'Landmark' Ohio Edison plant to be razed

6/12/2010

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A coal-burning Ohio Edison plant that opened in 1927 and had been named a priority by the Springfield Preservation Alliance will be demolished by August.

The Mad River Plant that closed in 1981 earned the nickname “Giant of the Valley” in western Ohio, outside Dayton.

Tim Suter of Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. says chunks have recently begun falling off the 25,000-square-foot building. Suter says, “It's sad because it's a beautiful building. ... But it's time.”

The company will spend about $3 million to $4 million to raze the plant, with a 275-foot tower the last to come down.

The Preservation Alliance toured the building Friday and took photos for archives.

Alliance President Charles Swaney says the group is sad to lose want he calls a landmark.