Jake

I heard someone say the other day that UA has no place for concerts. I responded with, "Don't let Live Nation Hear you say that." This was a student who "claimed" to be on "the program board" at one time and claimed that E.J. Thomas is not meant for concerts and that was why "they" couldn't bring concert to campus. I responded that perhaps he was taking that position so as to have an excuse for not being good at his job on the "program board.". If E.J. is not meant for concerts, then where was I when I saw Nora Jones, Tran Siberian Orchestra, One Republic, Seather, Colbie Callet, Bob Dylan, Jethro Tull, Stephen Nash, Bruce Sprinstien, The Cleveland Orchestra and the Akron Symphony and many, many more? I could have sworn I saw all of these groups on the University of Akron campus in Thomas Hall. I've heard this wives’ tale before and it is usually spread by uninformed and gullible UA students who can be convinced to sell their mothers to the pigmies. The fact is UA built E.J. primarily for concerts and with the versatility to handle Ballets, Speakers and Plays. The confusion sets in when some in Akron's arts community voice their OPINION that Thomas Hall is not very good acoustically for unamplified classical symphonies and orchestras. While there may be some legitimate basis for this claim, it remains just someone's OPINION. As far as concerts other than classical symphonies and orchestras which are AMPLIFIED, E.J. Thomas Hall is one of the best places in Northern Ohio to attend a concert in. If you haven't tried it, make a point of doing so. And keep them coming, Live Nation!

Yep that's me, I like to stomp on progression. In fact I am so angry that they turned Carroll St into some kind of outdoor living room that I've continuously petitioned to have either an arena or street placed there. A major portion of the campus without a street? Blasphemy. No Jake, all I was saying is, I would love to see the information on how they would turn parts of Exchange into a mall and have it not effect the accessibility of the new deck. I never said "down with progress". If you would read what people say and then form an opinion instead of forming an opinion and then reading for things that support that opinion, you would do so much better in here. Nice back peddle but no cigar!

I agree. Go Zips and go University of Akron. Let's hope he at the very least gets Akronites to see an "Akron Zips" Flag flying off their neighbors' porches and not respond with the question, "what's that supposed to be?" That's right, people in Akron fly OSU, K.E.N.T State and MSU flags from their windows and porches and have no idea what a (UA) Zips Flag is all about. That is a pathetic illustration of how miserable UA marketing is as a whole. It is no wonder why K.E.N.T. State laughs us off the map. They have every reason to.

Much of the street can be closed off without blocking access to the deck. Love to see how that would work So would I. Perhaps you can talk to university planners like I did to find out more. It is their idea and not mine. Try not to attack them though. I know it is what you like to do best...attack any progressive and positive thought, that is.

I agree Jake, until they move the Polsky building and Quaker Inn conspicuously into the center of campus, they will not truly be a part of campus. If you'd stop being juvenile perhaps you could understand adult thinking and not be so intellectually dishonest. Really, you argue like an eight year old. I'm just greatful this blog doesn't represent any genuine example of those who support UA. The answer to the Polsky building is for. The answer for QS is for UA to make it look more integrated. Your failed attempt at wit and sarcasm really makes you look very stupid and small. Actually I don't think anyone has a problem with Quaker Square or Polsky, except for you. But you seem to have a problem with everything, and everyone... Why would UA want to sell polsky? just because it's across the street? thats a good idea. I had to cross the street today to get to InfoCision Stadium. I guess the best thing to do with the stadium is for UA to sell it. I had to cross a parking lot to get to the Union today, should probably sell it too. Thanks for helping me to make my point about your juvenile and dishonest mentality. I couldn't have illustrated your rabid and pessimistic idiocy any better. Why do you even come here? I mean you're obviously so much mature and better than everyone, and the only one here that actually represents a true UA fan. Why waste your time on us earthlings? I'm not more mature and better than everyone here. I'm just more mature and better than you. By the way, you argue like a little girl. Now go away, before I hit you in your head with that lolly pop you're licking.

