A Stark County-based developer is in talks to repurpose Akron’s historic Firestone building, which is currently slated for demolition unless a new use is found by mid-November.

Steve Coon, owner of Coon Restoration, has renovated and owns dozens of buildings in Downtown Canton.

The 110-year-old Firestone Plant 1 is structurally sound, and he’s interested in saving it, Coon told Ideastream Public Media Tuesday.

“It’s as solid as solid can be. It doesn’t need to be torn down,” Coon said. “If they’ve got the intestinal fortitude, I’d be glad to help out on my end. It’s a great building.”

Anna Huntsman / Ideastream Public Media

Coon would like to convert parts of the building, the former headquarters of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, into apartments, he said. He hopes to reso

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