Mr. Steve Albrecht This is Me

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1. 1. Leader Publications, Akron, Ohio - West Side Leader and Green Leader

   www.akron.com/20040226/FPAGE/F - [Cached]

   Published on: 2/26/2004   Last Visited: 3/3/2004

   The meetings were led by Joe Parsons, president of the HSBA, and Steven Albrecht, Infrastructure & Design Committee chair of the HSBA.
   ...
   "The six meetings were useful," said Albrecht, who approached the plan as an HSBA committee chair but also as the secretary/treasurer of Albrecht Inc., owner of a substantial land parcel in Highland Square.
   ...
   "At the triangular-shaped section, there would be a 5,000-square-foot, free-standing building fronting Portage Path and Edgerton, for the grocery store," explained Albrecht.
   
   A courtyard would separate the grocery store from a 3,000-square-foot, one-story retail/ office building next to the bank, said Albrecht. This courtyard framed by the two buildings would be visible from the west entrance to Highland Square, Albrecht said.
   
   "At this gateway to Highland Square, you will see something akin to a triangular-shaped courtyard with a sculpture or statue, something that would welcome and encourage people to look into the site," said Albrecht.
   
   In the location of the current grocery store, east of Conger Avenue, a 9,000-square-foot one-story building for retail or office use is planned, set back at 20 feet from the street.
   
   "There is no 'square' in the new design, but there is a rectangle -- a 20-by-100-foot promenade in front of this building -- a broad pedestrian way," said Albrecht. "The space lends itself to a restaurant with tables and chairs on the promenade; it would serve the purpose of the square, just elongated."
   
   With the new plan, all of the parking is in the back, an issue stressed by many at the recent meetings.
   
   "We can live with that parking by relocating the grocery [to the triangular site]," Albrecht said, adding that no parking is planned for the street front, unless the city plans for some diagonal parking.
   
   "The breakthrough of this concept allows us to sequence this," he explained.
   ...
   According to Albrecht, the infrastructure as proposed serves the goals of more retail space, a site for the library and some 215 parking spaces.
   
   "I think we have the infrastructure that sets the framework for how the place will function -- how the parking works, how the traffic flows in and out, how the buildings sit on the site," he said. "There is light at the end of the tunnel."
   
   While there may be light at the end of the tunnel, there are "no agreements as yet between anybody on anything," said Albrecht. "Next would be a development agreement among the library, the city, FirstMerit and us that would provide for any transfers of property, any sharing of construction expenses, any common area maintenance expenses. All of this has to be resolved."
   
   Before any of that can happen, the library board -- which is focused on getting its levy passed -- must decide on where to site the West Hill Branch. Also, the city is waiting to see the infrastructure changes and some consensus in the community on the basic issues, according to Albrecht.
   
   "Then we will sit down and put together the development agreement," he added.
   
   Albrecht said the newest layout may just be the key.
   
   "We are willing to give this a try," he said. "It's important to be flexible, and I am confident that this plan can work from a real estate point of view and from a pedestrian point of view."
   
   Given this design, Albrecht indicated that should a development agreement be concluded soon, construction on the new building for the grocery could start this spring for potential December occupancy. Then, building the 9,000-square-foot building could begin next January or February.
   
   Before any development agreement or construction can be considered, Albrecht said he wants to take the appropriate steps in the process. That continues with unveiling the newest plan tonight for the members of the HSBA. Parsons will handle that step of the process, since Albrecht is committed out of town on family matters.
   ...
   "What we are looking for is an indication that there is a consensus; that this infrastructure is acceptable and that the people who take the next steps are not going to be subject to criticism for moving ahead," Albrecht said.
   ...
   "There will be two plans on display, so vote on the plan you like," said Albrecht. "This is serious business, but we want to have fun, too. So support your local small businessman and vote with your receipt."
   
   Once the infrastructure aspect of this plan is finalized, the design aspect will take front and center.
   
   "There will be wonderful opportunity with these three buildings to create something consistent with the funky, eclectic character I hear so often as describing the essence of Highland Square," said Albrecht.

2. 2. www.highlandsquare.org

   www.highlandsquare.org/forum.p - [Cached]

   Last Visited: 5/14/2007

   Mr. Albrecht,
   ...
   Albrecht is going to get called on his pathetic 'save the children' rant. Mark my word.
   ...
   Steve Albrecht, secretary/treasurer, Albrecht Inc.

3. 3. Announcements

   www.albrechtinc.com/about/news - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/1/2004   Last Visited: 3/3/2005

   AKRON, Ohio (September, 2004) - Steve Albrecht, Chairman of the Infrastructure and Design Committee of the Highland Square Business Association, stated: "The personality projected by the building architecture, the pedestrian friendly infrastructure, and the distinctive design elements based on mathematical concepts will fulfill Highland Square's promise as a unique, eclectic place.
   ...
   Steve Albrecht, Phone: (330) 376-6611, ext. 227