Location of Arena

[Jake]

I'll do it for you UADavid. Because good recruits would come to a game at Memorial Hall, laugh, and never come back. No great teams will schedule us and play in that dump. Every game will sell out, which won't be good with less than 3000 seats. I'd rather wait nine years instead of rushing into spur of the moment renovations. You can keep putting a band aid on it or just fix it right the first time. I'm suprised someone as smart as you think you are needed that explained...

thank you.... I was somewhat shocked someone would actually want me to explain that one. Its fairly simple... good facilities = good recruits as evidenced by our recent improvement in recruit quality. Yes, coaching plays a part, but if you have the best coach in the world playing at the world's biggest dump, recruits are not going to want to play there.Jake, im sorry, but you need to stop trolling this thread for every possible way to call someone out on their opinion. I wasn't calling YOU stupid, I was calling the IDEA stupid... No, I don't know EXACTLY how much it'd cost to revamp the JAR, but I can tell you without a doubt that it would be a smarter investment to built a new arena elsewhere for some more money than itd cost to remodel the JAR. Case and point: Rubber Bowl and Infocision Stadium... can't say its not the same because, frankly, it is. The JAR may not be as old as the Rubber Bowl, but the quality of the facility versus the quality expected by fans and top-level recruits is the same between the two venues. We need a better arena that will help attract even better recruits and help bring in more fans. ON TOPIC...I have full faith in the administrators at UA to find the best possible location for any kind of multi-purpose facility that may be built in conjunction with the city. They've done us right with Infocision Stadium, and I completely expect them to be able to do the same with a new arena.

Your's and your kind's silence at intervals on this thread do not mean you are listening. It means you are waiting to pounce.

[tbozeglav]

As do I. They know how to build an on-campus stadium w/o the city being involved and I trust they can do the same with an on-campus arena. Other than that your opinion like mine is just that. To call someone's opinion the dumbest thing you ever heard is an insult and you meant it to be one. So again, stop your disengenuous arguments. Memorial Hall as a temporary site will not discourage good team players. They will know it is temporary and they will know what positive results will come from it whether it is a major renovation of the JAR which BTW is not a band aide approach or whether it is the total demolition of the JAR and the creation of a new one on the JAR's footprint. Your nasty little dishonest agenda keeps showing it ugly little pischer of a head.At best you are an armchair navel gazer who has no idea of what he is talking about. Try some humility to replace your arrogance. Then, perhaps you can stop being the troll who continues to call me out on my opinion. Just look at your past posts and you will see that you are guilty of that which you accuse me.This whole thread started out as a fun brain storming session until you turned it into the typical diatribe that you did to Ohio.com...nasty little beeeeotch!

Practice what you preach there... you sit there and call me our for supposedly making an insult towards you (which I didnt), and yet you sit there and insult me for my thoughts an opinions? wow... you really are something else, you know?Who are you to come here and just tell me that "I have no idea what im talking about"??? You joined this forum a month ago... Im still new relateve to the veterans here, but I know enough to know that coming in here and calling people out on supposed "agendas"... wow, you got balls, son.I have made, if I recall, 3 posts in this thread prior to your rants, but apparently I have a nasty agenda? Wow... I didn't know joining a civil discussion to give my thoughts and opinions was a nasty agenda... if thats true, then I guess everyone whos posted in this thread has a nasty agenda!!! I honestly don't know why I am even stooping to your level, but I guess its because someone needs to call you out on your bullcrap. Just because I don't post often doesn't mean that I am "waiting to pounce". It means that a) I have a full-time job that keeps me away from a computer during the day, I only post when the discussion at hand interests me (such as this thread), and c) I have a social life and I don't sit in front of a computer all day waiting for someone to post something that goes against what I have said. Yeah, thats pretty much why.Mods and ZN members, I am truly sorry that this thread got jacked from its original topic, but I felt that it isn't right of this "Jake" person to come in here and tell everyone how we should think, when we should post, and what we should say.

