well, despite the moniker obviously they arent real brownstones.

 

 

but whatever, good to have the infill around there.

 

mybe we can find some renderings somewhere? the developer?

 

Toledo proposes new downtown entertainment district

By David Custer

Posted: 05.12.2009 at 4:58 PM

 

TOLEDO -- There's little to no opposition on a proposal to designate 52 acres around the new arena as an "Entertainment District".  The ordinance would allow entrepreneurs to apply for one of ten discounted liquor licenses to be used solely in the district.  The district would be bounded by Adams, Summit, Monroe and Erie streets in downtown Toledo.  A new multi-purpose arena is being built in the same area.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=298858

Excellent lead article in the US section on Toledo's Xunlight and other Midwest initiatives on green energy.

 

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14214855

Former BP coming down, Dorr Street development moving forward

By Matt Lockwood : June 15th, 2009

 

Revitalization of the Dorr Street corridor will take a big step Tuesday, June 16, at 9:30 a.m. when the former BP gas station at the corner of Dorr Street and Secor Road on the southwest corner of The University of Toledo’s Main Campus is razed following a short ceremony.  The land is considered the linchpin in the overall Dorr Street development strategy the University is formulating with neighborhood groups, the city, Lucas County and other stakeholders. 

 

Haythorne Enterprises of Toledo has been contracted to demolish and haul away the former gas station as well as four other commercial properties along Dorr Street in the next couple of months.  The other buildings scheduled to be knocked down and removed are the former Napa Auto Parts, Papa John’s Pizza, Kwick Clean Car Wash and an automotive repair shop.

 

All of the sites will be converted to green space pending completion of the University’s overall strategic land-use plan scheduled for September.

 

MORE: http://utnews.utoledo.edu/index.php/06_15_2009/former-bp-coming-down-dorr-street-development-moving-forward

Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission approves art plan funds

Some projects in Toledo put on hold; others move forward

Article published December 07, 2009

By TAHREE LANE

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

While a couple of major public art projects are on ice, feeling the chill of the economy, others are on track to see the light of day in 2010.  The Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission last week approved the 2009 Toledo Municipal Art Plan and its $155,182 budget, which includes projects from both this year and next.

 

On inactive status is the Fire and Rescue Memorial, planned for a grassy triangle known as Chub DeWolfe Park at Huron between Orange and Beech streets across from fire headquarters.  In August, 2007, a committee selected a $500,000 design by Texas artist Norman Lee that called for five pairs of tall, brass-alloy panels to replace an existing, 46-year-old monument.

 

Also on indefinite hold is the ArtNET, or Gateways, program, which aimed to beautify downtown entrances from major roads, beginning with one just south of downtown where the inbound Anthony Wayne Trail feeds into Erie Street.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20091207/ART01/312079996

Reprieve asked for building in downtown Toledo

McNamara asserts structure could play revitalization role

ARTICLE PUBLISHED MARCH 03, 2010

By JC REINDL

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Toledo City Councilman Joe McNamara announced yesterday an 11th-hour effort to save the former United Way headquarters from the wrecking ball.  The councilman introduced a resolution that would urge the organization's board of trustees “to reject Toledo's tear-down mentality” and find an alternative to demolishing the aging yet architecturally unique building at One Stranahan Square.

 

The former Community Services Building, which opened in 1969, has been vacant since October, when the United Way of Greater Toledo moved into its new $4.9 million quarters, a smaller and more energy-efficient structure on the northwest corner of the property.

 

The agency said the old angular masonry structure, although iconic, had become too expensive to maintain and too costly to renovate; a demolition permit is set for a Toledo Plan Commission vote March 11.  When the building is gone, the United Way plans to put a park there.

 

PHOTO OF THE FORMER UNITED WAY BUILDING

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100303/NEWS16/100309920

United Way's plan to raze building ripped

Article published March 11, 2010

By JC REINDL

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Toledo City Councilman Joe McNamara yesterday criticized the United Way of Greater Toledo's plan to clear the land of its old headquarters building in order to eventually sell it to a future developer.  "There have been lots of buildings torn down with similar justifications, and that hasn't been good for the city of Toledo," Mr. McNamara, a Democrat, said at a news conference outside the former Community Services Building that's been vacant since October when the United Way moved into its new, smaller headquarters next door.

