Building C: Bricco and 32 apartment housing

“Building C” is being built on the corner of East Erie Street and South Depeyster Street, directly across from the new Kent State Hotel and Conference Center. Adam Branscomb, project manager at Fairmount Properties, said “Building C” will be five stories tall. It will house Bricco, a restaurant on the first floor, and 32 apartments on the remaining four floors.

“This location serves as a physical connection with Kent State campus,” Branscomb said. “We feel that downtown living is a big part of creating the excitement that a college town should provide.”

He said they anticipate it to be completely finished by April 1, 2014.

The Secret Cellar

The Secret Cellar is a speakeasy-themed wine bar located on the corner of Depeyster Street and Main Street underneath Buffalo Wild Wings. Amy Bragg, owner of Secret Cellar, said the bar features about 70 different wines, six wines on tap and a variety of craft beer. It will also serve food, which will include appetizers, salads, sandwiches and small plates. It will also play jazz music, featuring an occasional solo singer, piano player, quintet or a 1930s-style big band.

“The atmosphere itself and the things we’re doing are extremely unique to the Kent area,” Bragg said. “It’s really a special and unique destination point that we want to bring to downtown Kent.”

Bragg said the Secret Cellar will also host events such as “time period parties” where patrons can dress up according to a certain time period. She said she has already marked December 5 as a 1930s-themed party – the decade that the club’s atmosphere tries most to capture. Bragg said they’re shooting for an early September grand opening.

Hours:

• Tuesday-Thursday (3 p.m.-11 p.m.)
• Friday-Saturday (3 p.m.-12 a.m.)

  Persons under 21 years old are not allowed in after 9 p.m.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts, a popular coffee and baked goods chain, is being built on East Main Street, across from Kent State’s Rockwell Hall. Franchise owner Ken Blum said the store will have booths and traditional table seating on the second floor. He said he believes the building will be open for business sometime during the fall semester.

“We are very excited about this location and look forward to joining the Kent community and serving the residents and students,” Blum said.

The Portage County Courthouse

The Portage County Courthouse is also being built on East Main Street.

This new structure will replace the current courthouse on South Water Street. Tom Huff, construction manager at Ruhlin Company, said the building is expected to finish sometime early 2014.