Kent Gratitude...

Maybe it’s the beautiful spring weather, or the opening of the PARTA parking garage, or the sight of structural steel for the new courthouse popping out of the ground, or the color of the new esplanade pavers that stretch as far as the eye can see from campus to downtown, or tracing the arc of the cranes as they swing the masons into position to put the finishing touches on the exterior of the new Kent State hotel, or listening to the excavators buzzing about like bees leveling off the foundations for the new Bricco’s restaurant building, or the relatively quiet and safe College Fest that passed uneventfully last weekend.

It’s all of those things that make me grateful to be in Kent Ohio and working with such a great group of people, inside and outside of City Hall.

There’s a bit of a sense of adventure that comes from re-discovering Kent in both it’s oldest and newest forms.  Some of that feeling comes from ducking and dodging all of the heavy equipment that is shaking, rattling and rolling to the left, the right, underfoot and overhead — but it’s also turning a corner that you’ve turned 1,000 times before to find an unexpected new shop or a renovated store front welcoming you to come inside and see what treasures lie within.

I am grateful that some of the new ingredients added to the downtown mix have re-inspired old fans of Kent and introduced a whole new generation to what makes small-town downtowns so special.

I suppose this post sounds a bit like a Chamber of Commerce ad but I’m OK with that because I’m a big fan of the Chamber and the exceptional work it does for the greater Kent community under the stewardship of Chamber Director extraordinaire Lori Wemhoff.

One small step that the Chamber made possible 50 years ago was serving-up a new town-gown (Bowman) breakfast that for the last half-century has redefined the meaning of a power-breakfast, showcasing all the good that can happen from breaking bread together and sharing a little morning fellowship between neighbors and friends.

One breakfast led to another and 50 years later Kent finds itself in the prestigous position as being honored internationally as the shining star for the best in town-gown relations.

Last week I shamelessly rattled on about Roger Di Paolo’s Bowman Breakfast speech where he served as tour-guide down Kent’s nostolgia lane and thanks to the Chamber I am pleased to let you meander with Roger yourself with a little help from YouTube.

Here’s the video link to Roger’s talk for anyone that missed it in person:  Roger Di Paolo Spring Bowman Breakfast Speech 2013.

Mother Nature Not Cooperating...

I admit that I have a personal bias that favors spring over winter but the finger pointing that I’m intending with this blog is aimed squarely at Mother Nature and is strictly for work purposes. 

My exasperation is not the typical city concerns for plowing and salting city streets — this is a cry for help on behalf of the PARTA parking deck which weather permitting was planned to open this week, but that opening date literally went south with the warmer temperatures leaving us stranded up here in the great white north with a parking deck in need of a stretch of 40 to 45 degree days to seal the concrete and paint the parking spaces. 

There’s still plenty of collateral work that will continue on the building over the months that follow, particularly for the retail stores being built along Erie Street, but until we get the right temperature the parking spaces are stuck in neutral.  PARTA’s leadership is appropriately stressed over the late cold temps but there’s not a lot of options for them other than to sit and wait with the rest of us.

PARTA looked at trying to heat the building from the inside but being a parking deck with each floor open to the elements that’s just not a realistic option.  Two cheers for trying to get creative.  

The PARTA folks did a little meteorological homework and they said that over the last 5 years temperatures for this late March were well above the necessary 40-45 degrees.  Remember those 75 degree days last March?  So much for global warming when we really need it.   Forgive me the indiscretion of wishing for global warming, I don’t really mean it, it’s just the stress of the situation.

In the meantime functions that were planned for April in the downtown that were relying on the opening of the deck are now scrambling for plan B.  There’s still plenty of parking downtown but it’s spread around and invitations for events at Laziza — including our own Mayor’s luncheon planned for April 11th with Mayors and State representatives from all over northeast Ohio coming to see for themselves what all the Kent buzz has been about –  that included directions to park in the PARTA deck are now having to hold their breath (that would be me) for some sunny days to arrive ASAP.

The logical part of my brain recognizes that warmer weather will be here any day but at this point that part of my brain is being ambushed by the emotional centers of that same brain that are screaming for some cooperation around here.  Hopefully Mother Nature is listening.

More Than Bricks and Mortar...

A couple of weeks ago (3/1/13) we celebrated another milestone in the redevelopment of downtown Kent as the shovels officially hit the dirt breaking ground on Fairmount’s Building C.

For those that are keeping track, Building A is the Davey Tree building, Building B is the Ametek building, and Building C will be the Bricco’s Restaurant building — with 32 upscale apartments up above for good measure.

Building C will be a poured concrete building, rather than the steel structure buildings like A & B, so once the rough grading of the site is finished later this month there will likely be a parade of concrete trucks at the site pumping up the mix and over the forms to create the foundation and the walls of this latest addition to downtown Kent.

I’m sure pricing of steel vs. contract factored into the decision to build a concrete building but I also know that Fairmount wanted to take care of their future apartment tenants by making sure that each floor of the building was sound-proofed and nothing keeps noise out like layers of concrete.

All the new bricks and mortar make a great first impression but their just great bones, next we need to work on all the connective tissue.  Right now each of the new building owners are busy planning the all important finishing touches.  I’ve seen plans being circulated for new landscaping beds,  flower boxes, benches and patios.

I caught up with our City Engineer who was deep in a meeting with the Davey Tree employees that we hired to help design and plant the public landscaping around the downtown project.  I really liked what I heard around that table — lots of ideas to give the project the kind of look that would make the City and Davey Tree proud.

The Davey guys said it best, “we’re the best landscaping company around and this is our front porch so we’re pretty motivated to get this right.”  Nothing like enthusiasm to go along with a bucket truck full of talent to produce great results.  I can’t wait for spring to pop so we can cut these guys loose.

On the other side of SR59 the contractor is scheduled to come back and start laying the pavers the week of March 25th.  The placement of the pavers requires decent temperatures so they’ve had to be held back but we’re hoping by that final week of March the temperatures will be suitable for the sand mortar mix that is used to level the pavers and keep them in place.

Lastly, the City and University are partnering up with a public art planning firm to lay out a blueprint for how and where we can work-in public art to offer a little taste of Kent culture throughout the project.  The firm came highly recommended from the folks that we visited with in the uptown section of Cleveland who used art to set a great tone in their project.  Obviously we hope to do the same.

New Community Electronic Sign...

Kent prides itself on it’s small town charm but for a small town we’ve got a lot going on and it can be hard to keep track of everything — which was the motivation behind the City and the University purchasing a new shared electronic message board at the entry-way to the new downtown redevelopment (adjacent to Panini’s restaurant).

When we started tossing the idea around years ago message boards were much less common and we thought of ourselves as pioneers back then.

A little $100 million redevelopment project diverted our attention for a couple of years, and in the meantime message boards have popped up in front yards all over town, but that doesn’t diminish our enthusiasm for adding what we hope will prove to be a great way of spreading the word of the many athletic, cultural, musical, educational and otherwise fun events that Kent plays host to each week.

