University Park Alliance (UPA) seeks an accomplished professional to lead the organization. The executive director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for overall management and operation of UPA.

University Park Alliance is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit corporation. Its purpose is to attract, support, and grow business, education, arts, cultural, retail, residential, and health care resources and opportunities accessible to University Park's private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

The Mission of University Park Alliance is to" ...revitalize and transform the diverse University Park neighborhood, a 50-block area immediately surrounding The University of Akron, through engaging the community and leveraging real estate and business investment."          

Partners include the University of Akron, City of Akron, County of Summit, Summa Health System, Akron Beacon Journal, Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Akron General Health System, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Public Schools, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The executive director will:

1. Lead the development and implementation of UPA's programming to revitalize and strengthen the University Park neighborhood;
2. Oversee UPA's real estate investment and development opportunities in the University Park Neighborhood, and,
3. Manage institutional, partner and stakeholder relationships.

Statement of Responsibilities of Executive Director

• Oversee all operations, asset protection and marketing/public relations for University Park Alliance, including leadership and management of staff.

• Take overall responsibility for creating real estate investment models that will increase and maximize community value derived from funders' contributions, and ensure the quality and appropriate transparency of the resulting transactions.

• Ensure the financial stability and sustainability of UPA through management of a fund development strategy.

• Assist the Board of Directors in developing short and long-term organizational goals and objectives, as well as policies and procedures for UPA operations.

• Represent UPA to other organizations such as the institutional partners, stakeholder businesses and nonprofits, local, state, and federal officials, grantor organizations, and other potential funders in regard to matters affecting UPA.

• Provide financial oversight to all accounting functions including audit preparation, budgeting, financial analysis, capital asset and property management, and payroll in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Board's expectations, and all other rules and guidelines.

• Manage all human resources matters, including hiring and termination of staff, developing position descriptions and conducting evaluations, setting compensation, and applying board-approved employee policies and benefits.

• Oversee all grants and contracts: negotiate investment, subgrants, and sponsorship agreement terms that reflect the mission of UPA; coordinate with legal advisors to finalize agreement terms; oversee progress of agreements and maintenance of documentation to ensure fulfillment of terms including receipt and expenditure of funds.

• Analyze and evaluate vendor services, particularly for insurance, employee benefits and management of UPA funds, to determine programs and providers that best meets the needs of UPA and makes recommendations to the Board, as appropriate; negotiates services, terms and premiums and executes contracts with benefit plan providers, supply and service vendors, auditors and consultants; manages payroll and benefits programs.

  
  

Core Competencies and Desired Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required, graduate or professional degree preferred; 10 years’ experience in business and/or nonprofit organizations with operations and financial management experience, or related fields.

• Understanding and experience with real estate investment mechanisms available to community development corporations.

• Community engagement: Proactively engages UPA with the University Park neighborhood residents, businesses, nonprofits, institutions, and other related stakeholders. Implements a transparent community engagement plan that involves the related parties in a variety of roles within UPA activities.

• Confident self-starter who recognizes and brings to the attention of the chair of the board those issues that affect the organization. The Director will implement plans to reach organizational goals as determined by the board of directors.

• Displays initiative in developing action plans and resolving problems as they occur, in consultation with the chairman and other members of the board.

• Skill in communicating effectively including written communications, verbal presentations and briefings. The Director will have the ability to present at local, state, and national meetings regarding issues affecting UPA.

• Ability to travel to attend conferences, training and other events to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

Compensation: Competitive with excellent benefits package.

Interested Parties should send cover letter and resume to:

Mr. Anthony O’Leary, Chairman, Search Committee
Executive Director
Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
100 West Cedar Street
Akron, OH 44307

Or by e-mail, toleary@akronhousing.org

Inquiries will be confidential.

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By Betty Lin-Fisher, Beacon Journal business writer
Published: April 25, 2013 - 11:10 PM | Updated: April 26, 2013 - 06:39 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Lieberth
234.738.0003 
david.lieberth@gmail.com

Luncheon to be rescheduled for a later date; current reservations will be refunded.

AKRON, Ohio –April 25, 2013 – University Park Alliance is postponing its Annual Luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, May 15.

“With the departure of our Executive Director this month,” said UPA Board Chair David James, “University Park Alliance is in a period of transition. We will re-schedule this annual event when it appears most appropriate to do so.”

