Update: Demolition Plans for Robin Hood Inn Remain a Mystery

The future of the Robin Hood Inn remains a mystery, but it's likely the 75-year-old landmark will be demolished.

Repeated attempts to contact the building's owner, Christine L. Coven, have been unsuccessful. Coven from the city Thursday. The iconic tavern, most recently a bar and live music venue, is located at 503 E. Main St. near the campus.

Kent Economic Development Director Dan Smith said he's tried in the past unsuccessfully to reach Coven as people have approached the city with interest in opening a business or redeveloping the property.

"We’ve had a lot of people over the last six months come in and ask about that site," he said.

"I was working with someone who wanted to put a restaurant there ... That was in February," Smith said. "The restaurateur that was trying to open up said they were working on an agreement to open the building. But I understand there were structural problems with the building that came to light, and she couldn’t do it."

The most recent building inspection revealed structural issues that needed repair, but the issues weren't enough to force the building's closure or condemnation, according to the city's building department.

Kent Safety Director William Lillich said the bar's closure last summer was not the result of any enforcement action taken by the city.

An active liquor permit is still on file for the address with the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control, according to the department's online records.

Lillich said it's essentially standard procedure for the division of liquor control to retain the permit after a business closes.

"Under state liquor regulations, once a business is closed in excess of 30 days the permit has to be submitted back to the liquor commission to be held in safekeeping by them for up to a year," he said. "I presume it’s in safekeeping in Columbus."

Regarding the demolition, OBO Demolition and Construction of Cleveland has the go-ahead to raze the building. Demolition can start any time.

Coven has not submitted any plans to the city's building department indicating future use of the property.

For many, demolition of the Robin Hood Inn will be a sad moment. For more about the Robin Hood, read our previous stories in which and another story showing .