 

A demolition request for the 1969 building at One Stranahan Square goes before the Toledo Plan Commission this afternoon, just hours after Mr. McNamara's 10 a.m. presentation on the dangers and regrets of having a "tear-down mentality."

 

If and when the demolition request receives necessary approvals, the United Way says it will raze the building and replace it with a park - albeit a temporary park if the agency's long-term hopes come to fruition.  Bill Kitson, president and CEO of the United Way, said in an interview this week that clearing the site is a "community-friendly land banking opportunity."

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100311/NEWS16/3110361

United Way demolition OK'd

City's plan panel rebuffs pleas by preservationists

Article published March 12, 2010

By JC REINDL

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The United Way of Greater Toledo's controversial request to demolish its former headquarters downtown won narrow approval yesterday from the city's plan commission, rebuffing pleas by preservationists for a six-month reprieve.  Toledo Plan Commission members voted 3-2 in favor of demolition after more than 90 minutes of discussion, debate, and public comments during a meeting that attracted an audience of close to three dozen people.

 

United Way officials argued that the 41-year-old building is a financial drain on the nonprofit's resources and insisted that every reasonable effort was made to find interested buyers.  But preservationists questioned the seriousness of the agency's sale attempts and lamented that Toledo could lose yet another vital piece of its urban fabric to the wrecking ball.

 

The city will now wait 10 days before issuing the United Way's demolition permit.  But if an "interested party" such as a councilman, architect, or concerned citizen appeals yesterday's decision, the tear-down request will go to Toledo City Council for a final vote.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100312/NEWS16/3120330

Toledo City Council majority say they'll OK razing of former United Way building

Plan commission decision appealed

Article published March 23, 2010

BY IGNAZIO MESSINA

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

A majority of Toledo City Council members plan to deny an appeal filed Monday against the demolition permit granted this month for the United Way's former headquarters downtown.  Fred Kutz of East Toledo, a former City Council candidate, Monday appealed the Toledo Plan Commission's 3-2 vote on March 11, which granted the nonprofit agency approval to tear down the 41-year-old building bordered by Superior, Jackson, and Summit streets.  Council must vote on the appeal within 45 days.

 

Mr. Kutz, a member of the Toledo 20/20 Land Use Implementation committee, said he was not convinced council would allow the building to be razed.  “I thought the decision by the plan commission was the wrong decision,” Mr. Kutz said after filing his appeal with council.  “I thought there would have been more public outrage about this other than [Councilman] Joe McNamara.”

 

Mr. McNamara, along with Toledo architect Paul Sullivan, joined preservationists in calling for a six-month reprieve for the building.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100323/NEWS16/100329918

Rebirth for a downtown Toledo building

Article published March 21, 2010

 

When completed in mid-April, the main floor of the 24,000-square-foot building at 8 North St. Clair Street will house the showroom and warehouse of NBS Inc., the local distributor for Steelcase office furniture.  The upper floors of the three-story building will be home to Thomas Porter Architects.

 

EXTERIOR PHOTO OF THE BUILDING

 

PHOTO: Carpenter Matt Reynolds cuts a plank to repair damaged flooring in a 123-year-old building in downtown Toledo that formerly housed H. Poll Electric Co.

 

Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20100321/BUSINESS05/100329973/0/NEWS14

Downtown landmarks face challenge to future

Preservationists battle shaky economy

Article published April 12, 2010

By JC REINDL

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Keeping downtown Toledo's historic and unique building stock intact is a challenge of will and financial means - as was the struggle to get those grand structures off blueprints and in the ground.  "Scores of hotels were built on paper, but one by one, the projects fell through. No one could be found who would risk their money in the enterprise," The Blade wrote in 1908.

 

Though it's been a century since those words about speculative development in Toledo appeared, current downtown building owners and developers such as James Zaleski can undoubtedly relate to the sentiment as they draw plans and take risks that could save the city's architectural heritage.

 

But in today's downtown real-estate market of too much space chasing too few tenants, how long Toledo's most historic and unique buildings can remain standing is a delicate and unsettled question with everlasting consequences.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20100412/NEWS16/4120312

Toledo City Council grants demolition of former United Way building

Article published April 27, 2010

BY IGNAZIO MESSINA

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

A majority of Toledo City Council voted Tuesday to deny an appeal filed last month against the demolition permit granted for the United Way’s former headquarters downtown. 

