Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox settlement |name = Kent |official_name = City of Kent, Ohio |settlement_type = [[City]] |image_skyline = {{Photomontage |photo1a=Downtown Kent 2013.JPG |photo1b=Franklin Hotel hill.JPG |photo2a=Dix Stadium 2012.JPG |photo2b=Kent Roosevelt front 2.jpg |photo2c=Kent Hall 2015 front.jpg |photo3a=Downtown Kent bridge.JPG |photo3b=Cuyahoga River Kent 2012.JPG |size=275 |position=center |color= #FFFFFF |border=0 }} |image_caption = Top from left: old [[Kent Industrial District|Erie Depot]] and Star of the West mill, [[Franklin Hotel (Kent, Ohio)|Franklin Hotel]], [[Dix Stadium]], [[Theodore Roosevelt High School (Kent, Ohio)|Theodore Roosevelt High School]], [[Ohio State Normal College at Kent|Kent Hall]], [[Kent Industrial District|Main Street Bridge and arch dam]], [[Cuyahoga River]] |image_flag = |nickname = The Tree City |image_seal = Kentlogo.png |pushpin_map = USA relief |pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States |latd = 41.15 |longd = -81.36 |coordinates_region = US-OH |coordinates_display = inline,title |coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=GNIS>{{cite gnis|2395512|City of Kent}}</ref> |image_map = Ohio Portage Kent.png |map_caption = Location in [[Portage County, Ohio|Portage County]] and [[Ohio]] |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]] |subdivision_name = [[United States]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Ohio]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Portage County, Ohio|Portage]] |government_type = [[Council-manager government|Council-Manager]] |leader_title1 = [[City Manager]] |leader_name1 = Dave Ruller |leader_title2 = [[Mayor]] |leader_name2 = Jerry Fiala <!-- Area --> |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_magnitude = |area_total_sq_mi = 9.28 |area_land_sq_mi = 9.17 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.11 |elevation_ft = 1056 <!-- Population --> |population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]] |population_est = 29639 |pop_est_as_of = 2014 |population_footnotes = |population_total = 28904 |population_density_sq_mi = 3152.0 |population_demonym = Kentite |population_note = |timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]] |utc_offset = −5 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] |utc_offset_DST = −4 |website = {{URL|kentohio.org}} |postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s |postal_code = 44240, 44242, 44243 |area_code = [[Area codes 234 and 330|330, 234]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 39-39872 |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 2395512<ref name=GNIS/> |footnotes = |established_title = Founded |established_date = November 1805 |established_title2 = Incorporated |established_date2 = 1867 |founder = [[John Haymaker]] |named_for = [[Marvin Kent]] |twin1 = [[Dudince]] |twin1_country = [[Slovakia]] }} '''Kent''' is a city in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Ohio]] and the largest city in [[Portage County, Ohio|Portage County]]. It is located along the [[Cuyahoga River]] in [[Northeast Ohio]] on the western edge of the county. The population was 28,904 in the [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]] and 29,639 in the 2014 estimate. The city is counted as part of the [[Akron, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area|Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area]] and the larger [[Northeast Ohio|Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area]]. Part of the [[Connecticut Western Reserve]], Kent was settled in 1805 and was known for many years as '''Franklin Mills'''. Settlers were attracted to the area due to its location along the Cuyahoga River as a place for water-powered mills. Later development came in the 1830s and 1840s as a result of the settlement's position along the route of the [[Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal]]. Leading up to the [[American Civil War]], Franklin Mills was noted for its activity in the [[Underground Railroad]]. With the decline of the canal and the emergence of the railroad, the town became the home of the [[Atlantic and Great Western Railroad]] maintenance shops through the influence of [[Marvin Kent]]. In 1864 the town was renamed Kent in honor of and in gratitude for Marvin Kent's efforts. It was incorporated as a village in 1867 and became a city after the 1920 Census. Today Kent is a [[college town]] best known as the home of the main campus of [[Kent State University]], founded in 1910, and as the site of the 1970 [[Kent State shootings]]. Historically a manufacturing center, education is the city's largest economic sector with Kent State University the city's, and one of the region's, largest employers. The [[Kent City School District]] and the [[Kent Free Library]] provide additional education opportunities and resources. Many of Kent's demographic elements are influenced by the presence of the university, particularly the median age, median income, and those living below the poverty level. The city is governed by a [[council-manager government|council-manager system]] with a [[city manager]], a nine-member city council, and a mayor. Kent has nearly 20 parks and preserves and hosts a number of annual festivals including ones related to [[Earth Day]], folk music, and the U.S. [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]]. In addition to the [[Kent State Golden Flashes|Kent State athletic teams]], the city also hosts a number of amateur and local sporting events at various times during the year. Kent is part of the Cleveland-Akron media market and is the city of license for three local radio stations and three television stations and includes the regional affiliates for [[National Public Radio]] (NPR) and the [[Public Broadcasting Service]] (PBS). Although most residents commute to work in private vehicles, alternate transportation includes a [[Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority|public bus service]] and hike-and-bike trails. As the home of the [[Davey Tree Expert Company]], Kent is known as "The Tree City" while residents are referred to as "[[List of people from Kent, Ohio|Kentites]]". The city has produced a number of notable individuals, particularly in politics, athletics, and the entertainment industry. ==History== {{Main|History of Kent, Ohio}} The region was originally inhabited by various tribes of [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indians]], including the early [[Mound builder (people)|Mound Builders]]. Around 1780, Captain [[Samuel Brady]] achieved notoriety for his activities in the area, including his famous leap of {{convert|21|ft|m|0}} over the [[Cuyahoga River]] to avoid capture by an unknown band of American Indians. The site, known as Brady's Leap, is now a city park.<ref>{{cite book |title= History of Portage County Ohio|last= Brown|first= R.C |authorlink= |author2=Norris, J.E. |origyear=1885 |year=1972 |publisher= Warner, Beers, and Company|location= [[Chicago, Illinois]]|isbn= |pages= 451–452}} This book gives 1790 as the date, but several other sources give 1780 as the date</ref> Settlement by Europeans began in the late 1790s and early 19th century. As part of the [[Connecticut Western Reserve]], the area was divided into [[survey township]]s in 1798 and almost all of what is now Kent was originally part of Town 3 Range 9, which would eventually be known as [[Franklin Township, Portage County, Ohio|Franklin Township]].<ref>Brown and Norris, p. 431; "The present territory of Franklin, Town 3 Range 9..." See also [[:File:Portage County 1826.jpg]]</ref> [[Aaron Olmsted]], a wealthy [[Connecticut]] merchant, had purchased the {{convert|16000|acre|ha|adj=on}} township and named it for his son Aaron Franklin Olmsted.<ref>{{cite book |title= 1874–1978 Bicentennial Atlas of Portage County, Ohio |editor=Plough, Cyrus T. |year= 1978|publisher= Portage County Historical Society|location= [[Ravenna, Ohio]], United States|isbn= |page= A-28}} Comes from page 24 of the ''Combination Atlas Map of Portage County'' by L.H. Everts, published in 1874, which is included as part of the 1978 Atlas</ref> Franklin Township was surveyed in 1803 and settled in November 1805 when John Haymaker and his family moved west from [[Warren, Ohio|Warren]] to the banks of the Cuyahoga River. They were joined by John's brother George and their father Jacob Haymaker and their families early the next year, and built a [[gristmill]] in 1807.<ref>{{cite book |title= History of Kent|last= Grismer|first= Karl H.|year= 1932 |edition= 2001 Revision|publisher= Record Publishing (1932), Kent Historical Society (2001)|location= Kent, Ohio|page= 11}}</ref> Initial growth in the area was slow, but eventually two small villages would develop due to the potential for power generated by the Cuyahoga River that could be used in gristmills and manufacturing. The first village, known as Franklin Mills, or locally as the "Lower Village", developed mostly around the original Haymaker property. In 1818, Joshua Woodard arrived in the area and began constructing buildings just north of the village forming the "Upper Village" that would come to be known briefly as Carthage.<ref>Brown and Norris, p. 435 "...the twin settlements were known respectively as "Upper Village" and "Lower Village." The name Carthage was afterward applied to the Upper Village."</ref> [[File:KentOhioCanal.jpg|left|thumb|Former P & O Canal lock and dam downtown]] In the 1820s, Franklin Mills was included in the route of the [[Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal]] (P & O Canal). When construction began on the canal in the mid-1830s, land speculation was rampant in many areas of northeast Ohio along the canal, including Franklin Mills. As a result, an industrial and business region was established along the east side of the river in what is now downtown Kent. Factories and mills were either planned or constructed along the Cuyahoga River, some of which either were never built or ultimately failed, due mostly to effects of the [[Panic of 1837]]. A lock and attached arch dam, however, was completed in 1836.<ref name=grismer19>Grismer, pp. 19–25</ref> The canal officially opened in 1840, but would only operate into the 1860s. By the 1870s the canal was completely shut down.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=791 |title=Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal |date=July 1, 2005 |work=OhioHistoryCentral.org |publisher=Ohio Historical Society |accessdate=August 20, 2010}}</ref> In the era leading up to the [[American Civil War]], Franklin Mills was an active stop on the [[Underground Railroad]], giving fugitive slaves shelter on their escape to [[Canada]]. There were three notable stops in Franklin Mills, one of which still stands as of 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |author= Smith, Diane|url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/109958|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032238/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/109958|archivedate=2012-03-14|title= Area's abolitionist roots unveiled |newspaper= [[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]]|publisher= Dix Publishing|date= October 12, 2002 |accessdate=January 25, 2014 |quote= In Kent, the Joshua Woodard house on Fairchild Avenue is the only building on the Underground Railroad that is still standing.}}</ref> During this period, from 1835 to 1839, noted American abolitionist [[John Brown (abolitionist)|John Brown]] moved to the village, operating a tannery along the Cuyahoga River with Zenas Kent.<ref name=grismer19/> In 1863 the [[Atlantic and Great Western Railroad]] was constructed through Franklin Mills, due largely to the efforts of local businessman [[Marvin Kent]], son of Zenas Kent. Marvin Kent had started his own railroad company, the [[Atlantic and Great Western Railroad|Franklin and Warren Railroad]], in 1851 after Franklin Mills, already home to several Kent family ventures and properties, was bypassed by the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad that same year. Kent was also successful in getting the village named as the location of the railroad's maintenance yards and shops in 1864. The geographic location along the railroad and being home to the shops reinvented and revitalized the village as an important stop on the east-west line between [[St. Louis]] and [[New York City]]. The shops would open in 1865 and the railroad would play an important part of Kent's industry and development through the early 20th century before the shops were completely shut down in 1930. To honor Marvin Kent, the village was renamed Kent in 1864, although this change was not official until the village was incorporated on May 6, 1867.<ref>Grismer, pp. 29, 37, 124, 125</ref> [[John Davey (tree surgeon)|John Davey]] came to Kent in 1881 as head grounds keeper at Standing Rock Cemetery, and planted several trees, landscaped the cemetery, and performed experiments on trees. In 1901, he published his theories on [[Arboriculture|tree surgery]] with his book ''The Tree Doctor'', and later established the [[Davey Tree Expert Company]] in 1909. The efforts of Davey and the presence of Davey Tree led to the establishment of "The Tree City" as a nickname for Kent, which is reflected in the city's seal.<ref>Grismer, p. 233</ref><ref>{{cite book| title= Kent Bicentennial Historical Fun Facts |year= 2006 |publisher= Kent Area Chamber of Commerce|page= 5}}</ref> The company continues to be headquartered in Kent and serves as the city's largest private employer.<ref name=phoenix>{{cite news |title=Downtown Kent, Ohio, rising Phoenix-like as city, KSU and businesses coalesce |author=Nichols, Jim |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=November 26, 2009 |url=http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/downtown_kent_ohio_rising_phoe.html |accessdate= April 29, 2010}}</ref> [[File:Lowry Hall 1.jpg|thumb|Lowry Hall, one of the original campus buildings of Kent State University]]After a fire destroyed the Seneca Chain Company in 1909, one of the city's main industries at the time, city leaders created the Kent Board of Trade in 1910, a forerunner to the Chamber of Commerce. The new Board was successful later that year in having Kent selected out of twenty northeastern Ohio cities as the site of a new teacher training college, which became known as the "[[Ohio State Normal College At Kent|Kent State Normal School]]".<ref name=ksu>{{cite book |author= Hildebrand, William H.; Keller, Dean H.; Herington, Anita D. |title= A Book of Memories: Kent State University 1910–1992|year= 1993|publisher= Kent State University Press|location= Kent, Ohio, United States|isbn= 0-87338-488-1 |page= 16}} The twenty cities were: Ashtabula, Canton, Chagrin Falls, Columbiana, East Liverpool, Geneva, Hubbard, Hudson, Kent, Lorain, Massillon, Medina, Poland, Ravenna, Salem, Seville, Urichsville, Wadsworth, Warren, and Youngstown.</ref> The site for the school was on {{convert|53|acre|ha}} of land donated by William S. Kent, son of Marvin Kent, on what was then the eastern edge of town. By 1929 the school was renamed Kent State College after the establishment of a college of liberal arts and degrees in the arts and sciences and in 1935 was renamed [[Kent State University]] after it was given authorization to grant advanced graduate degrees. The bill giving Kent State university status was signed into law by Ohio governor and Kent native [[Martin L. Davey]], son of tree surgeon John Davey.<ref>Hildebrand, Keller, and Herington, p. 20</ref> During the 1950s and 1960s the growth of Kent State University combined with the effects of [[suburbanization]] resulted in significant population growth for the city, rising from just over 12,000 residents at the 1950 census to over 28,000 by 1970.<ref name=darrow1>{{cite book |title=Kent, Ohio: The Dynamic Decades |editor=Darrow, Ralph |year=1999 |publisher=Kent Historical Society |location=Kent, Ohio, United States |page=1}}</ref> [[Black squirrel]]s were brought to the campus from Canada in 1961 by Kent State University head groundskeeper Larry Woodell. The squirrels have become an icon for both KSU and the city and are often used as unofficial mascots and symbols.<ref>{{cite book |title=Most Noble Enterprise: The Story of Kent State University, 1910–2010 |last=Hildebrand |first=William |year=2009 |publisher=Kent State University Press |location=Kent, Ohio |isbn=978-1-60635-030-0 |page=276}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kent State University celebrates 50 years of black squirrels on campus |author=Farkas, Karen |url=http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/01/kent_state_university_celebrat.html |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=January 5, 2011 |accessdate=January 5, 2011}} See also: [http://www.mckaybricker.com/black_squirrel_sightingst.htm "Black Squirrel Sightings"] (April 29, 2010)</ref> In early May 1970, protests began on the campus of Kent State University over the United States' [[Cambodian Campaign|invasion of Cambodia]] in the [[Vietnam War]]. These protests and demonstrations, which included rioting in downtown Kent on May 2, culminated in the May 4, 1970 [[Kent State shootings]], where four students were killed and nine were wounded by the [[Ohio Army National Guard]].