This decision comes after a public outcry to preserve the 115-year-old structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its iconic facade and clock tower are seen by many as a symbol of the city’s rich manufacturing past.
A Race Against the Clock
During this 60-day period, the city’s Planning Department will seek out developers interested in redeveloping the site. The move balances the community’s desire to save the building with the city’s need to secure $7.5 million in state demolition funds.
“We want to explore other opportunities, other options,” said Planning Director Kyle Julien.
“Absent that, at the end of the 60 days, we’ll either have a plan to repurpose the building—or proceed with demolition.”
The city’s initial plan to demolish the plant was rejected by the Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission in August, prompting an appeal to the city council. The public hearing on September 11 saw residents and council members, including Summit County Council member Jeff Wilhite, advocate for more time.
“It’s historic. It’s iconic,” Wilhite stated. “It’s important that our communities keep some sense of place, a gathering place, something that is unique to those individual neighborhoods.”
City officials have stressed the urgency, noting that the building has significantly deteriorated, is a frequent site of vandalism, and that preserving the clock tower alone could cost an estimated $5 million.
“What the administration is not willing to do is unreasonably risk the loss of an unprecedented amount of demolition proceeds from the state to remedy what has been a blight in that area,” said Assistant Law Director Brian Angeloni.
The 60-day moratorium is set to expire on November 21, 2025. The city has confirmed that at least one developer has already toured the property.