SHELBY — A 190-foot smokestack is hard to miss from any approach to downtown Shelby.
Constructed in 1935, the aging structure is a pillar of the city’s skyline. But time is of the essence in regards to a decision on how to treat the smokestack moving forward.
The topic has been on the mind of Shelby lawmakers for several years, but was formally reintroduced Monday night to City Council.
In October 2023, council voted to construct an agreement with the Richland County Land Bank for the demolition of the structure. At that time, Joe Gies, the city’s project coordinator, said the mortar was starting to deteriorate.
But in April 2024, the Land Bank removed Shelby’s smokestack from its Ohio Department of Development demolition application.
Land Bank board manager Amy Hamrick said previously that ODOD demolition program funds are intended for demolition of commercial and residential buildings — for the purpose of revitalization and redevelopment.
“They (ODOD) said there’s no way to revitalize or redevelop that property because we’re just removing the smokestack,” she said in April 2024.
On Monday, At-Large Councilman Steven McLaughlin presented an update — compiled by John Ensman, the city’s director of utilities — on the city’s options moving forward, including demolition or possible repurposing.
Rising quotes to demo smokestack
Continued use of some electrical equipment at the Shelby Light Plant, which is located directly next to the smokestack, makes it challenging for the city to find funding sources for demolition.
In 2024, ODOD indicated continued use of electrical switchgear equipment at the Shelby Light Plant would render the site ineligible for its grant funds and must be removed.
Four years ago, the quote to demolish the structure and breaching was $310,000. By 2023, the price tag ballooned to $500,000.
A hazardous material analysis has been completed at the site and found no hazards.
Councilman Nathan Martin said demolition may no longer be feasible for the city financially.
“Now I think we’re in a situation where maybe the inflation will force us, or I should say allow us to make I think a better decision and that is to repurpose it,” Martin said.
If the smokestack were to be demolished, the city’s utilities antenna would need to be relocated. The antenna is currently mounted to the railing of the structure’s 150-foot platform and the repeater is stationed inside the light plant.
In his report, Ensman said the steps leading to the platform are “unsafe, loose and pulling from mortar.”
“From a safety standpoint, (the) platform is questionable,” the report said.
Two sites listed as possible places to relocate the antenna include the water tower off of Mickey Road or possibly co-locating on a cell tower.
Decorative landmark
The second option discussed briefly by council Monday was the possibility of repurposing the iconic structure into a decorative landmark.
If this option were pursued, the top of the smokestack would be capped, helping to weatherproof the structure and prevent the freeze and thaw effect.
Areas with the worst mortar deterioration would be tuck pointed, a process which removes deteriorated mortar between bricks or stones and replaces it with new mortar. Painting and/or lighting up the smokestack would also be explored.
Councilman Charlie Roub acknowledged demolition quotes have continued to rise, but cautioned that costs associated with maintaining the structure as a landmark may also be pricey.
“That’s going to be a constant maintenance issue,” Roub said. “I don’t care how well you cap it (smokestack) or whatever, sooner or later you are going to have to do some more brick work and that’s just going to be a continuing process.”
Ensman’s report said for either option, the funding source would include using available electric funds or creating a temporary special collections.