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Funding options for 'Central Gateway' in Kent weighed

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January 24, 2010

 

By Matt Fredmonsky

Record-Courier staff writer

The jury is still out on a request for $21 million in federal funding to build a multi-modal transit center in downtown Kent.

In October, the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority filed for a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant with the U.S. Department of Transportation. PARTA officials expected to hear if they received the grant to build the Kent Central Gateway transit center as early as Jan. 1.

Bryan Smith, director of planning for PARTA, said the federal agency has until Feb. 17 to announce the award recipients based on the wording in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided funding for the TIGER grant program.

A total 1,380 applicants submitted proposals for the grant program. Communities nationwide requested a total dollar amount of $56.5 billion, according to the department of transportation. 

If PARTA doesn’t receive the grant, there are other funding options to build the Kent Central Gateway.

Kent Economic Development Director Dan Smith said the city and PARTA are exploring funding methods through the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study and tax-incremental financing.

The multi-modal transit center, as currently designed, would operate as a bus transfer facility with 10 bus bays, up to 300 parking spaces and 22,000 square feet of commercial space. Plans call for locating the facility on Erie Street where it dead-ends at Haymaker Parkway.

The “Cadillac” design plan, as Dan Smith called it, would be scaled down to a more cost-effective total of around $12 million.

Kent City Manager Dave Ruller said the city would have to find other methods of paying for the adjoining infrastructure improvements. But the commercial space would remain so the building facade fits in with the rest of downtown.

“To the average customer, it won’t look any different,” he said.

The city and university, in conjunction with private developers, are planning to redevelop the area around the proposed transit center with a hotel and conference center, new retail, office and residential space.

Bryan Smith said a representative from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s office visited with officials from PARTA, Kent and KSU Wednesday to talk about the transit center and the other redevelopment plans.

“They were very supportive and glad to see the partnerships,” Smith said. “That was one of the things we stressed. None of us could do this alone.”

 




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 5 Total Comments
5.
    Posted by RealityCheck January 25, 2010
dan smith is nothing more than a mouth piece for the city manager. this guy had a petty job at the chamber, kissed up to the townies and is now a pawn without experiance.

if dan smith keeps opening his trap while taking credit for the department, you will see gary locke stepping in for the play.

remember the last two or three department employees that were terminated? well, gary locke is still there and he will remain until he chooses to retire.

4.
    Posted by ravennathrough&through January 24, 2010
I think it is hilarious that you people talk about the "good 'ole boys" politics in Portage County... The great thing about a democracy if you do not like things change it... Oh wait it is okay as long as they are doing something for you......

3.
    Posted by moroniohio1 January 24, 2010
And how are Dan Smith and "his buddies" anything like the "good ole boys from Ravenna"? Dan Smith and "his buddies" have done a lot of good for this city, especially lately. He's hardly another Paul Jones.

I really hope this project actually comes to pass. It would sure beat the eyesores along S. DePeyster and E. Erie streets that currently occupy the area.

2.
    Posted by starttyrant January 24, 2010
Sure Gary, likely story, Senator Brown is looking to screw Kent by spending tax dollars here to boost the revitalization of the city. The everyday citizen would sure hate to see that happen.

Just like I said in the other article on downtown development, You are a 'glass half empty' kind of guy and seem to be very fearful about most of the things in the RC. Ease up Gary, paranoia is a heavy burden to carry every day and statements like "WATCH OUT KENT!" just bear that out further.

1.
    Posted by Gary January 24, 2010
Watch out for anything concerning Senator Brown as he is going to be voted out the next election. He and his assoc. have no interest in the everyday citizen just spending our tax dollars. Dan Smith and his buddies are like the "good ole boys from Ravenna" --WATCH OUT KENT!!!!!

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