I agree Jake, until they move the Polsky building and Quaker Inn conspicuously into the center of campus, they will not truly be a part of campus. If you'd stop being juvenile perhaps you could understand adult thinking and not be so intellectually dishonest. Really, you argue like an eight year old. I'm just greatful this blog doesn't represent any genuine example of those who support UA. The answer to the Polsky building is for. The answer for QS is for UA to make it look more integrated. Your failed attempt at wit and sarcasm really makes you look very stupid and small. Actually I don't think anyone has a problem with Quaker Square or Polsky, except for you. But you seem to have a problem with everything, and everyone... Why would UA want to sell polsky? just because it's across the street? thats a good idea. I had to cross the street today to get to InfoCision Stadium. I guess the best thing to do with the stadium is for UA to sell it. I had to cross a parking lot to get to the Union today, should probably sell it too. Thanks for helping me to make my point about your juvenile and dishonest mentality. I couldn't have illustrated your rabid and pessimistic idiocy any better. Your Welcome! I'm glad no one agrees with you on here Once again, you lie. There are many people on here who agree with me. It's obvious that being dishonest is the only way you can argue. Polsky is a problem because it is not on campus and not because it is across the street. Polsky is a problem because it is not on campus and not because it should be moved. Everytime I debunk one of your lies, you cook up another. I've always maintained that Polsky is a problem because it is not on campus and doesn't come close to ever looking on campus. Claiming that it is "across the street" or "needs to be moved" are your words not mine.

I agree Jake, until they move the Polsky building and Quaker Inn conspicuously into the center of campus, they will not truly be a part of campus. If you'd stop being juvenile perhaps you could understand adult thinking and not be so intellectually dishonest. Really, you argue like an eight year old. I'm just greatful this blog doesn't represent any genuine example of those who support UA. The answer to the Polsky building is for. The answer for QS is for UA to make it look more integrated. Your failed attempt at wit and sarcasm really makes you look very stupid and small. Actually I don't think anyone has a problem with Quaker Square or Polsky, except for you. But you seem to have a problem with everything, and everyone... Why would UA want to sell polsky? just because it's across the street? thats a good idea. I had to cross the street today to get to InfoCision Stadium. I guess the best thing to do with the stadium is for UA to sell it. I had to cross a parking lot to get to the Union today, should probably sell it too. Thanks for helping me to make my point about your juvenile and dishonest mentality. I couldn't have illustrated your rabid and pessimistic idiocy any better.

There are several University programs in Polsky, not just Summit College (this includes CBA programs). University Park (which encompasses the campus) is a downtown neighborhood. Downtown isn't a "short walk" because the campus is already downtown. Campus spreads from Rt. 8 (not downtown) to Broadway & Wolf Ledges (downtown). Downtown is everything between Wolf Ledges and 59 and from North St. to the Bridgestone Technical Center (the old one not the new one). The proximity with downtown is the beauty of Akron's campus. You can feel like you are in the middle of park and a 5 minute walk later you're in a nice city setting with cultural and food options. The downtown/Broadway corridor is a good relationship builder for the university and the city. There are just some people who still hold on to the old 30's program of moving the campus to Good Park. And making it some detached entity of its own. While the UA campus is part of University Park, It doesn't follow that all of university park is on the UA campus. And just because part of the UA campus is considered techincally downtown according to the letter of the law and not spirit, that doesn't mean that every bit of downtown is on the UA campus. While all poodles are dogs, not all dogs are poodles. And all colleges at a university are colleges in and of themselves. That is what universities are about. Summit College is not unique in that regard. It belongs on the UA campus with all the other colleges. It isn't the only college at UA that enjoys a work force develpment relationship with the community. And Doc Proenza and all of the other progressives who are responsible for making a beautiful true looking campus are not "some people" hanging on to an "old 30s program". So let's stop cooking up lies about those who want a true looking campus. No one wants to move the campus to Good Park. You can tell when soemone's arguments don't hold water when they lie as a means to prop up their weak positions. There are just some people who still want to see UA go backwards in time when it dissapeared into the greater city as in the days of Hilltop High. All they have to do is look at the UA trail blazer next to the Polsky Building and they will see that it points to the east of the Polsky Building where the true campus is. And all they have to do is climb out of their parochial Akron rat holes and go see other authentic campuses and see that they are indeed entities of their own. Campuses with credibility have this "detached" if you will, quality to them. UA is just starting to look like a legitimate campus and some Akron hillbillies want to go and ruin that. And btw, branch campuses are in another county and not just down the street from the main campus. And what work-force development program is downtown that it requires UA to sit on Main Street? The answer is none. Unless you are talking about those who want to learn how to run the Peanut Shoppe and Barley House in the future. Any business entity that uses UA for its the development of its employees or future employees do not need UA to be just down the street from itself in order to reap its town-and-gown benefits. They couldn't care less if they had to negotiate the campus since they mostly come from the North, West and South anyway. Quit being so desperate by making up such crap. UA is doing fine and can continue doing fine having a productive relationship with downtown eateries and bars and the rest of the community while it maintains its visual and physical integrity. Having a great looking self-contained campus and working well with the local economy are in no way mutually exclusive objectives with UA as with any other legitimate looking university. The University of Akron as a whole is a good relationship builder with the city. It always has been. It doesn't require some superficial, magical, and so-called, Downtown/Broadway corridor cooked up by a ZN spin doctor for something that is not broken and doesn't require fixing.

