Rebuilding KSU campus

Rebuilding KSU campus

Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier: Kent State University has renewed its bid for state approval of a plan that would enable a comprehensive renewal of the campus to go forward.

The proposal, which involves borrowing $210 million, offers a positive vision for the future. We hope Kent State receives the green light from Columbus.

If fully realized, the plan would affect more than 30 buildings on the campus, with an emphasis on facilities for architecture, science, technology, engineering and health. Renovation of existing buildings is planned along with construction of new academic facilities for areas such as architecture and art.

The proposal submitted to the Ohio Board of Regents, which must approve a bond issue to underwrite the cost, resurrects one submitted to Columbus last year that was killed by Eric Fingerhut, then-chancellor of the Regents.

Fingerhut, an appointee of Gov. Ted Strickland, objected to a key provision of the proposal: Increasing student fees to pay off the bonds.

Jim Petro, the new Regents chancellor appointed by Gov. John Kasich following Fingerhut’s decision to leave his post a year early, apparently is more inclined to view the plan favorably.

University officials are estimating the projects they envision could create about 7,500 construction jobs, providing an economic stimulus for the greater Kent area for the next four or five years. Undertaking an effort of this magnitude would be less expensive now because interest rates are relatively low and the market for new construction is competitive.