BGSU to demolish old Heinz plant - Sentinel-Tribune | Sentinel-Tribune | Sentinel-Tribune

BGSU to demolish old Heinz plant

Written by HAROLD BROWN Sentinel City Editor

Monday, 02 July 2012 09:11

The old Heinz factory building on Ridge Street. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)

Bowling Green State University plans to demolish the remaining buildings of the former H.J. Heinz plant at Ridge and Enterprise streets this fall.
The university purchased the property several years ago.
"The short term use of the property will be green space," BGSU spokesperson Dave Kielmeyer said. "We plan to seed the site and build a sidewalk diagonally across the property," he said.
BGSU has not indicated its long-term use for the property.
The last significant tenant of the property was RemTec International, which has consolidated its operations at 1100 Haskins Road.
Kielmeyer said the university plans to allow the State Fire School to use the buildings for its fall training program and then proceed with demolition. The same arrangement was used this spring for several properties the university owns along East Wooster Street.
Starting about 1920, Heinz produced ketchup, and in later years added cat food, until operations ceased after the 1975 growing season.
The northern portion of the plant, which stretched to the south side of Merry Street, was destroyed by a massive fire on the night of Dec. 11, 1980.
After the rubble was cleared, the foundation remained for several years.
Apartment buildings were later constructed on the portion of the property where the plant burned and on adjacent land the Heinz company used for various operations.

Comments

# 2012-07-02 10:01

Hope the sidewalk is kept clear.

Nobody wants some guy to sue to the city or the University.

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# 2012-07-02 16:22

I grew up here, and I remember the air being filled with the smell of cooking tomatoes from one direction (Heinz ketchup) and cooking potatoes from the other (Cain's potato chips). I still associate those smells with spring, and I miss them.

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# 2012-07-10 04:10

Why the heck would u build a sidewalk diagonally accross the property? It is not adjacent to any university propertys and most people expect to walk to the corner then down the other side!

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# 2012-07-13 13:24

My grandfather worked at the HJHeinz Plant in BG for over 50 years!! He was a night watchman and very devoted to his job .I
remember going around with him on his rounds ever so often!!
I am sure there are a lot of other people around the area that had relatives that worked there or whatever!! You need to at least see there is a memorial to them /or the company!!

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# 2012-07-26 17:19

I walk by here almost every day going to BGSU. Always wondered what that old warehouse was used for. Anyone ever try to throw a massive rave or party in the place over the decades? Btw, WHAT is that mural building near Pita Pit and the railroad tracks, was that some kind of dance club that got shut down (if it did, no surprise in this town)? That warehouse would make an awesome party spot if near a body of water in a warehouse district.

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# 2012-07-26 17:20

Good job little, tiny Bowling Green. Keep those tomatoes fresh and those chips crispy. PLEASE, lol. This town is still watching the clouds go by over lunchmeat sandwiches, dinky little gift stores, the sound of lawn mowers and tractors, and the cows grass a-chewing. And do something with the mall! I am out of Toledo, and Westfield still owns.

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