Much of the street can be closed off without blocking access to the deck. Bridges have already been ruled out By UA because they won't get used. UA is actually considering having that area of East Exchange vacated in the future. The minotiry of people who like to get angry at progress in Akron will just have to deal with it. Those angry "Joe Akron's" are the true lazy people in Akron. Don't like it when they have to drive an alternative route. They are the parents of the lazy students who spend 45 minutes trying to find a parking spot right next to their classroom.

Coming from a person who opens with insults in every rebuttal. Actually, I don't but you seem pretty good at starting a fight.

I think they are moving in the right direction. The stadium and new residence halls will bring more students and fans to the area . Bringing in more normal people will hopefully change the types of businesses there. Out with tattoos, carwashes, plasma centers, and head shops. The last 7 years have seen remarkable change on Exchange. A new Stadium, 2-3 new residence halls, National City Bank, McDonalds, The new Taco Bell?, DQ, The Bike shop, Those new Condos, Expanded Parking deck are a great start. Give it 5 more years and Exchange will be looking fine. I really want a pedestrian bridge that goes across exchange. All the students that live at the Exchange Res Hall, Gallucci, and townhouses have to walk all the way up to McDonalds and cross there. Same with those coming from Folk Hall. It is a pain, and it's just a matter of time until someone gets injured by some of these crazy akron drivers. It also adds about 5-10 minutes of standing waiting for the light, which is normally short walk to the union or class. I mean there's a bridge between robs and simmons hall...and that street is no where near as busy as exchange is. Also this would get rid of the need for crossing guards on gameday. With about half of the tailgaters coming from that area, it would make the walk up the street to InfoCision much safer and enjoyable. The only problem I would see would be the bums that wonder the street, might use that bridge as a house. Maybe UA can make it only accessible via zipcard or something, at night or on non-gamedays...just an idea The idea of a bridge has been discussed and discarded. Planners state that human nature dictates that people will only use the bridge if it is in close proximity to them. Those further east or west of the bridge will not walk to it. They will simply take their chances and cross Exchange wherever they stand. And, while this isn't a rumor or a done deal, there is discussion of one day rerouting East Exchange in that area and making a commons that will integrate the planned new south campus (the land currently south of East Exchange Street) with the current north campus. I was surprised to hear this as I was always skeptical about such a move. Nonetheless, UA is giving serious consideration to this idea and I support it 200% Also, the ABJ story makes it very clear that UA doesn't have to build its facilities on Main Street or right up inside the mayor's butt hole in order to benefit downtown. Again, real university campuses already know this fact. The slow learners in Akron and on this site can't seem to get it.

I agree Jake, until they move the Polsky building and Quaker Inn conspicuously into the center of campus, they will not truly be a part of campus. If you'd stop being juvenile perhaps you could understand adult thinking and not be so intellectually dishonest. Really, you argue like an eight year old. I'm just greatful this blog doesn't represent any genuine example of those who support UA. The answer to the Polsky building is for UA to sell it or at least use it as some sort of auxiliary administrative building only. The answer for QS is for UA to make it look more integrated. Your failed attempt at wit and sarcasm really makes you look very stupid and small.

You need to take a chill pill and act like you have the life you claim to possess. Wow! you sound like one piece of work. No the UA is not scattering building all over the city and I am one who doesn't want them to start. But you seem to want them to. Also, as far as the rubber bowl is concerned, the claim was as long as it is "ours" and belongs to UA, location doesn't matter. I am challenging those qualifications by pointing out that the RB has those qualifications and it doesn' make it a part of the campus. Proximity was a factor brought up after the fact by you. And, proximity alone does not make a campus facility look on campus. Continuity and integration are far more important because they lend to the visual sense of a campus which is what most people rely upon when looking at a campus. Too many Akronites such as you are always willing to settle for second or third best when it comes to having a real university in our midst. And BTW, the phrase is " I couldn't care less." And, actually, I don't bring up the arena at every topic.

