Politics & Government
University of Akron to Open Satellite Location in Lakewood
More than 10,000 square feet of classrooms slated for historic Bailey Building.
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 , 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.
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“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.
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“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 — 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.
