Ohio awards nearly $1.3 million to demolish, remediate former Weber Dental site

CANTON – The state has awarded $1.29 million to the Stark Economic Development Board for the demolition of the former Weber Dental Manufacturing Co. building and environmental remediation.

The property at 2206 13th St. NE is about seven acres and has been vacant since the dental equipment company closed in 1977. Since then, the building has been damaged by fires.

More: Canton officials faced with decision about fire-damaged building

State officials recently approved awarding $192 million through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program to clean up 112 sites around Ohio. State officials are cleaning up the sites with hopes the properties can be part of future economic development.

Christopher Hardesty, the city's economic development director, said the county development board spearheaded the acquisition of brownfield remediation money. The city has no specific plans for the site at this point.

"Right now we're kind of just focused on getting that property cleaned up," Hardesty said. "And then once we have it in a state which warrants development and investment, we're probably going to move on, actually getting around to seeing who's out there that wants to develop."

He said additional investment in the surrounding area might be needed to "create an overall more attractive industrial area for Realtors or developers to come in and invest their dollars."

Weber Dental dates to 1896, when the company started making dental chairs and other equipment at the site. The building was designed by renowned Canton architect Guy Tilden.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio gives nearly $1.3 million to clear Dental Weber site in Canton