University of Akron to Open Satellite Location in Lakewood
More than 10,000 square feet of classrooms slated for historic Bailey Building.
Photos
The University of Akron is scheduled to open a satellite location this fall in Lakewood.
The university's board of trustees approved the 11,000-square-foot education facility during its semiannual meeting Wednesday morning. The satellite location will be based at the corner of Detroit Avenue and Warren Road in the historic Bailey Building.
News that the university planned to branch out to Lakewood had been rumored for months, and though many of the major players talked openly about the progress, there was no final confirmation until Wednesday morning. Now, though, Lakewood officials view the satellite location as a major boon to the city.
“Today’s workplace increasingly requires continued skill enhancement,” Lakewood Mayor Mike Summers said in a news release. “The University of Akron’s programs will provide Lakewood’s citizens access to new opportunities to be even more competitive."
City officials, representatives from LakewoodAlive and the university's project team have been working on the satellite project for much of the last year.
“We are excited about the opportunities for businesses, institutions and the community that will result from a University of Akron presence here in Lakewood,” Mary Anne Crampton, the executive director of economic development for LakeWood Alive, said in the release.
Summers said earlier this year that UA will offer certificate programs in the medical service industry at the new location.
The university is just the latest in a line of new tenants in the area — Moe's Southwestern Grill and Jimmy John's moved in recently to the nearby INA Building — though it certainly has the highest profile.
“This is going to be huge for Lakewood,” Myrna Previte, the vice president for Kowit & Passov Real Estate Group's office division, said earlier this year. “Having the University of Akron and their name on our building will give us more exposure to others interested in coming here. It’s going to increase the foot traffic both from people in the city and from elsewhere."
Patch writer Mike Cottrill contributed to this report.
Sheila Weil
4:31 am on Thursday, April 28, 2011
Which building is it? The one pictured is the INA building (with Panera Bread), the building to the right of that (that they recently renovated and Jimmy John's is in) is still the Bailey building, with all the space to rent. I was under the impression that it was the Bailey building that was up for grabs.
Sheila Weil
4:31 am on Thursday, April 28, 2011
Either way, awesome news!
Paul Grimm
9:46 am on Thursday, April 28, 2011
I hope they will offer night and weekend classes.
Matt LaWell
11:29 am on Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sheila, it is, in fact, the Bailey Building, as reflected in the corrected information.
Paul, no news yet on night or weekend classes, but we will continue to provide information on the developing situation during the weeks and months ahead.