The first step toward construction of the new M. O'Neil Co. department store on the west side of Main St., on the "old pottery" site, was taken Tuesday afternoon when city council approved preliminary plans for the structure.

Council gave permission to tunnel under Garden alley and build a structure over the alley.

Site for the new store extends back beyond the alley, across several railroad tracks to the edge of the Ohio canal. It was purchased about six years ago by the May Co., of Cleveland, holding company of the Akron store. The price was reported to approximate $1,000,000.

"Take First Steps On New Building." Akron Beacon Journal 19 May 1926: 21:7.

The May Department Store Co., holding company of the M. O'Neil store, must build their new department store, at S. Main and State Sts., within the next two years, under conditions of a permit granted by city council Tuesday afternoon.

Council gave final approval to the company's application to build a subway under and erect a bridge over Garden alley. The permit is revokable at will of the council and will be cancelled if work is not started in two years.

"O'Neil Store Must Build In Two Years." Akron Beacon Journal 26 May 1926: 1:3.

The May Department Stores Co., is clearing the decks for a new department store at S. Main and State Sts., as the new location for the M. O'Neil Co., a subsidiary of the Cleveland concern, it was indicated Monday.

While officials declared no definite building program has been worked out, two important steps have been taken.

Give Tenants Notice

One is giving notice to tenants of the old pottery building and adjoining structures to vacate and the second is preparation of plans. Reliable sources report that the firm of Graham, Probst, White & Henderson, Chicago architects, have been employed to draw plans.

Jerome Dauby; manager of the M. O'Neil store, was out of the city Monday. Other officials admitted that tenants of the property have been ordered to move but denied knowledge of definite building plans.

"Believe O'Neil's Are Soon To Build." Akron Beacon Journal. 30 August 1926: 15:6.

Construction work will be started early next year by the M. O'Neil Co. on its new $3,000,000 department store on S. Main St. between State and Center Sts., it was announced late Monday by Jerome Dauby, president and general manager.

Twenty-three contractors now have plans and will submit bids on the new structure by Dec. 20, when they will be opened.

The new building will contain a department store, warehouse and parking space for hundreds of autos. It will have a frontage on Main st. of 217 feet, running from Center St., with a depth of 460 feet.

Garage to Be Feature

An outstanding feature will be the garage in the rear for use of auto patrons. Shoppers can drive from the State. St. viaduct into the parking quarters and leave their cars. After finishing shopping their autos will be ready.

Other modern appointments will include restrooms for women and children, restaurants, lunch rooms, reception rooms and music hall.

The new building will contain approximately three times the floor space of the present store, Dauby said.

What disposition will be made of the present O'Neil store was not disclosed. Dauby pointed out these quarters will be occupied all next year and probably for several months in 1928.

Cost Over Four Million

It was disclosed that the new site and building will cost in excess of $4,000,000, the site alone involving an expenditure of more than a million. This includes the Main St. frontage and a plot in the rear of Garden Alley and the Belt Line railroad, extending west to the edge of the Ohio canal. The Main St. plot was purchased about a year ago from the Robinson Clay Products Co. for $850,000.

The store proper will be six stories and basement, while the portion in the rear will be five stories, with two below street level.

Beautiful in architectural design, the building will be modern in every respect, Dauby said. Exterior walls will be of terra cotta. Interior wood work and decorations are to be in keeping with the design.

One Of Ohio's Best

Every known interior appointment and equipage will be employed to make the store one of the finest, not only in the city, but in the state. Dauby said. No adjoining structures will shut out sunlight and there will be day light on the four sides of the buildings, the plans show.

Four marquises will be erected over the entrance on main St. and State St.

Adequate freight service will be provided by the Belt Line, which runs in the rear of the proposed building.

"The M. O'Neil Co. has faith in the continued growth and prosperity of Akron," Dauby said, "and we are building on of the finest mercantile establishments in the state because of that belief."

Chicago Architects

Plans for the building were prepared by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. Chicago architects.

Announcement of plans for the new O'Neil store is the latest of a series indicating that the shopping center is moving south to escape downtown congestion. The A. Polsky co. has purchased the Franklin hotel property, known as "the hole in the ground," directly opposite the O'Neil site, and intend to build on it, it is declared.

