žž

Join Us in Celebrating Partnership, Official Esplanade Opening This Friday

A community celebration of the solid partnership between žž and the city of žž, represented by the new žž Esplanade extension that now connects the university to downtown žž, will take place Friday, Oct. 4, starting at 3:30 p.m. The celebratory event will be held, rain or shine, at the new University Esplanade arch near Main and Willow streets in žž. It is free and open to members of the public, and refreshments will be served.

The University Esplanade is built around the economic development of downtown žž, and is a vital connection between the university and downtown projects that include PARTA’s new žž Central Gateway multimodal transit center, private developments from Acorn Alley and Fairmount Properties, and the new žž Hotel and Conference Center. It also provides a physical link and safe pathway for students to visit, enjoy and patronize local businesses; connects residents and visitors to the žž Campus; and serves as a catalyst for changing the economy of the region by creating new jobs, spurring new investment and generating taxes to the state and local economy.

The celebration and official opening of the University Esplanade on Oct. 4 will begin with remarks from university, city and government officials. It will include the dedication of a newly planted pin oak Partnership Tree, generously donated by the žž-based Davey Tree Expert Company, that symbolizes the town-gown partnership. Also on display at the event will be the Partnership Tree float that is modeled after the new University Esplanade arch and Partnership Tree. From 4-6 p.m., following the dedication and tree planting, attendees will have the opportunity to be a part of the float by signing their names and writing personalized messages on handcrafted leaves, which will then be hung on the Partnership Tree parade float. The float will be in žž State’s Homecoming Parade on Oct. 5 at 11 a.m.

The successful collaboration between žž State and the city of žž has been recognized by several publications, including The New York Times, and by the International Town-Gown Association, which bestowed its inaugural award on žž State and the city of žž for the town-gown relationship that best represents the spirit of the association.

žž State is making one of the largest investments related to higher education in the region and in Portage County. The university’s “Foundations of Excellence: Building the Future” initiative includes the construction of new buildings, facility upgrades to existing buildings and the creation of dynamic, new spaces at its žž Campus and Regional Campuses.

For more information about the “Foundations of Excellence: Building the Future” initiative, visit www.kent.edu/foundations.

For more information about žž State, visit .

POSTED: Monday, September 30, 2013 10:58 AM
Updated: Thursday, December 8, 2022 12:15 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Foluke Omosun