[bandzip]

I'll do it for you UADavid. Because good recruits would come to a game at Memorial Hall, laugh, and never come back. No great teams will schedule us and play in that dump. Every game will sell out, which won't be good with less than 3000 seats. I'd rather wait nine years instead of rushing into spur of the moment renovations. You can keep putting a band aid on it or just fix it right the first time. I'm suprised someone as smart as you think you are needed that explained...

thank you.... I was somewhat shocked someone would actually want me to explain that one. Its fairly simple... good facilities = good recruits as evidenced by our recent improvement in recruit quality. Yes, coaching plays a part, but if you have the best coach in the world playing at the world's biggest dump, recruits are not going to want to play there.Jake, im sorry, but you need to stop trolling this thread for every possible way to call someone out on their opinion. I wasn't calling YOU stupid, I was calling the IDEA stupid... No, I don't know EXACTLY how much it'd cost to revamp the JAR, but I can tell you without a doubt that it would be a smarter investment to built a new arena elsewhere for some more money than itd cost to remodel the JAR. Case and point: Rubber Bowl and Infocision Stadium... can't say its not the same because, frankly, it is. The JAR may not be as old as the Rubber Bowl, but the quality of the facility versus the quality expected by fans and top-level recruits is the same between the two venues. We need a better arena that will help attract even better recruits and help bring in more fans. ON TOPIC...I have full faith in the administrators at UA to find the best possible location for any kind of multi-purpose facility that may be built in conjunction with the city. They've done us right with Infocision Stadium, and I completely expect them to be able to do the same with a new arena.

Your's and your kind's silence at intervals on this thread do not mean you are listening. It means you are waiting to pounce.

No, it means when I see someone make an idiotic comment like "please explain why it's bad to move a MAC champion team returning all but one starter with a top fifty recruit to an undersized dump like Memorial Hall, which is on the list to be torn down, for an entire season while the school puts money into a money pit instead of building what they need is bad," someone needs to point it out. Practically every post you've made is attacking someone on this forum, I'm tired of it, and I'm sure I'm not the only poster who feels that way. We're all Zips fans and want what's best for the school. Keep it semi civil or go troll at ohio.com.

[Dave in Green]

Over the years I've witnessed many thousands of firefights on hundreds of different internet forums. Shooting back at someone you perceive fired the first shot rarely results in conflict resolution. It usually just escalates until the moderators lock the thread.There are two good ways to deal with offensive posts and offensive posters. One is to use the Report button and let the moderators handle it. Another is to add someone you consider to be a serial troublemaker to your Ignored Users list. If you no longer see posts by an ignored user, then for you they no longer exist. End of problem.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I received several complaints regarding the direction and content of this thread. Upon review there seems to be a problem. For those new to ZipsNation -- Many sites similar to ours will allow name-calling and personal attacks. This site doesn't. We all get sucked into some frustrating exchanges on occasion. And the moderators are pretty lenient on letting little stuff slide. But if a line is crossed, or repeatedly pushed, we'll have to take corrective action such as deleting posts and activating warnings. We don't want to do that...so please use common sense regarding board etiquette.

[GJGood]

What is on the side of Fir Hill across from the Chapel that cannot be replaced and put somehwre else on or around campus? I know the alumni office and Early childhood development buildings are there but could they be relocated? Just a thought.Personally, I am fine with the current location of the JAR. I just would like to see it upgraded and possibly expanded. Marketing needs to improve also to get bodies in the seats/bleachers.

[Jake]

Again, the support for a campus arena as opposed to a downtown one is astoundingly in the majority. UA would be foolish to build its arena anywhere but on its true campus and not some fake psueudo version of what some who are on an acid trip think is on-campus. There is room for a 10,000 plus seat arena east of the stadium bordering Goodkirk and the freeway.