<ref>Hildebrand, Keller, and Herington, pp. 165–166</ref> Several memorials have been placed at the site over the years and commemorations have been held annually since 1971. In 2010 the entire site was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name=featured>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/nrlist.htm |title=Weekly List Actions |accessdate=2010-03-05 |work= |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> Also during the late 1960s and into the 1970s, construction of [[Ohio State Route 59#Haymaker Parkway|Haymaker Parkway]], completed in 1975, brought changes to the city's layout while eliminating ongoing problems with traffic congestion and blocked rail crossings.<ref name=rooted>{{cite book |title= Rooted in Kent|last= Di Paolo|first= Roger|year= 2009|publisher= Kent Historical Society|location= Kent, Ohio|isbn= 978-1-60725-175-0|pages= 252–254}}</ref> In 1995, Kent received national attention when the city's water was named "Best Tasting Municipality Water" at the [[Bath (Berkeley Springs), West Virginia|Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting]]. The water and mayor [[Kathleen Chandler]] were featured on the March 3 episode of ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]''. Since then, Kent has placed in the top five a total of six times with the most recent being a fifth-place finish in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |title=Kent Water Nabs 6th Award in International Contest |url=http://kent.patch.com/articles/kent-water-nabs-6th-award-in-international-contest |date=March 30, 2011 |accessdate=August 8, 2011 |work= Kent Patch}} See also: [http://www.kent360.com/5464-kent-city-water-scores-big-again.html Kent City Water Scores Big Again] (March 27, 2011)</ref> In 2003, the 1836 arch dam was bypassed to meet water quality standards set by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. To preserve the historic dam, a small park was built behind the dam and the river was rerouted through the old canal lock. During warm-weather months, water is pumped over the dam. The park, known as Heritage Park, was formally dedicated in May 2005.<ref name=restoration>{{cite web |url= http://www.kentohio.org/reports/dam.asp|title= Cuyahoga River Restoration Project |accessdate=January 10, 2009|work= City of Kent, Ohio website|publisher= City of Kent, Ohio}}</ref> ===Redevelopment=== [[File:Kent Downtown Development 2013.JPG|thumbnail|left|Downtown developments completed or under construction in March 2013]] Beginning in 2008, several redevelopment projects in the downtown area, some of which had been discussed for decades, were put into motion and resulted in nearly $110 million in total investment from public and private sources. The first of these was the Phoenix Project, a development privately financed by Kent resident Ron Burbick that renovated and expanded a section of commercial space along East Main Street.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kent block to get makeover |url= |date=April 25, 2008 |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |work=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |accessdate= |pages=A1, A5}}</ref> Included in the project was construction of a pedestrian alleyway lined with small shops, eventually known as Acorn Alley, which opened in 2009. A second phase of Acorn Alley opened the next year. Other aspects of the redevelopment, which include a 360-space parking deck and bus transfer station, a hotel and conference center, and three separate mixed-use buildings, began to take shape in 2010 following the demolition of several buildings in a four block area. New offices for [[Ametek]] and the [[Davey Tree Expert Company]] opened in late 2012 along with several new small businesses on the first floors of each building.<ref>{{cite news |title=Longtime Kent businessman Ron Burbick primes the city's development pump |url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20120409/SUB1/304099986 |author=Magaw, Timothy |date=April 9, 2012 |work=Crain's Cleveland Business |accessdate=April 6, 2013}} Note: Using the direct article link requires a subscription. To access the entire article, cut and paste the title of the article into a web search and then click on the link from the web search.</ref> The hotel, operated by Kent State University, opened in June 2013 and the new parking garage, operated by the [[Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority]] (PARTA) opened April 30, 2013 as the Kent Central Gateway.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kent State Hotel and Conference Center to open doors Friday |url=http://www.kentwired.com/latest_updates/article_acd54101-e283-5023-9ef5-a5d24eb749d1.html |date=June 12, 2013 |author=Reis, Rebecca |work=KentWired.com |accessdate=November 18, 2015}}</ref> In addition to parking, the facility functions as PARTA's main bus transfer station and has storefronts on the ground level facing East Erie Street.<ref>{{cite news |title=PARTA parking deck opens for public in Kent |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2013/05/01/parta-parking-deck-opens-for-public-in-kent |author=McDonald, Kyle |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=May 1, 2013 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Kent Central Gateway |url=http://www.partaonline.org/park-in-kent/ |year=2015 |accessdate=November 18, 2015 |publisher=[[Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority]]}}</ref> Included in the redevelopment was the purchase and renovation of the old [[Franklin Hotel (Kent, Ohio)|Kent hotel]], which first opened in 1920. After being mostly vacant since 1979 and completely vacant since 2000, it re-opened on April 1, 2013 as the new home to the Kent location of [[Buffalo Wild Wings]] and also houses offices, a wine and jazz bar, and apartments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Restored Acorn Corner Opens to Public |url=http://kent.patch.com/articles/restored-acorn-corner-opens-to-public-3252d93d |date=April 2, 2013 |accessdate=April 6, 2013 |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |work=Kent Patch}}</ref> A five-story mixed-use building called The Landmark was completed in 2014 and construction started in November 2015 on an additional five-story mixed-use building featuring [[microapartment]]s, scheduled to be completed in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bricco opens at The Landmark in Kent, apartments soon to follow |url=http://recordpub.com/news%20local/2014/01/19/bricco-opens-in-the-landmark-at-kent-apartments-soon-to-follow-with-photo-gallery |author=Nobile, Jeremy |date=January 19, 2014 |accessdate=November 18, 2015 |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ground broken for Kent's Avant building |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2015/11/13/ground-broken-for-kent-s-avant-building |date=November 13, 2015 |author=Pompili, Dan |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |accessdate=November 18, 2015}}</ref> The developments attracted the attention of ''[[The Plain Dealer]]'' and ''[[The New York Times]]'' and earned the city and university the 2013 Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town–Gown Association in recognition of the positive town–gown cooperation and collaboration.<ref>{{cite news |title=$100 million in development projects in downtown Kent: Whatever happened to ...? |url=http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/06/the_100_million_in_development.html |author=Farkas, Karen |date=June 11, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |accessdate=April 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A Partnership Seeks to Transform Kent State and Kent |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/realestate/commercial/development-aims-to-bring-kent-state-and-its-city-closer.html?_r=0 |date=February 5, 2013 |author=Schneider, Keith |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |accessdate=April 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kent State and the City of Kent Honored with Inaugural Award for Town-Gown Collaboration |url=http://www2.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=14846239-F827-BC65-3AF5A33A481AF01F |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150202114541/http://www2.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=14846239-F827-BC65-3AF5A33A481AF01F |archivedate=2015-02-02 |date=April 16, 2013 |publisher=Kent State University |accessdate=April 25, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Kent AMETEK.JPG|thumbnail|right|Kent offices of [[Ametek|AMETEK]], which opened in 2012]] Additional development has been ongoing on the campus of Kent State University and the largely residential neighborhood located between downtown Kent and the western edge of campus. The university began buying properties in that neighborhood in 2007 and by December 2012 had acquired 43. Construction of the University Esplanade extension, designed to link campus with downtown, started in August 2012 after several of the buildings in the area, most of which had been rental homes, were demolished or moved. The Esplanade extension continued a segment of the Portage Hike and Bike Trail that extends to [[Dix Stadium]] and was completed in October 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Esplanade Construction to Start Monday |url=http://kent.patch.com/articles/esplanade-construction-to-start-monday |date=August 5, 2012 |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |work=Kent Patch |accessdate=April 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kent State University Esplanade to be celebrated Friday |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2013/10/03/esplanade-celebrated-friday |date=October 3, 2013 |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record Courier]] |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref> Kent State is constructing a new $48 million, {{convert|107000|sqft|m2}} facility for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design along the Esplanade extension and also relocated the former home of May Prentice, the first female faculty member at Kent State, to the extension as the home for the Wick Poetry Center.<ref>{{cite news |title=Historic House Inches Toward Esplanade |url=http://kent.patch.com/articles/historic-house-inches-toward-esplanade |date=March 22, 2013 |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |work=Kent Patch |accessdate=April 25, 2013}}</ref> Construction on the architecture building started in October 2014 and is scheduled to be completed in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=WEISS / MANFREDI to Design Kent State’s New, $40 Million Architecture Building |url=http://www.archdaily.com/353725/weiss-manfredi-to-design-kent-states-new-40-million-architecture-building/ |author=Rosenfield, Karissa |work=Architecture Daily |date=April 2, 2013 |accessdate=April 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kent State to break ground for new architecture, environmental design building |url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140925/FREE/140929887/kent-state-to-break-ground-for-new-architecture-environmental-design |date=September 25, 2014 |work=Crain's Cleveland Business |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref> In total, there are plans totaling approximately $150 million for several other facilities and upgrades across campus, including a new building for the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology and a renovation and reorganization of the facilities for the School of Art.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kent State Gets Green Light for Historic Campus Transformation |url=http://www2.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=bc03f335-962d-4d54-2b9e70fac9566c3a |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150202132545/http://www2.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=bc03f335-962d-4d54-2b9e70fac9566c3a |archivedate=2015-02-02 |date=September 12, 2012 |accessdate=April 25, 2013 |publisher=Kent State University}}</ref> The city and county have also seen developments in the same area. A new county municipal courthouse on East Main Street was completed in April 2014, and in 2015, Kent City Council approved the sale of the city hall complex to a private developer for construction of a five-story apartment building on the site, scheduled to open in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Portage County courthouse almost ready to open; Kent considers what to do with old one |url=http://www.ohio.com/news/local/new-portage-county-courthouse-almost-ready-to-open-kent-considers-what-to-do-with-old-one-1.472001 |date=March 9, 2014 |author=Schleis, Paula |newspaper=[[Akron Beacon Journal]] |accessdate=November 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Apartments at former Kent City Hall site on schedule |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2015/10/06/apartments-at-former-kent-city-hall-site-on-schedule |date=October 6, 2015 |author=Pompili, Dan |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |accessdate=November 18, 2015}}</ref> ==Geography== Kent is located in west-central [[Portage County, Ohio|Portage County]] in [[Northeast Ohio]] approximately {{convert|10|mi|km|sigfig=1}} northeast of [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]] and {{convert|30|mi|km|sigfig=1}} southeast of [[Cleveland]].<ref name=Grismer202>Grismer, p. 202 for population years 1870–1930</ref> It is bordered by Franklin Township on the north and east, [[Brimfield Township, Portage County, Ohio|Brimfield Township]] on the south, and [[Stow, Ohio|Stow]] on the west. Other nearby communities include [[Brady Lake, Ohio|Brady Lake]] and [[Ravenna, Ohio|Ravenna]] to the east and [[Sugar Bush Knolls, Ohio|Sugar Bush Knolls]] and [[Streetsboro, Ohio|Streetsboro]] to the north. It is included in the [[Akron, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area|Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area]] and the larger [[Northeast Ohio|Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area]]. Located on the western end of the [[Glaciated Allegheny Plateau]], the topography of Kent includes rolling hills and varied terrain. The Cuyahoga River passes through the city, cutting a gorge with a drop of nearly {{convert|40|ft|m|sigfig=1}} adjacent to the downtown area.<ref>{{cite map |publisher= Google |title= Google Earth|url= |edition= 5.1 |date= February 28, 2006|cartography= State of Ohio/OSIP|section= 41° 9'13.30"N, 81°21'33.85"W |inset= Kent, Ohio |accessdate= }}</ref> The [[United States Geological Survey]] lists the city's elevation at {{convert|1056|ft|m}} above sea level at a point near Kent's geographic center.<ref name=GNIS/> Elevations vary slightly within the city limits with several buildings on the Kent State University campus at altitudes in excess of {{convert|1160|ft|m}} and points as high as {{convert|1200|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:2::pg_R_1250610095859677242:NO&pg_min_row=346&pg_max_rows=15&pg_rows_fetched=15|title= Feature Query Results |date= February 11, 1999 |work= Geographic Names Information System |publisher= U.S. Geological Survey |accessdate=April 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |publisher= Google|title= Google Earth |edition= 5.1 |date= February 28, 2006|cartography= State of Ohio/OSIP|section= 41° 8'59.01"N, 81°20'56.76"W |inset= Kent, Ohio |accessdate= }}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], as of 2010 the city has a total area of {{convert|9.28|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|9.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_39.txt|archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20140817110539/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_39.txt|archivedate=2014-08-17|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=August 6, 2013}}</ref> ===Climate=== [[File:Kent seasons.png|thumb|left|The four main seasons in Kent: from top left clockwise, winter, spring, summer, and fall]] Kent's climate is classified as a [[humid continental climate]] in the ''Dfa'' [[Köppen climate classification]] meaning it typically has very warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters with moderate and variable spring and autumn seasons. The record high temperature is {{convert|103|F|C|0}}, set on July 7, 1988, with the record low of {{convert|-22|F|C|0}} recorded January 17, 1982.