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.