Kent State to Raze 10 More Houses for Esplanade

Kent State University is getting ready to demolish 10 more houses in the neighborhood west of campus for construction of the Esplanade.

The Kent Community Development Department issued 10 demolition permits to the university this month for structures at the following addresses: 122 S. Lincoln St.; 128 S. Lincoln St.; 117 S. Willow St.; 123 S. Willow St.; 129 S. Willow St.; 205 S. Willow St.; 209 S. Willow St.; 210 S. Willow St.; 230 S. Willow St.; and 329 E. College Ave.

Lockhart Companies, of Akron, OH, will handle the demolition of all 10 structures.

Some of the properties have already been completely or partially demolished.

A fire almost completely destroyed the house at 128 S. Lincoln St. in November. And 128 S. Lincoln St. is where the historic May H. Prentice house stood until it was moved to avoid demolition in February.

The remaining structures are among the 41 properties bought by Kent State to extend the Esplanade, the on-campus leg of The Portage Hike and Bike Trail, into downtown Kent.