[scottditzen]

I voted for Central Hower, but it looks like a longshot.I'm not averse to seeing it built downtown at all. Actually, I think the downtown proposal would be viable IF the arena were:1) incorporated into the existing fabric of downtown 2) while preserving the historic buildings on Main St. and3) it was adjacent to new dorms in a renovated Mayflower HotelNow I've really gotten to thinking about all of this... To me, the most important aspect of the new arena is overall fan experience. The opportunity for spinoff retail in the form of bars and restaurants should be a high priority. Downtown is possibly on the verge, very near that tipping point of becoming a special, thriving urban destination filled with residents (students!) and visitors around the clock. A downtown arena, done the right way could very well help anchor a growing entertainment district. And I believe there has been talk of integrating restaurants/bars and shopping right into the Main St. arena proposal, as with Quaker Steak and Lube and Gordons Sports Bar inside Quicken Loans Arena in CLE.On the other hand, if the arena is buried in the heart of campus the possibilities for spinoff development just aren't the same. This is one reason the JAR sucks so bad. The fan experience of walking past frozen and locked Olin Hall or even the open Student Center, no matter how nice it is, just isn't exciting to me. Even if built on the periphery of campus, I'm not sure how being built along a one-way Route 8 access road is beneficial. I suppose Exchange St. does have businesses that would benefit and serve Arena visitors, I just don't see anywhere near the same upside as with the potential renaissance downtown. Here's a scenario that I believe is worth looking into with our own situation....It's like the difference between the Nationwide Arena vs. the Schottenstien Center down in Columbus, just on a smaller scale. The Nationwide Arena District, home of Blue Jackets Hockey, is downtown and there are a great number of places to go before and after any event. Tons of shopping, bars, theaters, restaurants, residents and street life. The Schott, home of Buckeyes Basketball is in the heart of OSU's campus, but it's lifeless, surrounded by landscaping, grass and parking lots. Nobody tailgates there (do people ever tailgate for basketball?) or ever hangs out around there unless it's immediately before or after an event. It's sterile, just a big nondescript building on campus. If you're not familiar with them, the links can help show the difference in what an arena/entertainment district can do:Schotthttp://scottdo.files.wordpress.com/2009/06...tein_center.jpgNationwidehttp://www.arenadistrict.com/Ask BuckZip where he'd rather be. I'd be very surprised if he thinks the Schott is a more vibrant or better overall environment than the Arena District. It's the spinoff neighborhood around the Arena District, including the AAA Clippers Ballpark that make it one of the best fan experiences in the country. It's all about good planning, and what is most beneficial.aTo be honest, for the amount of space a new arena would take up on campus, I might rather prefer an area of quiet solace for students like a reflection pool, wetland area or even a grass field for intramurals. I don't see how dropping a place like the Schottenstien anywhere on campus really helps. Drawing arena visitors to check out our campus is a good point...but again, I just cannot envision how an on campus arena maximizes the fan experience at all. I guess any plan that could better integrate and spur outside development is the plan that really makes the most sense to me. And right now I think downtown has, by far, much more potential for positive cooperative growth. As long as everything is well planned out and the arena says "UNIVERSITY OF AKRON" on it, it will be a tremendous positive step for our school even if it's located downtown, just a few blocks off campus.

Again, the support for a campus arena as opposed to a downtown one is astoundingly in the majority. UA would be foolish to build its arena anywhere but on its true campus and not some fake psueudo version of what some who are on an acid trip think is on-campus. There is room for a 10,000 plus seat arena east of the stadium bordering Goodkirk and the freeway.

[tbozeglav]

Again, the support for a campus arena as opposed to a downtown one is astoundingly in the majority. UA would be foolish to build its arena anywhere but on its true campus and not some fake psueudo version of what some who are on an acid trip think is on-campus. There is room for a 10,000 plus seat arena east of the stadium bordering Goodkirk and the freeway.

Doesnt that location have frat/sorority houses on it though? See, thats the problem I kept running into when looking for somewhere that the university could build an arena. Also, even if they can build in that spot... I don't know if it'd be smart to as it would block the main shot of the Info from Rt8, which I have personally come to love.

[WinZip]

I think having a thriving city makes the University of Akron that much more appealing to prospective students. Who can say what location will have the greatest return? My thoughts are that a new facility in any reasonable location, done correctly, would be a huge benefit. I wonder what the basketball team would say. I don’t think they would want to play in Memorial really. who knows

[WinZip]

hmm guess I posted twice...

