Mayor Don at UIC game

[GoZips88]

I saw Mayor Don ("The Don") with his new girlfriend at the UIC men's basketball game last Saturday night. Can anyone tell me the last time he attended a game?!? I JUST finished reading the three-page spread on Mack Rhoades in the 12/23 ABJ Sports section and noted the following quote from Mack ..."Facility. We're in the process right now of really analyzing the arena. Do we need a new arena? Do we renovate the arena? We've got the football stadium going. Our vision now in terms of what's next for our facilities is we really need to look at our basketball facility."Are talks going on right now between the U of A and Mayor Don/City of Akron? I know a downtown arena was discussed previously in another thread on the board but I can't help but wonder whether seeing Mayor Don at the JAR has anything to do with discussions that may be going on (me thinks YES).

[ZippyRulz]

Hmm. I don't recall ever seeing the Don at any Zips event. There was the tiff over the Quaker Square purchase but then the U. made an agreement to preserve some hotel rooms so I assume that is patched over. On the one hand, I wouldn't read too much into his going to one game but on the other hand I'm sure everything with him has some political nuance and if there is anything bubbling with a new arena he would probably want to assess the current situation first. Like you say, there have already been discussions about it but I don't think we can infer too much about any planning/progress based on DP's appearance and I'm sure Mack is being rather discreet in his comments to the ABJ. The way I see it is this:1) DP & city leaders would love to have a spiffy arena to complement Canal Park for year-round minor league sports and events and to boost downtown activity, businesses and tax revenue.2) It wouldn't make sense for UA to dump big bucks into revamping the JAR if there is going to be a spiffy arena downtown (practically on campus)3) If they can cooperate on finances, scheduling, etc. it is in the best interest of both parties and therefore the most likely outcome.4) The JAR would not become redundant as it would still be useful in its current state for volleyball, intramurals etc. (especially once Memorial Hall goes away)

[Hilltopper]

4) The JAR would not become redundant as it would still be useful in its current state for volleyball, intramurals etc. (especially once Memorial Hall goes away)

I believe that Memorial Hall is scheduled to be torn down soon.

[skip-zip]

The JAR is only 25 years old, and is in good shape. And, we aren't filling it. This is not a Rubber Bowl situation, where age and condition really necessitated some action. I'll be very surprised if a new basketball arena becomes a reality in the next 10 years. I know people will talk about it, but based on these factors, it's not going to happen anytime soon.

[Big Zip]

Mayor Don was a regular at the JAR in the late 90s early 2000s. I can't say how often he has been there recently though. I will say if he is at the game it can't be a bad thing. He loves sports and I'm sure would love to build an arena to compliment Canal Park. If you think about it from an economic perspective it would certainly help the continued revitalization of DT Akron. Restaurants and bars seem to have a hard time surviving down there -- Canal Park can only bring so much business. An arena could have minor league hockey, arena football, concerts etc. Anything to take away from Cleveland is helpful. As for the JAR around 2000 there was talk about taking the roof off the arena blowing out a wall and refinishing the arena -- rounding out the top and removing the track. I don't believe the idea was to create a huge arena, but something like 7,500 with luxury amentities. 25 years old or not the arena is not a place of interest for locals, it has horribly site lines, and is generally a terrible place to actually watch a basketball game. This adds up to less opportunity to make money with the JAR. There is no premium seating, no boxes, etc. So regardless of how good the product is on the field it will still be difficulty to get the night in night out attendance and revenue generation needed to continue advancing the program. Finally, don't forget we saw this happen before with Huggins -- lots of money poured into the lesser of two athletic programs drove him away. I hope it doesn't do the same with KD.

[ZachTheZip]

The JAR is only 25 years old, and is in good shape. And, we aren't filling it. This is not a Rubber Bowl situation, where age and condition really necessitated some action. I'll be very surprised if a new basketball arena becomes a reality in the next 10 years. I know people will talk about it, but based on these factors, it's not going to happen anytime soon.

We're not the ones who are planning it. The City of Akron is. If they want to build a brand-new arena for us, I'm certainly not going to complain regardless of whether we actually need one or not.

[Z.I.P.]

The JAR is only 25 years old, and is in good shape. And, we aren't filling it. This is not a Rubber Bowl situation, where age and condition really necessitated some action. I'll be very surprised if a new basketball arena becomes a reality in the next 10 years. I know people will talk about it, but based on these factors, it's not going to happen anytime soon.

We're not the ones who are planning it. The City of Akron is. If they want to build a brand-new arena for us, I'm certainly not going to complain regardless of whether we actually need one or not.

UAK,Trust me my friend, the City of Akron is NOT planning any new arena. HOWEVER, if the University of Akron were interested in putting up the cost of a new arena downtown, His Honor El Don would be more than happy to piggyback on the project in order to take credit for future electoral considerations.My New year's resolution was to be less cynical this year. But damn, if I can't stop telling it the way it is! Which reminds me...