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/interstate/wxclimatology/daily/USOH0460?climoMonth=7|title=July Daily Averages for Kent, OH |year= 2010 |work= Weather.com|publisher= The Weather Channel |accessdate=April 18, 2010}}</ref><ref name=January>{{cite web |url= http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/interstate/wxclimatology/daily/USOH0460?climoMonth=1|title=January Daily Averages for Kent, OH |year= 2010 |work= Weather.com|publisher= The Weather Channel |accessdate=April 18, 2010}}</ref> During the spring and summer months, thunderstorms are fairly common and the area is susceptible to [[tornado]]es, though the last recorded tornado in Kent occurred in 1973.<ref>{{cite news |title=News Briefs |publisher=Kent State University |magazine=eIndide |date=March 23, 2009 |url=http://einside.kent.edu/?type=art&id=91798 |accessdate= April 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>Darrow, p. 17</ref> Effects from tropical systems can also be felt, usually taking the form of increased humidity, rain, and wind, such as with the remnants of [[Hurricane Ike]] in September 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title= Heavy winds hammer Portage|author= Fredmonsky, Matt; Sever, Mike; and Piltz, Marci |newspaper= [[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date= September 15, 2008|pages= A1, A5}}</ref> During the winter months, snowfall is common and can occur in large quantities with considerable [[cloud cover]]. Kent is not considered part of the Lake Erie [[snowbelt]], though [[lake-effect snow]] does occur at times. The city is in what is referred to as the "secondary snowbelt", meaning it will receive heavier snowfall totals from lake-effect snow when certain wind directions are more prevalent, but typically sees far less snowfall than areas to the north closer to [[Lake Erie]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/where-is-northern-ohio's-snow-belt |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20101119083803/http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/where-is-northern-ohio's-snow-belt |archivedate=2010-11-19 |title=Where is northern Ohio's snow belt? |author=Johnson, Mark |date= November 12, 2010 |work= NewsNet5.com |publisher=[[WEWS-TV|NewsChannel 5]] |accessdate=August 6, 2013}}</ref> While temperatures below the [[Melting point|freezing point]] are typical in the winter months, [[Thaw (weather)|thaw]] periods where temperatures exceed {{convert|50|F|C|0}} and even {{convert|60|F|C|0}} are not uncommon in January and February.<ref name=January/> {{Weather box |imperial first = Y |location = Kent, Ohio |single line = Y |Jan record high F = 65 |Feb record high F = 70 |Mar record high F = 81 |Apr record high F = 88 |May record high F = 94 |Jun record high F = 101 |Jul record high F = 103 |Aug record high F = 100 |Sep record high F = 95 |Oct record high F = 84 |Nov record high F = 76 |Dec record high F = 72 |year record high F= 103 |Jan high F = 34 |Feb high F = 38 |Mar high F = 48 |Apr high F = 60 |May high F = 72 |Jun high F = 80 |Jul high F = 84 |Aug high F = 82 |Sep high F = 74 |Oct high F = 62 |Nov high F = 50 |Dec high F = 39 |Jan low F = 20 |Feb low F = 23 |Mar low F = 30 |Apr low F = 40 |May low F = 51 |Jun low F = 60 |Jul low F = 64 |Aug low F = 63 |Sep low F = 56 |Oct low F = 45 |Nov low F = 36 |Dec low F = 26 |Jan record low F = −22 |Feb record low F = −6 |Mar record low F = 1 |Apr record low F = 17 |May record low F = 30 |Jun record low F = 39 |Jul record low F = 44 |Aug record low F = 43 |Sep record low F = 30 |Oct record low F = 25 |Nov record low F = 2 |Dec record low F = −12 |year record low F= −22 |Jan precipitation inch = 2.02 |Feb precipitation inch = 2.00 |Mar precipitation inch = 2.85 |Apr precipitation inch = 3.15 |May precipitation inch = 3.61 |Jun precipitation inch = 3.13 |Jul precipitation inch = 3.87 |Aug precipitation inch = 3.36 |Sep precipitation inch = 3.57 |Oct precipitation inch = 2.46 |Nov precipitation inch = 3.22 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.83 |Jan snow inch = 12.4 |Feb snow inch = 10.5 |Mar snow inch = 8.2 |Apr snow inch = 2.7 |May snow inch = 0.1 |Jun snow inch = 0.0 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 0.4 |Nov snow inch = 3.0 |Dec snow inch = 10.2 |source 1 = Intellicast<ref name="WeatherChannel">{{cite web | title = Historic Averages: Kent, Ohio |url=http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?location=USOH0460 |accessdate=December 3, 2014 |publisher= Intellicast}}</ref> |source 2 = NOAA<ref>{{citation |title =Kent, Ohio Average Snowfall |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref> |year=2014 }} ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1870= 2301 |1880= 3309 |1890= 3501 |1900= 4541 |1910= 4488 |1920= 7070 |1930= 8377 |1940= 8581 |1950= 12418 |1960= 17836 |1970= 28183 |1980= 26164 |1990= 28835 |2000= 27906 |2010= 28904 |estyear=2014 |estimate=29639 |estref=<ref name=USCensusEst2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2014/SUB-EST2014.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref> |footnote=<ref name=darrow1/><ref name="Grismer202"/><ref name=estimate>{{cite web|title=2014 Population Estimates|work=American FactFinder|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/PEPANNRES/0400000US39.16200|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=May 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cleveland's population slips in new estimates|url=http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2014/05/clevelands_population_slips_in.html|date=May 22, 2014|author=Exner, Rich|newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]]|accessdate=May 22, 2014}}</ref> }} As a [[college town]], Kent's demographic and population statistics are greatly affected by the presence and growth of Kent State University.<ref name=bicentennial>{{cite web|title=Demographic Profile |author= Locke, Gary |work= Kent Bicentennial Plan |year=2004 |publisher=City of Kent, Ohio |pages=13–36 |url=http://www.kentohio.org/reports/BICENTENNIAL.pdf |accessdate=April 28, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> As a result, several statistics are noticeably higher or lower than state and national averages including median age and the percentage of residents in the 18–24 age bracket, individuals below the poverty line, and percentage of residents with a college degree. Initial population growth in Kent was influenced by the location on the Cuyahoga River which led to the development of industrial and manufacturing jobs.<ref name=grismer1125>Grismer, pp. 11, 25</ref> Early settlers mainly came from the northeastern United States and were largely of [[Germans|German]] descent.<ref>Brown, R.C and Norris, J.E., pp. 658–716</ref> After the arrival of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad in 1863, growth was steady into the early 20th century with the village battling [[Ravenna, Ohio|Ravenna]] for the position of Portage County's largest city.<ref>Grismer, p. 46</ref><ref>Hildebrand, p. 2</ref> By the 1930 Census, Kent had passed Ravenna as the county's most populous city with even larger population growth in the 1950s and 1960s rising from 12,148 in 1950 to 28,183 by 1970.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=United States Census Bureau |title=North Dakota-Oregon |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch08.pdf |work= 1930 US Census |year=1931 |format=PDF |page=54 |accessdate=April 29, 2010}}</ref> As of 2010, Kent remains the county's largest city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US39133 |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place |year=2010 |work=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=November 25, 2015}}</ref> Most recent population measurements of the city have shown the effect of changes in the city's overall population coinciding with changes in the number of students living on campus as well as a reduction in the number of persons per housing unit.<ref>Locke, pp. 27–28</ref> As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]], there were 28,904 people residing in the city for a [[population density]] of 3,150.5 people per square mile (1,216.4/km²). There were 11,174 housing units at an average density of 1,218.0 per square mile (470.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.1% [[White American|White]], 9.6% [[African American]], 3.7% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]], 0.5% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Race|other races]], and 2.9% from two or more races. 2.2% of the population is [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race.<ref name=kent2010race>{{cite web |url= http://factfinder2.census.gov |title= Kent city, Ohio – Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 |year= 2010|work= Factfinder2.Census.gov |publisher= U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=May 12, 2011}}</ref> Though slightly below the national averages for diversity, Kent is very close to the averages for Ohio and above the averages for the surrounding area.<ref name=bicentennial/> Between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, the city saw slight increases in the number of minority residents.<ref name=kent2010race/><ref name=kent2000>{{cite web |url= http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US3939872&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US39%7C16000US3939872&_street=&_county=kent&_cityTown=kent&_state=04000US39&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=&_keyword=&_industry= |archiveurl= http://wayback.archive.org/web/20110607113613/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US3939872&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US39%7C16000US3939872&_street=&_county=kent&_cityTown=kent&_state=04000US39&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=&_keyword=&_industry= |archivedate= 2011-06-07|title= Kent city, Ohio – Fact Sheet |year= 2000|work= Factfinder.Census.gov |publisher= U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=April 30, 2010}}</ref> The 2014 estimate placed the population at 29,639.<ref name=USCensusEst2014/> There were 10,288 households in 2010 out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 56.3% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size in Kent was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.86, which compares with the national average of 2.58 for a household and 3.14 for a family and the state average household size of 2.44 and average family size of 3.01.<ref name=comparehousing2010>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/SF1DP1/0100000US%7c0400000US39%7c1600000US3939872?slice=GEO~1600000US3939872 |title=General Housing Characteristics: 2010 |work=FactFinder.Census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=December 14, 2012}} Includes date from United States, Ohio, and Kent</ref> In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% ages 19 years and under, 44.1% from 20 to 39, 15.9% from 40 to 59, 8.0% from 60 to 79, and 2.5% who were 80 years of age or older. The median age was 22.7 years, which was well below both the median age for Ohio (38.8) and the United States (35.3). The city's population was 46.3% male and 53.7% female. The rate differs slightly from the national average of 49.2% male and 50.8% female and the state average of 48.8% male and 51.2% female. It contrasts with neighboring Franklin Township, which has a population that is 51.3% male and 48.7% female.<ref name=combo>{{cite web |url= http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0100000US%7c0400000US39%7c0600000US3913328392%7c1600000US3939872?slice=GEO~0600000US3913328392 |title= Age Groups and Sex |year= 2010|work= Factfinder.Census.gov|publisher= U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=December 14, 2012}}Compared statistics from the United States, Ohio, Portage County, Franklin Township, and Kent</ref> The mean income for a household in the city was $46,848, well below the mean household incomes for Ohio ($61,397) and the United States ($70,116) in the 2010 Census. The median household income in Kent was $28,958, compared to $46,563 for Ohio and $51,222 for the U.S. For families, the mean income in Kent was $71,817 with a median income of $59,936, both of which were closer to the state ($73,084 mean, $58,566 median) and national ($81,568 mean, $62,112 median) averages. Males had a median income of $35,316 versus $35,255 for females. The [[per capita income]] for workers in the city was $18,339. 10.4% of families and 29.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over. While the number of individuals below the poverty line is significantly higher than both the state and national averages, with 14.8% of individuals in Ohio and 14.4% in the United States being below the poverty line, the percentage of families below the poverty line is slightly below the state (10.5%) and national (10.8%) averages. Measures of high poverty rates in similar college towns, however, is not uncommon across the U.S.<ref name=Economics2010>{{cite web |title=Selected Economic Characteristics: United State, Ohio, Kent city, Ohio |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_3YR/DP03/0100000US%7c0400000US39%7c1600000US3939872 |year=2010 |work=2010 United State Census |publisher=United State Census Bureau |accessdate=December 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Despite city's relative affluence, poverty rate grows |author=Ivey, Mike |date=February 24, 2010 |url=http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/article_d0e2af6e-20c3-11df-9b58-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1hobwlxOI |work=Madison.com |quote=Measuring poverty in college towns can be somewhat misleading, researchers caution, since many students live below the poverty line and are counted by the U.S. Census Bureau as officially "poor" even if they come from wealthy families.}}</ref> Educationally, Kent is above the national, state, and local averages for residents who have attained a bachelor's, master's, or above a master's degree. At the 2010 Census, 41.9% of Kent's population above the age of 25 had obtained a college degree compared to 24.9% of the same population in Portage County, 24.1% statewide, and 27.9% nationally.<ref name=Education2010>{{cite web |title=Educational Attainment: United States, Ohio, Portage County, Ohio, and Kent city, Ohio |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/S1501/0100000US%7c0400000US39%7c0500000US39133%7c1600000US3939872 |year=2010 |work=2010 United States Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=December 27, 2011}}</ref> ==Economy== [[File:Davey Tree headquarters 2.jpg|left|thumb|Corporate headquarters of the Davey Tree Expert Company, Kent's largest private employer]] Kent's location along the Cuyahoga River and later the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal and multiple railroad lines made it attractive initially for the establishment of small [[gristmills]] for the production of flour and various factories. Progressively larger factories later developed due to increased power available from the river and eventually due to the ease and lower cost of transportation of goods to other markets.<ref name=grismer1125/> During the latter half of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, the city's largest employers were all industrially based, including the [[Atlantic and Great Western Railroad]] and its successors, which operated its main maintenance shops in the village; the Seneca Chain Company; and bus manufacturer [[Twin Coach]] among others.<ref>Grismer, pp. 168–185</ref> A disastrous fire at the Seneca Chain Company in 1909 led to the creation of the Kent Board of Trade—an early Chamber of Commerce—which was successful in getting Kent selected in 1910 as the site of what would become Kent State University.<ref>Hildebrand, pp. 2–10</ref> Changes in the structure of the railroad and declines in the manufacturing sector during the mid-20th century combined with the rapid growth of Kent State University following World War II led to the university becoming the city's largest employer and influenced the development of other areas of the city's economy. Beginning in the late first decade of the 21st century, the university, along with the city and private investors, began to play a more active role in the redevelopment of downtown Kent and has aided in the development of local high tech companies.