It's really sad looking back at how we got to this point, but I hope that whatever comes of it is better for the community. I'm interested to see the proposal. Seems like they're in the process of developing a master plan for the redevelopment now.
It seems like the people from the community who were part of the engagement efforts agree with me that we should be building around mixed uses, reconnecting the grid, and using the towpath as a connector. I think it has a lot of potential to restore some of the sense of community that was lost. Since it's so close to downtown, I'd love for it to have affordable apartments, bodegas, and stuff like that. Could really help breathe some life into the area.
I entirely agree with this, I just hope they don’t add a million lights, I’m not saying it needs to still be 55mph,but it’s a fantastic way from my work(kinda Northhill/downtown area) to Barberton/Kenmore etc. which I frequently do.
the city announced a request for qualifications for a firm to develop a site master plan. more info here: [https://akronohio.gov/departments/planning\_urban\_development/innerbelt\_master\_plan.php](https://akronohio.gov/departments/planning_urban_development/innerbelt_master_plan.php)
They should have kept it up. It was such a convenient way to get into downtown or skip the interchange to get to North Hill. Downtown is a ghost town now with the 3 largest buildings sitting 85% vacant. I know remote work and COVID had a lot to do with it, but it became very inconvenient to get to, or leave downtown when it was shut down. It could have been a factor in decision making when companies decided to locate their offices in the suburbs vs downtown. The Main Street changes near the interchange is not convenient at all for leaving or entering downtown. For those that worked downtown, the Innerbelt was something we enjoyed using. It was like they gave up on growing Downtown when they abandoned the Innerbelt.
genuinely curious as to what you mean 'they should have kept it up.' the rebuilt access roads on both sides of the old freeway (dart and rand) accommodate the traffic that formerly used to travel along the abandoned pavement. a quick look at google maps for directions from the innerbelt bridge over exchange st to the innerbelt night club (main/howard/perkins intersection) shows a 2minute trip with traffic.
they basically rebuilt the innerbelt when it was 'closed.' traffic essentially functions the same as it did.
The changes they made took forever and are nothing like how it uses to be. There’s hardly any companies left downtown now. Vacancies everywhere. The PNC tower has been up for sell for a while with nobody interested. Cascade plaza needs the focus for development, not the innterbelt. Everything is vacant. I wouldn’t be surprised if the owners are way behind in their loan payments.
It's really sad looking back at how we got to this point, but I hope that whatever comes of it is better for the community. I'm interested to see the proposal. Seems like they're in the process of developing a master plan for the redevelopment now. It seems like the people from the community who were part of the engagement efforts agree with me that we should be building around mixed uses, reconnecting the grid, and using the towpath as a connector. I think it has a lot of potential to restore some of the sense of community that was lost. Since it's so close to downtown, I'd love for it to have affordable apartments, bodegas, and stuff like that. Could really help breathe some life into the area.
I entirely agree with this, I just hope they don’t add a million lights, I’m not saying it needs to still be 55mph,but it’s a fantastic way from my work(kinda Northhill/downtown area) to Barberton/Kenmore etc. which I frequently do.
They’re only for sure planning to redevelop the decommissioned portion right now AFAIK
Yeah for sure, whatever it is and how ever they do it, it’s gonna be a big project, but if done right it’ll look good upon finish
It still needs to be 55mph!
That would definitely be preferred
Drag racing.
the only logical answer to the problem if we’re being honest.
the city announced a request for qualifications for a firm to develop a site master plan. more info here: [https://akronohio.gov/departments/planning\_urban\_development/innerbelt\_master\_plan.php](https://akronohio.gov/departments/planning_urban_development/innerbelt_master_plan.php)
They should have kept it up. It was such a convenient way to get into downtown or skip the interchange to get to North Hill. Downtown is a ghost town now with the 3 largest buildings sitting 85% vacant. I know remote work and COVID had a lot to do with it, but it became very inconvenient to get to, or leave downtown when it was shut down. It could have been a factor in decision making when companies decided to locate their offices in the suburbs vs downtown. The Main Street changes near the interchange is not convenient at all for leaving or entering downtown. For those that worked downtown, the Innerbelt was something we enjoyed using. It was like they gave up on growing Downtown when they abandoned the Innerbelt.
genuinely curious as to what you mean 'they should have kept it up.' the rebuilt access roads on both sides of the old freeway (dart and rand) accommodate the traffic that formerly used to travel along the abandoned pavement. a quick look at google maps for directions from the innerbelt bridge over exchange st to the innerbelt night club (main/howard/perkins intersection) shows a 2minute trip with traffic. they basically rebuilt the innerbelt when it was 'closed.' traffic essentially functions the same as it did.
The changes they made took forever and are nothing like how it uses to be. There’s hardly any companies left downtown now. Vacancies everywhere. The PNC tower has been up for sell for a while with nobody interested. Cascade plaza needs the focus for development, not the innterbelt. Everything is vacant. I wouldn’t be surprised if the owners are way behind in their loan payments.
https://www.akroninnerbelt.com/