[Jake]

Again, the support for a campus arena as opposed to a downtown one is astoundingly in the majority. UA would be foolish to build its arena anywhere but on its true campus and not some fake psueudo version of what some who are on an acid trip think is on-campus. There is room for a 10,000 plus seat arena east of the stadium bordering Goodkirk and the freeway.

Doesnt that location have frat/sorority houses on it though? See, thats the problem I kept running into when looking for somewhere that the university could build an arena. Also, even if they can build in that spot... I don't know if it'd be smart to as it would block the main shot of the Info from Rt8, which I have personally come to love.

No, not all of the area. Both Greek Village and an arena could co-exist just fine. And an arena would be seen on Rt.8 which would sell itself to the region without blocking the view of the stadium. One can't see the stadium from Rt. 8 unless one is further away from the entry/exit ramp.Also it's the other way around. A beautiful campus helps to build up the city. Research shows that would-be students and their parents look at the campus and make their decision based on its appeal and not the downtown area. Buidling an arena downtown would cheapen the campus and make it look try-hard and forced. No one likes a hustle and a joint venture comes off as a hustle.

[WinZip]

Again, the support for a campus arena as opposed to a downtown one is astoundingly in the majority. UA would be foolish to build its arena anywhere but on its true campus and not some fake psueudo version of what some who are on an acid trip think is on-campus. There is room for a 10,000 plus seat arena east of the stadium bordering Goodkirk and the freeway.

Doesnt that location have frat/sorority houses on it though? See, thats the problem I kept running into when looking for somewhere that the university could build an arena. Also, even if they can build in that spot... I don't know if it'd be smart to as it would block the main shot of the Info from Rt8, which I have personally come to love.

No, not all of the area. Both Greek Village and an arena could co-exist just fine. And an arena would be seen on Rt.8 which would sell itself to the region without blocking the view of the stadium. One can't see the stadium from Rt. 8 unless one is further away from the entry/exit ramp.Also it's the other way around. A beautiful campus helps to build up the city. Research shows that would-be students and their parents look at the campus and make their decision based on its appeal and not the downtown area. Buidling an arena downtown would cheapen the campus and make it look try-hard and forced. No one likes a hustle and a joint venture comes off as a hustle.

Well two years ago they both influenced me...Students want to go somewhere where they fit. I understand that in large part that has to do with the campus atmosphere, but you can't hide the surrounding area, either. Tons of students choose universities outside of big cities because they don't like the crowds, and tons choose the big city schools because they like the nightlife. In general, thought, most want to feel safe and not be surrounded by slums. Everyone is different! Sure some people only will attend a school with an on-campus arena , but there are numerous other ways to attract students (new library, green space, medical school). Oh, and to save me the time of having to type out a response: I do not feel that putting an arena on campus would cause the city to be nothing more than slums. I think the downtown arena has more short term benefit... long term I don't think we can really predict.

[xu9697]

