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Downtown Community Message Board Ready for Construction

City issues building permit for electronic sign at corner of Haymaker Parkway, South Water Street

Construction is ready to start on downtown Kent's new electronic community message board.

The Kent Community Development Department issued a building permit recently for the sign, which will stand at the northeast corner of the Haymaker Parkway and South Water Street intersection.

The new Davey Resource Group building and Panini's patio will serve as a backdrop for the sign, which is intended to advertise non-profit community and university events.

Construction of the sign will cost $92,000, according to the building permit. Cleveland-based firm Brilliant Electric Sign Co. will build the message board.

The cost to build the sign will be split between the city and Kent State University.

Kasha Legeza October 2, 2012 at 12:06 pm
I like that "City of Kent Ohio" and "Home of Kent State University" are linked together by this sign! It makes a very positive public statement.
Traci Monroe October 2, 2012 at 12:09 pm
It should just say "City of Kent State Ohio".
Teresa K. October 2, 2012 at 03:09 pm
@traci: lol
Thats a whole lotta brick for that one sign. Wasteful. The sign is one way to a make a busy, dangerous intersection more busy and more dangerous. The sign does NOT need to be that big. Just a future eyesore. After a while no one be putting in new info and updates will fall by the wayside. Is the price still going to be split between KSU and Kent city?
Jon Ridinger October 2, 2012 at 04:00 pm
Doesn't seem that big to me; certainly not as big as the original plans. If you want an idea of how big the LED sign itself (not all the extra brickwork) will be, go to the intersection of Tallmadge Road and 43 in Brimfield. They have a color LED sign there that looks to be about the same size as this one and have for years now. Haven't heard about any problems there in terms of an increase in traffic or accidents. While it's not as busy as 43 and 59 in Kent, it's still a busy intersection. It's really no different than the electronic billboards that line the highways now.
Also, to answer your question, the last sentence of the article says: "The cost to build the sign will be split between the city and Kent State University."
Donald S October 2, 2012 at 06:14 pm
Why do you assume nobody will update it? The city is always updating their banners with events and hopefully Ksu will be announcing events on there. I see no reason why it will fall to the wayside with as much that goes on in Kent
Heather Malarcik October 3, 2012 at 11:04 am
What a great place to let the public know about the things going on in Kent! As the director of Main Street Kent, I can certainly appreciate the opportunity to get the word out about things we're doing to create a vibrant downtown: Art & Wine Festival, Chocolate Walk, Discover Downtown, Family Friendly Halloween, etc.
Tiffany Jones October 4, 2012 at 01:21 pm
$92,000 would go be a nice start for the updated police department building project.... but I can see how this project is way more important... priorities....

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Linda Davis, founder of Loved Ones of Prisoners, a support group for families.
Sa;;y June 16, 2013 at 05:05 pm
Linda, Kudos! Tough subject to not only approach but create a whole support group. I'm going toRead More pass judgement and say I think you are great!
Sa;;y June 16, 2013 at 04:59 pm
Paula, While I believe there are truly good people out there who have nothing but the bestRead More intentions for others, this story does not shock nor surprise me. I attended meetings with a friend who was court ordered. They couldn't drive and I figured I would sit with them instead of driving back and forth. AA claims not to be a religious sect but all the meetings and steps center around God. Not that I have a problem with God, but some people don't believe. Our courts (Judges) sentence people to attend meetings for DUI. I find this sad and irresponsible. One, it's religion. Two, you are sending alcoholics in to a group of other alcoholics who are not trained to help people with addiction. AA teaches people they are "helpless and powerless". Really? An individual has to find strength from within to fight the addiction. Telling people they are helpless isn't going to help. Alcoholism is usually tied to mental issues or illness. Going into a room and listening to other people's depressing rock bottom stories made me want to leave and go drink. Paradise Club....... hmmmmmmm...... I am not surprised. The only reason these court ordered sessions continue is that it doesn't cost the court any money. DUI's are a money maker for the courts, police and all the attorney's out there. Ah, but that's another story. I hope there is a happy ending for all of those above and others like them who have suffered under the guise of AA.
Amber Rodriguez June 13, 2013 at 12:30 am
I just want to let people know that Dandelion has been found, thank all of you who expressed concernRead More and kept your eyes out for him.
Matt Fredmonsky (Editor) June 5, 2013 at 03:25 pm
Does this not qualify? We're also the only news agency to report if he actually had an explosiveRead More device on him or not. Stories similar to what you've asked for almost all appeared last week. http://kent.patch.com/groups/editors-picks/p/man-arrested-after-threatening-to-set-off-bomb-at-kent-state_593fe0c4
Dave June 5, 2013 at 03:35 pm
Maybe it is just the start to a slow summer or a sign that there is nothing interesting going on inRead More Kent. The story you mentioned turned out to be pretty uneventful and more about a guy making false, not real, threats. The two stories that have seen the most face-time have been KRHS's valedictorian and the med helicopter. Maybe highlight achievements and products of local businesses we don't hear about. Run an interesting historical piece. Not trying to be argumentative but rather making a comment that the information provided as of late has been less than interesting.
amelfo June 7, 2013 at 05:39 pm
Matt -- no need to defend yourself. Considerate of you to respond, though.
Matt Fredmonsky (Editor) June 3, 2013 at 05:12 pm
It seems hardly anyone ever waits until the end of the procession to congratulate all the graduatesRead More at once.
lost cat is on the left in the photo
Patricia June 4, 2013 at 12:52 pm
I posted it to FB too, I live on Wolcott and I saw the flyer yesterday on a pole.
janetstavole June 4, 2013 at 11:00 pm
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janetstavole June 5, 2013 at 08:14 pm
Happy to report my cat was found....in a friends garage across 43 and about one quarter of a mileRead More away. Thanks to all of you who reposted our information on Facebook. Janet Stavole
Sue May 8, 2013 at 01:47 am
The school levy has passed. This is great news for the children of Kent. Thanks to everyone whoRead More voted for the levy.
Jim Williams May 8, 2013 at 02:05 am
Glad to see that 17% of Kent citizens were able to muster the energy to bother voting, and that theRead More majority of those few supported this very important issue. Congrats to the District for making the convincing argument. It's pretty clear that the chorus of "NO" that exists here on Patch is not representative of the majority.
Concerned Citizen May 8, 2013 at 02:58 am
Good voting LD
Teresa K. April 25, 2013 at 11:18 pm
I'm glad the League did their research. Have they ever researched and said: "no, we dont feelRead More the levy is needed?" For most of us, our research need only go as far as our wallets and income. If the schools with their million dollar budgets are feeling the crunch, imagine how average or lower average income homes are struggling. I am very suspect of the excellent w/ distincton rating and the asking of this levy at this time. How were we able to get that kind of incredible rating with NO ADDED FUNDS? Did the teachers wake up last year? Did the kids wake up? How did the school get such superior ratings THAT year and none in previous ones? why such a huge gap in time and ratings? The days of passing every school levy "just because", "we've never said no", "for the kids" or to keep our "property values" are over. The economy took care of that. No matter how you feel about the levy: PLEASE VOTE.
Sa;;y April 25, 2013 at 11:24 pm
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Sue May 7, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Vote YES today for Kent children. Yes on the school levy.