Tom and Hunter go arena scouting

[infofan]

Renovating Knight center as an arena is absolutely NOT possible. Ceilings arent high enough, amenities ( rest rooms, concessions)nowhere near what a maximum 5000 seats would demand. And it would probably cost 4 million or so just to add telescoping seating with JARrish sightlines. Plus the biggest obstacle is the fact JSK already holds @ 240 events a year ( as of 2008). I think theyre happy with their status quo. My question is how in the hell does Toledo finance a 70million baseball stadium (vs canal parks 31Mill), much larger Seagate center ( as compared to Knight center) and now a $105million dollar arena. All with tax money. No university funds or private funds. Sure- Toledo citizens wanted to recall their mayor too but he/she sure got some results!

[ZippyTuba11]

I'm a big fan of an arena like the article mentions from Osports. Looking over their designs, it looks like there is a lot of area there to be used not only for arena space, but two convention or retail like areas. A 12k seat facility is a perfect fit for what this city needs. Convert the Mayflower to dorms, and you're looking at a great city block for campus life.It really gets me excited to think about going to an Akron football game, then heading down the street to catch the basketball team in one of the early season games, then hit all the bars right after.How about the First Energy "Power House" Arena and "King" James Court?Come on Lebron! Time to get this started for your home town!

[Jake]

Do NOT look at the interior and exterior photos of the new Toledo facility unless you are prepared to deal with serious feelings of envy:Lucas County Arena Photos

I love it. Something like this definitely needs to go on the actual UA campus near the stadium and not downtown. The rest of the Summit County/NE Ohio region will have no problem being served by such a great campus facility. The on-campus stadium is good for downtown and so will an on-campus arena be. To quote the ABJ in a story on InfoCision Stadium, "the community is supporting the on-campus venue". It's a win/win with an on-campus arena. As the mayor stated at the opening of InfoCision, "being on campus gives the facility that campus atmosphere that everyone loves and is attracted to."I think we are close to having a brand new, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose, true on-campus arena. First Energy will be a great financial backer for another superb campus facility adjacent to a superb on-campus football stadium. It 's great to read how one of its reps accompanied campus representatives (NOTE: not city or county representatives) on this field trip.

[g-mann17]

Wow that took longer than I ever expected.

[akronad]

+1!

[MDZip]

+1!

I know you've had it for a while, but maybe you should turn your Zipsnation name over to Tom (you're not Tom are you? )

[Jake]

Wow that took longer than I ever expected.

I try not to dissapoint g mann !

[infofan]

Do NOT look at the interior and exterior photos of the new Toledo facility unless you are prepared to deal with serious feelings of envy:Lucas County Arena Photos

I love it. Something like this definitely needs to go on the actual UA campus near the stadium and not downtown. The rest of the Summit County/NE Ohio region will have no problem being served by such a great campus facility. The on-campus stadium is good for downtown and so will an on-campus arena be. To quote the ABJ in a story on InfoCision Stadium, "the community is supporting the on-campus venue". It's a win/win with an on-campus arena. As the mayor stated at the opening of InfoCision, "being on campus gives the facility that campus atmosphere that everyone loves and is attracted to."I think we are close to having a brand new, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose, true on-campus arena. First Energy will be a great financial backer for another superb campus facility adjacent to a superb on-campus football stadium. It 's great to read how one of its reps accompanied campus representatives (NOTE: not city or county representatives) on this field trip.

If they build it on campus UA wont get a dime from 1st energy, summit county, or Akron. Lets get real here. Im not opposed to on campus but finding another 70Million or so for an arena will be awful hard for Dr P to justify!! If its going to happen it WILL be downtown (possibly on Quaker site on campus), whether Jake likes it or not.

[Dave in Green]

If they build it on campus UA wont get a dime from 1st energy, summit county, or Akron. Lets get real here. Im not opposed to on campus but finding another 70Million or so for an arena will be awful hard for Dr P to justify!! If its going to happen it WILL be downtown (possibly on Quaker site on campus), whether Jake likes it or not.

While I agree that UA would have a hard time funding another new facility of this magnitude by itself, I don't understand why you think 1st Energy or other sponsors wouldn't consider backing an on-campus facility in the same way that the on-campus football stadium was financially supported by InfoCision, Summa, FirstMerit, etc.I don't know whether or not the city and county would come onboard with any support if the facility was built in a location right on the border of the campus and the city, but they might.

[infofan]

If they build it on campus UA wont get a dime from 1st energy, summit county, or Akron. Lets get real here. Im not opposed to on campus but finding another 70Million or so for an arena will be awful hard for Dr P to justify!! If its going to happen it WILL be downtown (possibly on Quaker site on campus), whether Jake likes it or not.

