September 8, 200915 yr Are there any plans for that adjacent hotel next to acorn alley? What are the last two pictures of?
September 8, 200915 yr I know that there are plans for a hotel, but I am not sure if they are going to renovate that one or build new. Also, the last two photos are where the project would expand (with hotel/convention space, retail, office, residential, and parking).
September 8, 200915 yr Was in the Stow area this weekend, so I drove over to Kent and went past the Alley. Looks a lot different than 5 years ago. Great for the community. Nice to see Jason's Barber Shop down there, had some friends that liked them when in school. The hotel next door is, unfortunately, a waste at this point. The owner had the whole thing gutted and was planning on doing student rentals. When the city inspector went through he said it would need some major structural repairs, pretty much not worth doing. That was about 4 years ago, haven't heard anything about it since.
September 8, 200915 yr I was just wondering about the status of the MSP project on the way to work today! Thanks for posting.
September 24, 200915 yr $3.3M overhaul of Risman Plaza to start in spring Rachel Rathjens Issue date: 9/24/09 Section: News Lined with bricks, black picnic tables and a colossal water fountain, Risman Plaza isn't the most charming place on Kent State's campus. By Homecoming 2010, some of the bricks will be replaced with grass, some tables replaced with alternative outdoor seating, and the fountain will be gone. The Office of the University Architect is planning to start the $3.3 million Risman Plaza project in the spring of 2010. The project is being financed by capital funds accumulated in the last four years. "We want to update, improve, and make the plaza have a softer feel to it," said Michael Bruder, director of design and construction in the Office of the University Architect. "We want it to be a student-friendly place." Read more at kentnewsnet.com
September 24, 200915 yr does anyone know what the plans are for the parking lot behind acorn alley? its quite the eye sore
September 25, 200915 yr does anyone know what the plans are for the parking lot behind acorn alley? its quite the eye sore The 2nd phase of development is supposed to continue to that area. The Phoenix Project - Kent, Ohio (Photo by Mark Watt) Kick-Starting Redevelopment in Kent $6.5 million Phoenix Project injects city’s downtown with new retail, office space By Mark Watt http://www.propertiesmag.com/cf01.htm
September 30, 200915 yr A month later, Acorn Alley is booming Downtown stores say business is going well Ben Wolford Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: News Business has been so good at stores along Acorn Alley that at least two of them have lost customers because of it. "Some Saturdays we've had to keep people out of here because we were breaking fire code," said Jenna Heinaman, an employee at Off the Wagon, a novelty toy store. All 10 stores that are up and running have been flooded with consumer attention, Acorn Alley developer Ron Burbick said. In the month since RLB Phoenix Properties unveiled several of the stores at the beginning of the semester, "It's been excellent," Burbick said. Only two stores - Dancing Beta sushi restaurant and The Arctic Squirrel ice cream shop - have yet to open. He said Off the Wagon on East Main Street, a smaller version of two toy stores in Stow and Hudson, sold more in one week than the other two locations combined. Read more kentnewsnet.com
October 15, 200915 yr From the 10/15/09 Daily Kent Stater A breakdown of the new downtown Construction planned to begin in 2010 By: Brittany Moseley [...] With the success of Acorn Alley, Dan Smith, Kent's economic development director, and city engineer Jim Bowling now have time to focus on the next stage of downtown development. The development will include a hotel conference center, PARTA's multi-modal facility, a new municipal courthouse and corporate offices. The project got a push Sept. 16 at Kent State's Board of Trustees meeting when President Lester Lefton pledged to spend up to $3 million toward the hotel conference center, making the university a partner in it. [...] it is on KentNewsNet.com I'm not sure if I posted this in the correct format, but it looks like KSU and The City of Kent are trying to work together to make downtown Kent more accessible and fun. Too bad most of this stuff probably won't be done until after I graduate.
