Akron's Hibernating Rubber Line: Real Opportunity
Akron's Main St. has been mauled on the northern and southern ends; both separated from downtown by infrastructure that cleaved through our neighborhoods. This would encourage new transit oriented development. What stops us from achieving this? Only "political will"?
The rubber giants of Goodyear and Firestone helped build Akron for as long as they could remain profitable and have since abandoned the city. They remain to a much smaller degree than their heyday and Goodyear East End has begun commercialization of the former factory. We believe that they are not taking an aggressive enough approach to facilitating the commerce that occurs here. Foot traffic is the number one factor for brick and mortar retail survival. This could be achieved via a transportation terminal:
This strategically convenient location could serve two purposes. One would be inter-city from Canton to Akron that has a companion "Roo" University of Akron express bus-line to the Student Union. The second would be an Akron specific rail from East End all the way to Firestone HQ. The city of Akron already owns a dormant right of way that goes from the East End (shown above) and the Firestone HQ shown below.
The right of way would only need modified to run parallel to Johnston St. and Brown St. to get it under I-76, than it can reconnect to the abandoned right of way within the industrial area just south of the interstate.
This area serves as a former economic hub supplying many jobs to the area. The building can continue to serve the area, by taking notes from the East End development. South Akron has not seen the same level of investment as other neighborhoods, and this would provide job opportunities within the retail environment. A local grocery and a few other services /office/residential opportunities await the historical site. The rubber industry has taken a toll on the physical well being of the areas inhabitants; this would be a small step helping the neighborhood see new investment and opportunities for the residents.
Additional Images of the abandoned line heading into Goodyear East End
Akron's Main St. has been mauled on the northern and southern ends; both separated from downtown by infrastructure that cleaved through our neighborhoods. This would encourage new transit oriented development. What stops us from achieving this? Only "political will"?
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