While I agree that UA would have a hard time funding another new facility of this magnitude by itself, I don't understand why you think 1st Energy or other sponsors wouldn't consider backing an on-campus facility in the same way that the on-campus football stadium was financially supported by InfoCision, Summa, FirstMerit, etc.I don't know whether or not the city and county would come onboard with any support if the facility was built in a location right on the border of the campus and the city, but they might.

firstenergy ceo Tony Alexander and Mayor P are very close and we all know plusquellic wants the arena downtown. Plusquellic just enabled firstenergy to build their 20+million operations center on white pond drive and if UA bucks Plusquellic I doubt that theyll go over his head to assist in funding. On other note........From the 1/18/07 Blade:LUCAS COUNTYHotel-motel tax going up to 10% to fund arenaBy ERICA BLAKEBLADE SATFF WRITERLucas County commissioners yesterday put in motion the funding necessary to build a multipurpose arena - leaving them with the responsibility of building it and then filling it.Commissioners voted unanimously to raise the county's hotel-motel tax by 2 percentage-points.The increase, which will take effect March 1, raises the tax from 8 percent to 10 percent and will help fund more than half of the approximately $80 million project.

[ZachTheZip]

LUCAS COUNTYHotel-motel tax going up to 10% to fund arenaBy ERICA BLAKEBLADE SATFF WRITERLucas County commissioners yesterday put in motion the funding necessary to build a multipurpose arena - leaving them with the responsibility of building it and then filling it.Commissioners voted unanimously to raise the county's hotel-motel tax by 2 percentage-points.The increase, which will take effect March 1, raises the tax from 8 percent to 10 percent and will help fund more than half of the approximately $80 million project.

A good idea. If an arena can draw in lots of out-of-town visitors for events, hotels will be one of the first to benefit.

[Jake]

Do NOT look at the interior and exterior photos of the new Toledo facility unless you are prepared to deal with serious feelings of envy:Lucas County Arena Photos

I love it. Something like this definitely needs to go on the actual UA campus near the stadium and not downtown. The rest of the Summit County/NE Ohio region will have no problem being served by such a great campus facility. The on-campus stadium is good for downtown and so will an on-campus arena be. To quote the ABJ in a story on InfoCision Stadium, "the community is supporting the on-campus venue". It's a win/win with an on-campus arena. As the mayor stated at the opening of InfoCision, "being on campus gives the facility that campus atmosphere that everyone loves and is attracted to."I think we are close to having a brand new, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose, true on-campus arena. First Energy will be a great financial backer for another superb campus facility adjacent to a superb on-campus football stadium. It 's great to read how one of its reps accompanied campus representatives (NOTE: not city or county representatives) on this field trip.

If they build it on campus UA wont get a dime from 1st energy, summit county, or Akron. Lets get real here. Im not opposed to on campus but finding another 70Million or so for an arena will be awful hard for Dr P to justify!! If its going to happen it WILL be downtown (possibly on Quaker site on campus), whether Jake likes it or not.

Info fan - your info is laughable. What evidence do you have that First Energy won't give a dime for a UA campus arena? None, just as I thought. UA has a much better relationship with First Energy than anyone in Akron. You are just blowing smoke. Keep in mind it was First Energy and UA officials who went on this field trip and no one from the city or county. Akron and Summit county has no money to help UA build its campus arena. Get real. The mayor and county executive want so bad to ride UA like their personal balogna pony and UA won't let them do it and neither will I. Get it through your head, the arena is going on the actual campus just like the stadium...end of discussion.Also know this about who gets and doesn't get a dime and from whom. If the city builds an arena off-campus, it won't get a dime from the University of Akron and its state funded supporters The governor and Board of Regents will make sure of that. And, keep this in mind: the biggest dime always comes from The University of Akron and not from First Energy. First Energy goes where The University of Akron says it should and not the mayor or Russ Pry.

[akronad]

Let's see. If First Energy were to pony up $10m, same amt. as Infocison, this means that they will have no say in anything. Tell Gary Taylor that. Jake, your info is as skewed as your head. BTW, drive downtown any weekday or evening. The area is becoming more active with students. Why? because of the new housing and the classes that are held in the vicinity. Downtown Akron is just as much a part of the university as the university is a part of downtown Akron.As a side note, the ideal location for a new arena is where the Beacon Journal is currently housed. We all know that they won't be around much longer.

[akronad]

+1!

I know you've had it for a while, but maybe you should turn your Zipsnation name over to Tom (you're not Tom are you? )

No. I'm not Tom. He hasn't been around long enough.

[Dave in Green]

...end of discussion.