I agree Jake, until they move the Polsky building and Quaker Inn conspicuously into the center of campus, they will not truly be a part of campus. But how will they build "a true on-campus basketball arena" if they moved quaker square and polsky onto campus? even though they already are. Nevermind I forgot they are building the fictional arena downtown... Jake needs to understand that college campuses expand. UA will build wherever they want, and acquire buildings wherever they want, and Jake getting all mad about that accomplishes nothing. Take a look at this photo.... this is what the campus of the University of Akron used to look like. They have expanded quite a bit since then, which makes it safe to say they will continue to do so. They have crossed roads, highways, and railroads. Students live downtown, on spicer, Fir Hill, Buchtel, everywhere. There are dorms all across campus and well at quaker square too. Folk Hall used to be a car dealership, Gallucci used to be Holiday Inn, Quaker used to be a factory. Do all the buildings look the same all across campus? no! but that makes it unique. Just be proud that UA is growing and getting better every day. It's a good time to be a part of this school and you'd be surprised that growing up in PA, I never heard of UA. But by my senior year in high school our class had over 10 students coming here. We are willing to pay double everyone else just to be a part of this school. No matter where the arena is built, or any other building for that matter. It will be OURS! and it will be a part of the University of Akron. Stop being ridiculous. You know full well that I am all for UA expanding. Stop playing games. The Stadium, and adjacent new dorms, Exchange Street and Honors Dorms, the new Polymer Research Center, Student Rec Center, Quaker Square, Buchtel, Carroll and Coleman Commons and the planned expansion south of E. Exchange and the planned expansion east of the stadium and west of route 8 are all great ways UA has been expanding the campus. And it needs to continue its expansion in the planful, contiguous and integrated manner it has been doing. In no way will UA expand with lack of planning and forethought as you so recklessly advocate. The university did not get where it is now by just plopping a building here, there and everywhere as you think it should. You can't splatter the campus all over the city and expect people to see UA as a real campus. Your view of UA is something people would not take seriously. With your logic, the Rubber Bowl would be just fine since it has a UA label and "is ours" and "part of the University of Akron". And, stop obsessing over the location of an arena. Now, let's take a look at the historical portrait of the early campus. By the way, thanks for providing it. By doing so, you help to make my point. If you notice, the areas in front of and to the the left and right of Buchtel Hall now contain Leigh and Zook Halls. Just behind Buchtel Hall and the student building is land that eventually would become a neighborhood. Later, UA took that area and used urban renewal funds to create Lee R. Jackson Field. Then as we now know, UA appropriately and contiguously expanded to the east of Jackson Field and added The rec center, Natatorium, Field House and of course the ON CAMPUS football stadium and new student housing. The area west of the old Olin Hall is now Auburn Science Center and west of that is the Chemistry Building and lab. West of that is now West Hall, E.J. Thomas and Guzetta Halls, the Law School, Cunninham Building and Business Administration Building (the actual front door to the campus) and where the true campus ends. Then to the north of Buchtel and Kolbe Hall is the current Bierce Library, Ritchie, Orr, Sisler McFawn, Spanton and Bulger Residence Halls along with Robertson Dining Hall (Robs), the New Honors Complex, College of Arts and Science, Simmons and more. Then west of Memorial Hall UA took out the fire station and made parking only to later add Rhodes Gymnasium (not an arena). Then across from Rhodes, UA rebuilt the New Olin Hall Thanks for providing a very good example of the type of contiguous expansion that I've been talking about and the University of Akron is committed to build on.

I can see Quaker being a part of the campus but definitely not Polsky. It's more than being about bridges. Polsky looks like a downtown department store and always will. It will never look like a part of a real university campus. Simmons and robs look on campus for more reasons than having a bridge between them. My point is that bridges alone do not impart a campus look. Other ingredients have to be there. That's why no one has a problem with the bridge between two obvious on-campus buildings like Simmons and Robs. Bridges make things convenient. They don't necessarily make things look integrated or part of the campus.

just spent the last couple hours youtube'ing the bluecoats. Im sold. Ill be there. Nice stretch but this is not a concert.

I agree. and UA is going to have to do more than construct a bridge to make Quaker Square look like a true part of the campus. Aesthetically speaking, bridges and overpasses have their limitations. Also, logos alone do not make a building look integrated to the campus. You can slap all the logos you want on the stupid Polsky building and it will never look like part of the real campus.

