arena project going forward?

[ziptrumpet87]

Buried at the bottom of the UPA article in the ABJ.Seems they like the UCF project that combined an arena with other development:

...engaged KUD to develop “Uptown UCF,” a complex of student housing, retail, parking structures and a new Convocation Center / Sports Arena.

Link to developer.

[skip-zip]

A few years ago, I said that such a thing becoming a reality might be 10 years in the future. So, maybe I can cut a few years off of that now. So, don't hold your breath. It's still just talk. A number of factors make this a more distant propositon than some people want to believe.

[Dave in Green]

"Off-balance sheet financing, while retaining control over the ownership of the new facilities" has to be the key attraction to UA for this type of project.The big positive for Zips basketball fans is that this may be the most likely way to get a new arena built to replace the JAR in the near future despite the current weak economy.A small negative for basketball fans is that a multipurpose arena might not be optimized for basketball. But as we've discussed here previously, if done right, a multipurpose arena can still be really good for basketball.Another negative for some people would be having this facility downtown instead of on campus -- a discussion that was previously beaten into the ground on ZN.O. The general consensus of past discussions has been that building the facility on the east side of downtown, right on the city's border with UA's campus, would satisfy all but a few hardcore advocates who would only be satisfied with a Zips basketball arena built inside the current UA campus borders and clearly separted from the downtown area.

[UAZipster0305]

"Off-balance sheet financing, while retaining control over the ownership of the new facilities" has to be the key attraction to UA for this type of project.The big positive for Zips basketball fans is that this may be the most likely way to get a new arena built to replace the JAR in the near future despite the current weak economy.A small negative for basketball fans is that a multipurpose arena might not be optimized for basketball. But as we've discussed here previously, if done right, a multipurpose arena can still be really good for basketball.Another negative for some people would be having this facility downtown instead of on campus -- a discussion that was previously beaten into the ground on ZN.O. The general consensus of past discussions has been that building the facility on the east side of downtown, right on the city's border with UA's campus, would satisfy all but a few hardcore advocates who would only be satisfied with a Zips basketball arena built inside the current UA campus borders and clearly separted from the downtown area.

I'll just add that a new arena regardless of its location is likely better for the growth of the program and university than remaining in the JAR indefinitely.The basketball facility and current state of the football program are likely the only major factors limiting our attractiveness to more prestigious athletic conferences.

[mes102]

GoZips did mention that Dambrot thought that Barberton's basketball facilities was so good that they could possibly have a good bulk of workouts, practices, etc. there if renovations are being done in the JAR. Maybe KD knows something we don't know? Is LeBron giving up some money and donating it for a new convocation center/arena?

[GP1]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events? Gwinnett Co. has a huge population base and there are a lot of people there anyhow. Who would drive from the Cleveland suburbs to a concert in Akron? There isn't much proof that would take place. As long as the University doesn't have to sink much money into this place, I say move forward. If they do, don't move.

[MaxZIP]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events? Gwinnett Co. has a huge population base and there are a lot of people there anyhow. Who would drive from the Cleveland suburbs to a concert in Akron? There isn't much proof that would take place. As long as the University doesn't have to sink much money into this place, I say move forward. If they do, don't move.

They drive to blossom

[UAZipster0305]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events? Gwinnett Co. has a huge population base and there are a lot of people there anyhow. Who would drive from the Cleveland suburbs to a concert in Akron? There isn't much proof that would take place. As long as the University doesn't have to sink much money into this place, I say move forward. If they do, don't move.

They drive to blossom

Browns fans drive to Columbus to see a winner.

[GP1]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events? Gwinnett Co. has a huge population base and there are a lot of people there anyhow. Who would drive from the Cleveland suburbs to a concert in Akron? There isn't much proof that would take place. As long as the University doesn't have to sink much money into this place, I say move forward. If they do, don't move.

They drive to blossom

Would they drive to Akron in February to see a concert? No....

[skip-zip]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events? Gwinnett Co. has a huge population base and there are a lot of people there anyhow. Who would drive from the Cleveland suburbs to a concert in Akron? There isn't much proof that would take place. As long as the University doesn't have to sink much money into this place, I say move forward. If they do, don't move.

I'm not sure this even matters. We just want Akron people to support Akron, instead of going elsewhere. Right?And Akron should have a convention center. Were a large enough city.

[UAZipster0305]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events? Gwinnett Co. has a huge population base and there are a lot of people there anyhow. Who would drive from the Cleveland suburbs to a concert in Akron? There isn't much proof that would take place. As long as the University doesn't have to sink much money into this place, I say move forward. If they do, don't move.

I'm not sure this even matters. We just want Akron people to support Akron, instead of going elsewhere. Right?And Akron should have a convention center. Were a large enough city.

We do. It's called the John S. Knight Center.

[Spin]

For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events?

They drive to blossom

Monsters of Rock.Ozzfest.

[Blue & Gold]

Akronites drive to rat-bastard-Cleveland. Clevelanders can drive to Akron.Besides, we've absolutely got to hold our own.When Cleveland built Gund Arena w/ the agreement that the Richfield Colesium would shut down as not to compete - it was officially on. "Cleveland+" is an ABSOLUTE sham and mockery. Akron+ needs a development like this.

[blueandgold]

"Off-balance sheet financing, while retaining control over the ownership of the new facilities" has to be the key attraction to UA for this type of project.The big positive for Zips basketball fans is that this may be the most likely way to get a new arena built to replace the JAR in the near future despite the current weak economy.A small negative for basketball fans is that a multipurpose arena might not be optimized for basketball. But as we've discussed here previously, if done right, a multipurpose arena can still be really good for basketball.Another negative for some people would be having this facility downtown instead of on campus -- a discussion that was previously beaten into the ground on ZN.O. The general consensus of past discussions has been that building the facility on the east side of downtown, right on the city's border with UA's campus, would satisfy all but a few hardcore advocates who would only be satisfied with a Zips basketball arena built inside the current UA campus borders and clearly separted from the downtown area.

