Read Between the Lines

[Captain Kangaroo]

Does The University dare pursue another off-campus stadium after the Rubber Bowl dies? Would it change your mind if it were a first-class, 25,000 seat stadium? Hey....people drove to The Colesium to see the Cavs, and this would be the exact same distance from downtown Akron? Things that make you go hmmmm....

Group has goal: Soccer in Summit Public financing needed for stadium

Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Steve Luttner

Plain Dealer Reporter

More than 100 acres have been assembled in Summit County as the potential site of an outdoor soccer stadium, officials said Tuesday.

Paul Garofolo, president and general manager of the Cleveland Force indoor soccer team, said he and others who support bringing an outdoor soccer team to Northeast Ohio will meet with Summit County officials next week to discuss financing the stadium.

"We're making progress," Garofolo said. "We need to zero in on commitments on the public side of the funding so we know where we are, what kind of project we could afford to build."

Bert Wolstein, a longtime associate of Garofolo's, had been leading the drive to bring an outdoor soccer franchise to the Cleveland area until he died earlier this year. It is unclear who now is spearheading the effort, but representatives of Wolstein's family are expected to attend next week's meeting, said Joe Migliorini, director of the county's community and economic development department.

Garofolo said there is an option to buy the land that has been targeted, meaning the purchase would not happen if the stadium doesn't materialize.

He would say only that the land is in northern Summit County. Migliorini said the land lies between the Ohio Turnpike and Interstate 271.

Wolstein was pushing for a 25,000-seat open-air stadium that could be used for soccer as well as concerts and high school and college football games.

Wolstein had a letter of intent from Major League Soccer to establish a team in Northeast Ohio. He estimated the stadium would cost $110 million, and pledged to contribute $20 million. The remainder would have to come from the public.

Garofolo said he does not envision needing a ballot issue to raise public money.

A possible source of financing includes boosting the countywide real estate conveyance tax - a one-time fee incurred when real estate is sold. Officials also are examining tax-increment financing

Migliorini said the stadium could provide an economic boost to Summit County, particularly if there is adjacent development such as an upscale shopping center.

[Big Zip]

Although I wouldn't mind driving 20-25 minutes to watch the Zips play in a new stadium, I still think a downtown Akron site is the best choice. A downtown Akron site allows the city of Akron and Summit County to really put themselves on the map. Mayor Don has always (from what I understand) had a mini vision of Cleveland's Gateway District in mind for Akron. A football/soccer/etc. stadium downtown would continue to drive traffice into downtown Akron and help the entertainment district. The site I had always heard about was actually at the corner of exchange and Rt. 8 for a football stadium which would have visibility from the highway -- providing the University with visibility from the highway. I think another great place to put it would be at the corner of exchange and Main going up the hill towards campus. The idea of building it in Boston Heights and building shopping around sounds silly -- there is already too much shopping in the Greater Cleveland area -- who needs another shopping center. Building it downtown Akron would continue the renaissance of the old city and further distance Akron from Youngstown and Canton as a real metropolitan city. All in all -- I would attend games in Boston Heights, but I'd much rather see a stadium near campus in downtown Akron.

[zipsbandman]

people drove to The Colesium to see the Cavs, and this would be the exact same distance from downtown Akron?

This is the zips we are talking about, a team that has virtually no support from the community. We can't even get people to drive out six miles to see a game, and I am not sure that we can get people to drive 25 miles out from downtown Akron. If the zips want to invest the money, bring a stadium to downtown Akron. Our attendance numbers will skyrocket.

I don't care about the quality of a stadium. As long as we fill it, I'm fine with it. All I remember was the first game against Can't last year. If every game was like that I would say screw it and stay in the rubber bowl. I would take a full beat up stadium over an empty state of the art facility anyday.

[GoZips]

A new football stadium for the Zips MUST be built on campus or in the near downtown area. Any other location is a D-1A death sentence to the Zips.

I like the idea of a stadium across the street from Canal Park. For one thing, the butt heads at the Leakin' Urinal would have to trip over it every day they go to work. It would block their view of the emaciated downtown area they helped create.

The Zips need to raise home attendance to a level that they are not on any endangered list. An on campus stadium with freeway access, university parking lots, student interest would help tremendously.

The Zips do NOT need to chase after an undersized professional soccer stadium 20 miles from their campus. A 25,000 seat stadium is just as much a death sentence as the distance is. While the NCAA requires a 30,000 minimum capacity facility, anything under 45,000 severely hampers scheduling "name" opponents likely to attract the less than rabid Zip fan.

Perhaps it is high time to abandon the nickel squeezing approach to college athletics forced on MAC schools. If the mighty Suckeyes can squander $900,000 per annum on a corrupt basketball coach and to say nothing of paying out millions to buy out a high priced contract of their new corrupt basketball coach, then Akron is entitled to more than scraps that fall from the lavish table set for the Pig Ten swine.

