Wells Sherman House Move to Close Streets

Drivers in Kent can expect some delays around downtown Saturday morning as the historic Kent Wells Sherman House makes its final move to North Water Street.

Stein House Movers, Inc., the firm that moved the house to its temporary location on East College Avenue in August 2012, is expected to start at 7 a.m. Saturday to move the house from the temporary location to its final destination at 247 N. Water St.

City officials estimate all intersections and roadways temporarily closed by the move will be reopened by 9 a.m.

The house will take the following route, via flatbed truck, to its final location: east on Haymaker Parkway to Erie Street; west on Erie Street to South Water Street; north on South Water Street through the Main Street intersection and on to the lot, according to a schedule released by Kent Wells Sherman House, Inc.

Kent Service Director Gene Roberts said the only expected long-term road closure will be of North Water Street between Portage Street and Columbus Street as the overhead utilities are lowered and the house is backed onto the lot.

“The house will move with a police escort in what is known as a moving work zone with traffic interruption at a minimum,” Roberts said.