I voted for Central Hower, but it looks like a longshot.I'm not averse to seeing it built downtown at all. Actually, I think the downtown proposal would be viable IF the arena were:1) incorporated into the existing fabric of downtown 2) while preserving the historic buildings on Main St. and3) it was adjacent to new dorms in a renovated Mayflower HotelNow I've really gotten to thinking about all of this... To me, the most important aspect of the new arena is overall fan experience. The opportunity for spinoff retail in the form of bars and restaurants should be a high priority. Downtown is possibly on the verge, very near that tipping point of becoming a special, thriving urban destination filled with residents (students!) and visitors around the clock. A downtown arena, done the right way could very well help anchor a growing entertainment district. And I believe there has been talk of integrating restaurants/bars and shopping right into the Main St. arena proposal, as with Quaker Steak and Lube and Gordons Sports Bar inside Quicken Loans Arena in CLE.On the other hand, if the arena is buried in the heart of campus the possibilities for spinoff development just aren't the same. This is one reason the JAR sucks so bad. The fan experience of walking past frozen and locked Olin Hall or even the open Student Center, no matter how nice it is, just isn't exciting to me. Even if built on the periphery of campus, I'm not sure how being built along a one-way Route 8 access road is beneficial. I suppose Exchange St. does have businesses that would benefit and serve Arena visitors, I just don't see anywhere near the same upside as with the potential renaissance downtown. Here's a scenario that I believe is worth looking into with our own situation....It's like the difference between the Nationwide Arena vs. the Schottenstien Center down in Columbus, just on a smaller scale. The Nationwide Arena District, home of Blue Jackets Hockey, is downtown and there are a great number of places to go before and after any event. Tons of shopping, bars, theaters, restaurants, residents and street life. The Schott, home of Buckeyes Basketball is in the heart of OSU's campus, but it's lifeless, surrounded by landscaping, grass and parking lots. Nobody tailgates there (do people ever tailgate for basketball?) or ever hangs out around there unless it's immediately before or after an event. It's sterile, just a big nondescript building on campus. If you're not familiar with them, the links can help show the difference in what an arena/entertainment district can do:Schotthttp://scottdo.files.wordpress.com/2009/06...tein_center.jpgNationwidehttp://www.arenadistrict.com/Ask BuckZip where he'd rather be. I'd be very surprised if he thinks the Schott is a more vibrant or better overall environment than the Arena District. It's the spinoff neighborhood around the Arena District, including the AAA Clippers Ballpark that make it one of the best fan experiences in the country. It's all about good planning, and what is most beneficial.aTo be honest, for the amount of space a new arena would take up on campus, I might rather prefer an area of quiet solace for students like a reflection pool, wetland area or even a grass field for intramurals. I don't see how dropping a place like the Schottenstien anywhere on campus really helps. Drawing arena visitors to check out our campus is a good point...but again, I just cannot envision how an on campus arena maximizes the fan experience at all. I guess any plan that could better integrate and spur outside development is the plan that really makes the most sense to me. And right now I think downtown has, by far, much more potential for positive cooperative growth. As long as everything is well planned out and the arena says "UNIVERSITY OF AKRON" on it, it will be a tremendous positive step for our school even if it's located downtown, just a few blocks off campus.

Again, the support for a campus arena as opposed to a downtown one is astoundingly in the majority. UA would be foolish to build its arena anywhere but on its true campus and not some fake psueudo version of what some who are on an acid trip think is on-campus. There is room for a 10,000 plus seat arena east of the stadium bordering Goodkirk and the freeway.

WOW..great post!!!! And great work pointing out Schottenstein. I have gone there once or twice (live in Cleveland West suburb)= drive to the parking, go to the game, drive somewhere else (way off campus) to get food/drink. No reason to walk to High Street in the February cold!!!

[Jake]

Again, the support for a campus arena as opposed to a downtown one is astoundingly in the majority. UA would be foolish to build its arena anywhere but on its true campus and not some fake psueudo version of what some who are on an acid trip think is on-campus. There is room for a 10,000 plus seat arena east of the stadium bordering Goodkirk and the freeway.

Doesnt that location have frat/sorority houses on it though? See, thats the problem I kept running into when looking for somewhere that the university could build an arena. Also, even if they can build in that spot... I don't know if it'd be smart to as it would block the main shot of the Info from Rt8, which I have personally come to love.

No, not all of the area. Both Greek Village and an arena could co-exist just fine. And an arena would be seen on Rt.8 which would sell itself to the region without blocking the view of the stadium. One can't see the stadium from Rt. 8 unless one is further away from the entry/exit ramp.Also it's the other way around. A beautiful campus helps to build up the city. Research shows that would-be students and their parents look at the campus and make their decision based on its appeal and not the downtown area. Buidling an arena downtown would cheapen the campus and make it look try-hard and forced. No one likes a hustle and a joint venture comes off as a hustle.