The electricians powered up the message board Monday morning so we spent the day testing different messages and photos of Kent to see how it looks on the big screen.

We’re still learning how to use the software and we’re experimenting to see what looks good on the screen. After a couple of hours of working thru options I feel like we’ve started to get an idea for how quickly to cycle messages and what types of graphics work best.

We’re looking to keep it simple but also professional, attractive and informative.

We are advising people that for right now we only plan to post information related to events that the City or the University are affiliated with, or sponsor in one form or another. Over time I hope we’ll be able to develop guidelines that may allow us to post additional events (like service clubs) but until we have some experience with managing this process we would like to avoid putting ourselves in situations where we say no to one group but yes to another without some clear policy explanation.

The City sponsors (financially) the Chamber, Main Street Kent and DICE events so I think we’ll be able to cover just about all of the typical community events that occur downtown and with everything going on at the campus we should plenty of functions to post.

Nice Press Coverage for Kent...

We got word this week that the Kent Redevelopment project made the cover of the December issue of Properties Magazine. 

With a circulation of around 30,000, Properties Magazine is a professional journal for the real estate, architecture and construction trades. 

Hopefully this sort of coverage will get downtown Kent a couple of more leads on new businesses — or at least get those well paid real estate brokers and architects shopping in downtown Kent.

The article has some great photos of the interior space as well. Here’s a couple of photos from Davey Tree’s new office space and the new Fresco’s restuarant:

It’s a positive story about the many good things happening in Kent which is great to see in print. 

Here’s a direct link to the story. 

Go Kent Go! 

Go Flashes Football...

Get your Blue and Gold on Thursday morning and join a couple hundred of your friends in downtown Kent to send off the 11-1 KSU Football Team in style as they head to Detroit for the MAC Championship game.

Do you realize that after KSU wins that game (note my confidence), there’s a possibility that with no Big East team in the top 25, the MAC Champion — our Golden Flashes — could be invited to play in the Orange Bowl.  The Orange Bowl!  That’s a big freakin’ deal.

I wonder what the odds were in Vegas at the start of the 2012 season that KSU would be in a BSC bowl game.  Wow.

In support of the team, the Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with Kent State Athletics to give the team a proper send off, and here’s the details that the Chamber is sending around:

On Thursday morning between 9:25 – 9:35 am, the KSU Football team buses enroute for the MAC Championship in Detroit will come through downtown Kent.
Join us and cheer the team on!
Wear your BLUE and GOLD!
Line up along South Water Street and the West Main Street Bridge.
Show your support for the Bowl-bound Kent State Golden Flashes!!!

Kent Featured at Ohio Development Conference...

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to the Ohio Economic Development Association’s annual summit in Columbus to present a little history and lessons learned from the downtown Kent revitalization project.  I was happy to oblige. 

Bricks and mortar will always beat a conference speaking invitation for generating a sense of accomplishment but it was nice to be asked, and since we learned as much as we could from other cities before heading down this path I felt an obligation to return the favor as best I could.

I was part of the opening session that was asked to talk specifically about the role of ODOT’s new economic development project funding program.  As the recipient of $500,000 from ODOT’s new program it was easy to cheerlead on their behalf. 

I never met a podium I didn’t like so although my mission was to reference ODOT’s new program, having a captive audience gave me a chance to brag about all the partners that stepped up in Kent to create a transformative project in our downtown. 

It’s easy for me to get wordy when talking about downtown Kent but there are so many nuances to the Kent project that it’s impossible to pull one piece out without explaining how it fits with all the other pieces.  That’s a testament to the genuine collaborative nature of the project, and each time I talk about it, the more I appreciate how unique and exceptionally important that collaborative spirit has proven to be. 

There’s no particular genius in getting collaborations to work.  It’s like any family, there are ups and downs, but at the end of the day people that care enough will hold the center together and overcome whatever the issue of the day is.  That pretty much sums up the brilliant strategy that we deployed to get downtown Kent across the finish line.  

Don’t get me wrong, the community had aspirations and plans in abundance but plans don’t execute themselves, people do – so I always tell people that the hundred or so people that cared too much to see this fail were the real difference makers.    Maybe that sounds simplistic and cliche but I honestly can’t come up with any better explanation for how the downtown project happened against all odds. 

Part of the reason I like that message is because every community has dedicated people that love their hometowns, so every community has a chance to reinvent itself if it can get creative and tap into their hometown network.  I know that now but I wish I knew that when we started.

It turns out that caring for your community is the great equalizer and the moral of the Kent story may well be that if enough people care enough to get involved and collaborate, great things can happen.

For anyone that’s interested, here’s the talking points I used to give my speech at the Annual Summit. 

OEDA Annual Summit
(To view the slides of my session click on “Aligning Transportation Investment Strategies to Support Business Growth” )

Delighted to be here to tell Kent’s story

A lot of exciting things happening in Kent, big things, little things, things that have dreamed about for decades, all of which hold great promise for Kent’s future

Hindsight you can make yourself look like a genius, but we know better.
We know how many times we teetered on the brink of failure
How many times deals nearly unraveled
How many times things didn’t go as planned
How many different people came thru with a Hail Mary Catch
We know a lot more now, and hopefully some of our lessons will help you

-        Putting Kent’s Assets to Work

Kent is rich in the raw material of the new economy
KSU production line for new business ideas
University cities have been the nation’s Bright Spots in the Great Recession
Kent Was Not Going Down without a Fight

Project Pitch: Put Kent to Work for N.E.Ohio
The Talent:  KSU, City, PARTA, Corporate Anchors
All the Right Pieces, Just need to be Re-assembled

-        All About The Jobs
Retain Ametek, Grow Davey Tree, and Attract 400 – 600 new jobs
Economic Urgency = Political Courage
Wait it out or participate in our destiny
Frog in boiling water (jumps out), when slow cooked frog doesn’t realize until it’s too late

-        Project Leveraged $100 Million in Public Private Investment

Once decision was made whether to stay home or go big, went big
Bolder the better
30 years of planning to become an overnight success
Not blindly but with strategic precision

First the dollars and cents
In our last mile
4 letter word – GAP in funding

-    Final $3.8M with $800,000 Gap

See in a couple of slides, we weren’t shy about asking for money
Thought we had a good story to tell, and we told it to a lot of people
Part of the value of going big, is that there’s something in it for nearly everyone

Investment begets investment
Human Nature – people want to be part of winners
Ride the Wave – celebrating incremental success is important

Talk a lot about the Stars Aligned
Sometimes you need to push people into a new perspective to see alignment
With a shared vision things line up

Best examples of that partner alignment was Office of Jobs and Commerce
And ODOD coming thru with some funds that may have only represented under 1% of the total project funding but nothing was more important because it let us finish what we started.

