't take over itself. The city of Akron doesn't need an arena. The University of Akron does and that is where it should be built. East of the stadium would place the arena right up against Route 8 with an entry and exit ramp right in the arena's back yard. Downtown Akron is not on campus and will never look like part of a campus. Everytime I illustrate that and provide FACTS backing that up, others change the subject to "there is no room to put an arena on campus." That's the sign of a dishonest agenda.

essentially on campus is not the same as on campus. Off campus is off campus. It's prety easy to figure out unless one is trying to pull a fast one. I know if I were to build an $80,000,000 university arena, I'd make damn sure it was more than essentially on campus. And I would change your terminology from essentially on campus to pseudo campus, which means "false campus"

Thanks kid. My sentiments exactly! And I think it's a no-brainer. Put the arena on campus and not off campus in downtown.

Yeah what he meant by the comment is that University isn't just taking over downtown. Which it's not. It's a neighbor and part of downtown, even the University Park Alliance recognized the importance of developing around the central business district.By the way, there are only 2800 students that live in University residence halls "on campus" not 5000 like you claim. Spend sometime reading all the comments on the board and you'll see we had this discussion already.I said there are 3,000 to 4,000 students on campus and will soon be 5,000. 2800 students on campus? I think not, but it sure is more than 300 in a non-campus apartment complex. And I knew you'd put words in Proenza's mouth just like you do mine and others. It's what liars do. I have neighbors too but I don't call their property my property just because they are my neighbors. People make the romantic statement that UA is downtown. Even if that were true, it doesn't make downtown on campus. All poodles are dogs but not all dogs are poodles.

Seriously? Next you're going to tell me that Mill St. Isn't part of campus.But it's cool. There's just 2500 students that don't park in a campus parking deck everyday or go a campus building to attend classes on campus. Nope CBA and Polsky are completely off campus, just like EJ Thomas even though it's right across the street from it. And there's no important University things in those buildings, not like Bliss Institute or University of Akron Archives or anything.Seriously? You have to be just playing around with me, to see how I defend my opinion, that's got to be it right, you can't possibly be so dillusional to think I'm sitting here lieing, or trolling or whatever. But if not, I'm sure you'll be calling me a lieing troll trying to sell snake oil soon enoughAnyhow I... Polsky is only on campus in letter. Thomas Hall is on campus in letter and spirit. Polsky was built by a private developer and Thomas Hall was built directly on campus by its original and current owner, The University of Akron. Polsky does not make downtown on campus. It's just a repurposed department store. It's one thing for UA to buy an existing and delapidated building like Polsky or Quaker Square and repurpose it. It is quite another for UA to build a brand new sorely needed $80,000 arena off campus. It would be another version of the Rubber Bowl even if it is closer. Just being closer to campus doesn't make it on campus. and again IT WON'T LOOK LIKE IT'S ON CAMPUS and you won't get that same game day excitement that you will get from an on-campus arena.

Downtown will never look "on-campus" like the outskirts to the west will/do. It is meant to be a downtown. You will always have major vehicular traffic driving through it. We can't close off main downtown streets like we did with Buchtel and Carroll. Also, UA administrators never once expressed concern that there is no room on campus for a new arena. The land to the east of the stadium is large enough for an arena. It would border Spicer, Vine, Goodkirk and E. Exchange. UA owns some of that property already and it plans to get the rest. That would place the arena on the outskirts in a way that expands the campus and do so in an uninterrupted manner. Downtown is interrupted unless some of the shysters on this site want to claim St. Bernard Church as a UA campus facility. Maybe they can have Dr. Proenza as the main celebrant for Mass one SundayAlso, the area to the east of the Nat, Rec Center and Filed House is another great location. It would take out the 3 parking lots and butt up to the new dorms. The arena doesn't have to be in the middle of campus. It just needs to be on the campus and not on someone's absurd fantasy of where the campus is.Also, the campus owns two large fingers of land starting south of east exchange and beyond Buchtel Field and it will eventually take out much of that entire neighborhood. A new arena can be built just east of the Exchange Street DormsThere are plenty of campus/potential campus locations for a new arena. Build it and they will come and they will enroll. An on-campus arena will have a very positive effect on the success of our men's basketball team and much more so than a downtown arena. Lets stop being can't do and take pride in UA and its GROWING campus.