Well two years ago they both influenced me...Students want to go somewhere where they fit. I understand that in large part that has to do with the campus atmosphere, but you can't hide the surrounding area, either. Tons of students choose universities outside of big cities because they don't like the crowds, and tons choose the big city schools because they like the nightlife. In general, thought, most want to feel safe and not be surrounded by slums. Everyone is different! Sure some people only will attend a school with an on-campus arena , but there are numerous other ways to attract students (new library, green space, medical school). Oh, and to save me the time of having to type out a response: I do not feel that putting an arena on campus would cause the city to be nothing more than slums. I think the downtown arena has more short term benefit... long term I don't think we can really predict.

Yes there are numerous ways to recruit students and UA should use them all. An arena is a huge investment and because of that it defiinitely needs to be on campus and not off campus. And perhaps you and I can't predict, but you can bet those responsible at UA can.

[Jake]

I'll do it for you UADavid. Because good recruits would come to a game at Memorial Hall, laugh, and never come back. No great teams will schedule us and play in that dump. Every game will sell out, which won't be good with less than 3000 seats. I'd rather wait nine years instead of rushing into spur of the moment renovations. You can keep putting a band aid on it or just fix it right the first time. I'm suprised someone as smart as you think you are needed that explained...

thank you.... I was somewhat shocked someone would actually want me to explain that one. Its fairly simple... good facilities = good recruits as evidenced by our recent improvement in recruit quality. Yes, coaching plays a part, but if you have the best coach in the world playing at the world's biggest dump, recruits are not going to want to play there.Jake, im sorry, but you need to stop trolling this thread for every possible way to call someone out on their opinion. I wasn't calling YOU stupid, I was calling the IDEA stupid... No, I don't know EXACTLY how much it'd cost to revamp the JAR, but I can tell you without a doubt that it would be a smarter investment to built a new arena elsewhere for some more money than itd cost to remodel the JAR. Case and point: Rubber Bowl and Infocision Stadium... can't say its not the same because, frankly, it is. The JAR may not be as old as the Rubber Bowl, but the quality of the facility versus the quality expected by fans and top-level recruits is the same between the two venues. We need a better arena that will help attract even better recruits and help bring in more fans. ON TOPIC...I have full faith in the administrators at UA to find the best possible location for any kind of multi-purpose facility that may be built in conjunction with the city. They've done us right with Infocision Stadium, and I completely expect them to be able to do the same with a new arena.

Your's and your kind's silence at intervals on this thread do not mean you are listening. It means you are waiting to pounce.

No, it means when I see someone make an idiotic comment like "please explain why it's bad to move a MAC champion team returning all but one starter with a top fifty recruit to an undersized dump like Memorial Hall, which is on the list to be torn down, for an entire season while the school puts money into a money pit instead of building what they need is bad," someone needs to point it out. Practically every post you've made is attacking someone on this forum, I'm tired of it, and I'm sure I'm not the only poster who feels that way. We're all Zips fans and want what's best for the school. Keep it semi civil or go troll at ohio.com.

"No, it means when I see someone make an idiotic comment like . . ." Nice! Look who the troll is now. Please show me where I have ever referred to anyone's ideas as an "idiotic comment." Once again, you attack those who disagree with you.

[tbozeglav]

Perhaps we are looking at this discussion in the wrong way. Ive seen countless posts made that argue whether downtown is part of campus and how there are these "borders" between the University and the City. However, what if we look at things the other way around. Instead of looking from the University to the City, why not look at it from the City to the University? What I mean is this: What "borders" dictate where downtown Akron exists and how far, realistically, can these borders be extended? If the University builds an arena on campus somewhere, who's to say that it won't be considered downtown? EJ Thomas Hall is considered in downtown Akron, yet people here will argue that the University isn't downtown? I don't quite understand that. Is there really something wrong with having the two co-exist as one greater entity? Think about the possibilities having both cooperating together to create a truly unique atmosphere. With the City's power and the University's vision, we could theoretically turn downtown Akron into a truly popular and fun place to go. I honestly think that building an arena "on-campus" will still keep it within reason of being in downtown Akron. Honestly, if you can walk, with relative ease, from all the major bars and restaurants in Akron to the Arena in about 15 minutes, thats still downtown.

