Newsletter: Medina County Economic Development Corporation - UNIVERSITY CENTER IS RIGHT ON SCHEDULE

Newsletters > Medina County University Center

UNIVERSITY CENTER IS RIGHT ON SCHEDULE

Several high-tech firms reported to be interested in new Lafayette campus

By DENISE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer June 2, 2006

LAFAYETTE TWP. — Work on the University of Akron Medina County University Center and Business Technology Park is under way and moving along as planned, said James Doutt, executive director of the county economic development corporation.
     Parcels in the 54-acre technology park, located near state Route 162 and Lake Road, are up for sale, and several companies have expressed interest, he noted.
     Because there have been only preliminary conversations, Doutt could not comment on specific companies, but he did say they deal with technological products.
     "Because of the zoning, basic manufacturing or distribution warehouses are not permitted," Doutt said. "We're looking to create high-wage, high-tech jobs. It's zoned only for high-tech businesses."
     Ownership of the tech park was transferred last fall to the Medina County Port Authority, which is developing a marketing plan to attract businesses to the property, he said.
     When parcels are sold, the port authority will use the money to reimburse the county for about $600,000 spent on infrastructure, including roads and sewers. The county's expenditures were greatly reduced by two grants, one for $1 million and the second for $250,000, which paid for the majority of the roads and sewers, respectively, Doutt said.
     The University of Akron is in charge of the construction of the university center, which includes a 30,000-square-foot, three-story classroom building. The building will be made of the same red-brown brick, stone and glass that comprise the buildings recently added to UA's main campus.
     Construction is scheduled to begin this month or in July, with the completed facility ready to open for classes in fall 2007, Doutt said.
     Various planning subcommittees have already been set up, including one that will establish the initial courses that will be offered, he noted.
     About $6 million has been raised so far from state and federal funds, local businesses and private individual pledges.
     "Our target is still at $8 million, but we've made additional requests from legislators and private entities," Doutt said. "I'm confident we're going to get it."
     The $8 million price tag is for the first phase, the university center. The total cost of the project is an estimated $20 million.
     "It's taken a long time," Doutt said. "Our first set of meetings was in October 2000. There's so much work and effort that has come into this, it's going to be a major plus for the county. It's worth waiting for."

Sullivan may be reached at 330-721-4064 or dsullivan@ohio.net.