AKRON—The city of Akron is proposing to raze the former Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. headquarters in south Akron, a move that would force Bridgestone Americas L.L.C. to find a new home for its race tire production unit.
Akron's proposal was disclosed April 11 in a “Request for Qualifications.”
The city of Akron has owned the property at 1200 Firestone Parkway for the past several years and now sees razing the structure as part of larger plans to transform the area into a “thriving, job creation center that offers a collaborative environment based on job creation and neighborhood enhancement.”
A Bridgestone Americas spokesperson issued the following statement: “Akron is important to Bridgestone Americas, and it has played a critical role in our company's history for more than 100 years.
“Bridgestone was not aware of the breadth of the City of Akron's proposed redevelopment plan and related Request for Qualifications. We are currently reviewing and evaluating the city's position.