-    Kent Project Overview

Audacity to dream Big
Maybe we can’t be everything to everyone
Why not have something for everyone
Too Often in Project Planning, We settle for less
Took the position:  Once in a lifetime Opportunity, Have to Get it Right

Hired the best people and Created the Blueprint for Transformation
City had it’s Bicentennial, KSU Centennial – Setting the table for Next 100 Years
Smart Urban Design
Did Our Homework, cold called, visited, learned from others

Got 80% planned out, we figured last 20% as we went along

-    Multiple Funding Streams Slide

Flavor for the diversity of fund sources, smorgasborg, speaks to our belief that investment begets investment

Strategy Principle:  Everyone has to have skin in the game, enough skin, that they are out far enough on the limb with us that failure is not an option.
The only exit strategy is to finish.
Critical mass, tipping point for success.
In those circumstances, amazing how people find a way to get to YES.

-    Kent Project Pictures September 2012

Nothing says success like Bricks and Mortar
Transportation Issues:  Centerpiece, both in terms of Great Streets, pedestrian, biking, “Connectivity”
New Physical Connections to Create New Culture of Connectedness
Full Circle Back to Economic Engine

-    Kent’s Lesson’s Learned

Build a Plan, Work the Plan:  Always Be Opportunitistic
Mix and Match, EHarmony in Project Development

All Hands On Deck:  Plans don’t execute themselves, people do
Good Plan shows the roles that have to be filled
Build a Bandwagon – competitive instinct to win
Load the Bandwagon with the best people you can find, get out of the way

Best Practices:  Plagiarize and Customize

Invest in Your Strengths – well rounded can be over-rated, find your niche and optimize it, feed it, nurture it

Braided Funding Strategies – Be Creative, Resourceful

Kent State Construction Update...

In the spirit of good town gown relations, the Kent State University Architect’s Office continues to share updates on the status of the ever growing number of construction projects that are under construction or are in the pipeline for the Kent State University campus — and I am happy to share those as well.

The list is long so loosen up that scrolling finger before you get started.

FALL 2012 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE
Here are the major facility and infrastructure improvements that are currently being administered by the Office of the University Architect:

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

Allerton Apartments Abatement and Demolition of Buildings E, F, J, K, L, and M
Residence Services determined that Allerton Apartments Buildings E, F, J, K, L, and M have reached the end of their useful lifespan. The unwanted and unused buildings are being removed and the site will be prepared for future use. Public utilities to the main trunk lines will be removed and capped per utility recommendations and electrical ductbanks to the main manhole on south side of street will be removed. Portage County Restore is salvaging furniture and other useful items. The sidewalks and parking lots will also be removed.GCS Industrial Services commenced asbestos abatement on August 20, work will continue through mid-November.Russ James Contracting’s demolition work commenced on August 29, and will continue through the end of December.

Cartwright Hall Partial Roof Replacement
Terik Roofing’s contract for roofing work and masonry repairs for Cartwright Hall was awarded this summer for this project designed byMakovich & Pusti Architects. Construction commenced late August and should be completed by the end of October. The roof above the ornamental dome in the Auditorium is being replaced; old ventilation shafts and other abandoned equipment are being removed to provide better drainage; parapet and facade masonry repairs are also being performed.

DeWeese Health Center Entrance Canopies
Cavanaugh Building Corporation is building a new canopy at the DeWeese Health Center to address functional and aesthetic concerns. Some associated building areas are being renovated, as well as installation of a new entrance canopy for Student Accessibility Services. Although DeWeese Health Center remains open, the front walkway and main entrance into the building are fenced off and closed during construction. Concurrent with the canopies project,Hasenstab Architects conducted a building evaluation highlighting existing systems and maintenance needs, as well as developed a master plan to guide the canopy project and to highlight future physical organizational and growth of the health center’s functions. On-site construction is scheduled to continue through October.

Heer Hall Renovations for Administrative Functions
Heer Hall, a former residence hall built in 1967, is being renovated to provide office space for multiple administrative functions. Once this project, designed byThe Collaborative, is completed, Human Resources, currently located in Terrace and Wright halls, will relocate to Heer Hall. Work involves the conversion of the residence rooms and bathroom facilities, improvements to the public areas, and the upgrade/replacement of the entire heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, electrical distribution, telecommunications systems, fire alarm and fire suppression systems. CurrentlyHummel Construction Company is progressing with demolition activities and site utility work. On-site construction is scheduled for completion by the first week of January 2013.

Kent Campus Residence Services Energy Conservation Project
This project encompasses approximately 1,800,000 SF of twenty-six residence hall buildings on the Kent Campus to address the House Bill 251 energy use reduction goals. Potential construction installation cost is $20,000,000 resulting in $1,800,000 total annual guaranteed utility cost savings. The Brewer-Garrett Company commenced installation processes in June 2011 and on-going as work is being coordinated with other residence hall projects planned outside of this project’s scope. This project exceeds the 20% HB 251 energy reduction goals with 37% annual energy consumption savings and avoided greenhouse gas emissions. The project is utilizing provisions per Ohio Legislation HB 7 for payback of project cost with guaranteed energy savings over the allowed 15-year payback time period. In addition, substantial deferred renewal items are being addressed: replacement of single-pane, original windows at Prentice, Verder, Dunbar, Lake and Olson halls; installation of air handling equipment in Beall/McDowell Center, and caulking, tuckpointing, lintel repair and replacements on the building envelopes. A student room energy conservation control system is being implemented throughout; this strategy will automatically reduce HVAC and electrical usage when rooms are unoccupied. Envelope repairs and windows replacements in Dunbar, Prentice, Verder, Lake and Olson Halls and envelope repairs at Engleman Hall have been completed. Temperature controls in student rooms are operating in Centennial Courts A-F, Stopher, Johnson, Lake, Olson, Korb, Engleman, Beall, Prentice, Verder, Dunbar and Allyn halls. A total of 2,051 water conserving low-flow sink aerators and approximately 1,600 reduced flow showerheads were installed in all of the residence halls. To reduce electricity consumption, lighting retrofits were completed in Stopher and Johnson halls, Centennial Courts A-F, Verder, Prentice, Dunbar, Engleman, Lake, Olson, Beall, McDowell, and Koonce, Leebrick and Wright halls. New motors with variable frequency drives were installed on the building heating systems in multiple resident halls. Kitchen hood controls were installed in Eastway Center and Tri-Towers Rotunda that will automatically reduce exhaust flows by up to 70% when not required to capture heat and/or fumes from cooking. Condensate from steam heat recovery systems are being installed in the mechanical rooms of Lake and Olson halls, Centennial Courts A/B, C/D, and E/F, Beall-McDowell and Tri-Towers halls to capture more energy from the condensate prior to sending it back to the Power Plant. The condensate heat recovery systems will reduce the steam required by buildings and help to provide more opportunities for waste heat recovery at the Power Plant. Utility meters have been installed in all of the resident halls included in this project and will automatically report consumptions to the building automation system for billing. The foundation has been established for the potential development of a Web-based energy dashboard that could be accessed by parents, students and staff to promote energy conservation and review utility consumptions. Utility meter readings for individual residence halls will be used to promote and document energy conservation competitions between similar halls. Reference theResidence Services Sustainability Web page to view some of the progress of this project.

Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center Masonry and Window Restoration
At the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, masonry systems and windows were failing, permitting water to enter wall systems and the building interiors.Braun & Steidl Architects designed this project. Stitle Construction Corporation repaired and tuckpointed the masonry; repaired and installed expansion joints; set and sealed misplaced coping stones; installed flashing, repaired lintels sealed masonry and stone; replaced glass block fenestration with new glazing systems; repaired the remaining windows; and repaired/replaced entry door hardware. When work commenced, further unforeseen deterioration was discovered, requiring many of the second floor windows’ steel lintels to be replaced. During the course of the project, tasks to improve entry lighting, accessibility ramps, stairs, and handrail repairs were added to the project scope. Stitle’s work continues through the end of October.

Student Center Envelope Restoration
Carl Walker, Inc. designed this project. The Student Center’s exterior building envelope is being repaired byHively Contracting Company; work involves masonry repairs and restoration, cleaning and sealing; expansion joint replacement; window caulking; exterior plaster soffit replacement; waterproofing and paver repairs/replacement at exterior decks.Speelman Electric replaced the soffit lighting is performing associated electrical work. Phase 1 was completed just in time for fall semester; phase 2 work involving the rear elevations and penthouse repairs continues through mid-October.

The Student Green
This project extends SmithGroup/JJR’s design of the Risman Plaza renovations to the lawn area south to create a contiguous outdoor space. The eastern portion of Risman Drive is closed and parking and traffic have been redirected to the new parking lot at the western end. Landscape improvements include installation of new sidewalks, trees, planting beds, campus gateway and signage along Summit Street.Cavanaugh Building Corporation’s on-site work continues through October and should be completed by Homecoming. Read more about this project:Work begins on Student Green project.

Williams Hall Third Floor Multi-Discipline Lab
Kent State University is in need of additional space to expand its research opportunities and create state-of-the-art, flexible, and adaptable laboratory space to recruit high-caliber faculty researchers. The existing Chemistry/Physics library (approximately 4,780 SF) will be converted into a multi-discipline research laboratory for up to five new, primary research faculty members. This project, designed byVan Auken Akins Architects, is a complete renovation of the existing space, including HVAC, electrical distribution, lighting, teledata, plumbing, casework, and architectural finishes. The construction contract was recently awarded toCoastal Quality Construction and the project commenced on September 10. On-site construction is scheduled for completion before the end of the year.

PROJECT PENDING:

Loop Road Recreation Field Pavilion
The new Loop Road Recreation Field, a new pavilion and secured field equipment storage building will be built for the convenience and use of recreation users and visitors. The pavilion will include a covered area with picnic tables for group gatherings, enclosed restroom facilities, electrical power and wireless Internet access. Site utilities, irrigation controls, field lighting and water well controls will be relocated from their current, temporary locations into the new building. This project was designed by Braun & Steidl Architects. All of the contractors’ bids for construction that were opened on September 12 far exceeded the published estimates and thus rejected; this project is pending.

ADVERTISED FOR BIDDING:

Library Third Floor Renovations for the School of Library and Information Science
The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) currently occupies an area on the third floor of the Library and the program has grown significantly. Additional space is needed to accommodate students and faculty. This project, designed by Payto Architects, will include interior renovations and systems upgrades to the approximately 10,000 SF of vacated space on the third floor of the Library. The program will include additional faculty office and research spaces, as well as instructional spaces. Contractors’ bids for construction will be opened on October 23.

PROJECTS UNDER DESIGN:

Centennial Research Park Lab Improvements
Swing space will be needed during the science facilities renovations and research space is also needed for new hires.Van Auken Akins Architects is designing the renovations to Centennial Research Park’s former 4,000 SF wash bay area include installation of lab casework, window openings, new restrooms, HVAC, fire protection, electrical distribution and lighting systems.

Child Development Center Outdoor Learning Laboratory
An Outdoor Learning Laboratory will be expanded and improved at the playground of the Child Development Center in order to enhance the mission and philosophy of the Center. Currently under design byBehnke Associates, this project should be advertised for construction bidding this fall.

Multiple Science Buildings Renovations and Addition
It is anticipated that three science buildings, Cunningham, Smith and Williams halls, will be renovated and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) addition will be built to increase academic and research spaces. Renovations will address deferred maintenance needs, focusing on replacement of aging and failing infrastructure and systems and reorganization of the program spaces within the existing buildings’ general layouts, and at the same time will establish state-of-the-art science facilities for teaching and research. Renovation of all three buildings will be treated as a single project to provide a cohesive approach to science instruction and research space in these areas; this project will be registered with the USGBC for minimum Silver LEED certification. Additionally, all three buildings and programs will need to continue to operate portions of the buildings during construction. Sharing of temporary facilities in all three areas will be part of an overall sequencing plan for the construction period. The 93,000 SF Williams Hall, built in 1967, provides space for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The 47,000 SF Smith Hall, built in 1968, provides space for the Department of Physics. The 93,000 SF Cunningham Hall, built in 1968, provides space for the Department of Biological Sciences. Cunningham Hall also includes an addition that was completed in 2001; work in this addition is anticipated to be modest and limited to systems that interface with the original building, such as building automation, security and fire alarms and re-commissioning of the HVAC system. The Office of the University Architect is workingAyers/Saint/Gross, Incorporated to assist with designing and providing project management for all phases of the project. The Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing engineering firm,Prater Engineering, is under contract with the Architect of Record. The Office of the University Architect recently selectedKarpinski Engineering to serve as the Commissioning Agent. A LEED Process Consultant will also be selected and contracted directly with the university. The university has interviewed the short-listed Construction Manager at Risk firms and will make a selection early this fall. The design team is starting programming and conceptual design which should be completed in December.

New Building for the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology
In support of the recently redefined and renamed College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology, Kent State University intends to construct a new facility reflecting the level of sophistication envisioned with the college. The new facility is envisioned to be between 40,000 and 50,000 SF and three stories tall. The facility will house classrooms, labs and administrative and faculty offices. In addition, a portion of the building will be planned as shell space for future expansion as additional funding becomes available. The research activities of the college will be located in another building on campus. This project will be registered with the USGBC for minimum Silver LEED certification. This project will utilize the Construction Manager at Risk project delivery method. Bostwick Design Partnership is serving as the Architect of Record. On September 14, Kent State University interviewed three short-listed firms interested in serving as the Construction Manager at Risk. In addition to the A/E and CMR firms, separate consultants will be contracted with Kent State as the Major Construction Program Manager, LEED Process Consultant, and Commissioning Agent.