I don't think anyone has mentioned a site that would be "ala the Rubber Bowl". Most sites have either been near Quaker (part of campus) or near Polsky/CBA. Anyone that doesn't feel that High and Broadway are part of campus should ask some of the business majors and MBA program members because we certainly feel like we are on campus. I don't think anyone has proposed a site that is over half a mile away from the Student Center. We aren't talking "lets build this thing by the Civic, of Childrens, or Akron General". It's always been, "let's build it by Polsky, CBA, or Quaker."I think Dambrot wants something he can show off, and I think he wants to know that he has a high quality training facility for his team. That is part of the reason the JAR will probably stay no matter what happens. The school will need the additional facility for sports programs. That is one of the major concerns with a new facility not being run by UA. The men's basketball team is the primary reason for the facility, and therefore should have first say on when they have it. But, like football, it's more convenient to have multiple training areas. The JAR is still a great court even if the fan experience is lacking.Again, I don't really care as long as it get's built, I just talk about what I feel is practical. And it's easier to sell naming rights if a company feels the entire community will support a project. We are not always going to luck out and have an alumni in charge at the company we ask for money. With naming rights and splitting the bonds three ways, the project becomes more feasible.High and Broadway are not part of the campus. Now stop the lies.

The student apartments will hold less than 300 students when complete. Contrast this with 4,000 to 5000 UA students livung on campus. The activity isn't downtown. It's on the campus where the arena needs to be. Also, lets end this fallacy about downtown being on campus, Here is a quote from the Beacon regarding an interview with UA's president: "The joke is, the university is swallowing downtown. Not exactly. Rather, Proenza sees the critical role of collaboration, the university serving as an engine for the regional economy, whether through the transformation of University Park or the development of the BioInnovation Institute, the marrying of polymer materials and orthopedics into new products, procedures and prosperity."

Exactly, the University is a driving factor for the city and the city is a driving factor for the University. It's foolish to think the two are seperate entities. People who treat them as such are stuck in an era that is completely backward thinking.Hell within the next 5-10 years we are going to have a distance learning center in Barberton and improvements to the Holmes County Campus are being shaped up. My original proposal for the arena was diagonally from The Info (getting rid of the plasma center). However that appears extremely unlikely. But again, expansion happens on the borders. As far I'm concerned I want to see the campus stretch from Thornton to Market and Rt 8 to Main. Obviously with certain exceptions for existing established and respectable properties but overall that is the acreage I see the campus eventually utilizing. Also I am one who believes that the cost burden for something that benefits everyone should not be taken on by a single entity. The Arena will benefit everyone, and should have all parties (University, City, and County) footing the bill. Ultimately it should be University ran ala EJ Thomas but it should be for the entire community and located as such. Somewhere on the campus border that invites people to experience The University of Akron and the culture of the City of Akron.The University of Akron is a driving force for the NE, Ohio region not downtown Akron. And downtown is not a driving force for a major research university for Northern Ohio. The downtown area and the campus are actually two different entities and they need to stay that way if either wants to maintain any amount of credibility. It's called boundaries and healthy communities have them. UA has become and is becoming a pedestrian friendly place to be. In fact it is billed as THE PLACE TO BE. It is growing academically, and physically. The campus boundaries are expanding to the south, east and north. You want to turn it back into the hilltop high it once was with cars and busses traveling through it and where an objective viewer can't even tell he is on a campus. Partnering with the city and being the city's whore are two different things. The arena will benefit everyone just as the university itself benefits everyone. And BTW, UA's PAH is owned and operated solely by UA. It is not shared with the city and UA bears 100% of its financial burden. The arena, like the stadium can be on the east end of campus and serve students and community members alike. The idea of the $$$ burden being shared comes in the form of people purchasing naming rights and making contributions to the arena just as they do with the stadium and just as they do with everything else on the expanding UA campus (trees, benches, commons, labyrinth, fountains etc.) Downtown is not a part of the new landscape for learning. And, I have considered a plethora of other sites for the arena, even those that wern't very pleasing to me. And now I'm done considering and I've made up my mind. It doesn't have to be exactly where I want it on campus but it must be conspicuously in the heart of the campus. So, I am proud to admit that yes, I will no longer consider any input regarding an off-campus arena. And, change the heading for this discussion to "University of Akron on-campus arena".And, G-mann needs to change his name to "Shyster-mann". His card can read: "I teach the art of the hustle and sell snake oil".

