Lichter is best known in the area for his efforts in the Canal Place redevelopment, which brought an estimated 3000 jobs to downtown Akron; and, more recently, his purchase and redevelopment of the Lockheed Martin Complex. The Canal Place project, the mixed use redevelopment of the former BF Goodrich complex, received national recognition with the Arthur D. Little award for excellence in economic development in 1991.

The project would also fit with Goodyear's business needs according to Joe Gingo, (JING-oe) Goodyear's executive vice president and chief technical officer who has been charged with looking into more productive office space.  "Working with Stu's team, we have initiated a comprehensive study to review the economics, viability and benefits," Gingo said.

"Our outdated facilities are not conducive to effective and efficient business in today's environment," Gingo added.  "To fully understand the dynamics and economics of creating a new business environment, and in the interest of fairness to shareholders, the company needed to thoroughly study all options."

According to Gingo, while Goodyear was preparing to review those options, Lichter came in with his company's proposal to create a new Goodyear Akron complex. 

Plusquellic said, "A project of such magnitude will need the joint cooperation of Goodyear, IRG, the City of Akron, Summit County, the state of Ohio and federal government to work, but we see this as a huge win-win for everyone involved. I'm elated that Goodyear has given all of us in the Akron Community an opportunity to keep them here and I appreciate very much their willingness to re-commit to Akron, if we can do our part."

Summit County Executive James B. McCarthy said, "I am pleased to work with the City to help keep Goodyear in Akron. This will be good not only for Akron but for the region."

Lichter said, "Goodyear's decision to pursue the possibility of building a new campus in Akron as their primary solution to the problems of the present location is a terrific development for the city of Akron and the region. The development would also open up a great opportunity for us to redevelop the existing facilities into a new engine for business development and job creation in Akron."

The existing Goodyear buildings, totaling approximately 800,000 usable square feet, would be converted to a mixed use complex of office, commercial and retail space by IRG. It is estimated by IRG that the mixed use development will create an additional 2,000 jobs with an approximate payroll of $80 million. The new campus of buildings would retain the more than 3,000 jobs at Goodyear totaling an estimated $350 million in payroll. 

If viable, the project would provide the City of Akron, Summit County and the State of Ohio a long-term commitment from Goodyear for its corporate and North American headquarters as well as an economic base of growth that Lichter's mixed use development will provide.