October 16, 200915 yr I'm not sure if I posted this in the correct format, but it looks like KSU and The City of Kent are trying to work together to make downtown Kent more accessible and fun. Too bad most of this stuff probably won't be done until after I graduate. I know, right? Hopefully some stuff will be finished before we graduate (assuming that we both graduate in 2012). However, I don't see why 10 houses have to be demolished for the esplanade extension (mentioned in the article) unless they are all falling apart as it is.
October 16, 200915 yr I know, right? Hopefully some stuff will be finished before we graduate (assuming that we both graduate in 2012). However, I don't see why 10 houses have to be demolished for the esplanade extension (mentioned in the article) unless they are all falling apart as it is. They want to tear down all of College St. basically, at least that was the initial plan. You can see the Master Plan at: http://www.kent360.com , then click on "2009 Presentation on Downtown Redevelopment Status"
October 16, 200915 yr The plan you linked to does not show the esplanade on College St, however it does show the esplanade going through the block bordered by Main, Lincoln, College, and S. Willow (connecting Erie with Hilltop). I guess they want to create a connection between Hilltop Drive and Erie St.
October 16, 200915 yr I lived near Lincoln and South Willow for four years in the 1980s (there was a horse farm and greenhouse there). I'm interested to see what happens there. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 19, 200915 yr Hotel and conference center on drawing board for Kent By Carol Biliczky Beacon Journal staff writer "Kent State University might invest up to $3 million to become a preferred equity partner in a hotel and conference center." http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/64701597.html Click on the photos and they have a generic map showing where things are planned to be located.
February 18, 201015 yr $20-Million Grant for Multimodal Transportation Center Announced Transportation Center Announced Emily Vincent | 02/17/2010 Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio today announced that the Kent Central Gateway project in Kent, Ohio, has received a $20-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Ryan delivered the exciting news to a roomful of officials from the City of Kent, Kent State University and PARTA (Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority) who lobbied together for the transportation facility for several years. The project serves as a catalyst for the revitalization and redevelopment of downtown Kent and reconnects the central business district with the Kent State campus. The $20-million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant for the Kent Central Gateway alone accounts for the majority of grants awarded to the state of Ohio. In total, the state is receiving $50-million in TIGER grants. “The TIGER grant has been very, very competitive,” Ryan said. “We wanted to advocate projects that will transform communities and offer long-term economic growth. We feel this project is transformational, and we advocated strongly for the Kent Central Gateway project.” “The multimodal transportation facility combines elements of buses, pedestrians, bicycles and cars,” explained John Drew, general manager of PARTA. “It will serve as a transfer point that allows bus transport to Akron, Cleveland and all points in Portage County. It is part of the downtown development plan and will be located at Erie and Depeyster streets with a curb cut into Haymaker Parkway.” ... More at: http://www.kent.edu/news/announcements/success/mulitmodaltransportationcenter.cfm Link to videos
February 19, 201015 yr I forgot to post this: Architect chosen for Kent court: In 2-1 vote, Cleveland firm is picked over local team Mike Sever January 17, 2010 http://www.recordpub.net/news/article/4749782
April 26, 201015 yr Work has begun on the remodeling of Risman Plaza: Relocation of bus stop Also, an update on the progress of the Music and Speech Center:
April 27, 201015 yr I don't know how I feel about that Music & Speech addition. Better that what was there before I guess. Maybe it looks better in person.