The University of Akron basically IS downtown Akron.

[skip-zip]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events? Gwinnett Co. has a huge population base and there are a lot of people there anyhow. Who would drive from the Cleveland suburbs to a concert in Akron? There isn't much proof that would take place. As long as the University doesn't have to sink much money into this place, I say move forward. If they do, don't move.

I'm not sure this even matters. We just want Akron people to support Akron, instead of going elsewhere. Right?And Akron should have a convention center. Were a large enough city.

We do. It's called the John S. Knight Center.

I know that. I've been in there many times. That comment was my reaction to the mention in this thread that Akron doesn't need a convention center.This gives me a thought. With the University already owning the Quaker Square property, and with the convention center being almost right across the street, with a huge parking deck right in between........I wonder if that area can all be connected together and incorporate an arena? There's also a huge church property right there that's for sale, and Greystone Hall is right there as well.

[Dave in Green]

Here's just one example of an event that could play well at an Akron arena:When the Harlem Globetrotters play in the Detroit area on Dec. 26, they will be playing at the Palace at Auburn Hills where the Detroit Pistons play and where they have more big concerts than the Q. The Palace can seat 22,076 for basketball, the largest seating capacity in the NBA.On Dec. 28, the Globetrotters are playing at Toledo's Huntington Center, seating capacity 8,000.On Jan. 28, they are playing at Youngstown's Covelli Center, seating capacity 5,700.On Feb. 1 they are playing at the Canton Civic Center, seating capacity 5,200.There are many entertainment events like the Harlem Globetrotters that could perform in Akron if there were a suitable facility.

[ZachTheZip]

Here's just one example of an event that could play well at an Akron arena:When the Harlem Globetrotters play in the Detroit area on Dec. 26, they will be playing at the Palace at Auburn Hills where the Detroit Pistons play and where they have more big concerts than the Q. The Palace can seat 22,076 for basketball, the largest seating capacity in the NBA.On Dec. 28, the Globetrotters are playing at Toledo's Huntington Center, seating capacity 8,000.On Jan. 28, they are playing at Youngstown's Covelli Center, seating capacity 5,700.On Feb. 1 they are playing at the Canton Civic Center, seating capacity 5,200.There are many entertainment events like the Harlem Globetrotters that could perform in Akron if there were a suitable facility.

You mean like the JAR? Because they played there either last year or the one before.

[Hilltopper]

Here's just one example of an event that could play well at an Akron arena:When the Harlem Globetrotters play in the Detroit area on Dec. 26, they will be playing at the Palace at Auburn Hills where the Detroit Pistons play and where they have more big concerts than the Q. The Palace can seat 22,076 for basketball, the largest seating capacity in the NBA.On Dec. 28, the Globetrotters are playing at Toledo's Huntington Center, seating capacity 8,000.On Jan. 28, they are playing at Youngstown's Covelli Center, seating capacity 5,700.On Feb. 1 they are playing at the Canton Civic Center, seating capacity 5,200.There are many entertainment events like the Harlem Globetrotters that could perform in Akron if there were a suitable facility.

I took the kids to see the Globetrotters at the JAR a few years ago.

[Doug Snyder]

I took the kids to see the Globetrotters at the JAR a few years ago.

who won??

[MaxZIP]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.For a private arena, the question always becomes, who would go there for events? Gwinnett Co. has a huge population base and there are a lot of people there anyhow. Who would drive from the Cleveland suburbs to a concert in Akron? There isn't much proof that would take place. As long as the University doesn't have to sink much money into this place, I say move forward. If they do, don't move.

They drive to blossom

Would they drive to Akron in February to see a concert? No....

A fan would drive the 30-45 min for a concert. Hell people drive hours to see bands. Akron is not a major journey...I wonder if they would play in Akron.

[tbozeglav]

if I have friends who drive to cleveland, columbus, and even CANT STATE for concerts, you know damn well people from those areas would come here. Hell.... if CAN'T STATE can pull in big names in today's music culture, we should be able to do with the right facility.

[ZippyRulz]

Gwinnett Arena would be a good example of the type of arena the Zips could have. I went to a concert there once and it was great. In lieu of 13,000 seats, we could have 10,000 seats. Akron could draw a lot of concerts, etc. that are just not large enough for whatever they call the arena where the Cavs play now. The conference center Gwinnett has is not needed...nobody wants to have a convention in Akron.

Something like this would probably also make EJ Thomas PAH redundant and available for redevelopment. I was very surprised to hear not too long ago that various options are being considered for EJ due to declining attendance/cashflow for its shows, including removing it. Even though it was much acclaimed when built in the 70's, it's now going on 40 years old. I believe some new auditoriums have been built on campus for dance/theater/etc. that could handle a bit smaller audiences. That corner of Buchtel and Wolf Ledges would be very convenient for additional PolySci or Law or student housing space.

[Blue & Gold]

I took the kids to see the Globetrotters at the JAR a few years ago.

who won??

Who'd they play?

[Blue & Gold]

...That corner of Buchtel and Wolf Ledges would be very convenient for additional PolySci or Law or student housing space.

Speaking of which, UA should purchase the former Inventure Place building.

[Dave in Green]

The Globetrotters played at the JAR in January 2010. I wonder how many people didn't go due to the uncomfortable seats and poor sight lines? Maybe that's why they skipped Akron this year.