<ref name=phoenix/><ref>{{cite news |title=KSU research earns national rank |author=Staul, Jenna |newspaper=KentWired.com |date=March 10, 2010 |url=http://www.kentwired.com/latest_updates/article_5025b1a7-a85a-561e-93ac-dfdbbc69e401.html |accessdate=December 7, 2015}}</ref> Kent State operates Centennial Research Park, along [[Ohio State Route 59]] in Kent's [[Joint Economic Development District]] with Franklin Township, which houses two [[high tech]] start-up companies in the [[liquid crystal]] industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kent shares taxes from AlphaMicron |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=November 27, 2008 |url= |accessdate= |quote=...the university's Centennial Research Park, which falls inside the Kent Franklin Joint Economic Development District}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kent.edu/research/facilities/CentennialResearchPark.cfm |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20100527140215/http://www.kent.edu/research/facilities/CentennialResearchPark.cfm |archivedate=2010-05-27 |title=Centennial Research Park |year=2010 |work=Kent.edu |publisher=Kent State University |accessdate=April 29, 2010}}</ref> Kent has an additional Joint Economic Development District with [[Brimfield Township, Portage County, Ohio|Brimfield Township]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentohio.org/dep/tax-info/Withholding%20letter%20Brimfield-Kent%20Jedd.pdf |title=Brimfield Kent Joint Economic Development District |publisher=City of Kent, Ohio |format=PDF |accessdate=August 6, 2013}}</ref> Through the Kent Regional Business Alliance, the city also supports two [[business incubator]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.krba.biz/incubator.php |title=KRBA Business Incubators |year=2013 |publisher=Kent Regional Business Alliance |accessdate=August 6, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Ksuarialshot1.jpg|thumb|Kent State University, Kent's largest employer]] As of 2010, the educational, health, and social services fields were the city's largest sector, and employed over 33.5% of well as [[Robinson Memorial Hospital]], which operates an [[outpatient surgery]] center and general medical facility.<ref name=Economics2010/><ref name=largest>"City of Kent, Ohio Principal Employers". City of Kent, Ohio Department of Budget and Finance. 2009.</ref><ref name=robinson>{{cite web |url=http://www.robinsonmemorial.org/body.cfm?id=36895 |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20100717045238/http://www.robinsonmemorial.org/body.cfm?id=36895 |archivedate=2010-07-17 |title=About Robinson Memorial Hospital |year=2010 |work=RobinsonMemorial.org |publisher=[[Robinson Memorial Hospital]] |accessdate=April 29, 2010}}</ref> 16.3% of the workforce is employed in arts, entertainment, and food service, with 12.2% employed in retail. Manufacturing accounts for 7.1% of the workforce with a [[Land O' Lakes]] plant being the largest employer in the sector.<ref name=Economics2010/><ref name=largest/> [[Smithers-Oasis]], a [[floristry]] developer and manufacturer, was founded in Kent in 1954 and operates a plant in the city, with plans to return corporate offices to Kent by September 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Longtime Kent Firm Relocating Downtown |url=http://kent.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/longtime-kent-firm-relocating-downtown |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |date=August 11, 2013 |accessdate=August 11, 2013 |work=Kent Patch}}</ref> Kent is also home to the corporate headquarters of the [[Davey Tree Expert Company]], which serves as the city's largest private employer.<ref name=phoenix/> In 2010 Davey Tree announced plans to relocate staff from its Davey Resource Group, who were previously in neighboring Stow, to Kent as part of a planned downtown development and has stated long-term goals include having all corporate offices in Kent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Davey plans downtown move |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=May 6, 2010 |url= |pages=A1, A3 |accessdate=}}</ref> The office, which included some office staff already in Kent at the main corporate headquarters, opened in August 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Davey Tree opens new downtown Kent office |author=Gallick, Thomas |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=August 10, 2012 |url= |pages=A1, A2 |accessdate=}}</ref> 75.1% of those employed commuted alone to work by way of a car, truck, or van with another 7.1% [[carpool]]ing. 10.6% of workers walked to work with 1.9% using [[public transport]]ation. The average commute time was 22 minutes. 13.0% of the workforce was unemployed in 2010, above the 9.8% for the state and 9.0% nationally.<ref name=Economics2010/> the U.S. [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] estimated the unemployment rate in Kent at 7.9% in 2010 and 6.6% in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bls.gov/lau/data.htm |title=Local Area Unemployment Statistics |date= December 2011 |work=BLS.gov |publisher=U.S. [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |accessdate=December 28, 2011}}</ref> ==Culture== [[File:Kent Heritage Festival.jpg|thumb|left|2010 Kent Heritage Festival along South Water Street]] Cultural elements in Kent include various arts, environmental, and entertainment events during the year, as well as the Kent State University Museum. The Kent Heritage Festival is held every July in the downtown area, coinciding with the U.S. [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]]. The festival includes crafts, booths, entertainment, train rides, 5K and 10K races, and fireworks, drawing approximately 25,000 people each year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kent Heritage Festival 2013…Record Turnout! |url=http://www.kentbiz.com/18th-annual-kent-heritage-festival-july-6th-2/ |work=KentBiz.com |publisher=Kent Area Chamber of Commerce |year=2013 |accessdate=December 7, 2015}}</ref> In October, Kent hosts the homecoming festivities for Kent State University, including a parade down East Main Street as well as other events and activities both on campus and around the city.<ref>{{cite web |title= Homecoming Week|url= http://www.ksualumni.org/s/401/index.aspx?sid=401&gid=1&pgid=449|work= KSUAlumni.org|publisher= Kent State University Alumni Association|year= 2009|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref> Also in October, the downtown area hosts an annual, yet unofficial, [[Halloween]] celebration, which usually takes place the last Saturday of October. The event typically draws thousands, largely Kent State students, and includes many who dress in costume.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2013/10/24/kent-gears-up-for-annual-downtown-halloween-celebration |title=Kent Gears up for Annual Downtown Halloween Celebration |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=October 24, 2013 |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref> In 2007 Main Street Kent, a local organization that promotes downtown Kent, created a family-oriented Halloween event downtown that precedes the unofficial celebration.<ref name=mainstreet>{{cite web |url=http://mainstreetkent.org/events.shtml |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012232546/http://mainstreetkent.org/events.shtml |archivedate=2010-10-12 |title=Downtown Kent Events |year=2010 |work=MainStreetKent.org |publisher=Main Street Kent |accessdate=October 15, 2010}} Retrieved from Internet Archive 25 January 2014.</ref> Since 2007, Kent has hosted an annual environmental festival known as "Who's Your Mama?" which takes place in conjunction with [[Earth Day]]. The festival has events at various locations in the city, such as a [[Veganism|vegan]] chef competition, concerts, a film festival, guest speakers, and booths on environment-based topics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whosyourmama.org/index.htm |title="Who’s Your Mama?" Earth Day Festival |year=2010 |work=WhosYourMama.org |publisher=WhosYourMama.org |accessdate=May 24, 2010}}</ref> Through Main Street Kent, additional events downtown include an ice cream social event in August, an outdoor concert series and "sidewalk cinema" between May and September, an art and wine festival in June, a cider festival in November, and the Festival of Lights [[Christmas]] celebration in early December.<ref name=mainstreet/> From May to October, the Haymaker Farmers' Market operates every Saturday morning in the downtown area adjacent to and under the Greer Bridge of [[Ohio State Route 59#Haymaker Parkway|Haymaker Parkway]]. The location is marked by a commissioned [[street art|mural]] completed in October 2012 on the two bridge supports that line each side of the market's area.<ref>{{cite news |title=Haymaker Farmers’ Market celebrates 20 years |url=http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/history/haymaker-farmers-market-celebrates-20-years-1.334715 |author=Abraham, Lisa |date=September 14, 2012 |accessdate=April 20, 2013 |newspaper=[[Akron Beacon Journal]]}}</ref> The market was established in 1992 and includes over 40 vendors, making it one of the oldest and largest [[farmers' market]]s in Northeast Ohio.<ref>{{cite news |title=Haymaker Farmers Market in Kent opens Saturday for 18th season |url=http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/05/haymaker_farmers_market_in_ken.html |author=Snook, Debbi |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=May 23, 2010 |accessdate=April 20, 2013}}</ref> An indoor Winter Market, established in 2008, is held Saturday mornings from November through April.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://haymakermarket.com/market-history-and-mission/ |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20130604070201/http://haymakermarket.com/market-history-and-mission/ |archivedate=2013-06-04 |title=History/Mission |publisher=Haymaker Farmers' Market |year=2012 |accessdate=April 20, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Santa Arrival Kent 2012.JPG|thumbnail|Arrival of [[Santa Claus]] by train as part of the annual Festival of Lights in December]] The [[Kent Stage]], located downtown, is a performance venue for a variety of arts performances in music and theater. It hosts around 90 concerts, four theatrical performances, and four film festivals or movie premiers per year, including local, national, and international performers. Since opening in 2002, it has been visited by approximately 120,000 patrons from all over Ohio, 38 U.S. states, and 3 countries.<ref name=stage>{{cite news |title=The Kent Stage: one of decade's success stories |author= Murphy, Chad|newspaper= [[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]]|date= December 31, 2009}}</ref> In April, it hosts events related to the "Who's Your Mama?" Earth Day festival and in June, it is one of the host venues for the Kent Folk Festival, an annual event in [[folk music]] since the late 1960s. The festival includes multiple folk music acts at venues throughout the city over a period of several days.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/kent_folk_festival_intermissio.html |title= Kent Folk Festival 'intermission' features Eagles' Don Felder, begins on June 9 |date=May 6, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |accessdate=May 30, 2015}}</ref> The Kent Stage also hosts the Kent Blues Festival and a local artist music festival known as the Up From The River Music Festival.<ref name=stage/> Kent is also home to the Kent State University Museum, located in Rockwell Hall on the KSU campus. The museum focuses on the history of fashion design and decorative arts in the United States and around the world from the 18th century to the present.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kent.edu/museum/collection/index.cfm |archiveurl= http://wayback.archive.org/web/20100817155159/http://www.kent.edu/museum/collection/index.cfm |archivedate= 2010-08-17|title= The Collection|work= Kent State University Museum website|publisher= The Kent State University Museum |accessdate=August 16, 2010}}</ref> Each year in early May, the university hosts an annual commemoration of the [[Kent State shootings]], which typically features several speakers, forums, artwork, and other related events.<ref>{{cite news |title=Events to mark May 4 milestone |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=May 1, 2010 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4818952 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412141121/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4818952 |archivedate=April 12, 2012 |accessdate=January 25, 2014}}</ref> On campus, Kent State operates the May 4 Visitors' Center, which covers the shootings and the events surrounding them. It is housed in Taylor Hall on the site added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2010 and includes three galleries covering art and media from the era of the 1960s leading up to the shootings, images from the actual event, and the local and national impact after the shootings. The center opened to the public October 20, 2012 during the Kent State Homecoming weekend.<ref>{{cite news |title=KSU's May 4 center to host exhibit during event |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=May 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=May 4 Visitors Center opens |author=McDonald, Kyle |date=October 20, 2012 |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |pages=A1, A3}}</ref> [[File:John Davey House.jpg|left|thumb|The John Davey House, a listing on the National Register of Historic Places]] In addition to the [[Kent State Shootings Site]] near the center of campus, there are also a number of additional sites and districts in Kent on the National Register of Historic Places, some of which are open to the public. The [[Kent Industrial District]] is a historical district along the Cuyahoga River adjacent to downtown that includes an area and structures that were important in Kent's early history.<ref>{{Cite journal |publisher=United States Department of the Interior|work= National Register of Historic Places Inventory: Nomination form|title=Kent Industrial District|date=30 December 1974}}</ref> On the northwestern part of the Kent State University campus is the [[Ohio State Normal College At Kent]] district, which includes the school's five original [[Neoclassical architecture|classic revival]] buildings dating to 1913.<ref>{{Cite journal |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory: Nomination form |title=Ohio State Normal College At Kent |date=30 May 1975}}</ref> There is also the [[West Main Street District (Kent, Ohio)|West Main Street District]] just west of downtown that includes 20 private homes of architectural and historical significance from the post-Civil War and early 20th century periods. The district includes the [[Masonic Temple (Kent, Ohio)|Kent Masonic Center]], which was originally built in the early 1880s as the home of Marvin Kent and his family, and the former residence of [[Martin L. Davey]], who served as [[Governor of Ohio]].<ref>{{Cite journal |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory: Nomination form |title=West Main Street District |date=17 June 1977}}</ref><ref name=masonic>{{cite news |first=Matt|last=Fredmonsky |title=Kent landmark is immortalized in novel |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4533621 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928235011/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4533621 |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=25 February 2009 |archivedate=September 28, 2011 |accessdate=January 25, 2014}}</ref> Buildings in Kent listed on the register include three private homes noted for their architecture styles: the [[John Davey House]] for the [[Second Empire (architecture)|Second Empire]] style, and both the [[Aaron Ferrey House|Aaron Ferrey]] and [[Charles Kent House]]s as examples of [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]].<ref>{{Cite journal |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory: Nomination form |title=John Davey House |date=29 May 1975}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory: Nomination form |title=Aaron Ferrey House |date=13 August 1974}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |work=National Register of Historic Places Iventory - Nomination form |title=The Charles Kent Residence |date=23 February 1978}}</ref> Other buildings include the 1869 [[Kent Jail]], now used by the Parks and Recreation Department, and the 1837 [[Franklin Township Hall]], the site of eventual U.S. President [[James A. Garfield]]'s first nomination for public office in 1859.<ref name=grismer19/><ref>{{Cite journal |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory: Nomination form |title=Kent Jail |date=11 July 2001}}</ref> As part of its renovation and redevelopment, the former [[Franklin Hotel (Kent, Ohio)|Franklin Hotel]], first opened in 1920, was added to the NRHP in 2013 for its local historical significance and its connections to notable people.