Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel visited the University of Cincinnati (UC) today to observe the ongoing demolition of Crosley Tower, marking the fifth stop on his WorkOhio Job Connector Tour to highlight in-demand construction jobs and future STEM opportunities in Southwest Ohio.
Lt. Governor Tressel said, "The work happening at Crosley Tower is exciting – not only because of the scale of the project itself, but also the opportunities it is creating for the University of Cincinnati and the Southwest Ohio region as a whole." He added that the project exemplifies the high demand for skilled construction workers, which WorkOhio seeks to address by connecting individuals with local job experts for one-on-one support.
Michele O'Rourke, Chief Executive Officer of O’Rourke Wrecking Company, which is completing the current demolition phase with Skanska, emphasized the diverse career paths available in construction. She noted that the project involves university co-op students, college and trade school graduates, skilled craft professionals, operators, and project leaders, aligning with WorkOhio's mission to connect people to meaningful careers.
University of Cincinnati President Neville G. Pinto expressed gratitude for the visit, stating, "WorkOhio’s commitment to helping Ohioans find meaningful career pathways aligns closely with UC’s mission to prepare learners for lifelong success." He highlighted the value of co-op experiences in connecting classroom learning with real-world work.
After 57 years of service, Crosley Tower's demolition and site remediation are expected to conclude in 2027. The university plans to replace it with a new STEM Academic Facility, targeted for completion in 2029. This facility will feature advanced classrooms and laboratories to support the growing needs of UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, powering Ohio’s future workforce in engineering, science, research, and manufacturing for decades.
Lt. Governor Tressel concluded, "This project reflects the incredible momentum we’re seeing in Ohio right now across multiple fields. From the skilled workers helping transform this site today, to the students who will one day learn and prepare for their futures here, this project represents the kind of opportunity that will shape Ohio’s workforce for generations to come."