million, 80,000-square-foot hotel and conference center, scheduled to open in June 2013. Additionally, a new multimodal transit facility, providing a transfer point for buses and visitors in the area, the Kent Central Gateway, is scheduled to be completed in July 2013. The redevelopment project is said to be the largest of its kind in Kent's 208-year history. Lefton has also influenced Kent State University's campus-edge development, with plans to construct a cross-campus pedestrian esplanade leading from campus to the center of the city of Kent. Plans are underway to construct a new $45 million College of Architecture and Environmental Design building along one section of the esplanade. Spending controversy Lefton has come under scrutiny for his expense accounts charged to the university. Between July 2006 and July 2007 Lefton expensed $36,741.93 on entertainment and $44,249.34 on travel. In a Sep 26, 2007 editorial in the Akron Beacon Journal Lefton was criticized for extensive travel to Europe a portion of which was charged to the university, as well as hiring two additional vice presidents during a time when university tuition and fees increased for students. Other controversy Further controversy in 2007 included an agreement to pay $88,000 for a vice president to pursue a doctorate at Case Western Reserve University. This came at a time when the university was raising student tuition and was of further concern because the same degree could be earned at Kent State University. References External links President Lester A. Lefton's biography President's Home page Black Squirrel Radio President Lefton Interview podcast Daily Kent Stater Online independent student newspaper Black Squirrel Radio student radio station Presidents of Kent State University 1940s births 21st-century American psychologists Living people People from Kent, Ohio People from Brookline, Massachusetts Place of birth missing (living people) 20th-century American psychologists Jewish American academics