Jake, your Ohio.com colors are showing. Sorry, but a few on this site are just as dishonest and trollish as those on Ohio.com. Like popeye, I yam what I yam. I have no intention of changing or adapting."It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - AristotleJake, since are you claiming about dishonesty and trollishness I figured it important to point some things out. All you have done since being on here is contradict what people say by calling them a liar. You have yet to entertain anyone's idea but your own.Most of us have had this conversation for years. The truth is that the University is growing to the west. We have Polsky, a parking deck, a parking lot, CBA, and the dumpy building next to it, and Quaker. By denying the fact that we are expanding our borders to Main St. you deny anything that the school has done in the last 20 years. You seem to be greatly against expansion. If like minded people had existed in the 60's we wouldn't have buildings on the other side of Exchange. In order for the school to get bigger and better it has to expand. To deny the school's true boundaries (not the shaded map, or you own imaginary perimeter) is to hold the school back. You proposed a lot of similar size to what the JAR sits on now. That is an interesting concept, but parking on campus is at a true premium. With increased residential students parking will be at an even higher premium. Both lots you have mentioned are under consideration for parking decks due to the 400-800 new students who will be living in the Stadium Megaplex. But again, I can only anticipate you calling me a liar and a troll because my opinion differs from your own. So Bilbo, continue having fun using the word conspicuous and screaming that an arena in the middle of all the beautiful green space that is being created is the only way we will ever have a good program and move on. You disregard so many other examples to the contrary it is amazing.The only person who is a liar on this site is you. You lie when you say I'm against UA expanding. And you lie when you say Canal Park and downtown are on campus. You also lie when you say that I only consider my opinion. If you read my posts instead of lie about them you would know you are wrong. You lie when you say that no one will come to a UA campus concert and that there is no more room for building an arena on campus. You lie when you purposely ignore the fact that UA is expanding south of East Exchange even after I pointed that fact out originally. Let me make this clearer. YOU ARE A BIG FAT TROLLISH LIAR!

It's not just next to the Field House. It encompasses the lots adjacent to the Natatorium and Rec center. And here is a quote from the Kalamazoo Gazzette:"Yet, the hard truth is that off-campus sporting events don't draw students.There is no campus shuttle or marketing campaign that will ever solve this". If UA wants the students to support their basketball team and help to reach UA's goal of being in the BIG 10, UA will build their arena smack dab conspicuously in the heart of the UA campus and nowhere near cruddy downtown.

It's not just next to the Field House. It encompasses the lots adjacent to the Natatorium and Rec center. And here is a quote from the Kalamazoo Gazzette:"Yet, the hard truth is that off-campus sporting events don't draw students.There is no campus shuttle or marketing campaign that will ever solve this".

That's a very good location, provided they can attach it to the existing building to form a sort-of sports mega-plex. It would put Akron's sports complex back on top after OSU completes their rec-center competition.Wow. I agree. That's the perfect spot if it would all fit. Awesome spot, Jake. Thanks and I still think my original spot would be the best. However, if UA chooses the sites next to the Natatorium, Rec Center, Field House and multiplex dorms, connecting it to the Field House let's say won't be a problem, but if they don't it is still a great spot. And, I'm pretty confident it will all fit. Again, BUILD THE UA ARENA ON CAMPUS AND NOT DOWNTOWN. If anyone is interested, there are bumper stickers available proclaiming this message.

Jake, your Ohio.com colors are showing. Sorry, but a few on this site are just as dishonest and trollish as those on Ohio.com. Like popeye, I yam what I yam. I have no intention of changing or adapting.

