City of Akron Arena?

[ZachTheZip]

Everything inside the blue line is the campus footprint. If you want an on-campus stadium, pick a spot that is at either within or adjacent to the blue line.I really like the College Street-Market Street area. As it turns out, UA owns the former Mr. Hero lot and all the property across the street from the administration building. I left that out of the original map suggesting that site.

[Jake]

Everything inside the blue line is the campus footprint. If you want an on-campus stadium, pick a spot that is at either within or adjacent to the blue line.I really like the College Street-Market Street area. As it turns out, UA owns the former Mr. Hero lot and all the property across the street from the administration building. I left that out of the original map suggesting that site.

OK, here is my ideal choice for a truly on-campus UA arena: North of East ExchangeSouth of VineEast of SpicerWest of and butting up against Rout 8 I think this is plausable without taking any fraternity and sorority houses, even though some of them on Spicer need to be raised (see the movie "Deliverance") or the soon-to-be SkyWay Restaurant. If UA needs to go further North, then make a deal with the individual Greek organizations. And if leaving SkyWay where it currently plans to be is a problem, make a deal there too. Also, being right next to Route 8 and its exit ramp will make the arena convenient for all of NE, Ohio beyond compare. And for those who want a "downtown arena" too, keep in mind that the mayor's office, the ABJ, The West Side Leader and many politicians like to claim that UA is downtown. County Executive, Russ Pry told me one day at lunch, and I quote, "The new stadium is a plum for downtown." and the ABJ reported, Akron Deputy Mayor for Administration David Lieberth said the Skyway ''will be a great addition to downtown.''win/win - badda bing badda boom!

[g-mann17]

Everything inside the blue line is the campus footprint. If you want an on-campus stadium, pick a spot that is at either within or adjacent to the blue line.I really like the College Street-Market Street area. As it turns out, UA owns the former Mr. Hero lot and all the property across the street from the administration building. I left that out of the original map suggesting that site.

OK, here is my ideal choice for a truly on-campus UA arena: North of East ExchangeSouth of VineEast of SpicerWest of and butting up against Rout 8 I think this is plausable without taking any fraternity and sorority houses, even though some of them on Spicer need to be raised (see the movie "Deliverance") or the soon-to-be SkyWay Restaurant. If UA needs to go further North, then make a deal with the individual Greek organizations. And if leaving SkyWay where it currently plans to be is a problem, make a deal there too. Also, being right next to Route 8 and its exit ramp will make the arena convenient for all of NE, Ohio beyond compare. And for those who want a "downtown arena" too, keep in mind that the mayor's office, the ABJ, The West Side Leader and many politicians like to claim that UA is downtown. County Executive, Russ Pry told me one day at lunch, and I quote, "The new stadium is a plum for downtown." and the ABJ reported, Akron Deputy Mayor for Administration David Lieberth said the Skyway ''will be a great addition to downtown.''win/win - badda bing badda boom!

Yeah, sorry, bad idea on your spot. The University is part of downtown. However; and Arena, wheter a joint effort (which you are clearly against) or run solely by the University needs to be in an area where it can be used for multiple things. You seem to be of the mind of just a new arena. That means the JAR would stay. That means the new Arena would not be used for volleyball. So the only use the Arena would get is basketball. That is not a very good way to pay of an investment. If you place the arena closer to the downtown entertainment district, then concerts and other things will work. The two prime locations are near Canal Park (which is part of campus, if you think that is too far for students to walk, than must think that it's too far for students to walk from Grant St to the Polymer Research center of Simmons.) The second of the two is as close as possible to the John S. Knight center and "historic" district.

[Jake]

I'll repeat again what I've been saying all along.1) We're lacking the NEED for a new arena because we don't sell enough tickets.2) The JAR is only about 25 years old, and is still in great condition.These two factors alone possibly put us a decade or two away from making a new basketball arena a reality.