[Zipsrifle]

Well put. We need to start building the fan base from the ground up. Groundlevel is the students. We need to get them in the habit of attending games. A stadium within walking distance will make this much easier. I know that the university has made every effort to get students to the Rubber Bowl, but it just isn't working. Why....It's kinda hard to sneak a couple kegs and a grill on the Zip Express busses.

Second, we need the community to be more involved. If you can go to the game and then mosey on over to another entertainment establishment, that will be better than what we currently have at the Rubber bowl.

The third and most important way to develop a fan base is to start winning consistently. So bottom line, downtown Akron/campus area is ideal for the stadium. I hope that if a stadium is planned, the University will recognize this. UA needs to be selfish. We need to take of our problems and not get intertwined with someone elses problems.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I know that the university has made every effort to get students to the Rubber Bowl, but it just isn't working. Why....It's kinda hard to sneak a couple kegs and a grill on the Zip Express busses.

Memo to Existing University of Akron students:

Pay no attention to this quote! If sneaking kegs and grills on Zips Express busses is a problem, please consult me. I did my Masters thesis on this very topic!

[Dr Z]

He would say only that the land is in northern Summit County. Migliorini said the land lies between the Ohio Turnpike and Interstate 271.

I vote for this since it should be about 5 mins from my house.

As long as it isn't 1 min from my house.

[Guest Guest_racer]

i agree the uiniveristy needs something downtown near the baseball staduim. they could also play the occer there ,and high school football.their are already places to eat bars ect. a stadium their would make for a nice game day setup.i also think more business may start moving down there if a new stadium is put up.that would be like osu putting a staduim in westerville ,ohio. stupid move.summit would not be a good move.

[Zipsrifle]

In additon to what I posted below, here is another thing. I believe that this stadium has nothing to do with the Zips. Pulling the Zips into the stadium is the only way the CLEVELAND SOCCER FANS can get a MLS team. The only thing that matters for them is that CLEVELAND fans can attend a MLS Soccer game. If it hurts Zips Football, they don't care....They don't go to the games anyway. If the stadium gets built, that's all that matters.

I was under the impression that the reason they were building the stadium in Summit County was so that it was convienent for both Akron and Cleveland fans. There aren't enough fans in Cleveland so they need good access from all areas, hence the Turnpike and the location. Well, I see it this way. People in Cleveland don't support the Zips. They don't show highlights after the games on TV and and we get as much write up in the PD as the ABJ. If they want us to put our weight behind it, then build it in Akron. People in Akron and Canton need to travel to Cleveland to see the Cavs, Browns, and Indians. Why should the Akron Football fans now need to travel out of their way to see their hometown team so Cleveland fans don't have to drive as far? If UA is going to support this they need to take the stand that it is in Akron, period.

Oh, one more thing, I don't really believe that moving a stadium closer to Cleveland will draw many more Cleveland Zips Fans either. I tend to believe we are a rather hardy bunch that don't mind a 1/2-3/4 hour drive to see a game.

[Guest Guest_Kangaroo Craig]

All very good points! If Mike Thomas considers moving the Zips to Boston Heights then he is committing suicide on our football program. The new stadium must! be located within walking distance of campus and it must! seat at least 45,000. Anything short of that is a disaster and a waste of money!

[Guest Muulah]

A 45,000 seat stadium would be a joke. There have been years that Akron U has not drawn 45K for ALL GAMES. What Akron needs is a stadium seating between 25-30K which they can fill once the team starts winning. Even Louisville (similar enrollment and city size) does not have a 45K seat stadium.

[Zipsrifle]

I happen to agree that we probably shouldn't start out with a stadium much bigger than the Rubber Bowl. The key is that there is a plan and room for future expansion. Here is my thought process. First, it will be a lot cheaper to build a stadim that is 30, 35,000 and therefore it will have a greater chance of becoming a reality. Second, once the team starts winning, and the bowl starts filling up (and the Football team is making more money), reinvest it in the stadium. Continue this process till we are up to 111,112 fans and we win the NCAA Championship in 2012.

[Guest UA Fan]

I happen to agree that we probably shouldn't start out with a stadium much bigger than the Rubber Bowl.  The key is that there is a plan and room for future expansion.  Here is my thought process.  First, it will be a lot cheaper to build a stadim that is 30, 35,000 and therefore it will have a greater chance of becoming a reality.  Second, once the team starts winning, and the bowl starts filling up (and the Football team is making more money), reinvest it in the stadium. Continue this process till we are up to 111,112 fans and we win the NCAA Championship in 2012.