[g-mann17]

Perhaps we are looking at this discussion in the wrong way. Ive seen countless posts made that argue whether downtown is part of campus and how there are these "borders" between the University and the City. However, what if we look at things the other way around. Instead of looking from the University to the City, why not look at it from the City to the University? What I mean is this: What "borders" dictate where downtown Akron exists and how far, realistically, can these borders be extended? If the University builds an arena on campus somewhere, who's to say that it won't be considered downtown? EJ Thomas Hall is considered in downtown Akron, yet people here will argue that the University isn't downtown? I don't quite understand that. Is there really something wrong with having the two co-exist as one greater entity? Think about the possibilities having both cooperating together to create a truly unique atmosphere. With the City's power and the University's vision, we could theoretically turn downtown Akron into a truly popular and fun place to go. I honestly think that building an arena "on-campus" will still keep it within reason of being in downtown Akron. Honestly, if you can walk, with relative ease, from all the major bars and restaurants in Akron to the Arena in about 15 minutes, thats still downtown.

That's a huge debate. Some people say that downtown is only Broadway to the Innerbelt. But truthfully speaking, Wonder Bread is Downtown, As is Grace Park. A generic idea is that downtown is bordered by the highways. Rt. 8, Rt. 59, and 77/76. But I would say that Spicer Village is not downtown. So you would have to add the Exchange St Corridor as a Southern border.People will disagree that UA is downtown. And say the rail road tracks are the Eastern Border of Downtown. But that neglects that Wolf Ledges, The Akron Incubator, and Post office as being downtown.

[tbozeglav]

That's a huge debate. Some people say that downtown is only Broadway to the Innerbelt. But truthfully speaking, Wonder Bread is Downtown, As is Grace Park. A generic idea is that downtown is bordered by the highways. Rt. 8, Rt. 59, and 77/76. But I would say that Spicer Village is not downtown. So you would have to add the Exchange St Corridor as a Southern border.People will disagree that UA is downtown. And say the rail road tracks are the Eastern Border of Downtown. But that neglects that Wolf Ledges, The Akron Incubator, and Post office as being downtown.

thats precisely my point... people will contest what some will say is downtown, but doing so leaves out some significant locations that are considered downtown. I think a downtown arena doesn't have to be on main, high, or broadway, but can be in the immediate surrounding area. That area just happens to include the University.A VERY good comparison is Cleveland State. They are also a university just outside of the center of a major regional city. They have their own arena, and its just as far from downtown cleveland as an on-campus arena here would be from downtown Akron. In fact, the Wolstein center is no more than 3 blocks from the Q, and thats considered downtown...

[zippy5]

Build it downtown. It's a 5 minute walk for students. Hell, a downtown arena would be closer to Grant Hall, Gallucci, Exchange, and 22 Exchange than an arena bordering Rt. 8 would be. Plus, there are bars for people to go to before/after the game. A stadium is a different monster, people hang out and tailgate all day, then go to the game. All in presumably nice, cool, fall weather. Basketball games- people show up, and hit the bars before or after the game. The weather sucks here in the Winter. No one is going to want to walk downtown to celebrate the big win if the arena is a 20 minute walk from downtown.

[Zipsrifle]

When will the arena construction start again??

[Dead Horse]

When will the arena construction start again??

The new arena will be build when one of two things happen:1. A coach from a major sport gets fired.2. The Big East invites Akron to join.

[Zipsrifle]

When will the arena construction start again??

The new arena will be build when one of two things happen:1. A coach from a major sport gets fired.2. The Big East invites Akron to join.

I think you are wrong about the coach thing but correct about the BE. This thread is quite a heated debate for something that is just speculation...I find it numerous.

[g-mann17]

When will the arena construction start again??

The new arena will be build when one of two things happen:1. A coach from a major sport gets fired.2. The Big East invites Akron to join.

I think you are wrong about the coach thing but correct about the BE. This thread is quite a heated debate for something that is just speculation...I find it numerous.

I find your comment humorous.

[zippy5]

well be realistic, if there isn't a new arena in 10 years, someone dropped the ball. Either the team for sucking and not drawing fans, or the Athletics dept. for not building this team an arena.