I believe the JAR is more like 31 years old and was obsolete before they placed the last brick. Thank you small potatoes, Dr. Guzzetta.

[Jake]

Everything inside the blue line is the campus footprint. If you want an on-campus stadium, pick a spot that is at either within or adjacent to the blue line.I really like the College Street-Market Street area. As it turns out, UA owns the former Mr. Hero lot and all the property across the street from the administration building. I left that out of the original map suggesting that site.

OK, here is my ideal choice for a truly on-campus UA arena: North of East ExchangeSouth of VineEast of SpicerWest of and butting up against Rout 8 I think this is plausable without taking any fraternity and sorority houses, even though some of them on Spicer need to be raised (see the movie "Deliverance") or the soon-to-be SkyWay Restaurant. If UA needs to go further North, then make a deal with the individual Greek organizations. And if leaving SkyWay where it currently plans to be is a problem, make a deal there too. Also, being right next to Route 8 and its exit ramp will make the arena convenient for all of NE, Ohio beyond compare. And for those who want a "downtown arena" too, keep in mind that the mayor's office, the ABJ, The West Side Leader and many politicians like to claim that UA is downtown. County Executive, Russ Pry told me one day at lunch, and I quote, "The new stadium is a plum for downtown." and the ABJ reported, Akron Deputy Mayor for Administration David Lieberth said the Skyway ''will be a great addition to downtown.''win/win - badda bing badda boom!

Yeah, sorry, bad idea on your spot. The University is part of downtown. However; and Arena, wheter a joint effort (which you are clearly against) or run solely by the University needs to be in an area where it can be used for multiple things. You seem to be of the mind of just a new arena. That means the JAR would stay. That means the new Arena would not be used for volleyball. So the only use the Arena would get is basketball. That is not a very good way to pay of an investment. If you place the arena closer to the downtown entertainment district, then concerts and other things will work. The two prime locations are near Canal Park (which is part of campus, if you think that is too far for students to walk, than must think that it's too far for students to walk from Grant St to the Polymer Research center of Simmons.) The second of the two is as close as possible to the John S. Knight center and "historic" district.

Where did I mention a concern about student's walking? And, explain how my location for an arena is a bad idea and I'd really like you to explain how my location prevents a multi-purpose arena. And if the stadium is a part of downtown and the Skyway is a part of downtown like Pry and Liberth stated than why would an arena in the area I mentioned not be considered downtown? The fact is that the new UA arena (est. 10,000 people) can acoomodate concerts, etc in the location that I oulined, just as the stadium will (30,000 people). And, sorry but you are wrong, Canal Park is not part of the campus. Look at the map. UA doesn't own Canal Park. The city does. The only thing you have going for you are dishonesty and poetry about what is and what is not on campus. I state facts while you dream up dishonest garbage. And the JAR is going nowhere regardless of where the new arena will be located. Your post makes no sense.

[Jake]

Everything inside the blue line is the campus footprint. If you want an on-campus stadium, pick a spot that is at either within or adjacent to the blue line.I really like the College Street-Market Street area. As it turns out, UA owns the former Mr. Hero lot and all the property across the street from the administration building. I left that out of the original map suggesting that site.

OK, here is my ideal choice for a truly on-campus UA arena: North of East ExchangeSouth of VineEast of SpicerWest of and butting up against Rout 8 I think this is plausable without taking any fraternity and sorority houses, even though some of them on Spicer need to be raised (see the movie "Deliverance") or the soon-to-be SkyWay Restaurant. If UA needs to go further North, then make a deal with the individual Greek organizations. And if leaving SkyWay where it currently plans to be is a problem, make a deal there too. Also, being right next to Route 8 and its exit ramp will make the arena convenient for all of NE, Ohio beyond compare. And for those who want a "downtown arena" too, keep in mind that the mayor's office, the ABJ, The West Side Leader and many politicians like to claim that UA is downtown. County Executive, Russ Pry told me one day at lunch, and I quote, "The new stadium is a plum for downtown." and the ABJ reported, Akron Deputy Mayor for Administration David Lieberth said the Skyway ''will be a great addition to downtown.''win/win - badda bing badda boom!

