Downtown Akron's 44-year-old sports store -- known by its iconic All Ohio red sign and the distinctive yellow and orange brick building at East Mill and South High streets -- may soon have to leave.

The Akron City Council introduced legislation Monday night seeking approval for the sale of the 1903 Gothic Building for redevelopment.

The city wants to sell the building and property to downtown developer Tony Troppe, managing partner of Gothic City Revival Group LLC.

``This particular building is very significant historically,'' Troppe said.

Troppe plans to invest $1.3 million to convert the three upper floors to office space and reserve the street level for retail use and possibly a restaurant or pub.

Within five years, he plans to spend an additional $4.5 million to build office space on the south end of the historic building on top of a parking structure on South High Street. The new construction would link to both the Gothic building and the Citicenter parking deck.

Troppe expects to begin work in June and have the first tenants in by February.

All-Ohio Athletic Equipment will not be one of those tenants, however.

Owner Tom Krampe was 9 years old when his father, ``Bud'' Krampe, opened the sporting goods store in 1962.

He said he hopes to relocate in the area.

``I don't have a set-in-stone game plan for the moment,'' Krampe said. ``I'm going to try to stay in business.''

He said Akron's shift from retail-oriented business downtown to entertainment and restaurants made it difficult for him to prosper on the corner anyway.

Still, he practically grew up there.

``It saddens me to have to move off this block,'' he said.

Troppe isn't the first developer to be interested in the property.

David Brennan purchased the building from Krampe's previous landlord, Leonard Silverstein, in 1989 as part of his Main Place development.

The city bought the Gothic Building from Brennan in 1991 for $165,000, the same price Silverstein received in 1989, according to county records. The idea was for the city to keep the property until it was needed for a second phase of Brennan's development -- another office building or hotel. Phase Two never materialized, however, and the city has been the landlord ever since.

The city will sell it to Troppe for $124,482, considered an ``incentive price'' because of the building's deterioration.

Water damage from a once leaky roof is extensive, especially in the upper floors, which were once apartments.

The city launched a national search for a buyer five years ago.

``I've seen more guys come in and out of this building and just shake their heads because of the condition,'' Krampe said.

Troppe has seen the interior damage, too, but it's the exterior that really sold him.

``It's a real mess. But the beauty of it is the structure,'' Troppe said. ``It's a well-ornamented building.''

Designed by local architect Frank O. Weary, the Gothic Building is known for its arched windows and two-tone brick treatment.

Troppe is particularly excited about the windows, which show off several architectural styles.

``Every room will have nice windows, historic windows,'' Troppe said. ``We're actually rebuilding them.''

He said he will try to get the building placed on the National Register of Historic Places and seek newly available state tax credits for historic renovation.

The proposal was approved by the Akron Planning Commission Friday. The city council gave the legislation its first reading on Monday and referred it to the regular agenda.