April 27, 201015 yr I actually like it, I guess it just depends on your personal taste. Maybe it looks better in person. I doubt it looks better in person because my pictures are amazing, lol. ;)
April 27, 201015 yr Wow.... Kiva is still there 25 years later. And I spent many Saturday nights at Music & Speech, which was when my airshift was at WKHR. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 29, 201015 yr as a KSU student with a dorm right across the parkinglot of music and speech: it is ugly
June 4, 201015 yr KSU Plaza & Library Renovation Updates follow on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123372084353809
September 16, 201014 yr Big money: Kent State University plans $250 million in projects paid largely with new student fees By TIMOTHY MAGAW 9:07 am, September 16, 2010 Kent State University is planning $250 million in facility upgrades and new construction projects that largely will be paid for through borrowing financed by an expansion in student fees. The university's board of trustees moved forward with the plans at its Wednesday meeting at Kent State's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. The bulk of the construction projects will be financed with $210 million in borrowings that hinge on state approval. The rest would be from state funds, fundraising and other money. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100916/FREE/100919898
September 16, 201014 yr "The campus improvements would include a new, $40 million home for the university's architecture program, now housed in three buildings; a $40 million home for art, now in six buildings; and $20 million for a renovated science building, probably Williams Hall."'' http://www.ohio.com/news/103027884.html
September 22, 201014 yr Well, so much for that excitement: Fingerhut bucks KSU proposal for more fees By Carol Biliczky Beacon Journal staff writer POSTED: 06:20 p.m. EDT, Sep 21, 2010 The chancellor for higher education in Ohio has axed a Kent State proposal to charge students up to $24 a credit hour for academic buildings — at least in its current form. Eric Fingerhut said Tuesday he is willing to work with KSU officials to find a way to pay for $250 million in improvements to the Kent campus. But the university will have to come up with some better ideas, he said. ''I've made it pretty clear that the proposal they've submitted is not acceptable,'' Fingerhut said. ''We've not been successful in reaching an agreement.'' http://www.ohio.com/news/103480904.html
September 30, 201014 yr Image from kentwired.com Risman Plaza area to double in size soon Written by Jessica White Tuesday, 28 September 2010 18:44 images The Risman Plaza area will double in size next year, Tom Euclide, associate vice president for facility planning and operation said. Construction for a new “student green” in front of Risman Plaza will begin in the spring of 2011, Euclide said, and is expected to be finished by fall of the same year. The green will be directly in front of Risman Plaza and stretch to Summit Street. As hinted by its name, the green will be mostly grass, but will also have a performance stage, clock tower and several sidewalks connecting the space to Risman Plaza. Read More... Some older news... New recreation fields coming soon Written by Darian Thomas Tuesday, 21 September 2010 19:03 The plans for the new recreation fields are in and are expected to be ready for the Fall 2011 school year and intramural season. “As of right now, not much construction on the fields is being done, mostly just demolition,” Kim Rufra, associate director at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, said. ”The architects are still talking about the setup of the fields.” According to the plans, the proposal includes two lit recreational fields, two tennis courts, a basketball court and an irrigation and drainage system to keep the turf in good condition. Read More...
November 8, 201014 yr Architect Malcolm Holzman brings life to KSU with additions to Roe Green Center Published: Sunday, November 07, 2010, 9:00 AM Updated: Sunday, November 07, 2010, 8:45 PM Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer Kent State University is a huge asset to Northeast Ohio. Its faculty and graduates are among the most interesting, successful and influential people in the region. But let's be honest: Despite the presence of an architecture school on campus, the university does not look like a place that holds architecture, urban design, landscape architecture or city planning in high regard. http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2010/11/post_2.html
January 18, 201114 yr Roe Green Center gets some international pub: Curtain up for Roe Green Center Editorial Performing arts centre at Kent State University given complete transformation http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=15610
February 22, 201114 yr KSU seeks more space, degrees for architecture: College applying for new master's program, wants to be in 1 building Ben Wolford February 21, 2011 And the lack of new facilities hasn’t seemed to drive away talented students. They grew just more than 2 percent between this spring and last to 747 undergraduate students (there are 74 grad students). “Our incoming freshmen have the highest high school GPA of any college in the university. We have the highest SAT/ACT scores of any college in the university. We make up 11 percent of the Honors College,” Steidl said. He listed three more statistics then said, “I could go on.” http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4984985
April 22, 201114 yr KSU to resubmit building proposal New student fee would pay for $250 million upgrade By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal staff writer Published on Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 KSU's plans call for updating 30 buildings. Some need to be made more wheelchair accessible, some need technology updates and others need to be more energy efficient, Lefton said. Because of leaking window panes in aging buildings, the university is ''spending tens of thousands of dollars, as my dad would say, 'heating the streets,' '' Lefton said. The Art Building would be rebuilt and a new hall would be constructed for the College of Architecture & Environmental Design http://www.ohio.com/news/120341009.html It seems like they are trying to slip this by now that there is a new State Chancellor in place.