Hmm let's see, Wolstein Center is in between Prospect and Carnegie, just like the Q and Progressive Field. Where? Right by the entertainment district. Severence Hall is smack in the middle of University Circle, near a major cultural center. There are major things to do around those areas. The purpose of me mentioning about concerts wasn't that people wouldn't go. It's that bands and shows wouldn't come. You mention a lot of interesting bands but when was the last time a major show played a campus facility? Why? Because it's a hard sell because promoters know that people like to make an evening of things. That's why the exit for Blossom has blown up so much.I see what your problem here is Jake, you lack spatial reasoning. Some how you don't realize that campus extends from Rt 8. To Main St. and is between Mill and Exchange. There is no practical area on campus for more athletic buildings. Most of the land we still own is designated for residence halls and academic facilities. Most Universities that have done the "downtown arena" are miles from downtown. We abut downtown and in fact are downtown. Really strong programs like Louisville and Memphis make it work miles away. The reason the Rubber Bowl was a failure is because the team wasn't winning, it was not fan friendly, and is falling apart. You factor those things in, distance becomes an excuse. Hell the JAR is right in the middle of campus and students don't go (no offense Rowdies you know which students I am talking about). If the athletic department is going to boost Basketball attendance they are going to have to either A. win all the time and bring in real competition or B. make the program and facilities catered toward the average fan, the one that pays money and helps the program sustain itself. Look at the decisions behind The Info. Did they just make a bowl with 30,000 seats? No, they listened to the average fans on why they did not like the Rubber Bowl and they listened to the large benefactors of the school. The consensus was that there was a need for a facility designed to appease the alumni, donors, and Joe Akron. The on campus site that was chosen was because we owned 90% of the property needed. They looked at other sites around campus first. One of the major ones was the student services building. Cost and visibility were the main factors on the location selection.On Rt 8 is no different than on Main St for trafic. You have 59 a minute away and very easy access to Parking. Not to mention Main, High, and Broad are designed for quick in flows and out flows of traffic. The Rt. 8 exit is barely adequate. Look at what the state is doing with signage for The Info. They want you take 77 North coming from the south.Your assessment of why major shows don't come to campus is way off base. Major shows will come to an on-campus arena near the stadium and next to route 8. All that has to be done is for the UA to want to bring them. Promoters will come to campus. They did when I was in charge of major events. Major shows are presented on-campus all the time at UA's PAH. They've been in the JAR and as I said Memorial Hall. People can make an evening of things by going to campus. My point is that Severance Hall and Wolstein are not considered in the "entertainment district" yet they do just fine as you pointed out helping me to win my argument, thank you. You're so dishonest you can't keep up with your own contradictions. You're just pulling your expertise out of your rear. I've worked with promoters and they would love to come to the UA campus. Audiences are not going to turn down the opportunity to see what they like on campus because being on campus won't allow them to make an evening of things. And, there are major things to do around that area. UA itself is a major cultural center. Are you stating that the area of the stadium isn't near places to wine, dine and have fun? Looks like you are the one with lack of spatial reasoning. My spatial reasoning is just fine. That you think the campus goes to Main Street is only in your head. It doesn't. You argue that the new stadium will please "Joe Akron" but that an arena next to it won't? You contradict yourself and I think I know why. You just want a downtown arena at any cost. And, that is why you've cooked up this idea that "no one will come to campus". You are not only wrong, you are lying. I'm sure UA will love your analysis that promoters won't put shows in the multi-purpose stadium because "no one will come."The truth is that promoters will jump at the chance to put shows in an arena that is on campus right next to a campus stadium that will draw thousands of people to that end of the campus.My location is the most ideal one for the new multi-purpose arena. From that location people can take advantage of the informal eateries across the street as well as Skyway. They can go to the new Mannie's Pub, Chop Styx and coffee shop. Virtues in City Hospital would be a stone's throw away. 4,000 to 5,000 UA students will be living right on campus within the shadow of the new arena. A very short drive to the northwest will take people to Luigis, the Chophouse on East Market and Crave. Just down the street from the arena and stadium, are Fuel, Martini's, Bricco, Brubakers The Barley House, House of Hunan, The spaghetti warehouse, Lockview and more.People don't need eateris so close to the arena that they trip over them when they walk out the door. The UA campus is the hopping place to be more so than downtown.

I like your suggestion about placing the new arena on the foot print of Memorial Hall and the area between it and Rhodes Arena. I thought of that location some time back but felt UA was intent on placing the new college of education building there. But hey, plans can be changed. Here is another possible on-campus location: the parking lots that start east of the Natatorium and travel south behind the Rec Center and Field House and end just North of the new multi-plex dorms being built adjacent to the stadium.

