Ohio EPA grants $1.1 million to clear abandoned Ravenna factory

Ravenna: After years of waiting, the old Oak Rubber site is finally getting some attention. The Ohio EPA just dropped a cool $1.1 million to clean it up. This place has been sitting empty for a decade, and it’s about time something was done.

Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel is set to announce this grant at a news conference on Monday right at the site. They’re planning to clear out around 1,700 tons of debris from the 2-acre area. It’s a big team effort involving the city and the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District.

Back in 2021, Ravenna tried to start demolishing the building. But it wasn’t easy. Homeless folks and vandals had taken over, making it a tough spot to secure. Dennis West, the city’s economic development director, mentioned that the demolition would take over a year. They were even trying to save some bricks and beams for reuse.

Then, in May 2022, disaster struck—a fire broke out and pretty much halted everything. Now, all that’s left is a mess of bricks scattered around the site.

This factory, once known as Crest Rubber Company, has a lot of history. It has three buildings, including apartments and a garage, covering a whopping 125,000 square feet. Some parts date back to the late 1800s, but most of it was built in the 20th century.

It even had a flea market that took up three stories until the owner passed away, leaving behind a treasure trove of old stuff for vandals to wreck.

So, while the cleanup is finally happening, it’s been a long road for this old site at 645 S. Chestnut St. in Ravenna.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ohio EPA grants $1.1 million to clear abandoned Ravenna factory