“The university isn’t playing Mr. Nice Guy anymore. Over the weekend, the Akron Beacon Journal reported that UA will no longer negotiate with property owners that fall within the footprint of the stadium. They’ll be proceeding with eminent domain. It’s too bad for the business owners.”
“

The university isn’t playing Mr. Nice Guy anymore.

Over the weekend, the Akron Beacon Journal reported that UA will no longer negotiate with property owners that fall within the footprint of the stadium.

They’ll be proceeding with eminent domain.

It’s too bad for the business owners. Right now, they should be thinking I guess I should’ve taken that last offer.

After eminent domain has pushed through the judicial system, these property owners might end up with less than what the university offered them in the past few months.

In order to avoid legal proceedings, the university was offering the business and land owners more money than their property was worth. But that will all change. Now they’ll get the compensation that the judge decides is fair.

Too bad.

Soon, work will begin on the new stadium. It needs to begin in the near future, of course, if it’s going to be open in the fall of 2009.

While the area will lose a few worthwhile establishments, such as Aroma Coffee and Tea, the football stadium is a valid reason to say goodbye.

Having the stadium on campus will increase attendance at football games and may possibly boost enrollment as well.

It’s an important part of revitalizing Akron, and it’s an important part of improving campus.

Imagine the Rubber Bowl sitting next to the Student Union.

Pretty picture, eh?

So it’s too bad for the local business and property owners who will now be subject to eminent domain. They should have taken the offers they were given.

By choosing to give the university a hard time and forcing them to go through legal motions, they are most likely losing money themselves.

That’s a shame.

If they’re smart, they’ll call the university begging and pleading for that last offer.

They’ll do everything they can to avoid going to court over eminent domain, because they’ll realize how costly it is.

They should’ve kept their eye out for other property in the area, close to campus, and bought it months ago. They should’ve taken a good offer from the university and moved their business.

But they didn’t, even though they knew eminent domain would come.

It’s not like it comes as a surprise. The university announced its plan for the football stadium months ago.

Poor business owners, right? The university should have some sympathy. These owners should be paid more than their land is worth. After all, they’ve been there for years and years and years.

At this point, it’s not about the business, it’s about milking the university for all they’ve got.

They missed their chance, and we’re glad the university will continue with eminent domain.

Enough wasting time.

“