Sorry, but there is no clear trend that UA is growing into downtown. That's a fallacy contrived by city hall and more. UA's purchase of the Polsky Building is hardly a sign of a "growing trend to move into downtown" Same goes for Quaker Square (UA turned down the offer to purchase it from Jay Nausbaum three times before they caved in). And the privately owned dorms does not represent UA's campus one bit. The growing trend is that UA is growing into the area south of EAST Exchange Street and East of the existing campus. UA has spent the past ten or so years making itself into a real recognizable campus that is more park-like, pedestrian friendly and it has been said is beginning to resemble a town within a town. That is a good thing. Putting an arena downtown will seriously negate the pedestrian friendly trend of the UA campus. It would be like inviting Buchtel Avenue and Carroll Street back to the center of campus. Butting a multi-purpose UA arena up against Route 8 and next to the UA multi-purpose stadium showcases it and makes it accessible to the region and not just parochial downtown. UA is more about NE, Ohio than it is about downtown Akron.

The only entity UA would have to make that case to is itself.

OK, here is my ideal choice for a truly on-campus UA arena: North of East ExchangeSouth of VineEast of SpicerWest of and butting up against Rout 8 I think this is plausable without taking any fraternity and sorority houses, even though some of them on Spicer need to be raised (see the movie "Deliverance") or the soon-to-be SkyWay Restaurant. If UA needs to go further North, then make a deal with the individual Greek organizations. And if leaving SkyWay where it currently plans to be is a problem, make a deal there too. Also, being right next to Route 8 and its exit ramp will make the arena convenient for all of NE, Ohio beyond compare. And for those who want a "downtown arena" too, keep in mind that the mayor's office, the ABJ, The West Side Leader and many politicians like to claim that UA is downtown. County Executive, Russ Pry told me one day at lunch, and I quote, "The new stadium is a plum for downtown." and the ABJ reported, Akron Deputy Mayor for Administration David Lieberth said the Skyway ''will be a great addition to downtown.''win/win - badda bing badda boom!Yeah, sorry, bad idea on your spot. The University is part of downtown. However; and Arena, wheter a joint effort (which you are clearly against) or run solely by the University needs to be in an area where it can be used for multiple things. You seem to be of the mind of just a new arena. That means the JAR would stay. That means the new Arena would not be used for volleyball. So the only use the Arena would get is basketball. That is not a very good way to pay of an investment. If you place the arena closer to the downtown entertainment district, then concerts and other things will work. The two prime locations are near Canal Park (which is part of campus, if you think that is too far for students to walk, than must think that it's too far for students to walk from Grant St to the Polymer Research center of Simmons.) The second of the two is as close as possible to the John S. Knight center and "historic" district.Ok, I get it, If UA books Michael Buble or a soccer match at a campus arena across from and east of the stadium, which itself is designed to ENTERTAIN instead of in Akron's fictitious, self-anointed and off-campus "entertainment district", people will say, "Oh I would live to see Michael Buble or a soccer match, but I can't because he's coming to the University of Akron campus and not in Akron's hopping "entertainment district". How can I have been so obtuse. Thanks for explaining it to me. That must be why Severance Hall and CSU's Wolstein Center are doing so poorly. They are not in the rigidly defined "entertainment district" of Cleveland. I guess that I should never mind about all the great blow out concerts that took place in UA's Memorial Hall over the years where we had to turn people away from the J. Geil's Band, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Bread, Dave Mason, Leonard Skynard, Dick Gregory, The Eagles and more. Yea, they must have been total flops because we weren't in Akron's "hopping" entertainment district.

