Sunday, December 21, 2008

First Thing's First - Fiberglass Tower Redevelopment

Toledo's much maligned Fiberglass Tower/HyTower/Tower on the Maumee/Vast Expanse of Nothingness finally looks like it has a future.



The state of Ohio has approved a $3 million grant from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund, which will go towards asbestos removal. Asbestos was used for fireproofing during the building's construction in the 1960's and is seen as the biggest obstacle in transforming the tower from an uninhabitable building to a building that no one is likely to habitate.

I write my own jokes, but in all seriousness, it's a big step in saving 1/3 of the Toledo skyline. Eyde Co of East Lansing, the buildings current owners, obviously find a skyscraper more valuable than a parking lot and are looking at possible $35 million renovation. The renovation could include condos, office space, a hotel and possibly restaurants.

That, or some entrepreneurial company could find that the 392,000 sq ft of space a real bargain (eh hmmm, First Solar, Xunlight, etc). Either way, it's a step in the right direction.


Now if we could only get the airport closer to downtown.