|
O'NEIL'S PROJECT WINS INTERNATIONAL DOWNTOWN AWARD |
(September 30, 1998)- Another downtown Akron project has won a prestigious award. The International Downtown Association (IDA) has bestowed the Economic Development Special Achievement Award on the O'Neil's revitalization project on South Main Street. The same organization presented the AES Campus project with its overall Outstanding Achievement Award in 1996. Canal Park and the Everett Building have also garnered similar awards in the past two years. Mayor Don Plusquellic said today, "We truly have an award-winning downtown. And while we greatly appreciate the recognition we are gaining from the many organizations that have been so impressed with what we have accomplished, it has been most important that our own community has recognized the value of these projects." The IDA award recognizes the adaptive reuse of the former O'Neil's department store, which is undergoing redevelopment into a mixed-use office and entertainment/restaurant complex. Originally a 750,000 square foot structure, the building has been downsized to a more manageable 185,000 square feet by removing the rear two-thirds of the building. Akron's oldest law firm, Roetzel & Andress, will become the primary tenant. Initially, the law firm will occupy about 75,000 square feet on floors four, five and six. They have plans to expand onto floors two and three. The George Group of Cleveland will be developing more than 60,000 square feet of entertainment/restaurant space on the Main Street level and the lower canal level of the building. |
