Recordpub.com - Changing landscape in Kent: 24 structures razed, some for projects

By Matt Fredmonsky

Record-Courier staff writer

Wrecking crews were a common sight in Kent this year, as crews erased some historic parts of the city’s landscape forever.

At least 24 structures have fallen this year, among them an eclectic post-World War II era diner and one of the city’s largest — and longest-running — manufacturing sites.

Totals for previous years were unavailable, and the 24 total excludes 11 buildings torn down this year on the campus of Kent State University.

But for Gary Locke, Kent’s community development director and a longtime employee, this year clearly has seen a lot of change.

“I would say so,” he said. “Especially ... when you look at the properties that are being demolished. Most of them are very prominent properties in the city.”

Arguably the largest structure demolished was the former RB&W facility on Mogadore Road. For years, the site housed some of the city’s largest employers dating to 1895.

It’s unclear why the RB&W building was demolished or what future plans may be for the land. Representatives for the property owner, Memphis-based electrical products manufacturer Thomas & Betts, did not return calls seeking comment.

Commonly known as Jerry’s Diner, the once popular but long vacant hang out at the corner of South Water and Erie streets came down in January.

Aside from those two, other more visible demolitions continue near the intersection of Fairchild Avenue and North Mantua Street, where work is underway on the Fairchild Avenue Bridge project. Demolished buildings there total 17 and include those where Sheetz Inc. plans to construct a new gas station.

Private party demolitions include the former Campus View Apartments at 303 E. Main St. That large complex was torn down by Akron-based ASW Services, which constructed a $750,000 fraternity house for Sigma Nu on campus and has discussed redeveloping the downtown property.

And the owners of Dubois Bookstore obtained a permit in December for a residential house at 403 E. Summit St. near their store across from campus.

Dan Smith, Kent’s economic development director, said the city plans to continue demolishing properties it owns in 2010 in anticipation of redevelopment plans.

Among the top priorities is the former Bar’N night club on South DePeyster Street, the vacant Triangle Cleaners building in the West River Neighborhood and a former barber shop on South Water Street, Smith said.

“And, should we sign the final development agreements in January, the Kent Hardware store as part of the redevelopment block as well,” he said. “A lot of those buildings were extremely blighted and eyesores. We’d like to see nice, new functional buildings with jobs associated at those sites.”