<ref name=nrhp>{{cite journal |title=Franklin Hotel |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |work=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form |date=January 18, 2012 |url=http://ww2.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/docs/nr/fh_md.pdf |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20131004214259/http://ww2.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/docs/nr/fh_md.pdf |archivedate=2013-10-04 |format=PDF |accessdate=March 6, 2013}}</ref> ==Sports== {{See also|Kent State Golden Flashes}} [[File:KSUMACC4.JPG|thumb|A [[Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball|KSU men's basketball]] game at the [[Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center]]]] As the home of Kent State University, Kent is also the home of the university's athletic teams, the [[Kent State Golden Flashes|Golden Flashes]], who compete in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) at the [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] level as a member of the [[Mid-American Conference]] East Division. Several of Kent State's teams have enjoyed league and national success, the most notable being the [[Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball|men's basketball team's]] run to the [[Elite Eight]] in the [[2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|2002 NCAA Tournament]] and the [[Kent State Golden Flashes baseball|baseball team's]] appearance in the [[2012 College World Series]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Kent State University Athletics|author= Gigenbach, Cara and Walton, Theresa|year= 2008|publisher= Arcadia|location= [[Charleston, South Carolina]]; [[Chicago]]; [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]]; and [[San Francisco]]|isbn= 978-0-7385-5176-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/men/recaps/2002/03/21/pal_kae/ |archiveurl= http://wayback.archive.org/web/20110628232038/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/men/recaps/2002/03/21/pal_kae/ |archivedate= 2011-06-28|title= Kent St. 78, Pittsburgh 73|accessdate=May 9, 2010 |author= Ticker|date= March 22, 2002 |work= SportsIllustrated.CNN.com|publisher=CNN/Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/baseball/story/2012-06-11/kent-state-beats-oregon-cws/55541338/1 |title=College baseball: Kent State beats Oregon to reach first College World Series |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |accessdate=December 7, 2015 |date=June 12, 2012}}</ref> The 6,327-seat [[Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center]], commonly referred to as the MAC Center, is the site of a number of athletic events in multiple sports, including [[collegiate wrestling|wrestling]], women's [[gymnastics]], and women's [[volleyball]] in addition to men's and women's basketball. It is also a regular site for the Mid-American Conference's wrestling and women's gymnastics championships.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flashes to Host 2014 MAC Championships Saturday & Sunday |url=http://www.kentstatesports.com/news/2014/3/6/WREST_0306141727.aspx?path=wrestling |date=March 6, 2014 |work=KentStateSports.com |publisher=[[Kent State University]] |accessdate=November 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=http://mac-sports.com/documents/2014/7/1/2014_Season_-_Gymnastics.pdf |title=Gymnastics |accessdate=November 25, 2015 |year=2014 |format=PDF |publisher=[[Mid-American Conference]]}}</ref> In addition to hosting the [[Kent State Golden Flashes football|KSU football team]], Kent State's 25,319-seat [[Dix Stadium]] has been a venue for [[high school football]] games both in the regular-season and the state playoffs.<ref>{{cite news |title= Ravens, Rough Riders to meet |author=Hardesty, Tom |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]]|date=October 13, 1997 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/110178 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032615/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/110178 |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |accessdate=January 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= |title= Ohio High School Athletic Association 2001 Football Tournament|url= http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/ft/boys/2001/d1rgnbrkt.pdf |work= OHSAA.org|publisher= Ohio High School Athletic Association|year= 2001|accessdate=October 4, 2009|format= PDF}}</ref> The adjacent Murphy-Mellis Field is a location for [[Ohio High School Athletic Association]] (OHSAA) field hockey tournament games and the Diamond at Dix is a regular venue for OHSAA regional softball tournament games.<ref>{{cite web |author= |title= 2009 Girls Field Hockey Tournament Regulations|url= http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/fh/girls/fhrglts.pdf|work= OHSAA.org|publisher= Ohio High School Athletic Association|year= 2009|accessdate=October 4, 2009|format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mogadore's softball team keeps marching through postseason |author=Manion, Jim |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=May 28, 2010 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/sports_article/4835172?page=0 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032659/http://www.recordpub.com/news/sports_article/4835172?page=0 |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |accessdate=January 25, 2014}}</ref> From 1975 to 1981 the [[Cleveland Browns]] held their [[Training camp (National Football League)|training camp]] in Kent at Kent State University.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-1/Camp-history-unique/59fb2aad-2c10-11df-8e39-01733cd36da8|title= Camp history unique|accessdate=May 17, 2010 |last= King|first= Steve|date= July 9, 2008|work= ClevelandBrowns.com|publisher= [[Cleveland Browns]]}}</ref> The [[Kent State University Ice Arena]] serves as host to several local [[ice hockey]] programs including youth leagues, high school and professional teams, and as a site for OHSAA high school tournament games and ice skating competitions in addition to being home of KSU's club team, which competes in the [[American Collegiate Hockey Association]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ice Arena |url=http://www.kent.edu/recservices/ice-arena |publisher=[[Kent State University]] |year=2015 |accessdate=November 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Skating for Skills |url=http://www.kentskatingclub.net/Categories/SkatingForSkills.htm |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20100527054445/http://www.kentskatingclub.net/Categories/SkatingForSkills.htm |archivedate=2010-05-27 |work= KentSkatingClub.net|publisher= Kent Skating Club|year= 2008|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref> The ice arena is also the home of the Kent Twisters, a member of the Pennsylvania-Ohio Women's Hockey Association, an adult amateur women's ice hockey league.<ref>{{cite web |author= |title= POWHA: Rink Locations|url= http://www.eteamz.com/POWHA/locations/|work= POWHA website|publisher= POWHA|year= 2009|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref> Kent also plays host to the Portage County Open [[tennis]] tournament, held annually at the tennis courts of [[Theodore Roosevelt High School (Kent, Ohio)|Theodore Roosevelt High School]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Registration begins for PC Open Tennis tourney |author= Staff reports |newspaper= [[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]]|date=June 23, 2009 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/sports_article/4613766 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032746/http://www.recordpub.com/news/sports_article/4613766 |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |accessdate=January 25, 2014}}</ref> ==Parks and recreation== [[File:KentOhioPufferbelly.JPG|thumb|left|View from Heritage Park facing downtown]] The city operates nearly 20 parks and preserves, the largest of which is the {{convert|56|acre|ha|sing=on}} Fred Fuller park along the [[Cuyahoga River]], named after a former Kent Parks chairman. The park includes the Kramer Fields baseball and softball complex, which contains four fields, two of which are lighted. Several of the parks along the Cuyahoga River are on or near areas of historical significance. Franklin Mills Riveredge Park, which follows the Cuyahoga River through downtown Kent, passes through a large portion of the Kent Industrial District along with Heritage Park and includes sites related to the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal.<ref name=restoration/><ref>{{cite web |title= Franklin Mills Riveredge Park|url= http://www.kentparksandrec.com/?type=cc&id=113&53L3c73d=113|work= KentParksandRec.com|publisher= Kent Parks and Recreation|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref> Adjacent on the south is the John Brown Tannery Park, on the site of the former tannery [[John Brown (abolitionist)|John Brown]] helped fund with Zenas Kent in the 1830s, while Brady's Leap park, adjacent to the north, is at the location of the famed leap over the Cuyahoga River by Captain [[Samuel Brady]] circa 1780.<ref>{{cite web |title= John Brown Tannery Park|url= http://www.kentparksandrec.com/?type=cc&id=114&53L3c73d=114|work= KentParksandRec.com|publisher= Kent Parks and Recreation|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Brady's Leap Park|url= http://www.kentparksandrec.com/?type=cc&id=115&53L3c73d=115|work= KentParksandRec.com|publisher= Kent Parks and Recreation|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref> The parks and recreation department, in addition to operating and maintaining the city's parks and preserves, also operates a recreation center on the city's south side and offers several sports, arts, and education programs at various locations in Kent.<ref>{{cite web |title= General Information |url= http://www.kentparksandrec.com/?type=cc&id=2789&53L3c73d=2789|work= KentParksandRec.com|publisher= Kent Parks and Recreation|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Recreation Department For Kent Parks & Recreation|url= http://www.kentparksandrec.com/?type=cc&id=87&53L3c73d=87 |work= KentParksandRec.com|publisher= Kent Parks and Recreation|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref> The department also sponsors events throughout the year including Art in the Park, an ice-skating party, hayrides, and Santa's Arrival.<ref>{{cite web |title= Annual Events|url= http://www.kentparksandrec.com/?type=cc&id=89&53L3c73d=89|work= KentParksandRec.com|publisher= Kent Parks and Recreation|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}</ref> The Kent City School District operates an indoor pool at Theodore Roosevelt High School that is available for public recreational and instructional use outside of its use by the school for athletics and physical education. The pool hosts swimming lessons and serves as a home venue for the [[Hudson, Ohio|Hudson]]-based Hudson Explorers Aquatic Team, a competitive swimming program for ages five and above.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentschools.net/rhs-pool/ |title=RHS Pool |year=2009 |work=KentSchools.net |publisher=Kent City School District |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hudsonheat.com/index.htm |archiveurl=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20110128082001/http://hudsonheat.com/index.htm |archivedate=2011-01-28 |title=Hudson Explorers Aquatic Team |year=2010 |work=HudsonHEAT.com |publisher=Hudson Explorers Aquatic Team |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> Within the city is are segments of the Portage Hike and Bike Trail, which is jointly managed with Kent State University, the Portage Park District, and the city of Ravenna. The main portion of the trail follows the Cuyahoga River in Kent with most of the trail paved with asphalt. In August 2012, as part of several redevelopment projects in the downtown area, Kent State University began construction of the Esplanade Extension, which was completed in August 2013 and connects the university's portion of trail extending to Dix Stadium, known as the University Esplanade, to downtown Kent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Esplanade Construction to Start Monday |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |date=August 5, 2012 |work=Kent Patch |url=http://kent.patch.com/articles/esplanade-construction-to-start-monday |accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Let's Take a Walk/Ride Down the Esplanade |url=http://www.kentwired.com/latest_updates/article_a74da223-9244-5e7b-8a71-16ba6dff2e1b.html |author=Myers, Julie |date=September 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 6, 2015 |work=KentWired.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild Avenue Bridge |url=http://www.kentohio.org/private/Fairchild.asp |year=2012 |work=KentOhio.org |publisher=City of Kent, Ohio |accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=State gives Crain Avenue bridge project $421,000, cites delays |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2013/09/24/state-gives-crain-avenue-bridge-project-421-000-cites-delays |author=Kovac, Marc |date=September 24, 2013 |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |accessdate=September 26, 2013}}</ref> The trail connects with the hike and bike trails in neighboring [[Summit County, Ohio|Summit County]] and links Kent with nearby communities in Portage County.<ref>{{cite web |title= The Portage Hike and Bike|url= http://www.portageparkdistrict.org/portage.htm|work= PortageParkDistrict.com|publisher= Portage Park District|accessdate=October 4, 2009}}See also map link</ref> The city is also home to the [[Tom S. Cooperrider-Kent Bog State Nature Preserve]], located in the southern edge of Kent. It is one of the most intact bogs in Ohio, with the southernmost and largest stand of [[tamarack]] trees in the continental United States.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ohiodnr.com/tabid/900/Default.aspx|title= Kent Bog (Tom S. Cooperrider) State Nature Preserve|accessdate=January 16, 2009 |work= OhioDNR.com|publisher= Ohio Department of Natural Resources|year= }}</ref> Through partnerships with Kent State University Recreational Services and other local agencies, additional recreational opportunities are available to city residents. A livery known as Crooked River Adventures is available at Tannery Park. The livery generally operates from May to October depending on weather and water levels. Canoe, kayak, tubing, and bicycle rentals are available to residents and students with kayak and canoe service as far as Brust Park in [[Munroe Falls, Ohio|Munroe Falls]] and Water Works Park in [[Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio|Cuyahoga Falls]]. Kent also has a [[bicycle-sharing system]] known as Flashfleet in partnership with the university and [[Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority|PARTA]]. The program offers yearly memberships or hourly rentals with locations on campus and in the downtown area.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kent and Kent State partner on bike share rentals |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2015/10/05/kent-and-kent-state-partner-on-bike-share-rentals |author=Pompili, Dan |date=October 5, 2015 |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |accessdate=October 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Adventure Center |url=https://www.kent.edu/recservices/adventure-center |publisher=Kent State University Recreational Services |year=2015 |accessdate=October 5, 2015}}</ref> ==Government== [[File:Kent city wards streets.png|350px|thumb|Map showing the six [[Wards of the United States|wards]] of Kent with selected streets labeled]] Kent is governed by a [[charter]] form of government with a [[Council–manager government|council–manager]] system of nine council members and a mayor. The city is divided into six [[Wards of the United States|wards]] and voters select a mayor, a council member representing their ward, and three [[at-large]] council members in staggered four-year terms.<ref name=council>{{cite web |url= http://www.kentohio.org/gov2/council.asp|title= City Council|date= January 2010|work= KentOhio.org|publisher= City of Kent, Ohio|accessdate=January 12, 2010}}</ref> The city charter, adopted in 1963, is reviewed by a charter commission every 10 years who then make recommendations for changes, the last review being in 2005.