Public green space planned for vacated Kokomo building site
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A proposal from Howard County Commissioner Jack Dodd would transform a vacated building and a portion of a street in downtown Kokomo into a public green space.
The Kokomo Tribune reports the nearly $2 million project would see the Firestone building be demolished and the stretch of East Mulberry Street between Main and Union streets removed.
The project would still require approval from the Howard County Commissioners, and a funding source has yet to be identified.
Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore told the Tribune the city would consider taking care of the work to remove the portion of Mulberry Street to make way for the public green space if the project receives approval.
Previous plans for the Firestone building called for redeveloping the property into housing. However, minority owner Scott Pitcher told the publication he now supports demolition.
“We’ve saved a tremendous amount of buildings in Kokomo, but when they’re done, they’re done, and the best you can do is remove them and put an asset there that benefits the community,” Pitcher said. “That’s what we hope to do with the Firestone building.”
A timeline for when the project could begin was not given.
You can read the full story, including the history of the property, from the Kokomo Tribune by clicking here.