The Annual Luncheon, presented by Dominion, was to feature writer and urban activist Candy Chang as guest speaker. “We’re grateful to Ms. Chang for re-arranging her schedule to accommodate us,” said James. “We are pleased that we can have her appear when the event is re-scheduled later this year, and we appreciate Dominion’s willingness to remain the presenter.” Neighborhood residents, institutions, and businesses that have already made reservations for the event will have their reservations refunded.

“We have begun the process to search for a new Executive Director,” said James. “The Board of Directors of UPA is made up of the leaders of this community, and they are dedicated to the re-development of the University Park neighborhood and the core city, and will continue the work of promoting community engagement.”

About University Park Alliance

University Park Alliance is a nonprofit community development corporation that was created in 2000 to address problems in the core section of the city, a 50-block area around the University of Akron. UPA has created a redevelopment Master Plan and is implementing a 5-year Strategic Plan that focuses on Real Estate Development, Economic Development, Social and Human Capital Development and Civic Engagement.

Partners include The University of Akron, the City of Akron, Summa Health System, the Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Health System, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Public Schools, and the University Park residential and business community, with major funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dave Lieberth to assist in the management and direction.

The Board of Directors of the University Park Alliance has engaged a well-known civic activist to assist in the management and direction of the community development organization as it searches for a new Executive Director.

 Dave Lieberth, who served as the City of Akron’s Deputy Mayor from 2002- 2012 has been hired as a consultant to the UPA Board, and will help oversee the organization’s strategy and direction on a temporary basis, following the resignation earlier this month of Eric Johnson, the former Executive Director.

“We really don’t have time for someone to go through a learning curve,” said David James, UPA Board Chair. “Dave knows the organization well. He knows our projects, the neighborhood, and UPA’s objectives. We appreciate his willingness to assist our staff during this period of transition.”           

Lieberth, 65, retired from the Mayor’s Office in December to open a consulting practice in Downtown Akron, and is writing a book that will assist the city and Greater Akron Chamber in marketing the community internationally.

“UPA has begun to transform the core of the city,” said Lieberth, “and it will continue to harness the energy of the University, the city and UPA’s member institutions to re-develop Akron in years to come. It’s a privilege to be asked to help out in this small way.”

Lieberth, the former Chief of Staff to Mayor Don Plusquellic, says he made clear to the UPA Board that he is not a candidate for the full-time permanent position of Executive Director.

UPA’s day to day operations will continue to be managed by Carol Murphy, chief of staff.

University Park Alliance is a nonprofit community development corporation that was created in 2000 to address problems in the core section of the city, a 50-block area around the University of Akron. UPA has created a redevelopment Master Plan and is implementing a 5-year Strategic Plan that focuses on Real Estate Development, Economic Development, Social and Human Capital Development and Civic Engagement.

Partners include The University of Akron, the City of Akron, Summa Health System, the Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Health System, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Public Schools, and the University Park residential and business community, with major funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eric Johnson announces his resignation.

Akron, Ohio, April 4, 2013 -The executive director of the University Park Alliance (UPA) has announced he is stepping down. 

Eric Johnson, Ph.D. has been with UPA since 2010, leading the nonprofit community development corporation’s renewal efforts in the core section of the city. UPA is a nonprofit group supported by the university, businesses and local government since 2001.

During his tenure, Johnson has furthered UPA’s mission leading the development of the 50-block area around the University of Akron.

One of Johnson’s significant contributions came late in 2012, when he helped UPA create a master plan to further develop Akron’s urban core; allowing UPA to further work with neighborhood residents, businesses and city institutions.

UPA Board Chair David James said that Johnson helped move the organization in the right direction.   “Eric Johnson stepped in when UPA needed direction and provided that for us setting us on a productive path for the future.”

His influence on UPA is most visible today with the new Child Guidance & Family Services building on East Market Street as the first stage of development on the former Fred Martin Chevrolet dealership site.

A recent Akron Beacon Journal editorial credited Johnson with giving UPA “momentum” as soon as he arrived in Akron in 2010. 

“Under Johnson,” it read, “the alliance has operated as something of a start-up, gathering talent, developing plans and launching the execution.”

Under Eric Johnson, UPA has grown a group called the Community Neighborhood Network, made up of leaders and members of neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, businesses and social service agencies.

The group meets regularly to work on plans that include improving housing in the UPA area. 

