Demolition for Esplanade expansion delayed
January 12, 2012
Demolition preparation
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The Esplanade expansion plans will have to wait a little longer. The demolition of two homes on Erie Street for the walkway has been postponed until early next week.
Emily Vincent, director of University Media Relations, said the city advised the contractor to use the abandoned sewers instead of removing them.
The utilities must be “properly abandoned” before demolition can begin.
More than 30 properties were purchased in order to create a path to downtown Kent. Next week, 325 and 329 E. Erie St. will be the first to go, followed by 214 and 220 S. Willow St. later in the spring.
Michael E. Bruder, director of Design and Construction, hopes the expansion will give students more access to the downtown area.
Kent Patch reported the new path would be lined with artwork as well a, landscaping. The new expansion will end near the new Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center.
The two Erie Street homes will temporarily be used to store dirt from the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority’s parking deck construction.
According to a Kent Patch article, President Lester Lefton expects the project to take a year to complete.
Contact Lauren Miller at [email protected].
