TROTWOOD — City and county officials called Friday a day of mixed emotions as crews began demolition of the historic Hara Arena.
>>PREVIOUS REPORT: Trotwood announces plans to demolish Hara Arena
City officials announced earlier this week the decision to demolish the structure after an attempt to rehabilitate and renovate the arena. But due to extensive damage caused by the Memorial Day tornado outbreak in 2019, the decision was made to tear the structure down.
“Its going to be a loss there’s no question about that,” Montgomery County Commissioner Judy Dodge said during a news conference Friday.
Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald called the demolition an exciting day for the city as the property beings transformation into the redevelopment phase.
Representatives for the owner of the property, Tax Redevelopment LLC, said they are in negotiations with a company to redevelop and occupy part of the 120 acre property. The company, who was not identified due to the ongoing negotiations, would only occupy a part of the property as the owners seek to redevelop the entire space, Cory Heitz from Tax Redevelopment LLC said.
Property owners hope to have plans finalized and businesses announced for the whole property within 12 months, Heitz said.
Previously, the city said steps have already been taken to rezone the property for future development and use. City council voted in March to amend the zoning from commercial recreation to a light industrial district. The change allows for businesses, including manufacturing, distribution centers, and call centers to create new facilities on the property, a city spokesperson said.
Tax Redevelopment LLC is planning on holding a charitable auction for the Hara Arena letters on the building. Details about the auction will be released at a later date.
Property owners urged the public to stay off the property due to it not being safe as an active demolition site.
Cox Media Group