UPA board member Tony O’Leary said of Johnson’s work, “Eric provided the energy and vision to produce a significant master plan for the University Park area and downtown. This work will guide development for years to come.”

Eric Johnsons’ resignation is effective April 19, 2013.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carol Murphy, Chief of Staff
330.777.2073
cmurphy@upakron.com

Winners of the University Park Start-UP! Competition Will Receive Awards Up to $10,000.

AKRON, Ohio –January 31, 2013 – University Park Alliance (UPA) will once again be accepting applications for the Start-UP! Business Plan Competition. The competition is supported by the Charter One Growing Communities initiative, a project aimed at boosting economic and neighborhood development, and is open to all interested entrepreneurs who would like to locate a business in University Park. Business start-up assistance is provided by Torchbearers. Torchbearers is a young professional organization focused on leadership development and community service, and is an affiliate of Leadership Akron. The goal of the competition is to help attract and assist new businesses in theUniversity Parkneighborhood. 

Interested entrepreneurs begin the process by submitting an application found at www.upakron.com/start-up due March 15, 2013. Selected finalists will be notified in April. 

“Business development is essential to building a sense of place and strengthening the soul of the community” said UPA Executive Director Eric Anthony Johnson. He continued, “The support of the Charter One Foundation validates this issue and sends a powerful message thatUniversity Parkis a place worth investing in.” 

In April, finalists will present their plans before a panel of judges. Winners will be selected based upon the most sound business model and viability of success within theUniversity Parkneighborhood. A cash prize up to $10,000 will be awarded.  Multiple winners may be selected.  Winning businesses will also receive accounting and legal assistance provided by Torchbearers as they continue in their start-up process.

The Charter One Growing Communities initiative has invested $718,000 in revitalizing urban neighborhoods inNortheast Ohiosince 2010. Small business grant competitions have taken place inCleveland’sOhioCity, Gordon Square Arts District, and St. Clair Superior neighborhoods and Akron’sUniversity Parkneighborhood.

“Charter One is proud to continue our partnership with University Park Alliance to grow our communities and enhance our neighborhoods. The small business grant competition is an exciting opportunity to support entrepreneurs and help bring their fresh, new ideas to life,” said Ken Marblestone, President of Charter One and RBS Citizens,Ohio.

For more information about the competition visit www.upakron.com, call 330.777.2070.

About University Park Alliance

University Park Alliance (http://www.upakron.com/university-park-alliance) is a nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to advancing the transformation ofUniversity Park, the 50-block neighborhood surrounding The University of Akron. UPA’s urban reinvestment strategy is to capitalize on the economic synergy of Akron’s Anchor Institutions and develop University Park as a dense, walkable neighborhood with diverse cultural offerings, great healthcare, quality education and plenty of recreational and leisure opportunities. UPA receives major funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and its partners include The University of Akron, City of Akron, Summa Health System, Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health System, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Public Schools, and the University Park residential and business community.

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University Park Alliance, a nonprofit development corporation in Akron, said it has signed a partnership agreement with Equity Inc. of Columbus for the development firm to build and manage the first two buildings of a planned mixed-use development at East Market and Forge Streets in Akron.

 The partners did not put a proposed dollar cost on the two structures, which will be Equity's first Akron project.

University Park Alliance said Equity plans to start construction this spring on a two-story, 25,000-square-foot building that can be expanded later with a third story. It said the structure will house the central offices of Child Guidance & Family Solutions of Akron. University Park Alliance and Equity also propose to build a 75,000-square-foot commercial building by this fall on the site.

The site is part of a five-acre parcel that University Park Alliance owns in Akron's University Park neighborhood. The site will be developed as “Market Square,” a mixed-use project. University Park Alliance said it believes tenants of the commercial building would suit the development of Akron's Biomedical Corridor.

Child Guidance, a Summit County provider of behavioral services to children and family, said separately that it plans to relocate its central office from Locust Street in Akron to the new building.

Elaine Harlin, president of Child Guidance, said the move would strengthen its visibility and improve its environment for serving clients. She said it would sell its existing building to Akron Children's Hospital.

In commenting on the deal with Equity, University Park Alliance executive director Eric Anthony Johnson said in a statement, “The execution of this agreement is important because it sets a tone for the development of this parcel that is in line with UPA's master plan.”