August 9, 201113 yr KSU to get $300,000 grant for May 4 Center Kent State University will receive a $300,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for its future May 4 Visitors Center. The NEH award to KSU is one of the largest to a university and is one of only eight in the state of Ohio. The KSU project receiving NEH funding is a permanent, museum-style exhibit to create a May 4 Visitors Center on campus. On May 4, 1970, members of the Ohio National Guard fired at demonstrators, wounding 13 Kent State students, four of them fatally. http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/5078940
December 7, 201113 yr this isn't a big development, but ever since my summer classes, Bowman Hall has been undergoing some renovations. really minor interior stuff and it is so so so bad. we got lime green chairs and counters along the hallway. They really dropped the ball. I would post pictures but ive been awake for longer than I'd like to admit and i gotta test in an hour.
December 8, 201113 yr this isn't a big development, but ever since my summer classes, Bowman Hall has been undergoing some renovations. really minor interior stuff and it is so so so bad. we got lime green chairs and counters along the hallway. They really dropped the ball. I would post pictures but ive been awake for longer than I'd like to admit and i gotta test in an hour. Bowman and Satterfield Halls Interior Renovations KSU-11L105 $1,000,000 <b>Design Firm: Office of the University Architect </b> That could be why right there
December 9, 201113 yr Bowman and Satterfield Halls Interior Renovations KSU-11L105 $1,000,000 <b>Design Firm: Office of the University Architect </b> That could be why right there True story; they don't have a good track record.
December 10, 201113 yr Work has begun on the remodeling of Risman Plaza: Relocation of bus stop Also, an update on the progress of the Music and Speech Center: As a KSU student I can say this was a terribly executed idea. The plaza was designed by the same people who did Arizona States plaza and they specialized in creating designs that create a "wind tunnel". While this is good for Arizona State to have a wind tunnel more wind is definitely not needed at Kent State because it's windy enough already. So now when you walk through the walkway past the Kiva a HUGE gust of wind just hits you and in the winter seasons this absolutely sucks...bad design choice by KSU
December 10, 201113 yr KSU to resubmit building proposal New student fee would pay for $250 million upgrade By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal staff writer Published on Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 KSU's plans call for updating 30 buildings. Some need to be made more wheelchair accessible, some need technology updates and others need to be more energy efficient, Lefton said. Because of leaking window panes in aging buildings, the university is ''spending tens of thousands of dollars, as my dad would say, 'heating the streets,' '' Lefton said. The Art Building would be rebuilt and a new hall would be constructed for the College of Architecture & Environmental Design http://www.ohio.com/news/120341009.html It seems like they are trying to slip this by now that there is a new State Chancellor in place. They really need to re-do Taylor Hall because for an Architecture building it is REALLY old and disgusting looking as an Architecture student I hate going through it because of how bad it looks I always have said that the AED building should have a cutting edge design and should really get peoples attention in a good way...this isn't doing it. This is just a prime example of how bad the brutalist designs were
January 25, 201213 yr They really need to re-do Taylor Hall because for an Architecture building it is REALLY old and disgusting looking as an Architecture student I hate going through it because of how bad it looks I always have said that the AED building should have a cutting edge design and should really get peoples attention in a good way...this isn't doing it. This is just a prime example of how bad the brutalist designs were I know the exterior isn't great, as well as the layout of the first 3 floors, but the studio space on the 4th floor works well and has great views that don't make it so bad to be there long hours. They're gearing up to do some major work: Renovations and Addition to MultipleScience Buildings Construction Cost: $60,000,000 This project will renovate three existing science buildings as well as provide an addition for increased academic and research space. The renovations will address deferred maintenance needs in Williams Hall, Smith Hall and Cunningham Hall and at the same time will establish state of the art science facilities for teaching and research.
