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KSU to purchase two properties for $267,000 University looks to expand physical link with Kent

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June 9, 2009

 

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

Kent State University is continuing to extend its borders into the city of Kent to possibly provide a physical link between the “town and gown.”

The KSU Board of Trustees approved the acquisition of two properties on South Willow Street for $267,000 last week, with the hope to connect the university and the city of Kent.

The properties, owned by Joshua Greene, are located at 220 and 214 S. Willow St., in what was once known as the Campus Link neighborhood — just west of the university.

Iris Harvey, vice president for university relations, said while there are no immediate plans for the land, one of KSU’s long-term goals is to continue to improve the relationship between the university and the city. This may include a paved connection between the proposed hotel/conference center downtown and the city.

The university has explored the possibility of extending the university’s Esplanade — a pedestrian-friendly path that winds through the campus — into downtown Kent.

“This is part of our land-banking, so we can take advantage of the development that’s going on downtown,” Harvey said. “This goes along with our objective of linking the town and gown.”

Earlier this year, the university purchased three properties in the vicinity, and three others in the neighborhood in 2008. The number university-owned properties in that area is now at eight — coming with a total price tag of around $1 million.

 




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 5 Total Comments
5.
    Posted by Dharma June 10, 2009
The two properties mentioned look like crap anyway!! The "slum lord" is very lucky to be getting the cash from the university.

That entire area could be gutted. There are nice looking rentals and apartments galore in this town/area. There is no excuse for all these crappy looking, run-down properties in this town. Landlords that never take any role in their properties and control the furniture and other misc. stuff that these kids put on their yards and porches.

It all looks like like a little West Virginia/backwoods Appalachia in the College Street area!! Anything they do to it will be a plus!!!

4.
    Posted by Gary June 9, 2009
oh Great!!! Less property taxes being paid to Kent. If the campus gets any closer to downtown I will scream!!! Get Back on campus you punks!!!!

3.
    Posted by streakinduck June 9, 2009
Yea, why should Kent clean up their own mess anyways. They've got administrators that need to be paid! I think the city should at least fork over half of the money. That's fair, right?

2.
    Posted by hangemhigh June 9, 2009
if there was ever a place to test a new bomb this neighborhood would be it. let the university buy it up with our state tax dollars instead of of the city buying it with our city tax dollars.

1.
    Posted by starttyrant June 9, 2009
Kent St. and Kent City should have pressed ahead with Campus Link years ago. I'm trying to remember what it was that got everyone so down on the project. I remember how the landlords made signs against it so they could keep their tenements on College St.. The city and U. can raze every building in the 'Campus Link' area as far as I'm concerned. There are at least 15 apartment complexes within 1 mile of campus for the students to live in.

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