Tuesday, May 21, 2013
PARTA to start charging in July for deck parking
Drivers now know what they'll be expected to pay once PARTA starts charging for its 365 spaces in the new Kent Central Gateway transit center downtown. PARTA released the rates, which are as follows: Drivers will have free access to the deck's five parking levels through May and June, as PARTA is awaiting delivery and then installation of the pay collection machines that will manage the deck. Bryan Smith, director of planning for PARTA, said they will have the ticket booths in place to start charging for parking on July 8. Rates will be posted for special events, and drivers who lose their ticket will have to pay the maximum rate. PARTA will offer office and monthly passes, and drivers should call the transit agency for rates and …
41.1527
-81.356399
/articles/parking-rates-set-for-new-transit-center-downtown
/locations/9403372
Attorney for property owner asks zoning board for 60-day recess
After nearly two hours, the Kent Board of Zoning Appeals appeared no closer Monday to deciding the fate of a house set for demolition on Franklin Avenue. The zoning board reconvened its April 15 meeting, which itself lasted several hours, Monday night to continue hearing the appeal of a demolition order for the house at 509 Franklin Ave. Ravenna attorney Diana Prehn argued on behalf of the property owner, Caven McLoughlin, for the city to hold off on its plans to pursue demolition of the house so he could make repairs. City building officials condemned the house in 2009 due in large part to damage caused by a fire at the property next door in 2007. Click here for more information about why the house is on track for demolition. "We are just…
41.14996
-81.360359
509 Franklin Ave, Kent, OH
/articles/more-delay-in-demolition-appeal
/locations/9403996
Monday, May 20, 2013
City may consider signs, receptacles for picking up dog waste
With downtown's surging redevelopment there's likely one topic that hasn't been atop many people's minds as part of the work: dog poo. But K9 waste has made it to Kent City Council, where it will get a full review. Councilman John Kuhar asked council to consider adding dog waste receptacles, similar to those found at some parks and dog parks, to encourage people to pick up after their animals while walking them downtown. "There's nothing worse," Kuhar said. "If there’s some way that we could notify the public better, in at least the downtown area, of what to do with their doggy poop... I’ve been in a couple cities where they’ve had actually doggy poop bags." The more than $100 million in ongoing redevelopment projects has drawn large …
Check out a selection of the blogger contributions from community members, including businesses, hospitals and people just like you.
All members of the community are invited to "share what they know" and become a Local Voice, aka blogger, on Kent Patch. Click through the links below to learn about what people in your community have to say about current events, businesses, family and living. • Do you let your children or pets drink from the hose on those hot and sunny days? Mom blogger Elana West questioned the safety of it and shared her research with us. • Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) writes about a new four-year program of highway, public transportation, and bike and pedestrian projects. Find out what they are here. • A local member of World Exchange is looking for families to host French students this summer. Blogger Jill Quinn, whose family …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
City expects stoplight at Erie, Esplanade to turn on in June
The new traffic light at the reconstructed intersection of Haymaker Parkway, Erie Street and the Esplanade is nearly ready to start stopping traffic on the four-lane roadway. The traffic light is being added as part of reopening the intersection with Haymaker Parkway and Erie Street downtown at the Kent Central Gateway transit center. That intersection had been closed for decades prior to the redevelopment work under way. Kent City Engineer Jim Bowling said previously the new light should be running in June. For now, Erie Street between Haymaker Parkway and South DePeyster Street remains closed. "We don’t plan on opening Erie Street until the light is up and functioning," Bowling said. Paving work is scheduled to start this evening on the …
Proposed 0.25 percent income tax increase would pay to build new police station, would expire in 2038
It's official. Kent voters will again cast ballots on a proposed 0.25 percent income tax increase that would pay to build a new Kent Police station. Kent City Council voted Wednesday to send the issue back to the ballot in what was council's final action on the issue. Now, one year after voters rejected the idea of a tax hike to build a new police department they will be asked the same question. In November 2012 voters rejected Issue 11, which would have raised Kent's income tax from 2 percent to 2.25 percent to pay to build an estimated $18.36 million police building in the Day Street block. Kent residents cast 4,240 votes for the tax increase and 5,163 against the tax. There are two differences in what voters rejected in November 2012 …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
County transit agency wants public comments on Transportation Development Plan
Tonight Kent-area residents have the chance to help guide the future planning and operations of the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority. PARTA officials will hold one of eleven public meetings throughout the county in Kent City Council chambers at 6 p.m. looking for input from residents of Kent, the Village of Brady Lake and Franklin Township on future strategic planning moves by the transit agency. David Kotting, the consultant managing the planning process, said this series of meetings is part of PARTA's Transportation Development Plan, which is a periodic responsibility of all publicly-supported transit systems. "The planning process is not about routes or schedules, but rather the strategic opportunities that we can define …
41.15063
-81.356419
325 S Depeyster St, Kent, OH
/articles/parta-seeks-input-on-future-planning-endeavors
/locations/9380756
Monday, May 13, 2013
16.8 percent of eligible voters cast ballots on the operating levy
The majority of voters eligible to cast a vote on the Kent City Schools levy Tuesday stayed home. A total 3,608 votes were cast on Issue 8, according to final but unofficial results from the Portage County Board of Elections. The 8.9 mill school operating levy passed by a vote of 2,201 for the levy and 1,407 against it, according to the board of elections. Citywide, there are 17,223 registered voters in Kent. Add in the neighboring townships and villages, and 21,380 voters were eligible to cast a vote on the levy last week. Of the eligible voters, just 16.8 percent cast a vote on the levy. The votes cast in favor of the levy represent just 10 percent of the total voters eligible to vote on the issue. Countywide, Portage saw a voter turnout…
Kent's Economic Development Director recently had surgery and the community is showing they care for him with photos on Facebook.
It's an adage, but a picture is worth a thousand words ... and in this case, it's worth a thousand caring words from Kent to a city employee. Dan Smith, the city's economic development director, recently underwent surgery. To cheer him up, the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce director has been taking around a sign that says, "We Love & Miss You Dan" to different businesses and organizations in Kent. Groups from around Kent are snapping a picture with the sign and adding it to Facebook: (Click the following links to see the corresponding photos on Facebook.) To see all of the photos, visit the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. The sign was made by David Sommers & Associates. Do you or your organization have a photo to share …
Friday, May 10, 2013
All information is according to the Kent Community Development Department
Here's the latest batch of building permits issued by the Kent Community Development Department:
41.15377
-81.36022
/articles/new-karate-studio-and-wheelchair-ramps-building-permits
/locations/9364994
41.151666
-81.358517
122 W College St, Kent, OH
/articles/new-karate-studio-and-wheelchair-ramps-building-permits
/locations/9364989
41.154166
-81.358168
/articles/new-karate-studio-and-wheelchair-ramps-building-permits
/locations/9364990
41.158772
-81.358216
/articles/new-karate-studio-and-wheelchair-ramps-building-permits
/locations/9364992
41.143617
-81.365213
/articles/new-karate-studio-and-wheelchair-ramps-building-permits
/locations/9364991
41.14831
-81.357899
120 E Williams St, Kent, OH
/articles/new-karate-studio-and-wheelchair-ramps-building-permits
/locations/9364993
jim francis
11:56 am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
5 bucks for 24 hours isn't too bad is there public showers in the area? more ›