Other merchants, however, contend that the business center will remain between Market and Mill Sts.

"New O'Neil's Store Plans Made Public." Akron Beacon Journal. 7 December 1926: 1:4, 31:3.

Every citizen of Akron is grateful to the M. O'Neil company for the excellent material pledge it has given of its faith in the future of Akron. this company will spend four million dollars for a new home for its ever increasing business because officials of its organization are convinced "that Akron is destined to take its place with the greatest cities in the country." What a splendid tribute this is to the progress of this community, and to the strength and solidity of the commercial and industrial energies which make progress a present and future civic asset.

Since Akron's earliest days the M. O'Neil company has been a leading factor in the mercantile life of the city. It has won unbounded good will because of its enterprising efforts to serve its community. Its extensive plans now to meet the requirements of the present and future are in keeping with a good record of enterprise that has gone before, for the past has not lacked its problems incident to an ever expanding business.

All who noted the majestic lines of the building that is to be the home of the O'Neil's of the Future," as set forth in the company's announcement in yesterday's Beacon Journal, must have been thrilled with pride in this reflected evidence of city growth. Akron is broadening out. It needs elbow room for its ever expanding trade. Local distances that balked the communication of yesterday no longer matter. They have been discounted as completely as the statistics of yesterday's production are eclipsed by present day figures. The O'Neil development is but one of the many business ventures of magnitude, either maturing or in prospect, and like its own, reflecting increasing confidence in the city's future. Upon the whole it ought to be a happy New Year for every citizen of this prosperous and growing community.

"O'Neil's Of The Future." Akron Beacon Journal 9 December 1926: 4:2.

The Carmichael Construction Co. will build the new M. O'Neil $3,000,000 department store at S. Main, State and Chestnut Sts., it was announced Friday by Jerome Dauby, president and manager of the store.

Definite amount of the contract was not given by Dauby, for the reason that some minor changes and alterations in the plans will be made.

"While the contract has not been signed, it has been agreed that the Carmichael company will get the contract." He said work will be started early in 1927.

The Carmichael company was the successful bidder in a field of 15 out of town contractors who submitted proposals. The bids were opened in the Chicago offices of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, architects and tabulation was completed late Friday.

"Carmichael Co. Is Low O'Neil Bidder." Akron Beacon Journal 31 December 1926: 13:7.

City council Wednesday had granted the M. O'Neil Co. permission to build a subway under Maiden Lane alley, in the rear of their new department store, now under construction at Main, State, and Center Sts.

"Subway Is Approved." Akron Beacon Journal 16 February 1927: 17:7.

Completion of the transaction involving the transfer of the property formerly owned by the Robinson Clay Products Co., at State and Center Sts., on which the M. O'Neil Co. is now erecting a new store building, was completed Thursday.

Last of the mortgages, which were owed on the transaction were paid and the property then transferred by the May Department Stores Co., to the State-Center Building Co.

Name Is Changed

Following this, an amended charter of incorporation was filed, changing of the name of the holding company under which the building will be constructed and operated from the State-Central Building Co., to the May-O'Neil Building Co.

Work on the excavations for the new M. O'Neil store, which will be one of the finest in the state, is being rushed and it is hoped to finish the structure by Jan. 1, 1928.

"Transfer Of Main St. Property Is Complete." Akron Beacon Journal 24 February 1927: 19:4.

A mortgage for $2,500,000 believed the largest single first mortgage loan ever made in Akron was filed late Monday by the Bankers Guarentee Title & Trust Co. The loan involves the new M. O'Neil store at State St. and S. Main St., and was made the Prudential Insurance Co. of America through the Bankers company as agents.

Land and buildings of the May-O'Neil Building Co., are covered by the 10-year loan. Work on the new O'Neil building is well under way, with a large portion of the steel work in place.

The building has a frontage of 217 feet on S. Main St. and extends back to the canal.

Terms Of Mortgage

Terms of the mortgage provide for payment of $75,000 a year beginning March 1, 1929 with the option of paying an additional $50,000 a year to accelerate retirement.

Interest rate is 5 1/2 per cent payable semi-annually. The document is signed by Jerome Dauby, president of the O'Neil company.

Building site property is given as security.

"Record Mortgage Is Filed In Akron." Akron Beacon Journal 10 May 1927: 1:5.