Melanie Wollenberg, executive vice president of development for Equity, said the company believes in University Park Alliance's master plan and redevelopment vision for the 50-block University Park neighborhood bordering downtown and surrounding the University of Akron.

Equity operates seven regional offices and has completed transactions and developments in 36 states in office, retail, mixed-use, health care and other categories.

University Park Alliance is a nonprofit formed by the city of Akron, the University of Akron, the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce and other nonprofits, businesses and residents in the University Park neighborhood.   

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Published: December 18, 2012 - 09:25 AM | Updated: December 18, 2012 - 09:49 AM

The neighborhood development group University Park Alliance has been awarded nearly $8 million to continue building Akron’s urban core.

This morning, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced it was awarding UPA a $6 million grant over five years to work with neighborhood residents, local businesses and city institutions.

The foundation is also giving UPA a $1.8 million low-interest loan, which will support the redevelopment of the area called University Square. Officials call it “a linchpin of the alliance’s master plan that will provide housing and shopping for both students and residents.”

UPA is working on a project that will be developed, built and operated through self-sustaining income. It falls under what the group calls its Master Plan to revitalize a zone in downtown, said UPA Executive Director Eric Anthony Johnson.

The project, which will be along East Exchange and Brown streets near the University of Akron, will likely be a $60 million to $70 million complex and include retail, multifamily housing, office space and what is called incubation space, said Johnson.

UPA is a nonprofit group supported by the university, business partners and city and county government that has been working on the redevelopment of 50 blocks around the university since 2001.

The Miami-based Knight Foundation invests in communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers, including the Beacon Journal. The foundation says its mission also supports ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts.

Johnson said the new grant will help the alliance “build a vibrant, engaged community in Akron where people aspire to live, work, learn and play.”

In a news release, Knight Akron Program Director Jennifer Thomas said the investment recognizes the alliance’s success over the past two years in putting together its master plan.

“This new support builds on the momentum of the last two years in creating partnerships and re-engaging the community,” she said. “The alliance’s efforts are galvanizing residents around a larger vision for the city, and engaging the next generation of neighborhood leaders who want to drive the city’s future.”

Johnson said the two-pronged approach is aimed at assuring redevelopment success.

“Most communities fail because they only want to do one; they only want to do the physical side. There needs to be an equal emphasis on real estate and community civic engagement led by the community,” said Johnson.

A large and growing group called the Community Neighborhood Network, made up of leaders and members of neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, businesses and social service agencies has been meeting monthly and in smaller groups to work on plans.

About 50 to 75 people regularly attend, said Carol Murphy, UPA chief of staff. The group has worked on identifying abandoned and blighted houses and put together a program for Christmas caroling through the streets of UPA neighborhoods on a recent evening.

The low-interest loan will allow UPA to move forward on University Square, the first project to be developed and owned by the alliance. Profits from the project are scheduled to be a revenue stream for the alliance, said Johnson. That’s different from other UPA projects, where a private developer shares a small percentage with UPA but handles operations itself.

The UPA’s first such project is already under way at East Market and Forge streets, and is in partnership with Child Guidance Family Services for its new home.

Johnson said it can be difficult for a nonprofit organization to carry out a project the scale of University Square without any funding.

Knight doesn’t typically invest in real estate projects, “but they see the value of the work being done in Akron and see it as a tremendous plus,” said Johnson. “That’s a really good deal for UPA.”

Terms call for the investment loan to be paid off in three years with an interest rate to be determined, Johnson said.

The loan will be used for architectural and engineering work — the parts of a project that can be a struggle and where most projects fall short, said Johnson.

“That’s unheard of for a foundation to do that. They’re saying, ‘We’re going to help you get across the hurdle to have funding needed to get off the ground,’ ’’ he said.

Overall, the Knight Foundation has awarded $18 million to UPA in the last six years. The Foundation said it reflected its belief “that transformative community change takes not just vision but the tenacity and time to see it through.”

In a news release, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and other leaders praised the funding as critical ongoing support for the downtown area.

“This is very much appreciated,” Plusquellic said. “The city has already invested $10 million to support this central area of our city, and Knight Foundation’s generous grants to the alliance will significantly boost our collaborative efforts to revitalize Akron’s urban core.”

University of Akron President Luis Proenza and Bill Considine, a Knight Foundation trustee and president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital, praised the UPA collaborative efforts.

