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Spotted this article about an urban revival in Downtown Kent, Ohio:
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/downtown_kent_ohio_rising_phoe.html
Interesting article. Has anyone been to Kent lately?
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Development
Downtown Kent Ohio
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AnneD
Taco-Nazo-Land
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Haven't been there for a while, but I'm planning to go sometime soon. This project sounds pretty cool, so I hope it works out!
I lived in Kent for 10+ years and went to college there, and I was always amazed at the number of students who had never gone into "downtown" Kent. It's maybe a 10 minute walk, and there was plenty to see and do back in the 80's and 90's. There's always been a few persistent dead spots in town, which I hope this development plan touches.
Of course it won't ever be the same now that Jerry's Diner has been torn down.
Posted 3 years ago # -
NEOBuckeye
Ohio At-Large
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Nice article, Walker. Before I moved to Columbus in 2007, I spent some time hanging out in Kent, particularly Downtown. It's true that one of the most obvious things you notice right away is how literally and almost completely disconnected KSU and the city of Kent are from each other (compare this to Columbus and OSU). To say their relationship is adversarial might be an understatement, which is both unfortunate and ironic given how much each could benefit from the other via a more cordial and symbiotic relationship. This is particularly so for the city, which would be infinitely worse off without KSU, yet doesn't seem to appreciate this fact.
Kent City police are also notoriously aggressive and even antagonistic towards KSU students, which tends to throw something of a wet blanket over Downtown nightlife as well as general off-campus activity within Kent. Nightlife and some entertainment venues do exist, but there's still the feeling, at least amongst students, that if you want to have any real fun, you're better off staying on campus or heading into Akron.
However, perhaps this is changing now? KSU's new president, Lefton, has stated that he wants students and faculty to develop stronger ties with Kent city. At the same time, you have Burbick who has decided that he wants to invest a ton of money into creating a genuine renaissance in Kent's downtown and is moving forward in doing so. Change can happen, but I think they'd do well to encourage a number of KSU students and faculty who do live in the city to campaign for seats on Kent city council and the Mayor's office. There are many people in the city and in its government who seem to think that the university is nothing but trouble. That's pretty indicative of the general mentality that you are up against in Portage County. I genuinely wish good luck to President Lefton, Mr. Burbick and anyone else with the time, money and energy to shatter the status quo and remake Kent into a much-needed beacon of hope and energy for NE Ohio.
Posted 3 years ago # -
NotaryOne
Columbus
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My favorite in that area is the Kent Stage, an intimate venue with maybe 300 seats that's on the National Register of Historic Places. Was up last Spring to catch 12-string virtuso Leo Kottke and Byrds founder Roger McGuinn on successive nights.
They have a veritable cornucopia of musicians appearing regularly. Janis Ian, Livingston Taylor and Woodstock veteran Richie Havens are coming up, among many others. Tickets are easy to get, fairly cheap, and there's something for everyone's musical tastes. A good side visit is the Memorial to the 1970 shootings, about a mile or so up the road.
Their website is http://www.kentstage.org
Posted 3 years ago # -
tzt
Westgate
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My brother is the director of the KSU galleries, so we're up in the vicinity at least once or twice a year.
I was amazed how busy downtown Kent was when I visited this summer. (One of the KSU galleries is smack in the middle.) The effort to liven up the town culturally was really apparent.
There's an added story about Kent trying to become more like Ann Arbor that quotes my bro:
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/can_kent_ohio_become_the_next.htmlPosted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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Kent's downtown center project gets a $20 million boost
By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer
Feb 17, 2010KENT: A project expected to transform downtown Kent got a $20 million boost today.
Local and federal officials jointly announced that the Kent Central Gateway Project will receive the stimulus funding to help in the development of the proposed Kent Multimodal Transportation Center.
READ MORE: http://www.ohio.com/news/84642577.html
Posted 3 years ago # -
agtw31
columbus
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NEOBuckeye wrote >>
Kent City police are also notoriously aggressive and even antagonistic towards KSU students, which tends to throw something of a wet blanket over Downtown nightlife as well as general off-campus activity within Kent. Nightlife and some entertainment venues do exist, but there's still the feeling, at least amongst students, that if you want to have any real fun, you're better off staying on campus or heading into Akron.this is exactly what Columbus was like 40-50 years ago.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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Downtown Kent Has Major Facelift Plans
08-11-2010Kent, OH - A downtown renovation three years in the making hopes to revitalize downtown Kent with more shopping and dining options.
Daniel Smith, economic development director for the city of Kent, said the renovation is expected to impact the city’s economy in three ways.
READ MORE: http://www.e-portage.us/newsgen/news_details.php?id=1318
Posted 2 years ago # -
News
Columbus Underground
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Big redevelopment project in Kent ready to roll
By STAN BULLARD
1:46 pm, August 8, 2011
The largest private component in downtown Kent's massive rejuvenation plan kicks off construction with fanfare tomorrow, Aug. 9.
That is when Fairmount Properties of Cleveland and its partners join with city of Kent and Kent State University officials to hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $27 million, mixed-use portion of a $100 million update of downtown Kent. The mixed-use project has been in the planning stages for more than three years.
The 185,000-square-foot development includes previously announced new offices for corporate units of Davey Tree Expert Co. of Kent and Ametek Technical & Industrial Products Co., headquartered in Berwyn, Pa., The two will occupy office portions of the upper floors of buildings that will house retailers and restaurateurs in downtown Kent.
READ MORE: http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110808/FREE/110809852
Posted 1 year ago # -
News
Columbus Underground
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Kent could create ‘entertainment district’ to allow more liquor permits
By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published: February 29, 2012
KENT: Kent doesn’t have enough liquor licenses. That declaration might raise eyebrows among those who know the college town’s reputation for bars. But officials say the success of a $100 million downtown makeover also hinges on attracting high-quality restaurants that want to serve alcohol.
Posted 1 year ago # -
btmarquis
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Grew up in Kent, and last time I was there last winter I totally noticed how many new bars were there and how they've spread throughout downtown (in a good way). There were many more people out and about and not just crammed onto Franklin Ave. And that comments is spot on though on needing higher quality restaurants that aren't bars first and foremost.
I know several buddies who have started taking their families to the new Acorn alley, walking around, doing some shopping, getting ice cream. It's made downtown more of a destination to be sure.
Posted 1 year ago # -
News
Columbus Underground
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Kent State unveils details of mammoth building plan
By Carol Biliczky
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published: August 29, 2012KENT: The Kent State University community got its first look Wednesday at about $186 million in campus improvements.
READ MORE: http://www.ohio.com/news/local/kent-state-unveils-details-of-mammoth-building-plan-1.330600Posted 8 months ago #
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