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Council presses city on Firestone HQ demolition cost and grant timing
Summary
Economic development staff told council a $6,000,005 demolition line remains in the 2026 capital budget for the 1200 Firestone site; members pressed for detail after earlier $5M estimates and asked about grant deadlines and options to preserve architectural elements.
Economic development staff said the 2026 capital budget includes $6,000,005 for demolition at 1200 Firestone, the former Firestone headquarters, and explained the figure accounts for asbestos abatement and contingency if the city must fully demolish the structure.
Susie Grama Moore told council the department is "exploring all of our potential options," including whether some architectural features could be salvaged, and that costs would vary if preservation is pursued. Staff added some abatement work and costs have already been incurred and that additional details and a fuller cost accounting would be provided at a later meeting.
Council members asked whether a $5 million grant previously discussed is still available and whether there is a deadline to spend state funds. Staff said the grant came from the Ohio Department of Development (applied in 2023 and awarded in 2024) and that there is a timeline on those funds, which has put pressure on the project to move forward; staff said they are continuing to coordinate with the state to meet any deadlines.
Economic development staff also clarified that $100,000 is budgeted for brownfield remediation to augment other grants, business enhancement grants remain at $400,000, and a $500,000 CDBG line supports community development corporations this year as part of multi-year commitments.
Council members asked how preservation decisions would affect budget lines and whether carryover or debt options had been considered; staff said portions of the project were carried in the 2025 budget and that several financing and design options remain under review.
The committee did not vote on demolition authorization during the session; staff said they will return with more detailed estimates, grant timeline information and options for preservation versus full demolition.
