Historic Downtown Building to Be Razed

[Youngstownshrimp]

Rick,

Like what we are doing with the old furniture warehouse on Hubbard road, how about aquaculture?

Yes, an indoor recirculating facility, it is all over the net how investment dollars are scrambling and building indoor aquaculture facilities.  Ohio is a target area because of it's water.  Call me and we can discuss this further.

[northside lurker]

No.  That's why I said there are many reasons a building can be significant.  The carriage house wasn't all that significant in history or architecture.  The main reason for the uproar was because the city pledged to hold off on demolition until other options were explored.

But, it was worth saving because it was a structure facing Wick Park. (an ever-more endagered species, these days)  It added more to the environment and character of the park than just an open field.

[Rick Rowlands]

Did that carriage house have some historical significance that has not yet been disclosed? 

[northside lurker]

Keep this thread in mind next time you wonder why people are up in arms about some "garage."

There are many reasons a building can be significant.

Other than that, I second everyting Rusty River said.

[Rick Rowlands]

Well Rusty River, it looks like this is one of the few times that we are in agreement. This building has been there since before what we now know as downtown Youngstown was built.  It is older than the Mahoning County courthouse, City Hall, Mahoning Bank Building, Dollar Bank Building, Metropolitan Tower among others.  This building should be preserved, not only because of its utility but because it is a tangible connection to our rich history as a manufacturing and steelmaking center. 

[Why?Town]

Wow! That's alot of historical relevance for one ugly-a$$ building. It's too bad that it's where it is.

[ytowner]

Good. It's another eyesore that needs torn down. Tear down the facade of the State Theatre and the Liberty Theatre pronto as well.

[Rick Rowlands]

Got your attention?  Yes, a downtown building of National historic significance will be razed if the City of Youngstown has its way.  A Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund application has been submitted to demolish the former William Tod Co. erecting shop just west of the Market Street bridge.  This building was built circa 1901-02 was used for final erection of the engines and machinery built by the Tod Company.  In 1916 the plant became part of United Engineering & Foundry, and continued to be used as an erecting shop until the mid 1980s when the plant was closed.

The building is significant because of the machinery and equipment that was produced at the William Tod Co. and United Engineering. Some of the noteworthy machines built here:
Two blowing engines for the first blast furnace built in Mexico
Blooming mill engines for the US Steel Ohio Works, Republic Steel Haselton Works, YS&T Brier Hill Works
All of the engines and rolling mills for the Brier Hill Steel Co.
Three twin tandem compound reversing engines for the wide flange beam mill at Bethlehem Steel. This is the mill that made the wide flange beams that made building modern skyscrapers possible.
Gate opening mechanisms for the Panama Canal
Rolling mill engines for Colorado Fuel & Iron, US Steel Duquesne Works, Edgar Thomson Works, Otis Steel Co., Jones & Laughlin Steel, Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna Works, Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, and the list goes on.

Between 250 and 300 engines that powered much of the American steel industry were manufactured in this building. Thats just what I have records on.

What can be done?  Don't know yet but I'm exploring the options.