CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — For more than 100 years, the Gorge Dam has been a landmark inside Gorge Metro Park in Cuyahoga Falls.

But for a few decades, the calls to tear down the 420-foot-wide, 60-foot-tall structure have been growing louder because of environmental concerns and a desire to improve recreational and economic opportunities.

On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine joined other state, federal and local leaders to discuss details of a lengthy plan to dredge that area of the Cuyahoga River, eventually clearing the way to remove the dam.

"This is really, we take today, the first step to let the Cuyahoga River run free," DeWine said.

The plan to bring down the dam creates mixed emotions for Akron North Hill resident Michael Ronca.

"I grew up here. It was part of my life growing up, but I'm

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