“The University of Akron takes tremendous pride in the productivity of our collaborative ventures, and we are pleased that Knight Foundation continues to recognize the central role of University Park Alliance in the ongoing renewal and expansion of economic vitality in downtown Akron and the region,” Proenza said.

“Akron is a city that values and promotes collaboration,” Considine said. “UPA is a wonderful example of the power of collaboration, and Knight Foundation’s generous support provides affirmation to UPA’s work and the partners’ participation.”

David James, the Akron Public Schools’ superintendent and chairman of the alliance’s board of trustees, said the funding will benefit Akron for generations.

“This support secures a continuation of the long-term work of University Park Alliance while fueling execution of plans in the short term,” James said.

Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com.

By Marc Lefkowitz  |  March 21, 2012 

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“Eds and Meds” are being hailed as engines of urban revitalization, much the way ‘retro’ baseball parks like The Jake and Camden Yards were in the 1990s. There are striking similarities between these two types of big bang development schemes. In the end, a metric of success applied across the two might be, How often do marquee structures like hospitals and stadia lead to more development, the kind that fill in the smaller-scale spaces?

Cleveland's Gateway, it can be argued, made the E. 4th Street revitalization possible. More accurately, the ball parks in combination with the Euclid Corridor streetscape and Bus-Rapid Transit project made this area of downtown spiffy and lively. In return, E. 4th Street has made downtown a very desirable place to live, work and play again.

Smart growth is a term used to describe the sustainability of land use, which is often measured in efficiencies or sometimes in placemaking power. Where development pressure is high, cities can and often do set the ground rules for development. Cities play a role in ensuring development is aware and responds to its context. In Cleveland and Akron, the big institutions have the resources, and are currently setting the stage for how and where development occurs.

In Cleveland, Eds and Meds driven development is a tale of two cities—there's Uptown and the Clinic campus. The difference couldn’t be more stark: UH and Case are filling in underperforming asphalt on Euclid and Mayfield with developments that promote walkable urbanism (whether it's affordable is a separate question considered here). The Clinic, meanwhile, designs its campus with little to no emphasis on building up neighborhood. Their ideas for public space in their latest Master Plan call for an internal greenway and an alignment of buildings where eyes are not on the street but continue the tradition of looking inward. The Clinic places buildings as objects in the center surrounded by the left over landscape. The approach historically has led to a campus that can often feel “sterile and monolithic,” PD Art and Architecture critic, Steven Litt, writes.

In his critique of the Clinic’s Master Plan, Litt notes that, “around the country, many urban universities and some medical centers—the “eds and meds”—are taking a more active role in relation to their surroundings… It’s exciting that the Clinic’s new plan indicates a strong commitment to Cleveland. At the same time, it’s natural to ask whether it might be doing more to heal the city around it.”

In Akron, University Park Alliance (UPA) is a non-profit developer similar to University Circle, Inc. Both UPA and UCI are building a consortium of big institutions toward major new developments in town. (Another great example of an ambitious urban campus revitalization that must be noted is Cleveland State University). Akron is in pre-development for two big, mixed-use projects—The Crossroads District and University Square—that aim to strengthen the physical connection between University of Akron and the major healthcare employers downtown, Akron General, Akron Children’s Hospital, and Summa.

According to UPA President, Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson, the idea is to reach out to a growing market who want to live, work, socialize in one walkable district at the crossroads of Akron’s main streets and health-related employment center.

“Cities are going to be emerging back on the radar, with rising gas prices and for reasons of talent attraction,” Johnson says.

Currently, only six percent of employees of the four big institutions live in the University Park district, he adds.

UPA hired Tripp Umbach to study the economic impact of infill development in Akron. In March, 2012 the firm reported that the urban core plan could expect a $183 million return on investment—based on the projected industries to occupy the development (retail, office, R&D) and the number of direct jobs created per square foot and indirect jobs and tax revenues.

“The world of economic development has changed dramatically,” Johnson says. “The old approach was go off and lure big companies with a wide net. The new world is about place. In biomedical, resources like talent go to great places. Boston, Seattle, San Francisco.”

UPA has signed on KUD International, a major developer who will put together the financing—a challenge with lenders unfamiliar with mixed-use developments.

With the backing of its partners, UPA is driving an agenda that includes affordable housing and a small business retail mix. The study forecasts enough demand within the Akron Metro area to green light 803 housing units, priced at $130,000.

“The report found that would be affordable to an inordinate amount of people living in Akron and the MSA,” Johnson says.