<ref name=darrow27>Darrow, p. 27; Initially the charter called for reviews every 5 years until a change to 10 years in 1985</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Charter getting its 10-year review |author=Smith, Diane |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=January 20, 2005}}</ref> The city council hires a [[city manager]] who oversees the day-to-day operations in the various city departments and enforces policies set by council. The mayor serves a largely ceremonial role as president of the council and votes only in the event of a tie. Kent voters approved the change from a [[Mayor–council government|mayor-council]] system to council-manager in 1975 and it went into effect in 1977.<ref name=darrow27/> Jerry Fiala began his term as mayor January 1, 2010 and Dave Ruller began serving as city manager June 15, 2005.<ref name=council/><ref>{{cite news |title=Council gets charter changes |author=Smith, Diane |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=June 16, 2005 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/88032 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032846/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/88032 |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |accessdate=January 25, 2014}}</ref> As part of the city government, Kent also has departments of community development, health, human services, law, parks and recreation, public safety, and public service.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kentohio.org/dep/|title= Departments|date= January 2010|work= KentOhio.org|publisher= City of Kent, Ohio|accessdate=January 12, 2010}}</ref> The Public Service Department oversees a variety of construction and maintenance works as well as the city's water treatment and water reclamation systems while the Public Safety Department includes both the police and fire departments.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kentohio.org/dep/public_service.asp|title= Public Service|date= January 2010|work= KentOhio.org|publisher= City of Kent, Ohio|accessdate=January 12, 2010}}</ref> The Kent Police Department is housed in the city's Safety Administration Building and includes 911 dispatch for Kent and [[Franklin Township, Portage County, Ohio|Franklin Township]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kentpd.org/dispatch|title= Communications/Dispatch of the Kent Police Department|date= April 2012|work= KentPD.org|publisher= Kent, Ohio Police Department|accessdate=April 22, 2012}}</ref> Kent State University also operates its own police department, which mainly patrols the KSU campus and KSU property in and out of the Kent city limits.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kent.edu/police/index.cfm |archiveurl= http://wayback.archive.org/web/20100619125806/http://www.kent.edu/police/index.cfm |archivedate= 2010-06-19|title= Kent State University Police Services|date= July 15, 2009|work= Kent.edu|publisher= [[Kent State University]]|accessdate=June 15, 2010}}</ref> The two departments frequently communicate and for several years were headed by identical twin brothers: James Peach in the city and John Peach at the university.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kent State police chief: Race not a factor in Kernich death |author=Wolford, Ben |agency=KentNewsnet.com |date=November 23, 2009 |url=http://www.kentwired.com/latest_updates/article_f5550ead-234a-5b81-8046-9f93ed571117.html |accessdate=December 7, 2015 |quote= Peach is meeting with his twin brother, James Peach, chief of the Kent Police Department...}} See also: [http://wayback.archive.org/web/20120329034908/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4960743 "Lee taking helm at Kent PD"] (January 9, 2011)</ref> The fire department operates two stations, the main station adjacent to the Safety Administration Building and the West Side Fire Station along North Mantua Street on the western side of the Cuyahoga River. Kent Fire also provides fire and emergency medical service coverage for Franklin Township and the village of Sugar Bush Knolls.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kentohio.org/dep/fire.asp|title= Fire Department|date= January 2010|work= KentOhio.org|publisher= City of Kent, Ohio|accessdate=January 12, 2010}}</ref> The city's main sources of tax revenue come from [[income tax]], set at 2.25%, and [[property tax]].<ref name=income>{{cite web |title=Division of Income Tax |publisher=City of Kent, Ohio |year=2014 |url=http://www.kentohio.org/dep/incom_tax.asp |accessdate=March 30, 2015}}</ref> Voters approved an increase in the income tax rate from 2.0% in November 2013 to fund a new police station and the new rate took effect January 1, 2014. The rate increase includes a [[sunset provision]] that requires the tax rate to return to 2.0% once debt is paid off on the new facility.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kent approves police income tax |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2013/11/06/kent-approves-police-income-tax |author=McDonald, Kyle |date=November 6, 2013 |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |accessdate=March 30, 2015}} Note: subscription required to access link</ref> In 2014, the city operated on a budget of approximately $40 million. The largest percentage of the budget, 31% or $11.9 million, was spent on public safety services followed by 22% or $8.5 million on basic utilities. Debt service accounted for $6.0 million or 17% of the budget while transportation projects accounted for 9% or $3.37 million of the budget, 8% or $3.33 million towards general government expenses, and $2.35 million allocated for construction of a new police station.<ref>{{cite web|title=City of Kent 2015 Recommended Budget |publisher=City of Kent, Ohio |year=2014 |url=http://www.kent360.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DOC_20141107094331.pdf |accessdate=March 30, 2015 |format=PDF}}</ref> At the state level, Kent is in the 68th district of the [[Ohio House of Representatives]], represented since 2011 by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Kathleen Clyde]], a Kent resident.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/district-map |title=House District Map |year=2014 |work=OhioHouse.gov |publisher=[[Ohio House of Representatives]] |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Clyde tapped for Ohio House |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4925091 |date=November 3, 2010 |author=Sever, Mike |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107020029/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4925091 |archivedate=November 7, 2010 |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |accessdate=January 25, 2014}}</ref> In the [[Ohio Senate|State Senate]], Kent is part of the 18th district, represented since 2011 by Republican [[John Eklund]] of [[Geauga County, Ohio|Geauga County]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ohiosenate.gov/members/senate-district-map |archiveurl= |archivedate= |title=Senate District Map |year=|work=OhioSenate.gov |publisher=[[Ohio Senate]] |accessdate=December 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://ohiosenate.gov/eklund |title= Senator John Eklund (R) |year= 2015|work= OhioSenate.gov|publisher= [[Ohio Senate]]|accessdate=December 26, 2015}}</ref> At the Federal level, Kent is included in [[Ohio's 13th congressional district]], represented since 2003 by Democrat [[Tim Ryan (politician)|Tim Ryan]] of [[Niles, Ohio|Niles]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://house.gov |title=United States House of Representatives |year=2014 |work=House.gov |publisher=[[United States House of Representatives]] |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://timryan.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=49|title= Biography |work= timryan.house.gov|publisher= Office of Tim Ryan|accessdate=January 19, 2010}}</ref> ==Education== {{See also|Kent City School District|Kent Free Library|Kent State University}} [[File:Kent Stanton 1.jpg|thumb|Stanton Middle School]] [[Preschool education|Preschool]], [[Primary education|elementary]], and [[secondary education]] is mainly provided by the Kent City School District with the small portion of the city south of State Route 261 a part of the neighboring Field Local School District.<ref name=districts>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/pdgraphics/interactive/propertytax2007|title=Property Tax 2007|accessdate=May 6, 2010 |year=2008|work=www.cleveland.com Business|publisher=Cleveland Plain Dealer}} See also [[:File:Portage County school districts overlay.png]]</ref> The Kent district was created around 1860 and later merged with the Franklin Township and Brady Lake school districts in 1959.<ref name=wardle>{{cite book |last=Wardle |first=Michelle |title=Images of America: Kent|year=2005|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|location=Charleston, South Carolina, United States|isbn=0-7385-3381-5 |page=53}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Roger|last=Di Paolo|title=New chapter for old school|newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |page=A5 |date=March 19, 2006}}</ref> It serves most of Kent and Franklin Township, the villages of [[Brady Lake, Ohio|Brady Lake]] and [[Sugar Bush Knolls, Ohio|Sugar Bush Knolls]] and a small part of southern [[Streetsboro, Ohio|Streetsboro]].<ref name=districts/> Kent has four neighborhood elementary schools that serve students in grades [[K–12 (education)|K–5]], [[Stanton Middle School (Kent, Ohio)|Stanton Middle School]] for grades 6–8, and [[Theodore Roosevelt High School (Kent, Ohio)|Theodore Roosevelt High School]] for grades 9–12. The district also operates a preschool program housed at Davey Elementary School, and is a member of the Six District Educational Compact with five surrounding districts to facilitate vocational education, with many of these programs housed at Roosevelt High School.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentschools.net/?page_id=197 |title=School Buildings at KCS |year=2010 |work=KentSchools.net |publisher=Kent City School District |accessdate=July 21, 2014}} See also [http://www.kentschools.net/?page_id=3455 Kent City Schools Preschool Program]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sixdistrict.com/programs/CareerProgramSchedule09.pdf |title=College Tech Prep and Career Program Schedule |year=2009 |work=SixDistrict.com |publisher=Six District Educational Compact |accessdate=May 6, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> In 1985, Roosevelt High School was given the [[United States Department of Education]] Excellence in Education award and the school has consistently been rated "Excellent" by the Ohio Department of Education since 2004.<ref>Darrow, p. 175</ref><ref name="Report Card for Kent City">{{cite web |title=Archives |url=http://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/Pages/Archives.aspx |year=2015 |work=Education.Ohio.Gov |publisher=[[Ohio Department of Education]] |accessdate=December 7, 2015}}</ref> For 2010 and 2015, it was named in ''[[US News & World Report]]'' as one of the best high schools in the United States, earning the publication's Bronze Medal designation.<ref>{{cite news |title= Roosevelt High School: Best High Schools - USNews.com|magazine= [[US News & World Report]]|year= 2009|url= http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/ohio/roosevelt_high_school|accessdate= December 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Roosevelt High School: Best High Schools - USNews.com |magazine=[[US News & World Report]]|year=2015 |url=http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/ohio/roosevelt_high_school |accessdate=August 25, 2015}}</ref> The Kent City School District has been consistently rated as "Excellent" or "Effective" by the Ohio Department of Education and in 2007 Walls Elementary School was named a "School of Promise" by the Ohio Department of Education, while Longcoy Elementary earned the U.S. Department of Education's prestigious [[Blue Ribbon School]] award.<ref name="Report Card for Kent City"/><ref>{{cite book |title= 2007 Blue Ribbon Schools Nominations|year= 2007|publisher= U.S. Department of Education|page= 38|url= http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2007/2007-schools.pdf}}</ref> Kent also has one private school, St. Patrick School, which serves around 300 students in grades K–8 from Kent and several surrounding communities. It is part of Kent's St. Patrick parish and is affiliated with the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://webapp2.ode.state.oh.us/oeds-r/maintainorg/default.asp |title= General Information – St Patrick|date= June 15, 2010|work= ODE.state.oh.us|publisher= Ohio Department of Education|accessdate=June 15, 2010}} To access the records, place "St Patrick" in the school box and "Kent" in the city and use the "search" button</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stpatskent.org/about-our-school/about-us |title=About Us |year=2013 |work=StPatsKent.org |publisher=St. Patrick School |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref> [[File:Kent Free Library 1.jpg|thumb|left|Newer portion of the Kent Free Library]] The [[Kent Free Library]] is the main public library. It was established in 1892 after Kent became the first village in Ohio to use an 1892 state law which allowed municipalities under a population of 5,000 to tax residents for the upkeep of a library. Andrew Carnegie donated $10,000 in 1901 for construction of a permanent home for the library, which opened in 1903.<ref name=library>{{cite book |title= A History of the Kent Free Library, Kent, Ohio 1958–1992|last= Getrost|first= Christina|year= 1993|publisher= Kent State University|location= Kent, Ohio, United States| pages= 11–12}}</ref> The 2006 expansion to the library brought available space to {{convert|55000|sqft|m2}} with a book collection of 147,390 items as of 2010.<ref>{{cite news |first= Bryan|last= Wroten |title= Kent Free Library opens tomorrow |url=http://kentwired.com/kent-free-library-opens-tomorrow/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713144407/http://kentwired.com/kent-free-library-opens-tomorrow/ |archivedate=July 13, 2011 |work=KentWired.com |publisher=Kent State University Student Media |date=September 25, 2006 |accessdate=January 26, 2014}}</ref><ref name=tech>{{cite web |url= http://www.librarytechnology.org/lwc-displaylibrary.pl?RC=22799|title= Kent Free Library|accessdate=May 5, 2010|work= lib-web-cats|publisher= Library Technology Guides|date= May 3, 2010}}</ref> It is a school district library associated with the Kent City School District and is also part of the Portage Library Consortium, connecting it with Reed Memorial Library in [[Ravenna, Ohio|Ravenna]] and the Portage County District Library, which maintains six branch libraries across the county and a [[bookmobile]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webpac.portagecounty.lib.oh.us/ |title=Portage Library Consortium |year=2015 |work=PortageCounty.lib.oh.us |publisher=Portage Library Consortium |accessdate=November 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portagecounty.lib.oh.us/hrsloc |title=Hours & Locations |year=2015 |work=PortageCounty.lib.oh.us |publisher=Portage County District Library |accessdate=November 18, 2015}}</ref> The main campus of Kent State University is located in the southeastern part of the city. The campus itself occupies approximately {{convert|866|acre|ha}} and the university owns thousands of additional acres adjacent to the campus. Additional facilities include a research park and golf course just east of the city limits in Franklin Township and the [[Kent State University Airport]], just west of Kent in [[Stow, Ohio|Stow]].<ref name=regional>{{cite web |url= http://www.kent.edu/campus-locations |title=Welcome to Kent State's Eight-Campus System |accessdate=November 18, 2015 |work=[[Kent State University]] website|publisher= Kent State University|date= May 5, 2010}}</ref> Founded in 1910 as a teacher training institution, the university has become a world leader in the development of [[liquid crystals]] through the [[Liquid Crystal Institute]] and was the site of the first patent for the modern liquid crystal in the 1970s.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Johnson|first= Christopher |date= May 10, 1999|title= Liquid Lessons: The Missed Opportunity of Liquid Crystal Technology isn't Lost on Researchers Striving to Establish a MEMS Industry Here |journal= Crain's Cleveland Business |publisher=Crain Communications |quote= in the 1970s, soon after Kent State University researcher James Fergason first invented the basic liquid crystal.}}</ref> Kent State also has a nationally recognized fashion design program and nationally ranked programs in [[library science]] and business.