MANSFIELD — Westinghouse went from an 20th century industrial powerhouse to a 21st century brownfield and an eyesore.
Now, the property is on the cusp of entering a new era — but not without a party to celebrate.
The Richland County Land Bank, in partnership with the Leadership Unlimited Class of 2026 and local leaders, will host A WestingHOUSE Party on June 13.
The free event will include live music from bands like Shucking Bubba, a return of the Mansfield Family Festival, a volleyball tournament, programming by Skate Ohio! and fireworks.
“The former Westinghouse site is officially moving forward and the Richland County Land Bank is inviting the community to celebrate the next chapter,” said county commissioner and land bank board member Tony Vero.
“It’s pretty unique for a downtown area, or downtown-adjacent area, to have 14 acres of land come back to life for redevelopment.”
The children’s festival will feature a show by The Performance Dogs of Ohio and a children’s firefighter training course provided by the Mansfield Fire Department. Additional activities will include bounce houses, a dunk tank and yard games, according to the festival’s website.
Food trucks and vendors will also be onsite.
“It’s exciting. There’s a lot of work ahead. A lot of people are working on this event,” Vero said. “It’s our way of activating the site, celebrating what was, what it is and what it can be.”
WestingHOUSE event organizers will be releasing additional information about the event on the Brand Richland Facebook page and event page.
For information on becoming an event sponsor, vendor or volunteer, visit the event’s website.
What comes next for Westinghouse?
Westinghouse operated on the city’s northeast side from 1918 to 1990. At its peak in the 1950s, it employed more than 8,000 people — about a third of the local workforce.
The site sat, largely vacant and abandoned, for more than three decades. The Richland County Land Bank took ownership of the property in 2022. Demolition of the former “A” building at 200 E. Fifth Street began later that year.
After years of demolition, excavation and environmental studies, executive director Amy Hamrick said that work will be wrapped up this spring.
In November 2023, the federal agency announced it would help conduct a market analysis to find viable plans for a mixed-use development project on the site that included the former “A” building at 200 E. Fifth St. and a smaller section of land on the north side of the street.
The Westinghouse Site Reuse Plan lays out several possibilities.
Hamrick said the board has yet to put out a formal bid for proposals, but is willing to hear from anyone with a vision for the site.
She said that while the board ultimately hopes to see a mix of housing and commercial development, board members will consider any proposal.
