Page 562 - Sustainable Cities and Communities Design Handbook

The Power of Sustainability: The Story of Kent, Ohio Chapter j 26 531

l Social/environmental (built/natural): Preserve and enhance significant
historical features like the Main Street Dam on the Cuyahoga River.
l Environment/social/economic: Build a multi-modal facility to increase
the use of alternative forms of transportation.

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOMES
The City of Kent has accomplished much since presenting their plan to
Council in 2004. Through publiceprivate partnerships involving the city,
private developers and investors, and the Kent State University Foundation
and Alumni organization, the downtown revitalization and KSU connection
as envisioned by community residents is taking place. The investment in
Kent is projected to top $100 million and create up to 1600 jobs when
completed. Much of the proposed investment in Fig. 26.3 below has been
accomplished:
Development initiatives in Kent Central Gateway were designed to create a
closer relationship between the university and the city, ease traffic and parking

FIGURE 26.3 Proposed Central Gateway Projects. Reproduced from ESRI; TeleAtlas; http://
blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/downtown_kent_ohio_rising_phoe.html.