Drone may fly to Shelby smokestack | ODOT update | more

By David Jacobs

Jun 16, 2025

A drone may be used to inspect the nearly century-old smokestack at Shelby's old municipal light plant as the city weighs whether to pursue demolition of the decommissioned structure or work toward converting it into a decorative landmark.

A briefing was provided on Friday to Shelby City Council's Utilities and Streets Committee, led by chairman Steve McLaughlin, who serves alongside Councilman Eric Cutlip.

In a written report, municipal utilities director John Ensman, Shelby's deputy public service director, recommends hiring a company that would deploy a drone to inspect the integrity of the 17-story structure completed in the 1930s along Mansfield Avenue. Officials have said that the smokestack is in a deteriorating condition.

A new inspection by a drone, he said, would "provide solid information to make an educated decision" on either demolition or the decorative landmark.

Either option, Ensman said, will be expensive.

The last price quote for demolition was $500,000 in 2023.

A plan was developed in 2023 to demolish the smokestack, which is deteriorating, with materials falling off of it. It was later determined that the proposed demolition did not qualify for the planned funding source.

The Shelby smokestack is shown at the old municipal light plant on May 19. (Photo by David Jacobs)

A decorative landmark conversion would come with costs, including for ongoing maintenance.

The new report shows that using personnel for a manual inspection of the smokestack would cost $30,000, while a drone inspection would cost significantly less.

A second company's option of using the FFA-registered drone pilot would cost $9,765.

The report with the options is expected to be presented to the Shelby City Council on Monday. No decision has been made on the next step.

MEETING PREVIEW: Shelby council to consider 7 ordinances, 1 resolution

black quadcopter drone selective focus photograph — Photo by Dose Media on Unsplash

ROAD WORK

State Route 13 culvert replacement

State Route 13, between Bangorville Road and Smith Road, is to temporarily close on June 23 for a culvert replacement, the Ohio Department of Transportation said in an update for Richland County.

The detour route for northbound motorists will be:

— State Route 13 north to State Route 546 north to U.S. 42 east to State Route 97 east to State Route 13

— Reverse for southbound motorists. The estimated completion is July 3.

TECHNOLOGY

Governor DeWine and BroadbandOhio announced nearly $23.7 million to expand broadband access by reimbursing internet service providers (ISPs) for infrastructure costs.

Through the Broadband Pole Replacement and Undergrounding Program, six internet providers are receiving reimbursement—impacting 23 counties.

Some highlights, per the state:

-- Ohio Gig submitted six applications totaling $18,519,703 in reimbursement, covering infrastructure costs in Belmont, Delaware, Union, Hardin, Clinton, and Warren counties.

-- Charter Communications submitted 22 applications totaling $3,042,707 in reimbursement, covering Brown, Carroll, Fayette, Guernsey, Hardin, Highland, Knox, Logan, Muskingum, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Stark counties.

-- South Central Power submitted 33 applications totaling $1,437,341 in reimbursement, covering Belmont, Monroe, Highland, and Harrison counties.

-- Logan County Gig submitted one application totaling $303,304 in reimbursement for Logan County.

-- The Southern Ohio Communications Company submitted one application requesting $295,235 in reimbursement for Adams County.

-- JB Nets submitted four applications totaling $100,236 in reimbursement for Gallia County.