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LOOK: Proposed Kent Police Station Images Released

Tax on November ballot would pay for new $18 million building

Kent Police officials are working to inform the public about a proposed new facility that would be paid for by an income tax increase on the November ballot.

Today the department is hosting public tours of the existing station, and safety officials also released these architectural renderings of what a new police station would look like at the corner of Summit and South Water streets.

The proposed income tax increase of 0.25 percent would increase Kent's tax rate to 2.25 percent. The roughly $1.3 million generated each year by the tax increase would be used for property acquisition, design, construction, maintenance and repairs, future expansion or replacement of a new police building.

The total estimate for replacing the aging police station is $18.36 million

The department also released a "Q&A" fact sheet about the proposed tax increase in relation to the new station. The document is attached to this article.

Editor's note: Look for more information on this issue in coming stories on Kent Patch.

Wade September 22, 2012 at 12:48 pm
There's a black SUV running a red-light right in front of the police station, hahaha.
Mary September 22, 2012 at 02:18 pm
The only thing missing is a pedestrian running for their life across the crosswalk...
Teresa K. September 22, 2012 at 02:25 pm
Let me be the first to say: I hate it. I dont like the different colors of the brick. I dont like the different roof levels. It is not pleasing to the eye.
Who designed the current PD? The outside still looks modern, not dated at all, and has held up great.
Teresa K. September 22, 2012 at 02:26 pm
@Rex: you are so right.... that is a very high pedestrian area.
David Reith September 22, 2012 at 02:52 pm
Good eye! Funny. Remembers not to hire David Sommers & Associates, LLC
Jason Mason September 22, 2012 at 07:59 pm
This is definitely overkill for Barney Fife. Just because the judges got a new courthouse, the cops feel left out. The old Tops building with its enormous parking lot would have served BOTH entities at an astoundingly lower price. They could even have a sizable jail to hold all of those slovenly 20year old students caught imbibing in alcohol! They would have recycled a blighted area and had ample parking for all the increased business these legal piranhas are anticipating. With this crummy economy, there is NO WAY this tax should be passed! The court house is not necessary, either. The cops say the basement leaks when it rains... I will head down to the ReStore today and get them another sump pump! This is NOT NYPD...
Kasha Legeza September 22, 2012 at 10:36 pm
The answers to questions being posed here are available in the .pdf file that accompanies this article ... and, the department is offering weekly in-depth tours of the building right up until election time. http://patch.com/A-xPs3
Alisha Wright September 23, 2012 at 01:15 pm
So sad, I wish people would raise money and vote for the school levy. Every student should have bussing, field trips and access to extracurricular activities!
Super citizen September 23, 2012 at 06:37 pm
It would be nice to such frivoulous spending even make the ballot.
Jon Ridinger September 23, 2012 at 07:31 pm
Historically, Kent has always passed school levies. No reason to think the one in March will be any different, and, in my opinion, actually hurts the chance of this income tax passing.
Alisha Wright September 23, 2012 at 08:30 pm
The point I'm making is that Kent schools have decided to cut bussing for students who live in a 2 mile radius and I believe for the high school students a well. When was the last time that the levy was able to pay for a major school renovation? There are drafty windows and leaks in every school. PTAs are coordinating fundraisers to pay for fieldtrips, teacher appreciation days and school supplies. I'm simply saying that 18mil is a whole lot of money. I have to agree with Jason Mason on this issue.
Traci Monroe September 23, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Where did you hear Kent was cutting bussing? The drafty windows and leaks are due to poor maintenance, they deliberately withhold proper maintenance so they can sucker people into passing levies. School funding through tax levies is unconstitutional yet people keep passing them, it makes no sense.
Pat September 24, 2012 at 02:40 am
The Kent Police are over the top on this new station. Plus a flat roof--how stupid--the repairs of leakiy ceilings will be another problem. Any one who goes on the tour of KPD will see a building which is in need of repair. If the Kent Police had maintaned this building and put the jail up stairs and closed off the wet basement they would have plenty of space in the current building. I for one am voting against the income tax increase.
As far as the school levy I shall also vote against it. When the schools goes back to one principal and one assistant then they could save lots of money. All grades at RHS has one assist. per grade level and of course each of these people have secretaries and secretaries have assistants--oh give me a break!! Cut back on these things and the city schools could save even more money. Plus someone needs to stop the students at KSU from voting unless they own property or lives here 365 days a year. Students should never be able to vote on our issues in Kent.
Michael Bellinson September 24, 2012 at 02:59 am
Roosevelt has two assistant principals, each covering two grades. One secretary covers both principals.

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Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Chris (Kit) Myers June 19, 2013 at 09:20 am
Yeah, it's tough having to cross railroad tracks on a bike trail provided by the taxpayers for youRead More to use free of charge. I feel your pain...
Matt Fredmonsky (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 01:25 pm
Thanks for the information Gary. Last I was told we can expect it to open this summer.
Mary June 19, 2013 at 05:42 pm
It's looking good. I can't wait!
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.
Michelle Fredmonsky-Harvey June 19, 2013 at 10:30 am
SO HAPPY to hear that !!!! :)
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
Thanks to everyone who is helping and has helped. Emmie is still missing but it helps to know soRead More many are looking out for her and us. Thanks again! Janet Stavole
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
I urge my fellow residents to send a message to the school board: The Board needs to face the factRead More of the current economic conditions involving the residents in the Kent city school district and come back with a request for a more reasonable millage. Otherwise, I think the levy will fail. Our city leaders encouraged businesses to come into the new development by granting concessions on taxes. Well, there goes the additional money!
Sue May 7, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Vote YES today for Kent children. Yes on the school levy.