Speaker urges Akron to issue final RFP and explore funding to preserve 1200 Firestone

Sterling Schreiber told the council that the city should consider preserving the 1200 Firestone property rather than using existing funds to demolish it. Schreiber said previous requests for proposals restricted the site's use to commercial or industrial uses and urged the city to issue one final RFP that allows mixed-use proposals, including a residential component.

"I propose that the city issue 1 final request for proposals," Schreiber said, adding that the city should consider broad financial terms and allow developers to reimagine the property.

Schreiber described funding mechanisms the city could pursue, including state and federal historic-preservation tax credits, Ohio brownfield remediation funding, low-income housing tax credits, and leveraging the Summit County Development and Finance Authority to issue tax-exempt bonds.

He acknowledged deed restrictions and environmental covenants with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency could make redevelopment difficult but argued those obstacles could be addressed with time and cost. He cited successful local rehabilitations of former Goodrich and Goodyear headquarters as examples of feasible preservation and said timelines of five to 10 years may be required.

Council did not take a vote on a specific preservation plan during the meeting; Schreiber's remarks were made during public comment. No administration response adopting his recommendations is recorded in the transcript.