Yeah, sorry, bad idea on your spot. The University is part of downtown. However; and Arena, wheter a joint effort (which you are clearly against) or run solely by the University needs to be in an area where it can be used for multiple things. You seem to be of the mind of just a new arena. That means the JAR would stay. That means the new Arena would not be used for volleyball. So the only use the Arena would get is basketball. That is not a very good way to pay of an investment. If you place the arena closer to the downtown entertainment district, then concerts and other things will work. The two prime locations are near Canal Park (which is part of campus, if you think that is too far for students to walk, than must think that it's too far for students to walk from Grant St to the Polymer Research center of Simmons.) The second of the two is as close as possible to the John S. Knight center and "historic" district.

Ok, I get it, If UA books Michael Buble or a soccer match at a campus arena across from and east of the stadium, which itself is designed to ENTERTAIN instead of in Akron's fictitious, self-anointed and off-campus "entertainment district", people will say, "Oh I would live to see Michael Buble or a soccer match, but I can't because he's coming to the University of Akron campus and not in Akron's hopping "entertainment district". How can I have been so obtuse. Thanks for explaining it to me. That must be why Severance Hall and CSU's Wolstein Center are doing so poorly. They are not in the rigidly defined "entertainment district" of Cleveland. I guess that I should never mind about all the great blow out concerts that took place in UA's Memorial Hall over the years where we had to turn people away from the J. Geil's Band, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Bread, Dave Mason, Leonard Skynard, Dick Gregory, The Eagles and more. Yea, they must have been total flops because we weren't in Akron's "hopping" entertainment district.

[Dave in Green]

Lots of things to consider here.First and foremost, it's relevant to discuss a potential future new facility even if the JAR is not currently selling out. You can't wait for the old facility to sell out before starting to discuss a new facility, because it takes years from initial planning to opening. So you need a well thought-out plan in place to start executing as soon as you see a clear trend that the JAR will soon be obsolete for a growing Zips basketball program. Well thought-out plans benefit from the brainstorming of many people of different backgrounds. So no one should feel discouraged about tossing out wild ideas here.Second, the discussion about downtown vs. on campus is a key point. But the clear trend of recent years is that the UA campus is growing more and more into downtown. So if this trend is going to continue into the future, it may be that a location just outside of today's UA campus might be on campus in the near future. I don't have inside knowledge about UA's potential future plans, but perhaps someone posting on this forum does.A location closer to Route 8 makes for the easiest ingress-egress for those who want to just catch the game and hit the road, while a location closer to S. Main would be better for those who want to make it an evening with dinner, drinks, etc. So either location is a compromise that will leave some happier than others.The blue line UA map is a great place to go hunting (thanks, uakronkid).

[g-mann17]

Ok, I get it, If UA books Michael Buble or a soccer match at a campus arena across from and east of the stadium, which itself is designed to ENTERTAIN instead of in Akron's fictitious, self-anointed and off-campus "entertainment district", people will say, "Oh I would live to see Michael Buble or a soccer match, but I can't because he's coming to the University of Akron campus and not in Akron's hopping "entertainment district". How can I have been so obtuse. Thanks for explaining it to me. That must be why Severance Hall and CSU's Wolstein Center are doing so poorly. They are not in the rigidly defined "entertainment district" of Cleveland. I guess that I should never mind about all the great blow out concerts that took place in UA's Memorial Hall over the years where we had to turn people away from the J. Geil's Band, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Bread, Dave Mason, Leonard Skynard, Dick Gregory, The Eagles and more. Yea, they must have been total flops because we weren't in Akron's "hopping" entertainment district.