March 15, 201213 yr KSU hikes tuition and dorm fees, approves union contract, borrows $170 million for capital improvements By Paula Schleis Beacon Journal staff writer To pay for sweeping building renovations and new construction that has been on the university’s wish list for years, KSU will issue $170 million in bonds and pay the money back through its operating budget. Lefton offered a few clues, noting that plans for new architecture, art and technology facilities have been discussed in the past, and that updating science labs is a priority. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/ksu-hikes-tuition-and-dorm-fees-approves-union-contract-borrows-170-million-for-capital-improveme-1.274404
April 10, 201213 yr Click on the link to see renderings. I think This is a good plan for two reasons: 1) The The driving entrance will no longer be at a busy intersection where it is annoying to cross the street while walking down summit. 2) The new parking lot will become a perfect spot if the need for a new building ever arises. not to mention, it is a great improvement from the wasteland of evergreens and parking booths which are there now. Kent State Begins Student Green Project http://www.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=7E320F8F-9836-B325-ACC1CB302FAE4329 Fulfilling the commitment Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton made to students, the university today began initial construction activities on the Student Green project in the Kent Student Center area, located at the heart of the campus. The new Student Green will extend from the recently renovated Risman Plaza to the lawn area south, creating a contiguous green space from the current student center plaza to Summit Street. “This is the second phase of a project to create an attractive entrance to campus for our university family, university guests and prospective students considering enrollment at Kent State,” said Gregg Floyd, Kent State’s senior vice president for finance and administration. “It also fulfills a promise to our students from President Lefton to provide attractive outdoor space dedicated to casual student use, as well as programmed student activities. Response to the Risman Plaza renovations has been very favorable, and the energized atmosphere produced by the heavy student use is great for the campus.”
April 10, 201213 yr Seems unnecessary to me. Either people won't use the space for gathering as shown, or they will use the space which draws them away from the student center which is supposed to be a hub for student activity.
April 10, 201213 yr Click on the link to see renderings. I think This is a good plan for two reasons: 1) The The driving entrance will no longer be at a busy intersection where it is annoying to cross the street while walking down summit. 2) The new parking lot will become a perfect spot if the need for a new building ever arises. not to mention, it is a great improvement from the wasteland of evergreens and parking booths which are there now. Kent State Begins Student Green Project http://www.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=7E320F8F-9836-B325-ACC1CB302FAE4329 Fulfilling the commitment Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton made to students, the university today began initial construction activities on the Student Green project in the Kent Student Center area, located at the heart of the campus. The new Student Green will extend from the recently renovated Risman Plaza to the lawn area south, creating a contiguous green space from the current student center plaza to Summit Street. “This is the second phase of a project to create an attractive entrance to campus for our university family, university guests and prospective students considering enrollment at Kent State,” said Gregg Floyd, Kent State’s senior vice president for finance and administration. “It also fulfills a promise to our students from President Lefton to provide attractive outdoor space dedicated to casual student use, as well as programmed student activities. Response to the Risman Plaza renovations has been very favorable, and the energized atmosphere produced by the heavy student use is great for the campus.” I like the plan it will be nice to have another green space that will be at the center of the campus so more people will use it but to me this should allow for some of the centennial green areas to have some type of usable structure on it imo KSU looks to flat and I like density....maybe because I'm from the city :cool2:
April 11, 201213 yr ^Perhaps while you are at Kent, you can take a basic writing course and learn to use punctuation! :wink:
April 11, 201213 yr ^Perhaps while you are at Kent, you can take a basic writing course and learn to use punctuation! :wink: Kent read, Kent write, Kent State!
April 11, 201213 yr ^Perhaps while you are at Kent, you can take a basic writing course and learn to use punctuation! :wink: Oops :oops: I was rushing to respond haha
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