Prentice Dining Hall Renovation
Kaczmar Architects is assisting Dining Services to program options for a new dining facility to replace the Prentice Café which serves the north campus area.

Renovations and Additions for the School of Art
The School of Art currently occupies six different buildings on the Kent Campus: the Art Building, Art Annex, Van Deusen Hall, Schwartz Center, Olson Hall and the Ceramics Building. The intent of this project is to consolidate the school into two buildings and provide renovated and new spaces for their programs. The Art Annex is the university’s former central heating plant in which a two-phase renovation was planned to house several art programs. Phase one was completed in 2007 and this project will complete the second phase of renovation to provide approximately 32,000 SF. An additional 68,000 SF is anticipated as renovation and addition to either Van Deusen Hall or the Art Building, based on the results of a study phase. Either building will need significant renovations to accommodate the art programs. In general, the project will provide new MEP infrastructure, interior finishes, and envelope repairs/replacement. This project will be registered with the USGBC for minimum Silver LEED certification. This project will utilize the Construction Manager at Risk project delivery method. Payto Architects, the Architect of Record, completed a study with several different renovation scenarios. On August 30, the Office of the University Architect interviewed four short-listed firms in efforts to select one to serve as Construction Management at Risk for this project. The selected construction manager, during the preconstruction services phase of the project, will assist in evaluating and determining the final project scope based on estimates, schedules and constructability. Portions of the buildings will remain occupied during the renovations. In addition to the A/E firm, separate consultants will be contracted with Kent State as the Major Construction Program Manager, LEED Process Consultant, and Commissioning Agent.

Schwebel Room Improvements
Bialosky + Partners Architects is working with Dining Services to plan improvements to the Schwebel Dining Room located on the third floor of the Student Center.

Stockdale Dispatch Renovations
Currently under design by Four Points Architectural Services, Stockdale’s dispatch center will be relocated into a larger, more secured room. Renovations will involve complete demolition and reconstruction of the new center and installation of furniture systems for five dispatch workstations.

Tri-Towers Residence Halls Rooms and HVAC Upgrades
Built in 1968, the Tri-Towers complex consists of two ten-story residence halls, one twelve-story residence hall and a central connecting building for dining and student activities. The complex houses approximately 1,400 students and has received two large-scale, but partial renovations within the last ten years. This project addresses deferred maintenance issues, including aging HVAC infrastructure, building envelope failures, interior room configurations and finishes that were not corrected as part of previous renovations and extending the life of the buildings for another thirty years. Domokur Architects is serving as the Architect of Record to assist with designing and providing project management for all phases of the project. Domokur contracted directly withScheeser Buckley Mayfield for MEP engineering design. Four Seasons Environmental is under contract with the university to serve as the project’s Commissioning Agent.Gilbane Building Company was recently selected to serve as Construction Manager at Risk for this project. Bidding and construction will be scheduled over a three-year time frame with the majority of construction work completed while buildings are unoccupied during the summer breaks of 2012 through 2015. During the summer of 2012, Hummel Construction Company completed improvements to the breezeway and storefronts in August.

CONTRACT AWARDS PENDING:

Kent Campus Classroom, Laboratory, Auxiliary Buildings and Utility Assets Energy Conservation Project
After a lengthy RFP process and thorough review, the Office of the University Architect and the Energy Conservation Committee selectedThe Brewer-Garrett Company to negotiate Performance Contracting services for energy conservation measures in Kent Campus classroom, laboratory and auxiliary buildings, as well as the Summit Street Power Plant and utilities infrastructure. This project will impact over 3.6 MM square feet of building area, plus parking lot and roadway lighting and campus utilities (electricity, natural gas, chilled water, steam, domestic water and sewer). The potential $50,000,000+ project has been limited to a $25,000,000 Phase 1 and potential, yet to-be-determined value, future Phase 2, due to the currently approved large volume of Kent Campus projects. Preliminary contract negotiations have begun. Expectations for Phase 1 of this project are that the majority of the House Bill 251 energy use reduction goal of 20% will be met. Select deferred renewal items are also planned to be retired. General scope items include select: lighting retrofits, windows, air handlers, chillers, boilers, pumps, heat exchangers and domestic water heating systems, piping system insulation, building envelope repairs, roof replacements, and comprehensive utility metering. A substantial amount of work and overall exterior facelifts are planned for: Administrative Services Building, Bowman Hall and the Library. Other substantial impact work is planned for MAC Center, Schwartz Center, complete campus exterior pole lighting retrofitting to LED, Summit Street Power Plant gas and electric utility contract/operation re-negotiation. The project will utilize regulations under House Bill 7 Performance Contracting regulations for payback of the project costs with guaranteed energy savings and possibly operational and avoided capital costs over a maximum 15-year time period.

Library Roof Replacement and Parapet Repairs
URS Corporation’s design proposal is under final review for contracting A/E work to replace the Library’s tower and main building roof systems. Work will include lighting protection, fall protection, and removal of old chillers and cooling towers no longer in service. Documents will be prepared for bidding in January for construction in summer of 2013.

Lincoln Building Office of Continuing and Distance Education Relocation
In order to properly work with instructors to set-up their online coursework, the Office of Continuing and Distance Education (OCDE) needs additional space. The OCDE will be moving of the Schwartz Center and into the Lincoln Building. Wanix Architects’ design proposal is under final review for contracting A/E work.

McGilvrey Hall Building Envelope Restoration
Carl Walker, Inc.’s design proposal is under final review for contracting A/E work to replace McGilvrey Hall’s building roof systems and brick/stone masonry restoration. Work will include lighting protection, fall protection, and removal of old mechanical equipment no longer in service. Documents should be prepared for bidding in January for construction in summer of 2013.

Music and Speech Center D-Wing First Floor Ceiling Replacement and Chilled Water Line Relocation
Chilled water lines in the D-Wing of the Music and Speech Center will be relocated from the ground floor to the first floor ceiling, the spline ceiling will be replaced with new two-by-two lay-in ceiling tiles, and the existing surface-mount lighting will be replaced with recessed, high-efficiency lights. Pardo Consultants’ design proposal is under final review for contracting A/E work.

Prentice House Relocation and Renovation
The May Prentice House, a residence of historical significance to Kent State University will be relocated due to the Esplanade Extension project and for future use by the university. Interior and exterior renovations are required to bring the building up to code for the university’s use. A new foundation and basement need to be built, new service utilities and elevator installed, and interior and exterior improvements need to be completed.Rick Hawksley, Architect, dba Design with a Vision’s design proposal is under final review for contracting A/E work to assist with planning this two-phased project.