Hmm let's see, Wolstein Center is in between Prospect and Carnegie, just like the Q and Progressive Field. Where? Right by the entertainment district. Severence Hall is smack in the middle of University Circle, near a major cultural center. There are major things to do around those areas. The purpose of me mentioning about concerts wasn't that people wouldn't go. It's that bands and shows wouldn't come. You mention a lot of interesting bands but when was the last time a major show played a campus facility? Why? Because it's a hard sell because promoters know that people like to make an evening of things. That's why the exit for Blossom has blown up so much.I see what your problem here is Jake, you lack spatial reasoning. Some how you don't realize that campus extends from Rt 8. To Main St. and is between Mill and Exchange. There is no practical area on campus for more athletic buildings. Most of the land we still own is designated for residence halls and academic facilities. Most Universities that have done the "downtown arena" are miles from downtown. We abut downtown and in fact are downtown. Really strong programs like Louisville and Memphis make it work miles away. The reason the Rubber Bowl was a failure is because the team wasn't winning, it was not fan friendly, and is falling apart. You factor those things in, distance becomes an excuse. Hell the JAR is right in the middle of campus and students don't go (no offense Rowdies you know which students I am talking about). If the athletic department is going to boost Basketball attendance they are going to have to either A. win all the time and bring in real competition or B. make the program and facilities catered toward the average fan, the one that pays money and helps the program sustain itself. Look at the decisions behind The Info. Did they just make a bowl with 30,000 seats? No, they listened to the average fans on why they did not like the Rubber Bowl and they listened to the large benefactors of the school. The consensus was that there was a need for a facility designed to appease the alumni, donors, and Joe Akron. The on campus site that was chosen was because we owned 90% of the property needed. They looked at other sites around campus first. One of the major ones was the student services building. Cost and visibility were the main factors on the location selection.On Rt 8 is no different than on Main St for trafic. You have 59 a minute away and very easy access to Parking. Not to mention Main, High, and Broad are designed for quick in flows and out flows of traffic. The Rt. 8 exit is barely adequate. Look at what the state is doing with signage for The Info. They want you take 77 North coming from the south.

[flipthezip]

I thought one of the current ideas in the recent upgrade and expansion of the athletic facilities was to create an athletic campus within the campus.The new arena should be developed on the site of Memorial Hall. The existing space it currently occupies as well as the space between it and the JAR should be ample. I know that area was slated for the new college of education. Just move that project to behind Central Hower or downtown between the old Inventor's Hall of Fame, which is becoming the new STEM Middle School, and Quaker Square. It would allow you tie in with either school building and develop programs for our students to get more time in the classroom while getting their degree.The costs would be minimal in only needing to acguire land form one source either APS or the city. Plus, it makes it easier for the community and students to get to the facility. It is no different then going to the JAR now and over the next several years many will grow accustomed to coming to Info. which will only be a block away.Most importantly, we can do it as our own arena and not as a city partnership. Next step, $$$$.

[Jake]

If UA can make a good business case to build a first class basketball arena near the center of the campus, who would not be for it?If they can't, then the next best option is to partner up on a multipurpose facility with excellent basketball sight lines in a prime location right on the edge of the campus that maintains the look and feel of the campus. But this would require a partner that makes a good business case that a multipurpose entertainment facility can be financially successful in downtown Akron immediately adjacent to the UA campus.In either case, the facility needs to be attractive, friendly and convenient for recruits, players and fans, both students and non-students.Anything less than one of the top two options would be increasingly disappointing, depending on decreasing quality of the facility and/or increasing distance from campus.

The only entity UA would have to make that case to is itself.

