DOWNTOWN AKRON — Community members and members of Akron City Council told City of Akron officials to “pump the breaks” when it comes to the demolition of the former Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. Plant 1 building. Council held a public hearing Sept. 11 regarding the city applying for a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the building.
In August by a 4-2 vote, the Akron Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission rejected the city’s proposal to demolish the building. Now City Council will decide whether to override the vote and determine if the demolition will move forward.
According to city officials, the building was built in 1910 as a factory and office building and was originally 19 bays wide, 18 bays deep and four stories tall. Shortly after completion, additional bays and a fifth floor were added. Before 1916, additional bays were added as well as a new entrance placed at the base of an eight-story clock tower creating the 46-bay, five-story building that stands today. The total building is approximately 240,300 square feet…