Taylor Hall Building Envelope Restoration
Braun & Steidl Architects’ design proposal is under final review for contracting A/E work to replace Taylor Hall’s upper and lower roof systems; perform concrete repairs to the structural building frame; and window replacements. Work will include a green roof at the lower deck with irrigation systems; lighting protection, fall protection, and removal of old cooling towers no longer in service. Documents will be prepared for bidding in January for construction beginning in the spring, continuing through the fall of 2013.

Varsity Baseball Field Lighting
Outdoor lighting and lighting controls will be installed at the Varsity Baseball Field.Osports’ design proposal is under review for contracting A/E work.

SELECTING FIRMS FOR:

Bond Construction Multiple Projects Commissioning Agent
Kent State University is commencing an approximately $250M, six-year program of significant construction and renovation to the Kent Campus. The majority of the work will be focused on renovation and rehabilitation of existing buildings. All significant new facilities and renovation projects will be designed and certified to a LEED silver rating minimum. A Commissioning Agent (CxA) will provide services for all phases of the multiple projects as listed: Renovations and Additions for School of Art; New Facilities for the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology; Olson Center Renovations for Undergraduate Studies; New Building for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; Campus Infrastructure Improvements to multiple buildings; and other projects as determined. The CxA from each of these projects will also be expected to interface, cooperate and coordinate work that is affected by other projects. The Office of the University Architect will determine scope and assign tasks in these situations. For renovation projects, the anticipated scope of work will focus on replacement of aging and failing infrastructure and systems and reorganization of the program spaces within the existing building’s general layout. The infrastructure and system needs will include new air handling equipment, heating and plumbing piping replacement, HVAC controls, fire suppression systems, electrical system upgrades or replacement, new fire alarm system, and telecommunication system upgrades. Although some changes to the interior building layout may be included, the general building organization is anticipated to remain intact. The space planning will consider the reassignment and reuse of existing spaces as much as practical. New finishes and laboratory casework are required in most areas of the buildings. Until October 5, the university will be accepting qualifications from commissioning agents.

Bond Construction Program Management Services
KentStateUniversity is currently reviewing qualifications from firms related to Program Management and Oversight Services associated with the staged implementation of the university’s bond construction initiative. The capital program includes the planning, programming and implementation of various renovations, demolition and construction projects related to buildings, infrastructure and grounds throughout the Kent Campus which are anticipated to be undertaken over the next three years, and possibly beyond. Firms responding to the Request for Qualifications must have experience facilitating and managing the implementation of large capital programs over multiple years; establishing the procedures and protocols; assembling and coordinating the efforts of programming, planning and delivery teams; organizing and advertising the initial projects; and managing the capital projects process.

New Facility for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design
The College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) is one of Kent State University’s signature programs. Currently, the program is fractionalized with classroom, studios and faculty offices scattered across the campus in three separate structures that do not reflect the caliber of the program. Taylor Hall, located in the heart of campus is the base of operations and the location within the May Fourth Historic District makes it impossible to modify the existing building in a constructive way. Therefore, the university has set the construction of a new building for the program as a facility improvement priority. The proposed building is programmed at approximately 120,000 SF and will include studios, classrooms, administrative offices and various shop and research spaces. A site has been selected and will be announced during phase II of the selection process. The connection of the building to its surrounding site will be an important part of the design and the project will include all sidewalks, parking lots, landscaping and utility extensions to the site and building. The university has identified three primary drivers of project: the building must be architecturally significant and representative of the stature of the CAED program; the building must be a model of sustainable design and energy performance; and the building must be affordable while accommodating all of the programmatic needs of the college. Kent State University is currently reviewing qualifications from architectural (A/E) firms interested in designing this project. Kent State University is also reviewing qualifications from Construction Management firms interested in this project. In addition to the A/E and CMR firms, separate consultants will be contracted with Kent State University as the Major Construction Program Manager, LEED Process Consultant, and Commissioning Agent. This project will be registered with the USGBC for minimum Silver LEED certification. Maximizing energy conservation is a critical component of the design goals to comply with House bill 251. The A/E and CMR must demonstrate a thorough understanding and commitment to LEED design and is responsible for executing the design and meeting LEED goals as set forth by the university. This project will utilize the Construction Manager at Risk project delivery method. New Kent State Architecture Building Generates Excitement in the Architecture Profession.

New Institutional Advancement Building
The Division of Institutional Advancement and Kent State University Foundation serve Kent State’s mission by engaging alumni and friends to assist future generations of students. The division is comprised of the Alumni Association and Institutional Advancement units, who are dedicated to providing resources to accelerate the university’s overall strategy and keeping Kent State alumni connected to their alma mater. To achieve the university’s needs and priorities, the Kent State University Foundation Inc. provides leadership to raise private sector funds and exercises stewardship of assets. Currently, the division is located in three separate facilities. To enhance their effectiveness and to promote alumni and community outreach, the university has set the construction of a new building for the program as a facility improvement priority. The proposed building is programmed at approximately 22,000 SF and will include administrative offices, meeting rooms and event spaces. A site has been selected and will be announced in the coming months. The connection of the building to its surrounding site will be an important part of the design and the project will include all sidewalks, parking lots, landscaping and utility extensions to the site and building. The project will be delivered using a Construction Manager at Risk model. In addition to the A/E firm, separate consultants will be contracted with Kent State University as the Major Construction Program Management Services, LEED Process Consultant, and Commissioning Agent. Kent State University is currently reviewing qualifications from architectural (A/E) firms interested in designing this project. Kent State University is also reviewing qualifications from Construction Management firms interested in this project. This project will be registered with the USGBC for minimum Silver LEED certification. Maximizing energy conservation is a critical component of the design goals to comply with House bill 251. The A/E and CMR must demonstrate a thorough understanding and commitment to LEED design and is responsible for executing the design and meeting LEED goals as set forth by the university.

Olson Center Rehabilitation for Undergraduate Studies
Olson Center, located along the University Esplanade and adjacent to the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, was constructed in 1961 as a dining facility, but was converted to offices in the early 1980’s. The renovation of the building will address the growing list of deferred maintenance issues, but more importantly, will enhance the building facade facing this highly-visited section of the campus. The Department of Undergraduate Studies is located in the Olson Center with the Academic Success Center tutoring and other operations in the Schwartz Center and the Main Library. Undergraduate Studies is responsible for assisting undecided students with degree and career planning; assessing the basic skills of all entering freshman students; providing tutoring services that promote student learning; and providing support tools and resources for low-income, first generation and precollege students. At 28,000 SF, the former kitchen and dining hall areas that currently house Undergraduate Studies and two departments from the School of Art will be transformed into a modern, student-focused tutoring and exploratory advising center. With its prime location in the center of campus, students will easily access tools to help them achieve success at Kent State University, including group tutoring, walk-in tutoring, online tutoring and scheduled tutoring. The art programs, currently located on the north side of the building, will be permanently relocated into the new art facility once it is completed. Kent State University is currently reviewing qualifications of A/E firms interested in designing this project. Kent State is also reviewing qualifications of Construction Management firms interested serving as Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for this project. Separate consultants will also be contracted with Kent State as LEED Process Consultant and Commissioning Agent. This project will be registered with the USGBC for minimum Silver LEED certification. Maximizing energy conservation is a critical component of the design goals to comply with House Bill 251. The CMR must demonstrate a thorough understanding and commitment to LEED design and is responsible for executing the design and meeting LEED goals as set forth by the university.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS COMPLETED DURING 2012:

Allyn Hall HVAC Replacement and Student Room Improvements
This summer, the two-pipe heating-only system was replaced with a four-pipe system capable of providing heating and cooling to student residential rooms in Allyn Hall. New heating and cooling now provide improved student comfort, especially during the summer months and the Destination Kent State new student orientation program. In addition, the flooring was abated and the old built-in closets were removed to provide a fresh look to the rooms. (Engineer: Dynamix Engineering; Single Prime General Contractor: DSV Builders, Inc.)

