Anchor Intro: As Kent State University continues to grow and expand, students will always continue to look for places to go in downtown Kent. TV2’s Lauren Mazza has the details on a new project to begin downtown.

While the bars and restaurants in downtown Kent may get large crowds, arguably no place has as big a draw as Acorn Alley.

From a sushi restaurant to a barbershop, Acorn Alley offers many services for a large amount of people.

The city of Kent planning commission hopes to offer even more services for residents with its approval to expand Acorn Alley even further.

The plan has two phases.

The first phase will call for new business to open along Erie Street in the large parking lot behind acorn alley and 157 Lounge.

Matthew Guska owns that bar and thinks that the expansion will be good for his business.

SOT (Matthew Guska, 157 Lounge Owner): I THINK ANY NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN SHOULD HELP OTHER BUSINESSES SUCH AS MINE, SO IT SHOULD ONLY PROMOTE MORE TRAFFIC DOWNTOWN.

The development will include Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants, Tree City Coffee and Pastry stop with a drive through window, and a popular resturant near Youngstown called Soup Works.

There will also be a new clothing store, and upscale condominiums.

Jennifer Barone, Kent’s development engineer is excited for the plans and feels the same way as Guska.

SOT (Jennifer Barone, Kent development engineer): PHASE ONE JUST LOOKS GREAT, AND THE ALLEY HAS BROUGHT PEOPLE DOWNTOWN. IT’S GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY, IT’S GOOD FOR THE RETAIL AND IT BRINGS OTHER PEOPLE TO THE SHOPS DOWNTOWN.

The project will be privately funded, so the city and its residents won’t have to fork out any extra cash.

Many students and residents of Kent are excited for the project to begin.

SOT (Kevin Grace, Kent City Resident) I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE COMING DOWNTOWN, ACTUALLY SPENDING MONEY IN KENT INSTEAD OF MAYBE…AKRON.

SOT (Jaclyn Cleary, KSU Student): I THINK THAT IF THEY PUT MORE RESTAURANTS THEY WILL GET A LOT OF BUSINESS, EPICALLY NICER PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO ON DATES, YOU KNOW, INSTEAD OF JUST GOING TO ROCKNE’S.

SOT (Lauren Mazza, TV2 News): WHILE THE PLANNING COMMITTEE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED THE FIRST PHASE OF EXPANSION, WEDNESDAY NIGHT IT APPROVED SECOND PHASE GIVING THE DEVELOPER PERMISSION TO START DEMOLITIONS OF THE AREA. THE PROJECT IS SET TO BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF SUMMER 2011. FOR TV2 NEWS, I’M LAUREN MAZZA.