Demolition underway at abandoned warehouse where Toledo woman’s body was found

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - The Lucas County Land Bank and its contractor Advanced Demolition Services began the demolition of the abandoned Elm Warehouse building Thursday.

The abandoned building is located on 1502 Elm Street in North Toledo. The project is estimated to take several weeks and will cost a total of $875,000.

The project is funded by the State of Ohio brownfield remediation and demolition funds as well as the City of Toledo through the American Rescue Plan Act. The family of Cindy Sumner, who died on the property, as well as local leaders, were on-site to witness the start of demolition.

On May 15, 2023, the abandoned warehouse on Elm Street erupted in flames. However, it wasn’t the first incident to take place at the warehouse. On Sept. 17, 2009, the body of 20-year-old Cindy Sumner was discovered in an abandoned warehouse in Toledo.

In 2021, Mary Sumner, mother of Cindy Sumner, was calling for the city to tear the building down.

“I just want it tore down. If it was torn down a long time ago, Cindy would be right here with me,” says Mary. “And I’m like, ‘I don’t want to look at it. I don’t want to look at it,” she previously told 13abc.

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