Akron Received Four Proposals for Bowen School

The city seeks new uses for the 110-year-old historic building located at 70 N. Broadway St.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Commercial

Akron Received Four Proposals for Bowen School

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The City of Akron accepted four redevelopment plans for the former Bowen School site by the July 24, 2026 deadline. Officials are now evaluating options for the historic 110-year-old structure following the collapse of a prior hotel conversion project.

Why it matters

The city aims to revitalize the historic property by weighing potential private investment levels and building uses against the current condition of the landmark. Successfully securing a developer is intended to return the long-vacant headquarters to active community use.

Amerimar Realty Co. proposed a $11.8 million conversion into 46 apartments with an average monthly rent of $1,285. This plan relies on $2.5 million in historic tax credits and $1.5 million in state brownfield grants.

The players

Amerimar Realty Co.

This real estate development firm submitted a proposal to convert the historic school building into 46 apartment units.

Andrew Rulnick

He is a developer who proposed a mixed-use concept including a computing cluster, public art gallery, and retail space.

Nick Janigian

This developer proposed a plan that would require the removal of two historic murals currently located inside the building.

The details

The submitted plans include a mix of residential, commercial, and artistic spaces, though one proposal by Nick Janigian involves the removal of historic murals by Louis Grebenak and William Sommer. Other developers like Andrew Rulnick have requested significant state and local funding to support a computing cluster and art gallery concept.

The Bowen School administration building was originally constructed in 1916.
The building operated under the Works Progress Administration from 1935 to 1943.
The city requested formal development proposals during the summer of 2026.
Developers submitted their final plans by July 24, 2026.

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Culture Shift

The city's move to solicit diverse redevelopment plans mirrors the growing national trend of adaptive reuse for aging civic infrastructure. This shift highlights a departure from single-use commercial development toward projects that integrate residential and cultural spaces into historic shells.

Residents can expect the successful proposal to influence both the aesthetic and economic landscape of the Broadway corridor. The outcome will determine whether the building retains its historic murals or transitions into a new model of residential and commercial utility.

The takeaway

The transformation of the 110-year-old school building serves as a test case for balancing historic preservation with the demand for modern urban housing. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming council meetings for decisions on whether the selected plan preserves the integrity of the original site.