Cascade Plaza, Akron

Cascade Plaza is an open space with plantings and pedestrian walkways in Akron, Ohio. It was developed in the late 1960s as part of an urban renewal project that also included construction of two high rises. As of 2013 plans were going forward for a major overhaul.

Cascade Plaza
Buildings around the plaza. From the left, FirstMerit Tower, Akron City Centre Hotel, Three Cascade Plaza (low rise) and National City Center
LocationAkron, Ohio, United States
Coordinates41.082222°N 81.519168°W / 41.082222; -81.519168
BuiltLate 1960s
Location within Ohio

Location

The plaza was built on the site of a five-story flour mill built by Dr. Eliakim Crosby in 1831. A diversion dam was built on the Little Cuyahoga River in Middlebury, from which a canal brought water south down the present Main Street, turning right at Mill Street to deliver power to the mill at Lock Five, where the plaza's hotel is now. The canal also powered other factories. The hamlet of Cascade grew up in the area, with a population of 128 by July 1833, compared to 329 for Akron.[1] The Flatiron Building, a seven-story low rise built in 1907 and demolished in 1967 also stood on the site.[2]

Plaza

The plaza lies on the west side of South Main Street, and forms the roof of a five-level underground parking lot.[3] Lawrence Halprin planned the Cascade Plaza. It was a major urban renewal project covering 2 acres (0.81 ha) and featuring a central skating rink.[4] The plaza has a fountain sculpture designed by Don Drumm and erected in 1968, overleaf, stainless steel rods with anodized, cast aluminum panels.[5]

Buildings

There are four buildings on the site, linked at the ground level by the plaza: Akron City Center Hotel, Cascade I, Cascade III and Huntington Tower.[3] The hotel (formerly the Radisson Hotel Akron City Centre) is a 19-story modernist high rise complete in 1969.[6][7] Cascade I, at One Cascade Plaza and 140 South Main Street, is also called the PNC Center. It is a 23-story steel high-rise completed in 1969.[8] Three Cascade Plaza is a seven-story concrete low-rise.[9] Huntington Tower, at 106 South Main Street, is a 27-story steel tower with an art deco brick facade completed in 1931.[10]

Plans

In October 2013 the Akron City Council voted to approve a complete overhaul of the plaza, partly funded by the city and partly by FirstMerit Corporation, a bank. The plan was to demolish the concrete plaza, then reseal the deck and convert it to green space, open to the street. The new space would have plants, benches and tables.[3]

References

Citations

  1. Gieck 1988, p. 247.
  2. Flatiron Building: Emporis.
  3. Warsmith 2013.
  4. Lawrence Halprin & Associates 1970.
  5. Campen 1980, p. 86.
  6. Radisson Hotel Akron City Centre: Emporis.
  7. The Akron city Center Hotel.
  8. PNC Center: Downtown Akron Partnership.
  9. Three Cascade Plaza: Emporis.
  10. Huntingotn Tower: Emporis.

Sources

  • Campen, Richard N. (1980). Outdoor Sculpture in Ohio. West Summit Press. ISBN 978-0-9601356-2-2. Retrieved 2013-11-19.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • "PNC Center". Downtown Akron Partnership. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  • "National City Center". Emporis. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  • "FirstMerit Tower". Emporis. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  • "Flatiron Building". Emporis. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  • Gieck, Jack (1988). A Photo Album of Ohio's Canal Era, 1825-1913. Kent State University Press. ISBN 978-0-87338-353-0. Retrieved 2013-11-19.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Lawrence Halprin & Associates (1970). Lawrence Halprin & Associates. The Firm. Retrieved 2013-11-19.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • "Radisson Hotel Akron City Centre". Emporis. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  • "The Akron city Center Hotel". Archived from the original on 2014-05-16. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  • "Three Cascade Plaza". Emporis. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  • Warsmith, Stephanie (7 October 2013). "Akron moving ahead with plans to improve Cascade Plaza". Akron Beacon. Retrieved 2013-11-18.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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