PARTA, in partnership with Kent city and Kent State, received a $20 million Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to build the proposed “shovel-ready” transportation center in downtown Kent.

City Manager Dave Ruller said additional money will be required for land acquisition, but there should be activity with the project in 2011.

Plans call for the structure to be located on Erie Street where it dead-ends at Haymaker Parkway.

The facility, which will encase a lower-level shopping strip, an upper-level parking garage and a transit center for PARTA, is a crucial piece of the puzzle when it comes to revitalizing the city.

“It’s all a part of the downtown revitalization effort,” Ruller said. “This becomes the signature centerpiece in which everything can now happen.

“We know we’re a small town, but we think we have big plans and that we can make a big impact on not only Kent but also Northeast Ohio.”

The facility is part of a larger redevelopment plan proposed by the city and Kent State University that would include a hotel and conference center and new retail, office and residential space.

For more details, check KentWired.com.