SHELBY — The Richland County Land Bank has removed Shelby’s smokestack from its Ohio Department of Development demolition application.
Board members’ decision to remove the iconic structure came during a special meeting on April 12.
However, Land Bank board manager Amy Hamrick said the non-profit corporation has no plans to rescind its assistance to the City of Shelby.
“We’re going to look at other directions and other options,” she told Richland Source. “That’s the phase we’re in right now.”
ODOD grant funds intended for demolition and revitalization
Conversations regarding demolition of the smokestack began a few years ago, Project Coordinator Joe Gies told Richland Source in November 2023.
He added the Land Bank visited the city and offered its assistance — which led the non-profit corporation to apply for funding through ODOD.
Hamrick explained 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.
“We’re going to go at it from some different angles and try to figure out another route to get it taken care of.
“Right now, we’re just exploring options. I don’t really want to say anything until we look at more information.”
Shelby Project Coordinator Joe Gies, who also serves on the Land Bank’s board of directors, said the decision was disappointing — but he understands the reasoning.
Electric still travels through Mansfield Avenue building
ODOD indicated continued use of electrical switchgear equipment at the Shelby Light Plant would render the site ineligible for grant funds and must be removed.
About 50 percent of the city’s electric distribution still travels through the front of the building at 34 Mansfield Ave.
The smaller building, located directly next to the light plant, continues to be used for maintenance and storage in the rear-portion of the structure.
Switchgear equipment, along with a supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA), is still operational at the Mansfield Avenue plant.
The SCADA system, pending Shelby City Council approval, will be upgraded next year and moved out to the line department, along with the switchgear equipment, Director of Utilities John Ensman said in November.
“Once these two pieces of equipment are moved, the building (municipal light plant) will then be officially unoccupied, if you will, with the operating equipment.”
As Shelby and the Land Bank continue to work together, Gies said he’s optimistic they’ll find another avenue to help fund the demolition.
“I think we just need to keep working at it and keep talking with the state — see what would qualify and try it again,” he said.
Structural concerns call for action
The Shelby Light Plant smokestack has stood tall as a pillar of the city’s skyline for almost 90 years.
During a special Oct. 26 meeting, Shelby City Council voted 4-0 to construct an agreement with the Land Bank for the demolition of the aging structure.
Ensman told Richland Source previously that several issues with the smokestack led to the decision to demolish — including its upper cap, mortar joints, age and other structural concerns.
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In November, Gies said estimates for the smokestack demolition were in the $500,000 range — adding the city’s financial responsibility would’ve cost $38,000.
Since the light plant’s retirement in 2013, a variety of additional maintenance projects have occurred at the facility, Ensman said in November.
“There’s been many other demolition projects done on a smaller scale that didn’t make the notoriety this one has,” he said. “But, there’s been quite a bit of equipment removed since 2013.“
Most notably, structures removed since 2013 include the turbine generators and cooling towers.