“Because we’re a mission-based organization, it gives us an advantage. We don’t have to say, I need a 12% profit margin to make it work. Now, I hope the higher price (residential) follows behind that…

“I hate to say it, but if you start with (the high net worth individual) you have it backwards. You don’t start with the risk adverse individuals; you don’t start with risk oblivious. The second category is risk aware. In this new world, with the real estate market being what it is and communities being strapped, they need an intermediary to make sure development will happen.”

In 2012, Johnson expects movement on at least two big infill projects. Ultimately, the plan calls for four mixed-use infill projects along Market, Main and Exchange streets.

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Leaders aim to help University Park area catch up to rest of downtown's revitalization

Photo credit: JANET CENTURY

Eric Johnson, who leads Akron’s University Park Alliance, in front of boards representing four redevelopment districts in UPA’s master plan. In the foreground is a part of a fence by renowned University Park artist Don Drumm.

In the center of Akron, the watery remains of the Ohio Canal and a steep hill have played a defining role in the city's growth since the 19th century. On one side is downtown Akron. On the other is an area now dubbed University Park, which encompasses 50 blocks boundedby Broadway, Arlington and East Market streets and Interstate 76.

With downtown Akron enjoying a buzz thanks to redevelopment projects from Canal Park to Quaker Square, civic leaders are adding University Park to their gaze.

University Park has many pluses but lacks the commercial and residential redevelopment of downtown; just one new commercial project of scale rose in University Park during the last realty boom. Spicer Village, a multimillion-dollar mixed-use project with retail and residential units, was the sole urban head-turner.

Reversing that trend with new commercial and residential properties is the task of the University Park Alliance, a public-private partnership organized as a community development corporation that can own and redevelop property.

UPA's staff leader is Eric Anthony Johnson, a New Orleans native with a doctorate in urban affairs and public policy and a résumé ranging from economic development in the city of Charlotte, N.C., to the realty manager for the aborted lakefront development plan of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. Rather than head to the Sun Belt after Cleveland abandoned that plan, Dr. Johnson landed at UPA where he is again orchestrating a big urban development drive.

Big plans

Just over 14 months after Dr. Johnson came on board, significant steps are in place to set the table for redevelopment, and four projects that are part of a longer-term master plan already are moving forward.

Beyond describing them as “mixed-use” projects — usually mixes of retail, office and residential uses in one property — at four undisclosed locations, Dr. Johnson would offer no more detail.

He does point to the wish list, though, for the four projects, which UPA wants up by 2016 — 803 residential units, at least one hotel and nearly 113,000 square feet of retail and 260,000 square feet of office space. One reason Dr. Johnson declines to outline site-specific projects is that UPA and potential developers may want to acquire additional land to the sites.

Dr. Johnson said one reason he made Akron his next stop after Cleveland after touring the UPA geography was the makeup of its 17-member board.

Not only does it include Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic and Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry, but Thomas Strauss, Summa Health System's president and CEO, Luis Proenza, president of the University of Akron and others also are involved. Summa and the University of Akron both are within UPA's turf.

“Communities that are organized to reduce fragmentation will flourish in the future,” Dr. Johnson said. “Resources are too limited for them otherwise.”

David Lieberth, deputy mayor of Akron, said UPA's plans are designed so they capitalize on opportunities for both downtown and the UPA despite the geography separating the two. Moreover, University of Akron actions — from buying the old Polsky's department store in the '80s to fueling demand for new student-focused housing downtown — have helped bridge the gap between the two.

Mr. Lieberth said Mayor Plusquellic, who was in China last week, supported the UPA plan with a big condition: It had to impact the city beyond UPA borders.

A little bit of help

Despite this generally being one of the least opportune times to launch realty programs of scope, Dr. Johnson and his staff are undertaking no little plans.

UPA has selected as its realty development partner KUD International LLC, a United States real estate development arm of the Japanese construction and realty conglomerate Kajima Corp., a Japanese concern that is one of the world's largest builders and developers.

Dr. Johnson said KUD will help UPA advance its agenda on many levels. At the get-go last month, KUD signing on helped UPA broadcast through the media its plans worldwide. News of the association last October meant mentions of the 50-block UPA plan ran in cities from New York to Chicago and Tokyo to Mumbai. Part of it also is clout: KUD's parent is a billion-dollar construction concern active in 20 countries.

