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Interest strong in downtown Kent project, says developer who is doing own financing
By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Sunday, Apr 12, 2009
Downtown Kent didn't need the feds or the banks to launch its own economic stimulus plan.
Ignoring the recession, a local philanthropist dipped into his own pocket to kick-start a major redevelopment of a tired-but-historic city center.
Ron Burbick, who is self-financing a $6.5 million renovation of the south side of East Main Street between Water and Depeyster streets, said it's a worthy investment and there was no need to wait.
''I've been in Kent for 35 years or so, and I've seen so many groups get together and talk about revitalizing downtown and nothing's ever happened,'' Burbick said.
''I was in a position to do something . . . and I have the advantage of not having to worry about government funding or any of the other things that tend to hold things up,'' said Burbick, former owner of Schneller Inc., a Kent manufacturer.
Phase One of Burbick's Phoenix Project is already done. A second story was added to an existing building, which now houses the Fig Leaf boutique and the Katie Brooke Quilt Shop, as well as offices for Leadership Portage County, the Kent Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Kent, and the Burbick Foundation.
Two more phases were planned for each of the next two years, but so many businesses were lining up to get in, construction was put into high gear with the goal of finishing everything by August — almost two years ahead of schedule.
The level of interest was somewhat of a surprise, Burbick said, ''but I always felt there was a lot of pent-up demand in Kent with no decent spaces available, no elevators to second floors, most places not ADA accessible. It was like, if you build something, they will come — and they did.''
Crews are currently busy expanding a second building and erecting a new one, and the two structures will be divided by ''Acorn Alley,'' a cozy pedestrian lane perpendicular to Main Street.
The alley will have 10 storefronts and include an ice cream shop, sandwich shop, toy shop, vintage clothing store, barber shop, dry cleaners and a couple of businesses operated by Kent State University entrepreneurship students.
KSU is also moving some marketing and communications offices to the upper floor of one building, marking the first significant presence of the university in downtown Kent, said Dan Smith, the city's economic development director.
''Our relationship with Kent State is so much better now than it ever has been,'' Smith said. ''For years we've been begging the university to have a presence in our downtown, and [KSU President Lester] Lefton has invested in this property, this vision we have.''
That ''vision'' expands beyond the Phoenix Project.
In recent years the city and the university have been buying up all of the property on the two blocks behind Burbick's project — land bordered by Water, Erie and Depeyster streets and Haymaker Parkway.
The master plan calls for a complete rebirth of that triangular area, with a hotel and convention center, restaurants and retail and office space.
An esplanade KSU installed through its rolling campus, which currently stops east of downtown, will be extended into the heart of the city center, Smith said.
The city has been talking to interested developers, although the economy will likely have to improve before financing becomes available, Smith said.
But watching the Phoenix rise has only increased excitement and clarified the bigger picture, he said.
''The skyline of the city of Kent in the next two years is going to change more than it probably has in the last four decades,'' Smith said.
Another piece of this puzzle — about to get under way, thanks to a $3 million boost from the federal economic recovery plan — is the $24 million Crain Avenue Bridge project, just west of downtown.
The existing bridge will be demolished and moved farther north, directing traffic through downtown and away from residential areas. A pedestrian bridge will run parallel to it, providing access to the river and bike trail.
Mary Gilbert, executive director of the three-year-old Main Street Kent, is thrilled to see the sawdust flying in this economy. Burbick helped fund the launch of the local Main Street chapter, part of a national organization involved in preserving historic commercial districts.
''We started the Main Street program right before everything went south, and I thought 'oh, this is really going to kill our momentum,' and it hasn't,'' she said.
In fact, Phase One of the Phoenix is already inspiring new activity, she said. A natural food store across the street installed a new awning.
And Nancy Arthur, owner of the gift store The Works, which abuts Phase One, said increased foot traffic has bumped her sales significantly — a lesson on how new businesses can share customers and benefit from each other.
''Women from the quilt shop come over here and say they never knew about us, and we've had a store here for 24 years,'' she said.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com.
Downtown Kent didn't need the feds or the banks to launch its own economic stimulus plan.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 07:54 AM, 04/12/2009
Good luck.
Anytown, Oh
Posted 05:40 PM, 04/12/2009
Wow! This is great! City council has been pushing for development in Kent to spur economic growth and add much needed jobs.
How many new jobs did phase one create?
Orrville, Oh
Posted 05:56 PM, 04/12/2009
Ron Burbic marketed $6.5 million in the wholesale and retail price of Schneller Inc. product and service that he is using to redevelop the south side of east main street.
Reality demands: Workers, consumers, taxpayers, and America's grandchildren that use Schneller product and service. Fund total cost of this renovation with money derived from wages or independent business profit!
akron, oh
Posted 10:49 PM, 04/12/2009
Loren Eberly: Quite a rambling post there, sir.
