Akron council approves demolition of former Firestone headquarters at 1200 Firestone Parkway

The Akron City Council voted to approve an ordinance authorizing a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the former Firestone headquarters at 1200 Firestone Parkway.

Councilman Kammer presented the substitute ordinance and told colleagues the committee’s recommendation was favorable and asked that the council suspend the rules to move the matter immediately. "Committee's report is favorable, and we're asking for suspension of the rules," he said. The council suspended the rules and the ordinance was approved by unanimous voice vote; the measure passed 11 to 0.

The ordinance was introduced as a substitute and declared an emergency before the vote. No public testimony or council debate on the merits of the demolition appears in the meeting record. Council offered no additional amendments on the floor and moved directly from suspension to passage.

The vote clears the way for the city to proceed with the certificate of appropriateness necessary for demolition at the address named in the ordinance; the transcript does not specify a contractor, demolition schedule, or any follow-on redevelopment plan.

Council President Margo Somerville presided over the meeting.