Business & Tech

UPDATE: Capstone Releases Information on Silver Oaks Sale

After getting 60-day eviction notices, residents are taking action

Updated at 12:35 p.m.

Capstone Development Corporation sent Kent Patch a release that will also be sent to Silver Oaks residents. It is attached to this story in the media section.

It confirms the fact that the community will be redeveloped to attract Kent State students, but does not say that Kent State is directly involved.

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It says the current owner of Silver Oaks agreed to sell because of "eroding occupancy over the last several years," and "the property is in need of extensive renovations and will be costly to maintain going forward."

Residents do not have to move out by Oct. 1, the release says, but that is when renovation crews will arrive and begin work. They have offered to work with residents who cannot find other living arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

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Original story:

The 250 residents at on Horning Road want answers, but most of all they want time. Last Thursday, most of the residents were sent letters that said the

They will meet tonight at 7 in a community room on the campus, said Kathy Plute, daughter of Silver Oaks resident Mary Flanigan.

"My mom signed a year's lease, and she hasn't even been there for a year," Plute said. "She's 79 and has a heart condition. She didn't even get a notice."

Residents attending tonight's meeting hope to start a petition. Now that they're over the shock of the eviction, they've settled on the fact that if they have to get out, they want more time, said David Badagnani.

"I'm good friends with many of the residents," Badagnani said. "They're going to start a petition drive in the community and circulate it through Kent. Their hope is to present it to city council."

The residents met once earlier this week and about 50 residents came, he said. They asked Badagnani to be there because he has experience with circulating petitions.

"Some of the residents are resigned to moving, but the ones I have spoken to recently are fired up about doing their best to stop and reverse this eviction," Badagnani said. "They feel there's hope they can convince the company not to kick them out on the street or at least give them more time to find somewhere to live."

Plute spent the weekend trying to find a new home for her mother, but came up empty. She said she feels anger and animosity at the fact that 250 residents are being forced out.

"I'm scared for my mom," Plute said. "Since Friday, we've looked at three places and they all cost more and none of them are acceptable for her, not because she's picky, but because I wouldn't have my mother living there. There are some people there who don't even have family to help."


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