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Progress, trouble for project Kent bridge, transit plans are nearly finalized

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March 17, 2009

By Matt Fredmonsky

Record-Courier staff writer

Many construction and redevelopment projects slated for downtown Kent may be in the early stages, but two public projects are moving closer to putting shovels in the ground.

The Crain Avenue Bridge replacement project and the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority plans for a multi-modal transit center each took a step forward last week with votes cast by Kent City Council.

Council approved an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation last week outlining the terms by which ODOT will manage construction of the new bridge at Fairchild Avenue and how the city will cover the local costs of the now $25 million project. And council agreed to spend $16,000 " or approximately one third " of the same local share expense incurred by PARTA and Kent State University in order to obtain a $192,280 federal grant for design of the "Kent Central Gateway" transit center.

In 2008, the city, PARTA and KSU worked with Columbus-based TranSystems to study the feasibility of building a transit center downtown to encourage increased pedestrian, bicycle and mass-transit use in a central location with public parking. The study culminated in April with a proposed location in the block bordered by Erie Street, South DePeyster Street, East Main Street and Haymaker Parkway opposite the corner where The Kent Stage is located.

PARTA General Manager John Drew said PARTA is negotiating with TranSystems on the $240,000 total design cost and said he does not have a set time frame for construction.

"I know how important it is to do this as fast as we can," Drew told council.

Within the target block, PARTA and its partners are discussing the possibility of building the transit center at the corner of Erie and South DePeyster streets and stretching east to Haymaker Parkway with the potential for first-floor retail facing Erie Street. The transit center would consist primarily of a lower level bus transfer facility and, if funding is available, could include multiple levels of public parking.

Jim Bowling, the city's engineer, said many of the public and private downtown landowners agreed on the need for a centralized parking and transit facility as a catalyst for redevelopment.

"Multi-modal is key," Bowling said.

The overall cost for the Crain Avenue Bridge replacement project has increased to $25 million since the last projected cost estimate of $20.2 million was released in May 2008. The increase is due in part to ODOT construction estimates and necessary railroad agreements. To help cover the increase, the city obtained an additional $3.25 million from the ODOT highway safety program and $500,000 from the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study.

Kent also is awaiting word from AMATS to see if it will receive an additional $3 million, which is available to the region as part of the federal stimulus package passed earlier this year. The city will learn by March 18 if it will get the funding.

"This is not a guarantee," Bowling said.

If Kent receives the additional AMATS funding, the cost break down is as follows: The city of Kent, $4.4 million; Portage County, $1.8 million; and state and federal funding, $18.8 million.

Construction is expected to begin in May.

The city and county will be responsible for maintenance on the county-owned structure after it opens, Bowling said.

Previous Articles:

Open houses showcase plans for transportation facility April 25, 2008 http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3687662

Open houses set to discuss Kent transit facility April 23, 2008 http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3675591

Kent Public viewing of multi-modal plans set for April 24 Columbus group to present April 11, 2008 http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3614691

Cost of Crain Avenue Bridge project may rise Engineer: Price could increase $2.1 million Feb. 19, 2009 http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4529664

Other reference links: Kent City Manager Dave Ruller's online blog Narrowing In On The Kent Multi-Modal Project June 13, 2008 http://www.kent360.com/default.aspx?type=wm&module=4&id=1&state=DisplayFullText&item=11602

City of Kent, Fairchild Avenue Bridge project overview http://www.kentohio.org/private/Fairchild.asp

 




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 6 Total Comments
6.
    Posted by JeffBillman March 17, 2009
The old greenhouse on 82, Mike? Shouldn't a transit center be located where people might actually congregate? Windham Township has no zoning for commercial properties. Even if PARTA could trump township zoning, what are the passengers going to do? Sit and stare at cows until the next bus comes?

5.
    Posted by mikefritz March 17, 2009
I like the idea of a transit center in Kent, they(PARTA) should look into putting one at the rt5 and rt14 intersection in Ravenna,
Windham/Garrettsville(maybe at the old greenhouse on rt82)and possibly Hiram. Atleast some "park and ride" spots. I think more people would ride if it was easier to connect with.

4.
    Posted by Fair Tax March 17, 2009
Oh come on now Kent-Rite, the old Record Courier building has some historical value, maybe it can be incorporated into the transit center as a newspaper stand!

3.
    Posted by Kent-Rite March 17, 2009
Don't get me wrong Gary, I am without a a doubt a proponent for maintaining historical sites in Kent, but I think you might want to get a map and go for a walk. The block they are speaking of for the proposed transit center consists of one commercial space and one house, not much history there.

2.
    Posted by Gary March 17, 2009
Sure destroy more of the downtown area with an unsitely bus transfer station and sure tear down some historical houses--Kent doesn't care if all the historical sites are destroyed!

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