<ref name=ksu2010>{{cite news |title=Kent State: Coming of age 40 years after May 4, 1970 shootings that stunned America |author=Scott, Michael |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=May 2, 2010 |url=http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/05/kent_state_coming_of_age_40_ye.html |accessdate=May 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Library and Information Studies |magazine= [[US News & World Report]]|year= 2009|url= http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-library-information-science-programs/rankings|accessdate= January 14, 2010}}</ref> As of 2010, the College of Nursing is the 5th-largest nursing school in the United States and largest in Ohio. In 2009 the university inaugurated the College of Public Health, the second [[public health]] program in Ohio and 33rd in the U.S.<ref name=ksu2010/> The Kent State library system, which includes the 12-story main library and houses over 2.6 million volumes, includes six additional department libraries on the main campus and a branch at each of the seven regional campuses.<ref name=regional/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.library.kent.edu/libraries |title=Libraries |year=2015 |work=Kent.edu |publisher=[[Kent State University]] |accessdate=November 18, 2015}}</ref> The library system is a member of the [[Association of Research Libraries]], one of 3 in [[Ohio]] and 124 in [[North America]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arl.org/membership/list-of-arl-members |title=List of ARL Members |year=2015 |work=ARL.org |publisher=[[Association of Research Libraries]] |accessdate=November 18, 2015}} The other two Ohio members are Ohio University and Ohio State University.</ref> The university offers over 300 programs of study combined in the undergraduate and graduate levels and serves over 41,000 students in eight campuses across [[Northeast Ohio]] with over 30,000 at the campus in Kent.<ref>{{cite web |title= Graduation Planning System|url=http://www.kent.edu/gps/ |year=2015 |work=Kent.edu |publisher=[[Kent State University]] |accessdate=November 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://du1ux2871uqvu.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/file/8%20Campus%20System%20Fall%2015.pdf |title=Fifteenth Day Enrollment Statistics |date=September 2015 |publisher=[[Kent State University]] |accessdate=November 18, 2015 |format=PDF}}</ref> ==Media== Kent is part of the [[Template:Cleveland TV|Cleveland-Akron Television Market Area]] as defined by the [[Federal Communications Commission]], which includes a 17-county region of Northeast Ohio.<ref>{{cite map |publisher= [[Federal Communications Commission]] |title=Updated Maps of All Full-Service Digital Television Stations Authorized by the FCC- Cleveland-Akron Market |url= http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/maps_current/Cleveland-Akron_OH.pdf |year= 2010 |accessdate=April 20, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> As of 2015 it ranks as the 18th-largest [[media market]] in the United States according to [[Nielsen Media Research]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvb.org/media/file/2015-2016-dma-ranks.pdf |title=Local Television Market Universe Estimates |date=September 26, 2015 |work=Nielsen.com |publisher=[[Nielsen Media Research]] |accessdate=November 26, 2015 |format=PDF}}</ref> While most stations are located in [[Cleveland]] and [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], Kent is home to the offices and main studio of [[Western Reserve Public Media]], the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] affiliate for Akron and [[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown]].<ref>{{cite web | title= Organization Profile| url= http://westernreservepublicmedia.org/FACTS.HTM?b1b7cb08 |work= WesternReservePublicMedia.org |publisher= Western Reserve Public Media |year= 2009 |quote= The operations center, administrative offices, main studio and location of public files are housed at 1750 Campus Center Drive, Kent, Ohio, 44240. |accessdate=April 18, 2010}}</ref> The studios for [[WAOH-CD|WAOH and W35AX]], local affiliates for the [[Retro Television Network]], are located just east of the city limits in [[Franklin Township, Portage County, Ohio|Franklin Township]].<ref name=waoh>{{cite book |title= The Real Yellow Pages |year= 2010 |publisher= AT&T |page= Business 32}}</ref> TV-2, a Kent State University student-run production, is available on campus, on local cable, and online.<ref name=wired>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentwired.com/site/about.html |title= About Kentwired.com |date= January 7, 2010 |work= KentWired.com |publisher= KentWired.com|accessdate=January 26, 2010}}</ref> Kent is also in range of the television stations that broadcast out of Youngstown.<ref>{{cite map |publisher= Federal Communications Commission |title= Updated Maps of All Full-Service Digital Television Stations Authorized by the FCC- Youngstown Market |url= http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/maps_current/Youngstown_OH.pdf |year= 2010 |accessdate=April 20, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> [[File:WKSU studios.jpg|thumb|left|Studios of [[WKSU-FM|WKSU]]]] For radio, Kent is part of the [[Template:Akron Radio|Akron Radio Market]], though it is within range of major stations in the [[Template:Cleveland Radio|Cleveland Radio Market]] as well as many in the [[Template:Youngstown-Warren Radio|Youngstown-Warren]] and [[Template:Canton Radio|Canton]] markets.<ref>{{cite map |publisher= Arbitron |title= 2009 Arbitron Radio Metro Map |url= http://blog.masslive.com/localbuzz_impact/2009/05/Arb_US_Metro_Map_09.pdf|year= 2009|accessdate=April 20, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> Three stations, two [[Frequency modulation|FM]] and one [[Amplitude modulation|AM]], are licensed to Kent. [[WKSU-FM|WKSU]], at 89.7 FM, broadcasts from the campus of Kent State University and is the main affiliate for [[National Public Radio]] in Northeast Ohio for the Akron, Canton, and Cleveland radio markets via [[Broadcast relay station|repeaters]] around the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wksu.org/about/coverage/ |title=Broadcast Coverage Area |year=2010 |work=WKSU.org |publisher=[[WKSU-FM|WKSU]] |accessdate=May 3, 2010}}</ref> [[WNIR (FM)|WNIR]], at 100.1 FM, is broadcast from studios shared with sister station [[WJMP]] and television stations WAOH and W35AX in Franklin Township.<ref name=waoh/> WNIR is centered on [[talk radio]] and news and is a local affiliate of [[ABC News Radio|ABC Radio]] and [[Westwood One (1976–2011)|Westwood One]]. WJMP, which broadcasts at 1520 AM, is a daytime-only news/talk station. [[Black Squirrel Radio]] is a student-run [[Internet radio|online station]] from Kent State available online and on local cable.<ref name=wired/> The ''[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]]'', a daily newspaper which mainly covers Portage County, is the main source of printed news media for Kent. The ''Record-Courier'' was formed by the merger of the Ravenna ''Evening Record'' and the Kent ''Courier-Tribune'' and is published by the Record Publishing Company. The ''Record-Courier'' maintained an office in Kent until 2008 before all offices were moved to Kent from Ravenna in 2012. In addition to the ''Record-Courier'', the Kent offices house the various departments of Record Publishing and its other weekly newspapers that serve several Summit and Portage County communities. The building also includes some of the corporate offices of parent company Dix Communications, a regional media company in printed and radio media that also has offices in [[Wooster, Ohio]].<ref>Darrow, pp. 153–154</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= R-C Kent office to close Monday |author= Murphy, Chad |newspaper= [[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date= December 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Record-Courier Moves to New Offices in Kent |url=http://www.ohionews.org/2012/08/17/the-record-courier-moves-to-new-office-in-kent/ |work=Record-Courier |date=August 18, 2012 |accessdate=January 5, 2013}}</ref> Kent Patch, a local division of [[Patch Media]], mainly serves as an online bulletin board for local events. It was established in 2010 and functioned as a news source specific to Kent before Patch Media downsized hundreds of local Patch sites across the United States in October 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Northeast Ohio Patch.com editors bid farewell to readers as Patch cuts Ohio journalists |url=http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/10/northeast_ohio_patchcom_editors_bid_farewell_to_readers_as_patch_cuts_ohio_journalists.html |author=Cho, Janet H. |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=October 15, 2013 |accessdate=November 9, 2014}}</ref> The city is also served by Kent State University's ''Daily Kent Stater'', which is available in print at select locations on and off campus and online via KentWired.com, a collaborative site with TV-2 and Black Squirrel Radio.<ref name=wired/> The ''[[Akron Beacon Journal]]'' and ''[[The Plain Dealer]]'' also serve Kent through regional coverage and delivery.<ref>Darrow, p. 155</ref> Magazines published at Kent State include ''[[Fusion Magazine (Kent State University)|Fusion]]'', a magazine devoted to sexual minority issues; ''Kent State Magazine'', an official publication of the university; and ''The Burr'', a student-run magazine about events going on in and around Kent.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thatgaymagazine.com/wordpress/about |title= About |work= ThatGayMagazine.com |publisher= ''[[Fusion Magazine (Kent State University)|Fusion Magazine]]'' |accessdate=April 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kent.edu/magazine/about-us |title=About Us |year=2015 |work=Kent.edu |publisher= Kent State University |accessdate=November 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://theburr.com/?page_id=21 |title=About |year=2015 |work= TheBurr.com |publisher=The Burr Magazine |accessdate=November 26, 2015}}</ref> ==Infrastructure== The city operates its own water system, drawing groundwater from wells with an adjacent water treatment plant located just outside the city limits in Franklin Township as well as using a water reclamation facility along the Cuyahoga River in the southwestern part of the city.<ref>{{cite news |url= |title=Secondary water source found off Fairchild Ave. |date=May 15, 2004 |newspaper=Record-Courier |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentohio.org/dep/water_reclamation.asp |title=Water Reclamation Division |work=KentOhio.org |publisher=City of Kent, Ohio |accessdate=April 30, 2010}}</ref> Waste collection for the entire city is handled through a local private contractor and Portage County handles the city's [[recycling]] collection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kent360.com/files/CityStuff/TrashRoutesMap.jpg |title=Collection Schedule Map |year=2009 |work=Kent360.com |publisher=City of Kent, Ohio |accessdate=April 30, 2010}}</ref> Kent's original recycling program was developed in 1970 by the Kent Environmental Council and was Ohio's first comprehensive and self-supporting program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://speccoll.library.kent.edu/reghist/kec.html |title=Kent Environmental Council, Records, 1970– |date=July 1997 |work=Kent State University Special Collections and Archives |publisher=Kent State University |accessdate=April 30, 2010 |quote= the KEC initiated recycling in Kent in 1970, and from 1979–89 managed Ohio's first comprehensive self-supporting recycling program.}}</ref> Local phone utilities are provided through [[AT&T]] Ohio through the [[Area codes 234 and 330|330 and 234 area codes]], electricity is supplied and lines are maintained by [[FirstEnergy]] in the former coverage area of Ohio Edison, and natural gas is supplied and lines are maintained by [[Dominion Resources]] East Ohio Energy.<ref>{{cite map |publisher=[[Public Utilities Commission of Ohio]] |title=Telephone Service Areas and Area Codes in Ohio |url=http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/STATEMAP/AC_TelServAreaA.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301000000/http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/STATEMAP/AC_TelServAreaA.pdf |archivedate=March 1, 2011 |year=2009 |accessdate=January 26, 2014 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |publisher=Public Utilities Commission of Ohio |title=Electric Service Areas in Ohio |url=http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/STATEMAP/Elecserve2010_A.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515000000/http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/STATEMAP/Elecserve2010_A.pdf |archivedate=May 15, 2011 |year=2010 |accessdate=January 26, 2014 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |publisher=Public Utilities Commission of Ohio |title=PUCO Regulated Natural Gas Companies |url=http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/statemap/gas2006a.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415000000/http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/statemap/gas2006a.pdf |year=2002 |archivedate=April 15, 2011 |accessdate=January 26, 2014 |format=PDF}}</ref> While residents are free to choose their own natural gas and electric suppliers, the city is part of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, or NOPEC, the largest government [[Group purchasing organization|aggregation]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nopecinfo.org/contact/faq/ |title=Frequently Asked Questions |work=NOPECinfo.org |publisher=Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council |accessdate=January 26, 2014}}</ref> ===Transportation=== [[File:Kent Central Gateway night 1.JPG|thumbnail|right|Kent Central Gateway, downtown]] [[Ohio State Route 59|State Route 59]] is the main east–west highway, following East and West Main Streets and Haymaker Parkway. Summit Street is another major east-west road mainly on Kent's eastern side, passing through and linking much of the Kent State campus. Fairchild Avenue is an important east-west road on the city's west side connecting with Stow and [[Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio|Cuyahoga Falls]]. [[Ohio State Route 43|State Route 43]] is the main north–south highway, mainly following North Mantua and South Water Streets. SR 43 connects Kent with [[Interstate 76 (Ohio)|Interstate 76]], approximately {{convert|3|mi|km|0}} to the south via exit 33 in [[Brimfield, Ohio|Brimfield]] and to the [[Ohio Turnpike]]/[[Interstate 80 (Ohio)|Interstate 80]] and the eastern terminus of [[Interstate 480 (Ohio)|Interstate 480]], approximately {{convert|7|mi|km|0}} to the north via Turnpike exit 187 in Streetsboro. Both SR 43 and SR 59 are four to five-lane roads within the city limits. [[Ohio State Route 261|State Route 261]] passes through the southern and eastern edges of the city and is a four-lane [[Dual carriageway|divided highway]] for a short distance with the remainder a two-lane highway. It serves as a bypass between SR 43, SR 59, and Summit Street on Kent's south and eastern sides and to [[Tallmadge, Ohio|Tallmadge]] on the southwest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentohio.org/dep/Kent%27s%20Profile.pdf |title=Kent, Ohio |date=April 2008 |work=KentOhio.org |publisher=City of Kent, Ohio |accessdate=April 23, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> Public transportation is provided by the [[Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority]], known as PARTA, which is headquartered just outside the city limits in Franklin Township.