Beall Hall Elevator Modernization
All of Beall Hall’s elevator equipment was original to this residence hall, circa 1966. Elevator modernization for the two elevators included replacement of the electromagnetic controls with a micro-processor control system; it replaced the AC to DC generator set with a variable drive AC motor. Each elevator hoistway was re-roped and new elevator cabs were constructed on the slings. New lanterns and call stations were installed at each floor. Elevator dispatch times and travel times were shortened by the new efficiencies in the micro-processor controls taking advantage of updated technologies. (Consultant: Lerch Bates, Inc.; Elevator Contractor: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation)

Bowman Hall Faculty Office Renovations
Partitions and finishes in Bowman Hall’s faculty offices were original to the building, constructed in 1967, and were worn and beyond their useful life. Approximately 2,953 square feet of faculty office space on the south side of the first floor of Bowman Hall was renovated. (Architect: Four Points Architectural Services; Single Prime General Contractor: DSV Builders, Inc.)

Bowman, Henderson, and McGilvrey Halls Lecture Halls Improvements
Due to the extremely high volume usage of the lecture halls in Bowman Hall, Henderson Hall, and McGilvrey Hall, interior improvements were made this summer. Finishes and lighting were updated and additional electrical convenience outlets installed in Bowman Hall rooms 133 and 137. Finishes and lighting were updated in Henderson Hall room 201 and in McGilvrey Hall room 302.(Architect: David Ports Architect; Single Prime General Contractor: Stitle Construction Corporation)

Business Administration Building Lecture Hall 100 Renovation
Lecture Hall 100 in the Business Administration Building was renovated this summer. The layout of the aisles was revised, flooring was updated, the rooms were painted, new finishes and furniture were installed to match room 200 renovations. (Architect: FMD Architects; Single Prime General Contractor: Lauren Building Company)

Business Administration Building Restroom and Stair Renovations
Finishes and restrooms were original to the Business Administration Building and needed additional ADA upgrades. New finishes and fixtures for restrooms were provided in a one-for-one replacement. Flooring was updated and the stairwells were painted.(Architect: Van Auken Akins Architects, LLC; Single Prime General Contractor: The Cornice Co., Inc.)

DeWeese Steam Line Insulation Replacement
At the main distribution steam line feeding DeWeese Health Center, Thermacore duct insulation was removed due to failure and Gilsulate 500 pipe insulation was installed as its replacement. The site was restored and concrete walks were replaced this summer. Only some butterfly garden planting materials remain to be installed in the new flower beds this fall and then the temporary walkway roping will be removed.(Engineer: Scheeser Buckley Mayfield; Single Prime General Contractor: Cavanaugh Building Corporation)

Dix Stadium West Parking Lot Paving 2012
This summer the west parking lot at Dix Stadium was repaved to extend the lifespan of the lot and provide stable parking and walkway surfaces for students and stadium visitors.(Architect: Alber & Rice; Single Prime General Contractor: Perrin Asphalt Co., Inc.)

Field House Renewable Energy Project

The largest, roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panel electrical system within the University System of Ohio was completed this summer at the Field House, working with Third Sun Solar and Wind Power, Ltd. for KSU Field House 1, LLC, a solar power developer. Power production from the solar panels installed byThompson Electric, Inc. officially began on July 20. Electricity from the solar panels is expected to provide about one-third of the electricity required for the combined Field House and Dix Stadium facilities; since the two facilities are electrically interconnected, each will benefit from the solar panel project. This project is the first in a prospective series of renewable energy projects involving solar panels to be installed on Kent Campus roofs and is expected to be used as a model for other Kent State systems, as well as for other state of Ohio public institutions. Preliminary data for August 2012 indicates that Dix Stadium/Field House used about 130,185 kWh – of which about 39% was solar power; 16,200 kWh of unused solar power was fed back into the Ohio Edison grid and will be credited on the university’s electric bill. (For comparisons: an average home in this region uses about 832 kWh per month). Read more about this project:Soaking Up the Sun: Kent State’s First Renewable Energy Project, Success Stories, May 21, 2012.

Geauga Classroom Building HVAC Replacement, Phase 1

This summer, phase 1 of the project to replace HVAC systems in Geauga’s ClassroomBuildingwas implemented to replace AC-2, the boiler heating plant, and the thermostatic fin-tube radiation zone control valves. Fume hood monitoring devices will be installed within the next two weeks, and then final start-up of the boiler plant and testing of the controls will be conducted. Testing is anticipated to occur during October, when the weather turns cooler; operations of the building systems for the duration should not be affected.(Engineer: Hinkel Engineering; Single Prime Mechanical Contractor: Prout Boiler, Heating and Welding, Inc.)

Gym (MACC) Annex Rooms 221 and 222 Improvements
This summer, rooms 221 and 222 in the MACC Annex were improved and used as labs for the athletic training programs which have outgrown their existing laboratory space. A new HVAC system with air conditioning for both rooms was installed. Other improvements included painting and installation of new carpeting.(Engineer: Hinkel Engineering; Single Prime General Contractor: Hummel Construction Company)

