St. Marys, Ohio -
The fate of the smoke stack at St. Marys closed Municipal Power Plant is looking gloom. With money already appropriated to tear the smoke stack down, city council was asked to bring the topic up for discussion following voiced concerns by residents and council members.
A handful of residents were in attendance at Monday night's council meeting, pushing for the renovation of the structure, including repairs and a capping of the top of the stack. Those individuals and council members looking to save the smoke stack cite the historical aspect of the 70-year-old stack, as it sticks out over the top of the city's skyline.
One idea for the stack, if it is renovated, is to allow a cell phone carrier to place a tower on top of it. While the tower would bring in revenue for the city, the smoke stack would also cost money for upkeep. Factoring in the renovations, upkeep and possible phone tower, the city would break even.
Councilman Ron Ginter, a supporter of tearing the tower down, motioned to demolish the smoke stack, taking into the consideration that money was set aside at the beginning of the year. With a majority of the votes, the motion carried. A recommendation from council to tear the smoke stack down will now be sent to city administration who will have the final say as to if the structure stays or if the structure is torn down.
