AKRON, Ohio — For a decade, one among Akron’s most iconic properties downtown hasn’t had many guests. Quaker Sq. shut its doorways to the general public in 2015. After that, the College of Akron bought the property for pupil use. The college vacated the property by 2022.
Now, a gaggle of six native builders referred to as “The Quaker Sq. Redevelopment Group” is within the strategy of closing on the acquisition of the complicated.
Members of the event group embody, Kyle Craven, Vice President, Craven Building, Joseph Scaccio, President, Carmen Building, Steve Dimengo, Managing Companion, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLP, Danielle Hysell, Managing Companion, Briarwood Building, Jim Riter, President, A. Crano Excavating, and former Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic.
The group is dedicated to reimagining the land that point forgot.
“My grandpa labored right here, he labored right here since 1920, till 1957,” mentioned Joe Scaccio, a part of Quaker Sq. Redevelopment Group.
Scaccio mentioned the deep roots of Quaker Oats in Akron have been very important for his household and plenty of others, “I heard about tales from rising up, your grandpa labored at Quaker Oats, and that is how we survived.”
In April 1975, the outdated manufacturing facility opened as a household favourite vacation spot for purchasing, eating, and even staying within the distinctive grain silo lodge.
“Everyone has large recollections of what it was like within the 70’s, after which a lodge got here right here. So, we’re nonetheless going to maintain that alive all people loves historical past, all people loves these recollections,” mentioned Steve Dimengo, a part of Quaker Sq. Redevelopment Group.
Fifty years later, strolling by the abandoned eating places and outlets, the group has countless concepts to attract folks again to downtown Akron.
Some concepts embody a rooftop restaurant and bar on high of the complicated, a comedy membership, 200 redesigned lodge rooms, quite a few retailers and eating places, in addition to workplace and co-working house.
Builders although are dedicated to creating certain the complicated nonetheless feels just like the Quaker Sq. you keep in mind, “We need to maintain all this artwork work, we need to maintain it as is. We love the historic worth that it brings, and folks keep in mind that,” mentioned Kyle Craven, a part of Quaker Sq. Redevelopment Group.
The sale of the property is anticipated to be closed by Could or June 2025, with work starting instantly. The redevelopment group thinks your loved ones may very well be again inside Quaker Sq. by early 2026.
“We’re proud, I even get emotional about it, that we’re native homeowners. Which implies that we’re actually dedicated to it, and we need to make it succeed,” mentioned Dimengo.
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