AKRON, Ohio — The city of Akron is moving forward with a plan to partially preserve and commemorate the former Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. Plant #1 site while demolishing the rest of the long-vacant structure.
At a meeting Tuesday, the city’s Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a proposed memorandum of understanding tied to the project, clearing the way for coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office.
Under the plan, Akron will salvage key elements from the upper portion of the site’s iconic clock tower — including clock features and historic bricks — and incorporate them into a future on-site tribute. The remainder of the structure at 1200 Firestone Parkway would be demolished…