Construction and Parking Update for Kent Student Center Area

Kent State University is building for the future with a number of significant improvements to its campus.

Work on the Student Green in front of the library and Kent Student Center is currently underway. Due to this construction, the visitor lot in front of Risman Plaza is closed through Aug. 19.

During the summer closure, drop-off will be available at the existing drop-off loop in front of the MAC Center, and handicap parking will be available in the existing drop-off loop spaces at the MAC Center. When the lot is completed, handicap parking spaces will be available in similar configuration to the current spaces.

Overflow visitor parking is located on the existing lot on the southeast corner of West Campus Center Drive and Summit Street. This lot will be staffed with a temporary booth. Parking will be a $2 cash only flat rate. Signage has been installed to direct visitors to this lot.

The project will displace approximately 140 parking spaces from the current lot. One hundred thirty new spaces are being built to replace those spaces. Sixty-three spaces are being added at the C-Science parking lot near Stewart Hall, and 67 spaces are being constructed in the existing Schwartz Center lot.

When construction is complete, the visitor lot in front of Risman Plaza will continue to be staffed with a cashier’s booth for the majority of the spaces. Sixty spaces will be designated as meter spaces with new parking meters that accept credit card payment.

As part of the Student Green construction project, new vehicular traffic patterns have been designed to accommodate cars, buses, emergency vehicles and pedestrians. The primary change is the existing exit only traffic light at the west end of Risman Drive (at Ceramics Building and Schwartz Center) will become the primary entrance and exit to the Kent Student Center lot. A new road will be established at the east end of the lot. This drive will only permit westbound traffic to enter and westbound traffic to exit, and it will be the primary bus drop-off lane used by the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA). The new drive is being constructed in anticipation of the extensive improvements that the city of Kent has planned for Summit Street starting in 2015. Upon completion of that project, this road will become the primary entrance to the Kent Student Center lot area.

Parking Services will continue to evaluate traffic and parking usage patterns in the area and will adjust assignment of spaces and traffic patterns as necessary.

Thank you for your patience and for pardoning our dust as we work to improve and enhance the Kent Campus.