[Jake]

Lots of things to consider here.First and foremost, it's relevant to discuss a potential future new facility even if the JAR is not currently selling out. You can't wait for the old facility to sell out before starting to discuss a new facility, because it takes years from initial planning to opening. So you need a well thought-out plan in place to start executing as soon as you see a clear trend that the JAR will soon be obsolete for a growing Zips basketball program. Well thought-out plans benefit from the brainstorming of many people of different backgrounds. So no one should feel discouraged about tossing out wild ideas here.Second, the discussion about downtown vs. on campus is a key point. But the clear trend of recent years is that the UA campus is growing more and more into downtown. So if this trend is going to continue into the future, it may be that a location just outside of today's UA campus might be on campus in the near future. I don't have inside knowledge about UA's potential future plans, but perhaps someone posting on this forum does.A location closer to Route 8 makes for the easiest ingress-egress for those who want to just catch the game and hit the road, while a location closer to S. Main would be better for those who want to make it an evening with dinner, drinks, etc. So either location is a compromise that will leave some happier than others.The blue line UA map is a great place to go hunting (thanks, uakronkid).

Sorry, but there is no clear trend that UA is growing into downtown. That's a fallacy contrived by city hall and more. UA's purchase of the Polsky Building is hardly a sign of a "growing trend to move into downtown" Same goes for Quaker Square (UA turned down the offer to purchase it from Jay Nausbaum three times before they caved in). And the privately owned dorms does not represent UA's campus one bit. The growing trend is that UA is growing into the area south of EAST Exchange Street and East of the existing campus. UA has spent the past ten or so years making itself into a real recognizable campus that is more park-like, pedestrian friendly and it has been said is beginning to resemble a town within a town. That is a good thing. Putting an arena downtown will seriously negate the pedestrian friendly trend of the UA campus. It would be like inviting Buchtel Avenue and Carroll Street back to the center of campus. Butting a multi-purpose UA arena up against Route 8 and next to the UA multi-purpose stadium showcases it and makes it accessible to the region and not just parochial downtown. UA is more about NE, Ohio than it is about downtown Akron.

[ksu sucks]

Sorry, but there is no clear trend that UA is growing into downtown. That's a fallacy contrived by city hall and more.

Jake, your Ohio.com colors are showing.

[Jake]

I thought one of the current ideas in the recent upgrade and expansion of the athletic facilities was to create an athletic campus within the campus.The new arena should be developed on the site of Memorial Hall. The existing space it currently occupies as well as the space between it and the JAR should be ample. I know that area was slated for the new college of education. Just move that project to behind Central Hower or downtown between the old Inventor's Hall of Fame, which is becoming the new STEM Middle School, and Quaker Square. It would allow you tie in with either school building and develop programs for our students to get more time in the classroom while getting their degree.The costs would be minimal in only needing to acguire land form one source either APS or the city. Plus, it makes it easier for the community and students to get to the facility. It is no different then going to the JAR now and over the next several years many will grow accustomed to coming to Info. which will only be a block away.Most importantly, we can do it as our own arena and not as a city partnership. Next step, $$$$.

I like your suggestion about placing the new arena on the foot print of Memorial Hall and the area between it and Rhodes Arena. I thought of that location some time back but felt UA was intent on placing the new college of education building there. But hey, plans can be changed. Here is another possible on-campus location: the parking lots that start east of the Natatorium and travel south behind the Rec Center and Field House and end just North of the new multi-plex dorms being built adjacent to the stadium.

[ZachTheZip]

Here is another possible on-campus location: the parking lots that start east of the Natatorium and travel south behind the Rec Center and Field House and end just North of the new multi-plex dorms being built adjacent to the stadium.

That's a very good location, provided they can attach it to the existing building to form a sort-of sports mega-plex. It would put Akron's sports complex back on top after OSU completes their rec-center competition.

[ksu sucks]

Here is another possible on-campus location: the parking lots that start east of the Natatorium and travel south behind the Rec Center and Field House and end just North of the new multi-plex dorms being built adjacent to the stadium.

That's a very good location, provided they can attach it to the existing building to form a sort-of sports mega-plex. It would put Akron's sports complex back on top after OSU completes their rec-center competition.

