RubberBuzz || Akron Unleashed: An Open Letter to Rebbeca Ryan

4.25.2005

An Open Letter to Rebbeca Ryan

Dear Rebecca,

I've been thinking about what I said in my last post. Maybe I shouldn't say I'm not a fan of you; we've never met you, I'm not being fair. Instead, I should say I don't like what Akron's doing because of you.

This city has gone crazy with talks of being "cool" and is "cool" the right word and blah blah blah, day after day, article after article. The answer is obvious, what does every college grad want? A job offer. Where are they getting those? Not in Akron. If Akron wants to be "cool" or "hip" or "trendy" or whatever the phrase of the day is then they need to look no further then the local job market. Don't look at some report that details what there is to do at night, look at the businesses coming into the area. If they can attract young people, that will create a demand for house, maybe even urban housing. Who knows maybe even some new restaurant would open up to serve the new city dwellers. To see this model in action, look no further then Cleveland's Ohio City or Tremont.

The City of Cleveland pumped money into these areas and attracted new business. The new employees, complete with cash from said new jobs, bought land and fixed it up. Then, new restaurants opened up to serve the yuppies in the 'hood. Now it's an attraction to outsiders. Even as I write this, Cleveland is courting more businesses to move Downtown. They are luring them with low interest loans that would enable then to help revive the area. But where's Akron's version of this program? Why can't we attract new business?

Again, Rebecca, I'm sorry I passed judgment so quickly, but everything seems so obvious to anyone living here. Candy coating the city with a new slogan or opening up a few new nightspots isn't going to bring in young professional, jobs will. Hopefully, you are looking outside of what Akron needs to be "cool" and looking more at what make other cities more attractive.

Hugs & kisses,

RubberBuzz.com

P.S. Call me! We'll do lunch!

(joe :: An Open Letter to Rebbeca Ryan)

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