If only life were so easy. ;)Back to reality, the discussion will go on because there is no definitive proof that a specific vision is locked and loaded with the principal players. There may be someone posting in these forums who has a direct connection to the decision-making process, but they haven't convinced me yet. And, no, bonus points are not awarded for the intensity of opinions.I'm still very much open-minded on the exact location of the proposed facility. I have no problem with people who have passionate opinions. I do have problems with people who try to bully and browbeat others into submitting to their passionate opinions. That usually comes from a position of weakness, not strength.Verifiable facts speak for themselves. Bonus points are awarded for valid sources.

[Zip Watcher]

All .. please don't revisit this topic to the point that another thread gets locked. If any of us forget your last volleys on the topic we can always refer back.Go Zips!!!

[infofan]

Look guys- no arguments are wanted here. I dont have a stake in where or IF a convocation center/Arena is built. Im just saying that the ties between Plusquellic and Alexander are tighter than Alexander and Proenza. And after Proenza bought Quaker square without consulting the city I think they made an agreement in principle that it would go there. If it goes on site of central hower in 5 years or so fantastic. my point is youre gong to need very creative financing to accomplish this. Neither the city nor UA can do it alone. Ohio is so much in the red that regents aint gonna give zip to zips. And the bed tax is somewhat tied to the city and JSK center so I dont see them building it on campus. If Im wrong fine. But lets stop the infighting here. Cant we agree to disagree?? Im just glad Tom is pursuing it!

[xu9697]

Not sure if this has been mentioned much, but UA could possibly do what places like Villanova (who plays some on campus and some at the Sixers place) do:Play a MAJORITY of their games at a renovated JAR (which UA and their donors will fund) and play 3-4 "marquee" games at the new downtown arena (which the county, city, etc. will fund.) As an example this year...the opener against Austin Peay, the Saturday night game against BGSU and the finale against Can't could be played at the downtown arena. Hopefully, as Zeke and the boys make their mark, marquee games will be against Pitt, Purdue, Louisville, etc. (keeping Can't in there too).I would love to see Akron go after things that Cleveland doesn't have= Indoor soccer and indoor lacrosse. This would give Akron more of an "eastern pull" and the soccer could really help capitalize on the success of the Zips men's soccer team. How about "The Akron Attack"!?!?!!? Also, if they could land an NBDL team that is the "farm team" for the Cavaliers, all the better.

[GP1]

I would love to see Akron go after things that Cleveland doesn't have= Indoor soccer and indoor lacrosse. This would give Akron more of an "eastern pull"

And with our eastern pull, we would be more attractive to the Big East...... Just kidding.....

[bandzip]

Not sure if this has been mentioned much, but UA could possibly do what places like Villanova (who plays some on campus and some at the Sixers place) do:Play a MAJORITY of their games at a renovated JAR (which UA and their donors will fund) and play 3-4 "marquee" games at the new downtown arena (which the county, city, etc. will fund.) As an example this year...the opener against Austin Peay, the Saturday night game against BGSU and the finale against Can't could be played at the downtown arena. Hopefully, as Zeke and the boys make their mark, marquee games will be against Pitt, Purdue, Louisville, etc. (keeping Can't in there too).I would love to see Akron go after things that Cleveland doesn't have= Indoor soccer and indoor lacrosse. This would give Akron more of an "eastern pull" and the soccer could really help capitalize on the success of the Zips men's soccer team. How about "The Akron Attack"!?!?!!? Also, if they could land an NBDL team that is the "farm team" for the Cavaliers, all the better.

+1We can't fiill up the JAR on a consistent basis. It's not like our arena is right beside the Rubber Bowl. We don't need to pay for the upkeep of a 12k seat arena when we can build it a block down the street and benefit just as much.

[zen]

I'm sorry for not contributing anything to the topic(s) on hand, but I just wanted to say thanks for when I am having a rough day at work and I come on here and I actually get to LOL!resume

[Dave in Green]

I hope that everyone here shares my feelings that a positive, ongoing discussion of this issue is informative and worthwhile. New thoughts keep popping up from other forum members that I hadn't considered. To me, that's the real value of a forum full of positive contributors. Wherever you think the best location is for a new basketball/multi-purpose facility, I really appreciate everyone freely expressing their reasoning in a positive way without belittling anyone else's opinions.

[Jake]

I hope that everyone here shares my feelings that a positive, ongoing discussion of this issue is informative and worthwhile. New thoughts keep popping up from other forum members that I hadn't considered. To me, that's the real value of a forum full of positive contributors. Wherever you think the best location is for a new basketball/multi-purpose facility, I really appreciate everyone freely expressing their reasoning in a positive way without belittling anyone else's opinions.