Wow. I agree. That's the perfect spot if it would all fit. Awesome spot, Jake.

[Jake]

Ok, I get it, If UA books Michael Buble or a soccer match at a campus arena across from and east of the stadium, which itself is designed to ENTERTAIN instead of in Akron's fictitious, self-anointed and off-campus "entertainment district", people will say, "Oh I would live to see Michael Buble or a soccer match, but I can't because he's coming to the University of Akron campus and not in Akron's hopping "entertainment district". How can I have been so obtuse. Thanks for explaining it to me. That must be why Severance Hall and CSU's Wolstein Center are doing so poorly. They are not in the rigidly defined "entertainment district" of Cleveland. I guess that I should never mind about all the great blow out concerts that took place in UA's Memorial Hall over the years where we had to turn people away from the J. Geil's Band, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Bread, Dave Mason, Leonard Skynard, Dick Gregory, The Eagles and more. Yea, they must have been total flops because we weren't in Akron's "hopping" entertainment district.

Hmm let's see, Wolstein Center is in between Prospect and Carnegie, just like the Q and Progressive Field. Where? Right by the entertainment district. Severence Hall is smack in the middle of University Circle, near a major cultural center. There are major things to do around those areas. The purpose of me mentioning about concerts wasn't that people wouldn't go. It's that bands and shows wouldn't come. You mention a lot of interesting bands but when was the last time a major show played a campus facility? Why? Because it's a hard sell because promoters know that people like to make an evening of things. That's why the exit for Blossom has blown up so much.I see what your problem here is Jake, you lack spatial reasoning. Some how you don't realize that campus extends from Rt 8. To Main St. and is between Mill and Exchange. There is no practical area on campus for more athletic buildings. Most of the land we still own is designated for residence halls and academic facilities. Most Universities that have done the "downtown arena" are miles from downtown. We abut downtown and in fact are downtown. Really strong programs like Louisville and Memphis make it work miles away. The reason the Rubber Bowl was a failure is because the team wasn't winning, it was not fan friendly, and is falling apart. You factor those things in, distance becomes an excuse. Hell the JAR is right in the middle of campus and students don't go (no offense Rowdies you know which students I am talking about). If the athletic department is going to boost Basketball attendance they are going to have to either A. win all the time and bring in real competition or B. make the program and facilities catered toward the average fan, the one that pays money and helps the program sustain itself. Look at the decisions behind The Info. Did they just make a bowl with 30,000 seats? No, they listened to the average fans on why they did not like the Rubber Bowl and they listened to the large benefactors of the school. The consensus was that there was a need for a facility designed to appease the alumni, donors, and Joe Akron. The on campus site that was chosen was because we owned 90% of the property needed. They looked at other sites around campus first. One of the major ones was the student services building. Cost and visibility were the main factors on the location selection.On Rt 8 is no different than on Main St for trafic. You have 59 a minute away and very easy access to Parking. Not to mention Main, High, and Broad are designed for quick in flows and out flows of traffic. The Rt. 8 exit is barely adequate. Look at what the state is doing with signage for The Info. They want you take 77 North coming from the south.

