Dana Noel, a resident at 601 Weber Avenue, used the public‑comment portion of the Akron City Council meeting to urge elected officials to reexamine the city’s cost estimates for saving the front portion of the Firestone building and its clock tower.

Noel said the city’s calculation that preserving the front building would carry a $5,000,000 premium is incorrect. “There is no $5,000,000 premium to save the front building and clock tower,” she said, and added that the $4,000,000 roof cost and $2,200,000 infill the city has cited are overstated. Noel asked the city to commission an unbiased, detailed review of bids and scope documents and said adaptive reuse remains feasible if the true costs are examined.

Why it matters: The Firestone building is a local landmark and the public comment highlighted community concern about demolition decisions and how the planning and economic development departments present cost estimates.

What was said: Noel described the city’s scope of work and bids as “wildly divergent and unreliable,” and estimated the true cost of the roof and related work would be “a fraction” of the amounts the city has cited. She urged the administration to pay closer attention, revisit affordability and feasibility, and noted developer interest might yet result in preservation if the facts are reviewed.

What the council did: Noel’s remarks were part of the public comment period; no action on the Firestone building was taken during the meeting and the council did not vote on preservation or demolition during this session.

Next steps: Noel asked the city to consider commissioning an independent review; the clerk and council did not record a follow‑up action during the meeting.