Dave in green, thanks. I couldn't agree with you more. And akronad, I couldn't disagree with you more. Downtown Akron is no more on campus than the Rubber Bowl. The student housing down there is not campus housing. It is private housing just like in Can't. Can't State doesn't claim that area as campus. Why do some Akron yokals want to claim everything in downtown's reach as on campus when it is not? The downtown private development is a good thing but it is not on campus. Same goes for anything else downtown. The Polsky Buiulding is just that, an obsolete department store owned by the university. Polsky is not on campus. And, a downtown arena will not be on campus either. All a logical and honest person needs to do is to take a look at downtown Akron and then take a look at the enhancements UA has done to make itself look like a real university campus which includes the stadium. Does downtown look like a campus? NO! At best, it looks like the way UA looked when it was dubbed Hilltop High. Major streets and vehicular traffic running through the middle of campus property and facilities does not a real campus make. It seems that some of our locals (dinasours) want UA to look like Cleveland State, Youngstown State and other pseudo colleges in the region. People of progress and authenticity know that an on-campus, multipurpose arena is just as essential as an on-campus stadium if not more so.BUILD THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON ARENA ON THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON CAMPUS AND NOT DOWNTOWN. It's not rocket science people.

[vmd9]

I hope that everyone here shares my feelings that a positive, ongoing discussion of this issue is informative and worthwhile. New thoughts keep popping up from other forum members that I hadn't considered. To me, that's the real value of a forum full of positive contributors. Wherever you think the best location is for a new basketball/multi-purpose facility, I really appreciate everyone freely expressing their reasoning in a positive way without belittling anyone else's opinions.

Dave in green, thanks. I couldn't agree with you more. And akronad, I couldn't disagree with you more. Downtown Akron is no more on campus than the Rubber Bowl. The student housing down there is not campus housing. It is private housing just like in Can't. Can't State doesn't claim that area as campus. Why do some Akron yokals want to claim everything in downtown's reach as on campus when it is not? The downtown private development is a good thing but it is not on campus. Same goes for anything else downtown. The Polsky Buiulding is just that, an obsolete department store owned by the university. Polsky is not on campus. And, a downtown arena will not be on campus either. All a logical and honest person needs to do is to take a look at downtown Akron and then take a look at the enhancements UA has done to make itself look like a real university campus which includes the stadium. Does downtown look like a campus? NO! At best, it looks like the way UA looked when it was dubbed Hilltop High. Major streets and vehicular traffic running through the middle of campus property and facilities does not a real campus make. It seems that some of our locals (dinasours) want UA to look like Cleveland State, Youngstown State and other pseudo colleges in the region. People of progress and authenticity know that an on-campus, multipurpose arena is just as essential as an on-campus stadium if not more so.BUILD THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON ARENA ON THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON CAMPUS AND NOT DOWNTOWN. It's not rocket science people.

WHY do people compare the rubber bowl to downtown it's the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I know downtown akron is not part of campus but it is close. Us students that live on campus walk down there all the time. It's not a big deal! I've never heard of anyone walking from campus to the rubber bowl? so I think you need to calm down. Like you say there's student housing down there...where was the housing by the rubber bowl? did students live in the big blimp hanger? um no

[tbozeglav]

Lets see... I can walk from Polsky to Infocision stadium in about... 20 minutes, give or take. I can walk from Infocision Stadium to the Rubber bowl in about.... 20 days (exaggerated to make a point).Point is, downtown is on the border of campus and within EASY walking distance from any point on campus. However, you CANNOT say the same about the Rubber Bowl. Your analogy holds NO water at all because its like comparing apples to oranges. Excluding the new dorms being built on Spicer, the average walk time from any of the dorms to the Polsky building (assumed as within the heart of downtown Akron) is something like 10-11 minutes walking, INCLUDING Garson Apartments which everyone here can agree is off-campus. Take that number and compare it to other MAC east schools. In fact, compare it to Can't state and you'd find that the average walking time for students to get to the MAC Center is just as much, if not more, than the average walking time for an Akron student living in a dorm. Yes, Can't State's campus is much larger and more spread out than ours, but is a 15 minute walk REALLY that bad? While Downtown Akron is not OFFICIALLY considered "on-campus" (disregarding Polsky building as on-campus), its proximity to campus and ease of access from any point on campus puts it well within the realm of possible locations for an arena. If I have to take a shuttle bus just to get to the arena, it is not somewhere thats good for the university.Keep in mind this entire post is disregarding the fact that the City/Port Authority is almost guaranteed to be a major contributor to the project, so they will have a very large say in where the arena goes. Putting a new arena funded in part by the City in the middle of campus WILL make the general public feel as though its only the University's and not both. Just food for thought.