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.partaonline.org/get-in-touch/ |title=Get In Touch |year=2015 |work=PARTAonline.org |publisher=[[Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority]] |accessdate=December 6, 2015}}</ref> PARTA serves Kent through a [[Demand responsive transport|dial-a-ride]] service, the Suburban and Kent Circulator routes completely within the city limits, the seasonal Black Squirrel route along SR 59 during Kent State University's Fall and Spring semesters, and the Interurban connecting with Stow and Ravenna. There are also two express routes, one to Akron connecting with [[METRO Regional Transit Authority]] via [[Brimfield, Ohio|Brimfield]], and a Cleveland Express route connecting with the [[Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority]] via Streetsboro, [[Twinsburg, Ohio|Twinsburg]], and [[Maple Heights, Ohio|Maple Heights]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.partaonline.org/ride-parta/maps-schedules/ |title=Maps & Schedules |year=2015 |work=PARTAonline.org |publisher=Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority |accessdate=December 6, 2015}}</ref> PARTA also includes Campus Bus Service, which provides three fixed routes on the campus of Kent State University. An [[Intermodal passenger transport|intermodal transit]] facility, known as the Kent Central Gateway, opened in 2013 in the downtown area to provide better integration of the existing bus system, hike-and-bike trails, and parking. The building was financed mainly from a $20 million [[Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery]] (TIGER) grant received in February 2010 and construction began in April 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=$20 Million for Kent |author=Sever, Mike |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=February 18, 2010 |url= |accessdate=}} See also: [http://www.kentcentralgateway.com/ Kent Central Gateway]</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PARTA breaks ground on transit center |author=Gallick, Thomas |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=April 5, 2011 |url= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PARTA sets parking rates for Kent Central Gateway |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2013/05/19/parta-sets-parking-rates-for-kent-central-gateway |author=McDonald, Kyle |date=May 19, 2013 |accessdate=June 7, 2013 |newspaper=Record-Courier}}</ref> ===Healthcare=== Hospital care is provided mainly through [[University Hospitals Portage Medical Center]], affiliated with [[University Hospitals of Cleveland]], which operates the UH Kent Health Center in the southern part of the city. The UH Kent Health Center includes an [[outpatient surgery]] center as well as a medical arts building housing a medical imaging center and family medicine doctors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uhhospitals.org/kent |title=UH Kent Health Center |year=2015 |accessdate=December 14, 2015 |publisher=[[University Hospitals of Cleveland]]}}</ref> The 150-bed main hospital is located in Ravenna and the system operates additional facilities throughout Portage County.<ref name=robinson/> [[Free clinic]]s include the AxessPointe Community Health Center, located just east of the city limits in the [[Joint Economic Development District]] with Franklin Township, and a clinic in the downtown area operated by social agency Townhall II.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://axesspointe.org/about-us/ |title=About Us |work=AxessPointe.org |accessdate=February 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.townhall2.com/#!health-&-wellness/vstc4=medical-clinic |title=Medical Clinic |work=Townhall2.com |publisher=Townhall II |accessdate=February 6, 2014}}</ref> ==Religion== [[File:St Pats Kent.jpg|left|thumb|St. Patrick Church, a Roman Catholic parish, is the city's largest religious body]] The earliest organized religious services in Kent were held in 1815 when a [[Methodism|Methodist]] group was formed, followed by a [[Congregational Christian Churches#Congregationalism|Congregational]] church in 1819.<ref>Wardle, p. 16</ref> The first religious meetinghouse in Kent, which also served as the first schoolhouse, was built in 1817 and was used by several different denominations. Later, the Methodists built another building in 1828 that was also used by multiple denominations.<ref>Grismer, pp. 191, 194</ref> The oldest church building in Kent still used as a place of worship is the [[Unitarian Universalism|Unitarian Universalist]] Church on Gougler Avenue, which was dedicated in 1868. The former home of the Congregational Church was dedicated in 1858 and still stands along Gougler Avenue very near the Unitarian Universalist Church. It served as the home of the First Congregational Church—which became the Kent [[United Church of Christ]] in 1964—until 1955.<ref name=darrow89>Darrow, pp. 89–102</ref> It was later purchased by a local business and used as their corporate headquarters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kentuu.org/visitors/history/ |title=History of the UU Church in Kent |author=Burnell, Sally |year=2010 |work=KentUU.org |publisher=Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent |accessdate=December 7, 2015 |quote=On August 23, 1868, the building was dedicated... The other churches were the Congregational Church, built in 1858, which still stands and is the site of an area business...}}</ref> As of 2010, within the city are two [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] parishes affiliated with the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown|Diocese of Youngstown]], one a family parish and one a [[Newman Centre|Newman Center]], as well as congregations of the [[United Methodist Church]], [[African Methodist Episcopal Church]], [[Free Methodist Church]], United Church of Christ, [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]], [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], [[Church of the Brethren]], the [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)]], [[Presbyterian Church (USA)|Presbyterian Church]], [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]], [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]], and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]. There are also Unitarian Universalist, [[Non-denominational Christianity|non-denominational Christian]], and [[Bahá'í Faith]] congregations.<ref name=darrow89/> Although there are no Jewish [[synagogue]]s or temples, there is a [[Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life|Hillel]] Jewish student center on the campus of Kent State University which serves students at both Kent State and the [[University of Akron]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kenthillel.org |title=Hillel |year=2010 |work=KentHillel.org |publisher=Hillel at Kent |accessdate=November 6, 2010}}</ref> Just outside the city limits in Franklin Township are the Kent congregations of the [[Church of the Nazarene]], [[Assemblies of God]], as well as [[Baptists|Baptist]] and [[Free Will Baptist]] churches. The [[Islam]]ic Society of Akron and Kent operates a [[mosque|masjid]] and school on its main campus in Cuyahoga Falls, west of Kent. It was founded in Kent in 1979 and maintains an additional masjid in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isak.org/index.php/about-isak/our-history |title=About Us |year=2010 |work=ISAK.org |publisher= Islamic Society of Akron and Kent |accessdate=April 20, 2013}}</ref> Kent is also part of a [[Ward (LDS Church)|ward]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] in [[Rootstown Township, Portage County, Ohio|Rootstown]] that was first organized in Kent and includes most of southern Portage County.<ref name=darrow89/> ==Notable people== <!--- Please do not add any more names to this section; add them to their appropriate list. If the individual's tie to Kent is ''only'' as a Kent State University student, they should be listed at [[List of Kent State University alumni]]. ---> {{Main|List of people from Kent, Ohio}} {{See also|List of Kent State University alumni}} [[File:Lucius Fairchild Crop.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Lucius Fairchild]]]] Kent has produced and been home to a number of notable individuals in varying fields. Its natives and residents are referred to as "Kentites".<ref>{{cite news |title=Kentite among the finalists on reality program |author=Fredmonsky, Matt |newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]] |date=March 18, 2010}}</ref> [[John Davey (tree surgeon)|John Davey]], a pioneer in [[tree surgery]] and founder of the Davey Tree Expert Company moved to Kent in the 1880s. His son, [[Martin L. Davey]], would later serve as [[Governor of Ohio]] and a U.S. Representative. Other political figures to come from Kent include Wisconsin governor [[Lucius Fairchild]], former U.S. Representative [[Robert E. Cook]], and noted abolitionist [[John Brown (abolitionist)|John Brown]], who lived in what was then Franklin Mills from 1835–1839.<ref>{{cite news |title=Civil War hero, governor had roots in Kent |author=Di Paolo, Roger |publisher=''[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]]'' |work= Kent: Celebrating 200 Years |date=September 8, 2006 |page= 5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000725|title= Cook, Robert Eugene, (1920–1988)|accessdate=September 3, 2008 |work= Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|publisher= United States Congress}}</ref> Noted athletes to have come from Kent include former [[National Football League]] players [[Mike Adamle]], [[Tom DeLeone]], and [[Stan White (linebacker)|Stan White]] and former [[Major League Baseball]] player, manager, and executive [[Gene Michael]].<ref name=hof>{{cite web |title= Kent City Schools Hall of Fame archives|url= http://www.kentschools.net/?page_id=437|year= 2009|work= KentSchools.net |publisher= Kent City Schools|accessdate=June 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/michage01.shtml |title=Gene Michael |year=2010 |work=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=June 28, 2010}}</ref> Three members of the band [[Devo]], which debuted in Kent in 1973 and was founded by Kent State University students, are natives of Kent: [[Gerald Casale]], [[Peter Gregg (musician)|Peter Gregg]], and [[Rod Reisman]].<ref name=devo>{{cite web |url= http://devobook.com/chapter7.html|title= The Beginning Was the End|accessdate=January 6, 2009 |author= Dellinger, Jade and Giffels, David|year= 2003|work= We Are Devo|publisher=}} See also: [http://devobook.com/sextet.html Photos of Devo's First Live Performance]</ref> Other performing artists to come from Kent include singer [[Julianne Baird]], playwright [[Vincent J. Cardinal]], and voice actor [[Joshua Seth]].<ref name=hof/><ref>{{cite news |title= Hilarious hypnotism |author= Kallio, Chris |newspaper= KentWired.com|date= March 26, 2008|url=http://www.kentwired.com/latest_updates/article_5f5bf840-89e6-5fd5-ae17-837075f054c3.html}}</ref> [[Lucien Price]], an author and writer for ''The [[Boston Evening Transcript]]'' and ''[[The Atlantic Monthly]]'' grew up in Kent and used the [[pseudonym]] "Woolwick" for Kent in some of his stories.<ref>{{cite news |first= Roger|last= Di Paolo |title= Portage Pathways: He never forgot Kent|url= http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3699222|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110719082222/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3699222|archivedate= 2011-07-19|work= [[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record Courier]]|publisher= Record Publishing|date= April 27, 2008|accessdate=August 15, 2009}} Retrieved from Internet Archive 26 January 2014.</ref> Kent was also the home of inventor Lucien B. Smith, regarded as the inventor of [[barbed wire]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/telephone/timeline/timeline_text.html|title= The American Experience Technology Timeline: 1752–1990|accessdate=January 28, 2009 |work= The American Experience|publisher= Public Broadcasting Systems|year= 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2672|title= Lucien B. Smith|accessdate=January 28, 2009 |work= Ohio History Central|publisher= Ohio Historical Society|date= July 31, 2006}}</ref> Additionally, people who have lived in Kent while attending Kent State University include comedians [[Drew Carey]] and [[Arsenio Hall]], actor [[Michael Keaton]], musician [[Joe Walsh]], and additional members of the band Devo.<ref name=cyburr>{{cite news |title=What You Need to Know About Kent State |work=Kent.edu |date=April 21, 2010 |publisher=[[Kent State University]] |url=http://www2.kent.edu/about/history/May4/newsroom/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=587C981E-A631-D34B-4799AE04B1901551 |accessdate= February 15, 2010}}</ref> Athletes include [[American football|football]] players [[Antonio Gates]], [[Joshua Cribbs]], and [[Jack Lambert (American football)|Jack Lambert]]; Major League Baseball players [[Thurman Munson]], [[Rich Rollins]], and [[Andy Sonnanstine]]; [[college football]] coaches [[Nick Saban]] and [[Lou Holtz]]; and golfer [[Ben Curtis (golfer)|Ben Curtis]], who resides in [[Franklin Township, Portage County, Ohio|Franklin Township]] just north of the Kent city limits and lists Kent as his residence.<ref name=baseball10>{{cite web |url=https://www.nmnathletics.com//pdf8/674193.pdf?&ATCLID=204883341&SPID=4461&DB_OEM_ID=11400&SPSID=47642 |title=Golden Flashes in the Pros |year= 2010 |work=Kent State Baseball 2010 Media Guide |publisher=Kent State University |accessdate=June 27, 2010 |pages=45–48|format=PDF}}</ref><ref name=football09>{{cite book |title=History and Records |year= 2009 |work=Kent State Football 2009 Media Guide |publisher=Kent State University |pages=91–94}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= |title=Kent State Around the Beat |author=Carducci, David |date=July 10, 2011 |accessdate=|newspaper=[[Record-Courier (Ohio)|Record-Courier]]}}</ref> ==Sister cities== Kent has one [[town twinning|sister city]], [[Dudince]], a small [[spa town]] of about 1,500 people in southern [[Slovakia]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.slideshare.net/andrewwilliamsjr/sister-cities-ohio-2008|title= Online Directory: Ohio |date= October 5, 2008|work= Slideshare.net; originally from Sister-Cities.org|publisher= [[Sister Cities International]]|accessdate=January 13, 2010}}</ref> The relationship was established in 2003 through [[Sister Cities International]] and resulted in the formation of the Kent-Dudince Sister City Association to promote learning and understanding of the [[Slovak culture|Slovakian culture]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sister City Association celebrates Slovak music and dancing provide entertainment after dinner |author=Nethken, Laura |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=May 29, 2004 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/84254 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032922/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/84254 |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref> The group meets regularly and organizes cultural exchanges and programs that feature Slovakian dance and music.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kent-Dudince banquet planned |author=Ruehr, Mary Louise |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=April 29, 2010 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4817471 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032928/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4817471 |archivedate=March 14, 2014 |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref> Cultural exchanges have included a performance of a choir from Kent's Theodore Roosevelt High School in Dudince in 2004 and tour groups from Kent visiting in 2006 and 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Choralworks bound for Europe |author=Giltz, Cecil |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=June 2, 2004 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/84891 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032934/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/84891 |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sister Cities planning tour, set Sept. 6 to 20 |author=Nethken, Laura |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=July 19, 2006 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/128252 |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032941/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/128252 |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sister City group plans 4th trip |author=Maynard, Joanne |newspaper=Record-Courier |date=July 2, 2008 |url=http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4025311 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032946/http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4025311 |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref> ==Notes and references== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== <!---External links should be used sparingly and conform to the guidelines at WP:USCITY#External links and WP:EL.---> <!---Also see #External links and the Good Article review on the talk page for information on certain links that were removed and should not be re-added to the article.---> {{Sister project links|Kent, Ohio}} {{portal|Ohio}} *{{Official website|http://www.kentohio.org}} *[http://www.kentbiz.com/ Kent Area Chamber of Commerce] *[http://www.kent360.com/ Kent City Manager] {{Portage County, Ohio}} {{featured article}} [[Category:Kent, Ohio| ]] [[Category:Cities in Portage County, Ohio]] [[Category:University towns in the United States]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1805]] [[Category:Populated places on the Underground Railroad]] [[Category:1805 establishments in Ohio]]'