University of Akron - Tel Buch Yearbook (Akron, OH)

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ining The Campus UA begins renovation of Buchtel Avenue and the Polskys’ building The acquisition of the Polsky b uilding and the construction of the Buchtel Mall are two developments which are bringing major changes to the University in the next few years. The Polsky building, a former department store, was acquired in November as a gift from the Prudential Insurance Company of America. University and Prudential officials announced the gift and transferrred the property’s title during a reception held Thursday, Nov. 5, 1987, in the Polsky building to which some 600 campus, community, and business leaders were invited. “Spanning the tracks”—the term popularly used to describe the University’s expansion across the railroad tracks running between the existing campus and the downtown retail and office area—has been a primary goal of the University. In addition to continuing education, which will be given 47,000 square feet, other academic units planned for relocation to the Polsky building include urban studies, business technology and public service technology. Also being considered are some administrative departments such as the registrar, financial aids, and other services now housed in Spicer Hall, purchasing, human resources, a satellite computer lab, and a satellite bookstore. The second development, the Buchtel Mall is described by Braun and Steidl Architects, Inc., project designer, as a parklike pedestrian area with sufficient open space for emergency and service vehicle access. The mall will replace the closed section of Buchtel Avenue that runs through the center of the University. Construction and landscaping on Scheduled for completeion in the fall of of 1989, the Buchtel Mall will make a true campus for the University of Akron. the five-acre site, slated to begin in June 1988, will be in two phases. The first involves the area beginning near Spicer Street west to the intersection of Brown Union Streets and from there west to Sumner Street. The estimated cost for this phase is $800,000. The second phase to begin in summer 1989 and be completed the following, fall, will involve improvements in the area from Sumner Street to Grant Street, including work on Sumner, Center, and College Streets. Those three streets will end at the mall in cul-de-sacs designed for passenger drop-off and pick-up. The cost of this phase is estimated at $400,000. The two-phase construction plan will allow construction vehicles access to the planned sites of the polymer science building between the planned mall area and Center Street and the McDowell Law Center on Grant Street. The new mall is scheduled for completion in October 1989. By this date, Buchtel Avenue will be stripped to the original brick for a more traditional look. A national sculpture to be placed at various locations on the mall. ROBE GUZZETTA SISLER - McFAWN POLYMER SCIENCE BUILOING AYER AUBURN SCIENCE COMPUTER CENTER SIMMONS THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON • BUCHTEL IV 16 Student Life j.

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Olympic-style diving boards and platforms are just one feature of the new Ocasek Natatorium. This is an Artist’s rendering of the building to house the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 1988. M aking room Everyone needs room to grow and so does The University of Akron. New additions being added to the University include a natatorium, a skyscraping polymer science building, and an expansion of the McDowell Law Center. The Ocasak Natatorium, named after retired state senator Oliver Ocasak, was opened January 19. Located next to Spicer Hall on Carroll Street, the new building includes a 50-meter pool, nine racquetball courts, two weight rooms, locker rooms, offices, and one classroom. “We’ve always needed a facility that was larger than the pool in Memorial Hall,” said Donald Bowles, Vice President of Planning. The new pool can be divided into three sections by two moveable bulkheads. to “This allows for three classes to go on at once,” Bowles said. The racquetball courts and pool are free and open to students at specific times. A second addition being added to our campus is a polymer science skyscraper. The construction for the project is stated to begin in late 1989 or 1990. “It’s going to be a world class center,” said Frank Kel ly, director of the Institute of Polymer Science. The skyscraper will be 12 stories high with reflecting glass. “The building’s design will have both the symbolism of its own importance, as well as a 21st century look,” said Kelly. The building will house large laboratories for more advanced research and testing of polymer products. “The entire project should take 18 months to complete from the grow original starting date,” Kelly said. Another area that’s growing is the McDowell Law Center. The center has lacked adequate space for law students for years. The American Bar Association expressed its concern in a letter in July 1987 about the lack of space. Three phases of construction and renovation of the center, to correct the problem, have begun. The first phase will add space to the law library and student study areas. The second phase will he a connection of the law center to West Hall. West Hall will be renovated and assigned to the School of Law. The last phase will be the transfer of the Department of Communicative Disorders to the Polsky’s building in July 1990. - Jennifer King Making Room To Crow 15

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Photos: David Shoenfelt I S i : i 1 1 f1 ‘ if 1 !; 4 4 ! 1 m if A i i ' 1 l The estimated cost for Buchtel Mall is $2.1 million. - Randy Richardson director of facilities planning and construction ITSON BULGER BIERCE LIBRARY RITCHIE CROUSE KOLBE LEIGH ZOOK HEALTH PHYS. ED. BUILDING BUCHTEL CARROLL GARDNER STUDENT CENTER HRADN S’J.HDl