2-23-08

Dear Editor:

It is with great anticipation that I wait to see the redevelopment plans for the South Water Street block unfold. Having called Kent home since the age of three, I have always thought the area has great potential.

Though I realize the plans are in very preliminary stages (as not even all the property in question has been acquired by the City), I still think it necessary for the city to have a clear objective in mind. Enhancing downtown Kent is too vague. The creation a whitewater rafting park, while an exciting future objective, is too specific in that it's tailored to too narrow a group of people. Rather, the creation of a place for all of Kent's residents"students and seniors alike"is a more realistic, and much more crucial, first project.

In their presentation to the review committee on Friday (RC 2-23-08), David Haines and David Leone of Portage Venture LLC grasped the importance of a successful first project when they mentioned the need for Kent to have "a strong foundation" before anything else. But their ideas fell very short of addressing the Kent community holistically when they detailed plans for "a high-end student housing component complete with club house, pool, and exercise facility."

Before we build student apartments"or any apartments, for that matter"the city needs to create viable reasons why anyone should want to live here (other than the university, which is a reason we've relied on for far too long). Down the road perhaps an apartment complex would be a wise endeavor, but right now it is paramount that we establish attractions that identify Kent as a vital, unique place to live, work, and visit.

As our neighbors in Stow work on the construction of their second community arts and recreation facility, I am baffled as to why Kent"a community that prides itself on its artistic character"has yet to build a center that could home exhibitions, events, programs, lessons, and even the community dinners (whose existence alone proves how worthy this community is of investment).

I'm afraid a luxury apartment complex, with so many amenities included on premises, would actually be a detriment to any redevelopment effort. More than ever, residents would be encouraged to stay in their homes instead of venturing out into their community. As a student complex, the KSU Bubble that already shelters the student population from the varying aspects of downtown Kent would be further extended.

As an instructor at Kent State, I know first-hand the very bleak relationship students have with Kent. Last semester, I invited my students to conference at one of Kent's coffee shops instead of my office. I suggested Anthony's or Scribble's, but when I put it up to a vote, my students looked at me blankly. "Downtown Kent has coffee shops?" someone finally asked.

So as Dave Ruller, Dave Creamer, Garret Ferrara, and Mary Gilbert consider the redevelopment of Kent, I urge them to demand an effort that includes a home for the whole community in the form of a community arts and recreation center. Investing in community"what a foundation that would be!

Thank you,

Melissa Barrett

431 West Main Street
Kent, OH 44240
mbarrett@slc.edu