Protesters gather outside Firestone plant, call to preserve clocktower

There had been discussions about saving the front part of the building plus the structure's iconic clocktower.

Some city officials have said trying to salvage the clocktower and the front part of the structure would be cost prohibitive.

The plant was built in 1910 as a factory and office. In 2013, it became an Akron Historic Landmark and was added in 2014 to the National Register of Historic Places.

"My father worked there."

"My grandfather worked there."

"It's a piece of local history."

These phrases were heard among the more than dozen people who stood outside the Firestone Plant 1 on Sept. 21 to protest the recommendation by Akron City officials to tear down the entire facility.

Previously, there had been discussions about saving the front part of the building plus the struct