Renovation of the Schwartz Center (R12) lot and Kent Student Center Visitor Parking lot is set to begin this summer. Both parking lots will be closed beginning May 16 through mid-August.
Additionally, the R10 lot between Lake Hall and the Memorial Athletic and Convocation (MAC) Center will be closed throughout summer to all vehicles, except those with disability permits. This lot closure also will begin May 16 to allow for reconstruction of Williams Drive, which will connect to the newly designed Risman Drive.
The 5XÉçÇø Board of Trustees in March approved a $2.5-million project to reconstruct the Schwartz Center parking lot in conjunction with the Summit Street: Building a Better Way renovation project. The lot renovations are funded by Kent State Parking Services’ reserves. As part of a campuswide parking capacity study, Kent State and Graelic LLC, a parking design and consulting organization, evaluated the parking configuration of the Kent Campus and determined that these improvements would best address the needs in this area of a growing campus with parking limitations.
The new lots will feature an enhanced landscape; maximized parking spaces with increased widths; prominent crosswalks and boulevard sidewalks to improve pedestrian access and safety, and to connect the MAC Center to the event overflow lot; and an easy drop-off access to the University Library, Kent Student Center and MAC Center.
Alternative Parking Lots During Construction
Schwartz Center Parking for Faculty and Staff: The alternative parking lot for faculty and staff who work in the Schwartz Center is the C-campus Center lot located next to the R12 lot. Additional temporary handicap spaces will be installed in the small lot next to the former glass shop, where the meters are currently located.
Schwartz Center Visitor Parking: Visitors to the Schwartz Center will be able to park at the small lot near the former glass shop. The meters that are currently installed there will be removed, and there will be signage directing visitors to this lot during the duration of the project. A parking attendant also will be assigned to this lot daily to assist visitors with parking and directions. When the project is complete, the small lot will be turned into R12 staff parking, and the meters will be relocated to the back of the R12 lot.
Kent Student Center Visitor Parking: Visitor parking for the Kent Student Center and other campus buildings in this area will be located in the C-campus Center lot located on the east side of the street. A parking attendant will be on duty from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily to assist customers. The parking rate for visitors will be $1 per hour with a $5 maximum per visit.
Daily Campus Tour Parking: The daily campus tours, which are sponsored by the Admissions Office and bring in prospective students along with their parents, will be directed to park in the R7 Bowman/Satterfield lot.
If you have questions about parking on campus or for more information about Kent State’s Parking Services, contact Larry Emling at lemling@kent.edu, call 330-672-4432 or visit www.kent.edu/parking.
For more information about campus construction this summer, contact Michael Bruder at mbruder@kent.edu.