Kent State University Renewable Energy Master Plan
Gravity Renewables Group completed a comprehensive Renewable Energy Master Plan in effort to responsibly and efficiently apply appropriate renewable energy methods throughoutKentStateUniversity’s campuses. Renewable energy deployment is the next logical step toKentState’s aggressive, energy conservation programs and sustainability initiatives. This comprehensive methodology demonstratesKentState’s stewardship of public funding, responsible cost containment for its students and environmental impact reduction. Curricular components are also being developed. A consulting firm is assisting the university with developing and refining objectives associated with implementing renewable energy solutions across its campuses. The consultant studied the eight campus sites, facilities and utility data and prepared the Master Plan. Phase 1 of the Master Plan was completed on May 5, and suggests projects as “Priority A” 2011 and “Priority B” 2012 and beyond. “Priority A” solar photovoltaic (PV) panel projects recommended at the Kent Campus involves the Field House, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center and Schwartz Center, and at Stark and Trumbull campuses. A “Priority A” wind turbine project at Ashtabula Campus is suggested. All options for grants and financing are being investigated for maximum overall project success. The first project, solar PV electric panels on the Field House roof, was completed in summer 2012 and officially began providing power on July 20, 2012.
Library Restroom Renovations
This summer, restrooms on the first, third, fourth and fifth floors of the Library were renovated. New plumbing was installed in restrooms on the first floor of the Library to create a centralized core area. On the third floor, finishes and fixtures were updated. On the fourth and fifth floors, using additional space from the adjacent closet, the existing single restrooms were converted to separate men’s and women’s restrooms. (Architect: Van Auken Akins Architects, LLC; Single Prime General Contractor: DSV Builders, Inc.)
Murin Garden Lighting
Outdoor lighting in the Murin Gardens and adjacent areas were improved and upgraded with the new campus standard lighting system and new landscaping in the main boulevard. (Engineer: Epic Design Services Group; Single Prime Electrical Contractor: J. W. Didado Electric, Inc.)

Regional Academic Center at Twinsburg
Utilizing new and flexible bond provisions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Summit County Port Authority (SCPA) issued Build America Bonds to finance the construction of Kent State University’s Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg. Through a development agreement with the SCPA, KSU Twinsburg LLC, a limited liability company controlled and managed byFairmount Properties LLC and Premier Development Partners, built the 44,000 SF Academic Center on behalf of the port authority as agent and Kent State University as tenant of the port. The facility is located on SR 91 North near Interstate 480. With a 30-year triple net lease, the transaction structure provides attractive long term, fixed rate financing; and because of the Build America Bonds structure, a lower rate of interest, resulting in reduced lease payment amounts. Over the entire 30-year term,KentStateUniversity’s lease payments will be a direct pass-through of bond principal, interest, and federal rebate with cost savings of $1,400,000. Construction was completed this summer and the building was occupied for use at the start of Fall Semester 2012.

Science Research Building Roof Replacement and Masonry Repairs
The Science Research Building’s exterior envelope was repaired and the main building roof system replaced. The project also included replacement of various exhaust equipment and lighting protection.(Architect: Chambers, Murphy & Burge Restoration Architects, Ltd.; General Contractor: Roth Bros., Inc.)

Summit Street Power Plant Cooling Towers Upgrades, Phase 2
Two new cooling towers, one tower water pump, one new primary and a secondary chilled water pump were installed in the Summit Street Power Plant. This project also provided new VFDs for each pump and for new cooling towers, new structural steel for towers, controls, balance system, cooling tower controls and programming. The addition of these new cooling towers addresses the necessary capacity issues currently associated with the plant and will allow for full operation of the facility. These modifications enabled the chilled water plant to save energy through operations and controls. (Engineer: Scheeser Buckley Mayfield, LLC; Mechanical Contractor: S. A. Comunale Co., Inc.; Electrical Contractor: M & M Electrical , Inc.)

Taylor Hall Renovations for the May 4th Visitors Center
A portion of the first floor of Taylor Hall was renovated to construct a visitors’ center to house exhibits regarding the events of May 4, 1970. The project entailed new installation of interior partitions, finishes, electrical, teledata, audio-visual systems, and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning improvements. The May 4^th Visitors Center will officially be opened to the public on October 20.(Architect: Wanix Architects, LLC: Engineer: Karpinski Engineering; General Trades Contractor: DSV Builders, Inc.; Mechanical Contractor: Kline & Kavali Mechanical Contractors, LLC; Electrical Contractor: J. W. Didado Electric, Inc.; Technology Contractor: Echo 24, Inc.)

For general reference, a complete listing and status of design and construction projects administered by the Office of the University Architect, can be accessed via the Internet at the URL: http://www.kent.edu/universityarchitect/projects/index.cfm.

Watch the Time-Lapsed You-Tube Video, “100 Years of Construction at Kent State University”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVVuAHLfFuw.

Please refer any questions or concerns regarding these summer construction activities to the Office of the University Architect switchboard by calling 330-672-3880. Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation while these improvement projects are underway.

Kent State TV Channel 2, Portage Pulse...

In a reasonably small (I prefer right-sized) community like Kent it seems like it shouldn’t be hard to keep everybody informed on important local issues, but the reality is that there are fewer media outlets to use so even though word can travel fast, it’s hard to make sure the words are acccurate.

That was a big part of the motivation behind this blog (and our Twitter feed, Facebook pages, web site, etc.) — to help fill gaps and give people ways to connect to their government and their community in whatever medium best suits their needs. 

I feel like we do better than we used to in getting information distributed but it still falls short of what we’d like, which is one reason I was excited to learn about the reasonably new Portage Pulse segment that is offered by TV2 at Kent State University. 

The Portage Pulse is a news summary show that offers interviews and commentary about topics that are important in Portage County.  The segments are aired on Time Warner’s Channel 16 or they can be viewed at the TV Channel 2 web site. 

They even offer a great Friday night football wrap-up for all the avid high school football fans in Portage County. 

The only reason I discovered the Portage Pulse was because I was asked to come on the show which I did last Friday and was aired on Sunday, September 23, 2012.  You can get a sense for the show format and hear what I had to say about our downtown revitalization by going to the TVKSU website and clicking on the Portage Pulse, 9-23-12 episode.

Downtown PR...

I always envied those cities that actually had time (and the money) to get on the conference circuit and tell their success stories. 

It’s like anything in life, people want to be part of a winner — and in this case, people want to shop, dine, live, play, work and learn in a place that has a winning story to tell.  So, the hip cities get hipper and rich cities get richer from the positive stories that get spread around for places on the move. 

I vowed to never be a PR hound for the City I worked in unless we had a genuine story to tell.  Too many times I read glitzy brochures about a city only to discover the city couldn’t live up to all the hype — the old pig in lipstick routine. 

As a result we’ve been reticent about getting too far out in front of our downtown development and spinning tales that were more sales pitch than real content.  But now, we’ve got something real behind the story.  Buildings are up.  New businesses have popped up all over town and there’s a distinctly new happening place kind of vibe that permeates around downtown Kent. 

Kent isn’t a sales pitch, it’s the real thing.  So now is the time to let people know about us and get them amped up enough to come visit us, because once they get here I know there’s plenty of temptations here to keep them busy (and spending money to support our local economy). 

In a whirlwind of a week, we brought our videographer/producer/creative co-conspirator/Kent resident, Mr. Mike Pritt, back in to plan, shoot, edit and produce a new video clip to celebrate where we’re at today.  Somehow, Mr. Pritt worked his black magic and pulled another rabbit out of his hat with a great video that was premiered on the jumbo-tron at halftime of the Kent State University football game Thursday night but is now posted on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. 

Spread the good word, because as Dr. Lefton says in the video, Kent is happening right now.

Enjoy.  New Downtown Kent Video