Your assessment of why major shows don't come to campus is way off base. Major shows will come to an on-campus arena near the stadium and next to route 8. All that has to be done is for the UA to want to bring them. Promoters will come to campus. They did when I was in charge of major events. Major shows are presented on-campus all the time at UA's PAH. They've been in the JAR and as I said Memorial Hall. People can make an evening of things by going to campus. My point is that Severance Hall and Wolstein are not considered in the "entertainment district" yet they do just fine as you pointed out helping me to win my argument, thank you. You're so dishonest you can't keep up with your own contradictions. You're just pulling your expertise out of your rear. I've worked with promoters and they would love to come to the UA campus. Audiences are not going to turn down the opportunity to see what they like on campus because being on campus won't allow them to make an evening of things. And, there are major things to do around that area. UA itself is a major cultural center. Are you stating that the area of the stadium isn't near places to wine, dine and have fun? Looks like you are the one with lack of spatial reasoning. My spatial reasoning is just fine. That you think the campus goes to Main Street is only in your head. It doesn't. You argue that the new stadium will please "Joe Akron" but that an arena next to it won't? You contradict yourself and I think I know why. You just want a downtown arena at any cost. And, that is why you've cooked up this idea that "no one will come to campus". You are not only wrong, you are lying. I'm sure UA will love your analysis that promoters won't put shows in the multi-purpose stadium because "no one will come."The truth is that promoters will jump at the chance to put shows in an arena that is on campus right next to a campus stadium that will draw thousands of people to that end of the campus.My location is the most ideal one for the new multi-purpose arena. From that location people can take advantage of the informal eateries across the street as well as Skyway. They can go to the new Mannie's Pub, Chop Styx and coffee shop. Virtues in City Hospital would be a stone's throw away. 4,000 to 5,000 UA students will be living right on campus within the shadow of the new arena. A very short drive to the northwest will take people to Luigis, the Chophouse on East Market and Crave. Just down the street from the arena and stadium, are Fuel, Martini's, Bricco, Brubakers The Barley House, House of Hunan, The spaghetti warehouse, Lockview and more.People don't need eateris so close to the arena that they trip over them when they walk out the door. The UA campus is the hopping place to be more so than downtown.

[Jake]

Sorry, but there is no clear trend that UA is growing into downtown. That's a fallacy contrived by city hall and more.

Jake, your Ohio.com colors are showing.

Sorry, but a few on this site are just as dishonest and trollish as those on Ohio.com. Like popeye, I yam what I yam. I have no intention of changing or adapting.

[Jake]

Here is another possible on-campus location: the parking lots that start east of the Natatorium and travel south behind the Rec Center and Field House and end just North of the new multi-plex dorms being built adjacent to the stadium.

That's a very good location, provided they can attach it to the existing building to form a sort-of sports mega-plex. It would put Akron's sports complex back on top after OSU completes their rec-center competition.

Wow. I agree. That's the perfect spot if it would all fit. Awesome spot, Jake.

Thanks and I still think my original spot would be the best. However, if UA chooses the sites next to the Natatorium, Rec Center, Field House and multiplex dorms, connecting it to the Field House let's say won't be a problem, but if they don't it is still a great spot. And, I'm pretty confident it will all fit. Again, BUILD THE UA ARENA ON CAMPUS AND NOT DOWNTOWN. If anyone is interested, there are bumper stickers available proclaiming this message.

[ZachTheZip]

The parking lot next to the field house is about the same size as the JAR's footprint. I think you could put a 8,000 seat stadium there. A building the size of the JAR could hold a lot more if you don't have all the offices and classrooms attached to it.

[Jake]

The parking lot next to the field house is about the same size as the JAR's footprint. I think you could put a 8,000 seat stadium there. A building the size of the JAR could hold a lot more if you don't have all the offices and classrooms attached to it.

It's not just next to the Field House. It encompasses the lots adjacent to the Natatorium and Rec center. And here is a quote from the Kalamazoo Gazzette:"Yet, the hard truth is that off-campus sporting events don't draw students.There is no campus shuttle or marketing campaign that will ever solve this".

[Jake]

The parking lot next to the field house is about the same size as the JAR's footprint. I think you could put a 8,000 seat stadium there. A building the size of the JAR could hold a lot more if you don't have all the offices and classrooms attached to it.

It's not just next to the Field House. It encompasses the lots adjacent to the Natatorium and Rec center. And here is a quote from the Kalamazoo Gazzette:"Yet, the hard truth is that off-campus sporting events don't draw students.There is no campus shuttle or marketing campaign that will ever solve this".