OK, here is my ideal choice for a truly on-campus UA arena: North of East ExchangeSouth of VineEast of SpicerWest of and butting up against Rout 8 I think this is plausable without taking any fraternity and sorority houses, even though some of them on Spicer need to be raised (see the movie "Deliverance") or the soon-to-be SkyWay Restaurant. If UA needs to go further North, then make a deal with the individual Greek organizations. And if leaving SkyWay where it currently plans to be is a problem, make a deal there too. Also, being right next to Route 8 and its exit ramp will make the arena convenient for all of NE, Ohio beyond compare. And for those who want a "downtown arena" too, keep in mind that the mayor's office, the ABJ, The West Side Leader and many politicians like to claim that UA is downtown. County Executive, Russ Pry told me one day at lunch, and I quote, "The new stadium is a plum for downtown." and the ABJ reported, Akron Deputy Mayor for Administration David Lieberth said the Skyway ''will be a great addition to downtown.''win/win - badda bing badda boom!Yeah, sorry, bad idea on your spot. The University is part of downtown. However; and Arena, wheter a joint effort (which you are clearly against) or run solely by the University needs to be in an area where it can be used for multiple things. You seem to be of the mind of just a new arena. That means the JAR would stay. That means the new Arena would not be used for volleyball. So the only use the Arena would get is basketball. That is not a very good way to pay of an investment. If you place the arena closer to the downtown entertainment district, then concerts and other things will work. The two prime locations are near Canal Park (which is part of campus, if you think that is too far for students to walk, than must think that it's too far for students to walk from Grant St to the Polymer Research center of Simmons.) The second of the two is as close as possible to the John S. Knight center and "historic" district.Where did I mention a concern about student's walking? And, explain how my location for an arena is a bad idea and I'd really like you to explain how my location prevents a multi-purpose arena. And if the stadium is a part of downtown and the Skyway is a part of downtown like Pry and Liberth stated than why would an arena in the area I mentioned not be considered downtown? The fact is that the new UA arena (est. 10,000 people) can acoomodate concerts, etc in the location that I oulined, just as the stadium will (30,000 people). And, sorry but you are wrong, Canal Park is not part of the campus. Look at the map. UA doesn't own Canal Park. The city does. The only thing you have going for you are dishonesty and poetry about what is and what is not on campus. I state facts while you dream up dishonest garbage. And the JAR is going nowhere regardless of where the new arena will be located. Your post makes no sense.

I believe the JAR is more like 31 years old and was obsolete before they placed the last brick. Thank you small potatoes, Dr. Guzzetta.

OK, here is my ideal choice for a truly on-campus UA arena: North of East ExchangeSouth of VineEast of SpicerWest of and butting up against Rout 8 I think this is plausable without taking any fraternity and sorority houses, even though some of them on Spicer need to be raised (see the movie "Deliverance") or the soon-to-be SkyWay Restaurant. If UA needs to go further North, then make a deal with the individual Greek organizations. And if leaving SkyWay where it currently plans to be is a problem, make a deal there too. Also, being right next to Route 8 and its exit ramp will make the arena convenient for all of NE, Ohio beyond compare. And for those who want a "downtown arena" too, keep in mind that the mayor's office, the ABJ, The West Side Leader and many politicians like to claim that UA is downtown. County Executive, Russ Pry told me one day at lunch, and I quote, "The new stadium is a plum for downtown." and the ABJ reported, Akron Deputy Mayor for Administration David Lieberth said the Skyway ''will be a great addition to downtown.''win/win - badda bing badda boom!

Wow, it's really exciting thinking about what that area could become. Could you imagine being a student there? Across the street from the Akron Aeros and next to the new arena and all the bars downtown. That kind of student experience would be one unique to Akron, at least as far as Ohio is concerned.The quicker the university makes a move, the better. Who knows what could happen to that lot in the next few years. Urban campuses are always hurting for room to expand, and this is a chance if there ever was one. Another thought: The university could but up some adjacent lots to add a home for the new Bioinnovation Institute. After all, its been over a year since it's announcement and it's still homeless.Only 200 - 300 students in the downtown, off-campus, privately owned apartments. Hardly a reason to get all excited about UA creating a hopping, downtown off-campus area, especially when it has its true campus 1/4 of a mile west with almost 4,000 and soon-to-be 5,000 students living there. I'm all for partying but let's face it UA should not be investing in an area that is off-campus for the sake of students' need to get high. Main Street is not on campus nor should it ever be. UA will shoot itself in the foot if it builds an arena downtown/off-campus or across from Quaker Square. The Polsky Building is nothing more than a "parking place" for departments waiting for a true campus facility to be built. It hardly justifies calling downtown "on campus". And a parking deck? I think that explains itself.You want students to come to the arena? You want UA basketball to excel? You want UA to build even more prestige, pride and on-campus excitement and energy? It's a no-brainer. Build a UA arena conspicuously on campus and DO NOT involve the city in its cost, ownership or operations. UA can afford it. UA is worthy of it. A thriving university campus makes a thriving city and region and not just a downtown area.