Dr. Johnson said KUD will offer up a project manager to assist UPA on each development project, and it will supplement the alliance's limited staff of six. Moreover, KUD will provide financing and construction guarantees for projects UPA undertakes in its district.

“A local developer may have a nice plan for a project,” he said, “but may not have the financing capability for it. Here is KUD, which has financing relationships and can provide guarantees that will help secure financing.”

For KUD, the Akron alliance offered an opportunity to work collaboratively to produce projects which may involve local developers and others, said Tom Winter, KUD senior vice president. He said KUD is looking at ground-up construction for the four opportunities Dr. Johnson discussed, and some enlist local firms. At least one expert sees the KUD role as vital to the nascent efforts of UPA.

Steve Strnisha, a finance expert who specializes in complex urban projects and is now a senior executive with the Cleveland International Fund, which provides international investors with U.S. financing opportunities, said the KUD association would open lenders' doors.

“A construction cost and guarantee is absolutely critical to any project of scale from a lenders' perspective,” Mr. Strnisha said. “It shows there is a commitment to bring in a project at a given price. You don't want to have to go to the developer or the developer's partners to come in with more money if it's needed.”

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The University Park Alliance, with funding from the Knight Foundation, will pay a security firm about $300,000 a year for private patrols of the neighborhood on the southern edge of the University of Akron campus from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Karen Schiely/Akron Beacon Journal)

With billions of dollars at stake, a safe walk down a University Park street is imperative.

Come midnight tonight, a private security force will debut around the southern edge of the University of Akron campus to help protect this redeveloping neighborhood.

Residents and business owners in the 15 city blocks are being prepped for the new presence. Uniformed officers will be walking the streets, driving in SUVs and, when weather permits, riding bicycles.

The nonprofit University Park Alliance, with major funding from the Knight Foundation, is paying a security firm about $300,000 a year for the service. Five guards will patrol the area from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Eight will be on duty during the same hours Thursday through Saturday.

For now, the patrols will encompass a quadrant in the area between Spicer and Grant streets from East Exchange south toward Power Street. Signs are already up at the University Park Safe Neighborhood Center at 491 Brown St.

The private officers from G4S Secure Solutions will not be armed, nor will they have arrest powers. What they will have are eyes and ears geared toward deterring crime and blight. Officers will have direct radio contact with Akron police as well as University of Akron police and serve as a support system for law enforcement and residents.

“The objective is to be fully ingrained in the community,” said Eric Anthony Johnson, the alliance’s executive director. “The issue of public safety is important for everybody. We see public safety as the anchor of a great place to live and work.”

The community comprises more than UA students. The alliance’s goal is to transform 50 blocks of the city surrounding the campus and make the neighborhood a vibrant, urban community that attracts professionals and families.

Millions of dollars have already been invested and recent studies undertaken by the alliance show a potential economic impact of more than $1.8 billion a year – and $90 million in tax revenue – by the year 2030. That is on top of $2.5 billion annually produced by the alliance’s main anchors: UA and the city’s three hospitals and other businesses.

Akron police Chief James Nice said he welcomes the extra help that he said can only provide better safety for residents as well as his officers. The private officers will provide escorts for pedestrians, report suspicious activity, deter panhandlers and take note of unsafe or blighted buildings.

“[It’s] a visual deterrent for the would-be criminals [that] gives the community an extra set of eyes and ears,” Nice said. “This is beneficial not only to the residents in the neighborhood, but also to the officers working the neighborhoods.”

UA police Chief Paul Callahan could not be reached for comment.

Johnson, a resident of University Park, said he believes the urban neighborhood is already a safe place to live and work, despite a public perception fueled by occasional burglaries or robberies.

“I think the perception is greater than reality,” he said.

Public safety serves as an anchor to any thriving development, he said.

With the alliance’s goal of transforming the neighborhood, it must also convey a strong public safety agenda.

He dismissed the notion that the security force would serve as neighborhood ambassadors, such as the workers in blue and yellow jackets who walk beats around downtown Akron. Instead, the officers, many with military backgrounds, will convey strength in numbers and give the neighborhood a safety force presence and serve as a symbol that crime will not be tolerated, he said.

The patrols may eventually spread deeper into the 50-block development region.“What we’re saying to people is if you’re looking to commit criminal acts in University Park, that’s not acceptable,” Johnson said.Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.