An outsider's view of downtown's quest for revitalization

[ZachTheZip]

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...ESS06/806240302An interesting article showing the two clashing mindsets here in Akron: the Progressives and the Pessimists.

[Zipsrifle]

With an 11% vacancy rate, you would expect some developer somewhere would be looking to add more office space. I have to say, it's pretty impressive that Akron has been the only major Ohio city to increase downtown employment in the past decade. Considering the money that is thrown around in Cleveland and the boomtown that is Cowlumbus, these figures are impressive. The problem is that too many people in this town have been battered by the past 40 years and don't believe it can get better. Proenza is one of those very rare personas with the ambition, foresight and belief to remake an entire city. I get so frustrated with how some in the local community, and others outside of Akron, feel UofA should just go away. Indeed, UofA is, IMO, the single greatest asset this city has right now. Proenza realizes this and, at a turning point in Ohio higher education, is remaking "Hilltop High" into the Technological University for Northern Ohio. I'll tell you what, I think the underlying forces are already in motion that will result in a HUGE change in this city in the next 15 years. If Akron can nail down the Bridgestone deal, this city will be as unrecognizable in 10 years as UofA is to me less than a decade from my graduation.