If UA wants the students to support their basketball team and help to reach UA's goal of being in the BIG 10, UA will build their arena smack dab conspicuously in the heart of the UA campus and nowhere near cruddy downtown.

[ksu sucks]

If anyone is interested, there are bumper stickers available proclaiming this message.

HAHA please share the link. I'd love one.

[g-mann17]

Sorry, but there is no clear trend that UA is growing into downtown. That's a fallacy contrived by city hall and more.

Jake, your Ohio.com colors are showing.

Sorry, but a few on this site are just as dishonest and trollish as those on Ohio.com. Like popeye, I yam what I yam. I have no intention of changing or adapting.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - AristotleJake, since are you claiming about dishonesty and trollishness I figured it important to point some things out. All you have done since being on here is contradict what people say by calling them a liar. You have yet to entertain anyone's idea but your own.Most of us have had this conversation for years. The truth is that the University is growing to the west. We have Polsky, a parking deck, a parking lot, CBA, and the dumpy building next to it, and Quaker. By denying the fact that we are expanding our borders to Main St. you deny anything that the school has done in the last 20 years. You seem to be greatly against expansion. If like minded people had existed in the 60's we wouldn't have buildings on the other side of Exchange. In order for the school to get bigger and better it has to expand. To deny the school's true boundaries (not the shaded map, or you own imaginary perimeter) is to hold the school back. You proposed a lot of similar size to what the JAR sits on now. That is an interesting concept, but parking on campus is at a true premium. With increased residential students parking will be at an even higher premium. Both lots you have mentioned are under consideration for parking decks due to the 400-800 new students who will be living in the Stadium Megaplex. But again, I can only anticipate you calling me a liar and a troll because my opinion differs from your own. So Bilbo, continue having fun using the word conspicuous and screaming that an arena in the middle of all the beautiful green space that is being created is the only way we will ever have a good program and move on. You disregard so many other examples to the contrary it is amazing.

[ZippyRulz]

Most of us have had this conversation for years. The truth is that the University is growing to the west. We have Polsky, a parking deck, a parking lot, CBA, and the dumpy building next to it, and Quaker. By denying the fact that we are expanding our borders to Main St. you deny anything that the school has done in the last 20 years.

Plus the 22 Exchange student apts.; also we will be heavily involved in the BioInnovation Inst. in the downtown/Market medical corridor. Why would we not want to expand and spruce up wherever we can? Should we stay away from cruddy Spicertown rather than go in and renovate? I like the idea of keeping the athletic facilities together but I also don't think they would put anything further into the core of the (academic) campus re: Memorial Hall site.

[g-mann17]

Plus the 22 Exchange student apts.; also we will be heavily involved in the BioInnovation Inst. in the downtown/Market medical corridor. Why would we not want to expand and spruce up wherever we can? Should we stay away from cruddy Spicertown rather than go in and renovate? I like the idea of keeping the athletic facilities together but I also don't think they would put anything further into the core of the (academic) campus re: Memorial Hall site.

Exactly, the University is a driving factor for the city and the city is a driving factor for the University. It's foolish to think the two are seperate entities. People who treat them as such are stuck in an era that is completely backward thinking.Hell within the next 5-10 years we are going to have a distance learning center in Barberton and improvements to the Holmes County Campus are being shaped up. My original proposal for the arena was diagonally from The Info (getting rid of the plasma center). However that appears extremely unlikely. But again, expansion happens on the borders. As far I'm concerned I want to see the campus stretch from Thornton to Market and Rt 8 to Main. Obviously with certain exceptions for existing established and respectable properties but overall that is the acreage I see the campus eventually utilizing. Also I am one who believes that the cost burden for something that benefits everyone should not be taken on by a single entity. The Arena will benefit everyone, and should have all parties (University, City, and County) footing the bill. Ultimately it should be University ran ala EJ Thomas but it should be for the entire community and located as such. Somewhere on the campus border that invites people to experience The University of Akron and the culture of the City of Akron.