UA might not be able to, but someone else could and then in turn sell it to UA. Sorry, when I said "touch", I was referring to using eminent domain. If Mannie or Harry for that matter, wanted to sell, UA could be a buyer just as much as any other person or entity. So, I guess that could be a possiblility. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be a probability. And, while the location would be nice for an arena, I'd rather have a new arena on the same side of the street as the bulk of the campus. Students crossing Exchange to get to their arena seems kind of community college to me. So, community college.... Apples and oranges big time! I'm just saying you better get on their board and say "You can't have that Arena, students will have to cross a street." and all I am saying is apples and oranges big time.

UA might not be able to, but someone else could and then in turn sell it to UA. Sorry, when I said "touch", I was referring to using eminent domain. If Mannie or Harry for that matter, wanted to sell, UA could be a buyer just as much as any other person or entity. So, I guess that could be a possiblility. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be a probability. And, while the location would be nice for an arena, I'd rather have a new arena on the same side of the street as the bulk of the campus. Students crossing Exchange to get to their arena seems kind of community college to me. So, community college.... Apples and oranges big time!

Seconded. It would go a long way towards revitalizing that area. I can't believe the University is allowing that structure to sit there and rot directly across the street from the brand new stadium. Just another reason many students head to Highland Square/The Valley to live. I couldn't agree with you more. And, I have a feeling that UA people have that place and other seedy establishments in their cross hairs and that the plazma center's days are numbered.

UA might not be able to, but someone else could and then in turn sell it to UA. Sorry, when I said "touch", I was referring to using eminent domain. If Mannie or Harry for that matter, wanted to sell, UA could be a buyer just as much as any other person or entity. So, I guess that could be a possiblility. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be a probability. And, while the location would be nice for an arena, I'd rather have a new arena on the same side of the street as the bulk of the campus. Students crossing Exchange to get to their arena seems kind of community college to me.

Skyway onion rings yummmm...just had them for dinner tonight. wait is Skyway being built or not? I'm confused... According to the Summit County Recorder's office, the parcel on the NE corner of Exchange and Spicer transferred to UA Trustees on 18 Dec 2009. Perfect site for a real on-campus, multi-purpose, "Screw You Mayor, First Energy, University of Akron Arena. He and his "Joe Akrons" can call it a downtown arena just like they call everything north of North Canton, "Downtown". Why bury it against the highway? They are probably planning to get the remainder of land between the campus and rt. 8 by eminent domain. They are just avoiding headaches by acquiring the land prior to a new business being constructed. The arena would look much better standing on the site of the plasma center anyway. As much as I want the plasma center moved...wouldn't that be one small a$$ arena if built there? haha It's kinda a small building Yes, they can't get rid of Mannie Neemer for quite a while and he and Harry Jackson (Odd Corner) would have to go. Mannie is behind the plasma center and Harry is next to it. We can't touch either of them for a while. No arena will go there, unless we start to build it in 15 or 20 years. The Skyway site is ideal for the arena. It fits in well with UA's overall plan to have a sports/athletics/recreation sub-campus within the overall UA campus. Just remember, UA started "quietly" buying up land w/o revealing the specific objective when they aquired parcels where the stadium now sits. It's like this: buy now when the opportunity strikes to avoid ED proceedings whenever possible and announce intentions later. It is exactly how UA built its on-campus stadium. Also, any location next to any highway is not only not buried, it is ideal for exposure and marketing. The location next to the highway showcases the arena to the region as opposed to a location that has more limited and parochial exposure. Why would UA want to showcase a parking deck to the highway/region? The arena being next to the highway makes UA available to many more people than the so-called, Joe Akrons of the area. The highway location is a plum and not a hinderence. It's a brass ring for the university.

Or on the backs of fans. Good point. Just don't make them as ugly as OSU jackets. Those hidious things are worn by the crazy homeless in Akron. That should tell us something.

Skyway onion rings yummmm...just had them for dinner tonight. wait is Skyway being built or not? I'm confused... According to the Summit County Recorder's office, the parcel on the NE corner of Exchange and Spicer transferred to UA Trustees on 18 Dec 2009. Perfect site for a real on-campus, multi-purpose, "Screw You Mayor, First Energy, University of Akron Arena. He and his "Joe Akrons" can call it a downtown arena just like they call everything north of North Canton, "Downtown".

Get UA gear in all of the stores in Akron and not just on and near campus. I see no UA gear in most of the non-sports related stores in Akron (Acme, Giant Eagle, Walmart, K Mart, etc.) Yet, I see OSU, Michigan and Can't State. Where is UA in all of this? It's time we step out and act like a real university, Tom. Maybe then, residents will treat us like a real university. Make UA Zips flags readily available to fly from the front porches of Akron homes.