 

The 10-1 vote clears the way for the nonprofit agency to tear down the 41-year-old building bordered by Superior, Jackson, and Summit streets.  Councilman Joe McNamara cast the lone vote against allowing the demolition to proceed.  Councilman Lindsay Webb was not present.  Ms. Webb previously said she would vote in favor of demolition.

 

Fred Kutz of East Toledo, a former City Council candidate, on March 22 appealed the Toledo Plan Commission’s 3-2 vote on March 11, which granted the demolition approval.  Council was required to vote on the appeal within 45 days.

 

Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20100427/NEWS16/100429685

City Council clears way for demolition

Former headquarters of United Way could fall in June, CEO says

Article published April 28, 2010

BY IGNAZIO MESSINA

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

After a two-year public debate and political battle, nothing now stands between a demolition bulldozer and the United Way's former headquarters downtown.  Toledo City Council last night voted 10-1 to clear the final hurdle for the nonprofit agency to tear down its 41-year-old building bordered by Superior, Jackson, and Summit streets.

 

The United Way plans to replace the leveled building with a park, and in years, the park could be sold to a developer and built upon, with proceeds benefiting the agency's nonprofit mission.

 

The former Community Services building at One Stranahan Square opened in 1969.  The six-story, 100,000-square-foot structure was vacated by the United Way in October, when the agency moved into an adjacent new and smaller $4.9 million headquarters.

 

PHOTO OF THE UNITED WAY BUILDING

 

Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100428/NEWS16/4280346

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100518/BUSINESS07/5180392

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article published May 18, 2010

 

Ohio's chief for tourism predicts 2010 to be better

Official addresses conference at zoo

By JON CHAVEZ

BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

 

After a disappointing year of Ohio travel and tourism, the state's top tourism official told a Toledo audience Monday that 2010 will be better.

 

"Business travel already is up slightly," said Amir Eylon.

 

He spoke at Destination Toledo's second annual Commissioner's Conference on Tourism, held at the Toledo Zoo. The conference, which included a day-long "Expo" featuring representatives from 70 area attractions, hotels, and restaurants, was attended by about 150 people from attractions, hotels, and restaurants.

 

Full story at the link above:

Port Authority agrees to buy former Jeep factory site

Article published August 26, 2010

BLADE STAFF

 

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority board of directors has approved a $95,000 purchase of the former Jeep factory site in central Toledo from a company that Chrysler Corp. set up to dispose of surplus property.  The resolution passed Thursday morning by the agency board also sets aside $225,000 from port authority reserves to pay for "environmental insurance coverage," though that money is expected to be reimbursed from state and federal grants.

 

The tentative purchase, which still must be signed off by OldCar Co. Liquidating Trust and port authority officials, involves 16 parcels totalling 111 acres that run along both sides of Jeep Parkway between Central and Berdan avenues.  The property has been vacant since Chrysler demolished the old Jeep complex there after having moved all of its local operations to its industrial complex on Stickney Avenue in North Toledo.

 

Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100826/NEWS16/100829750

The story of the old United Way headquarters on Jackson Street in downtown Toledo is now finished.

 

Downtown Toledo landmark coming down

Article published January 28, 2011

YMCA to move from North Toledo to downtown location

By IGNAZIO MESSINA

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The YMCA has a plan to move out of its Summit Street location in North Toledo and into a new facility in the heart of downtown alongside the vacant Fiberglas Tower, officials announced Friday. Todd Tibbits, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA and JCC, said the deal is contingent upon securing a new tenant for the Summit YMCA at 306 Bush St. — most likely a social service agency that could serve that neighborhood. Mr. Tibbits said a market study showed a YMCA next to the vacant skyscraper, which is now called the Tower on the Maumee, at Jefferson Avenue and St. Clair Street, would do better than the current facility about a mile to the north.

 

CONTINUED ON BLADE SITE

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110128/NEWS16/110129520

Another report about this from WTOL 11TV.  This does sound very interesting for Toledo's downtown.  Might it help the effort to renovate the adjacent Fiberglas Tower?  Would renovation of the parking garage or a new structure be more desirable?

 

YMCA may be coming to downtown Toledo

Updated: Jan 29, 2011 6:37 AM EST

By Dick Berry, WTOL 11TV

 

TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - Negotiations are underway to open a YMCA branch in downtown Toledo.

 

As a result, the north Toledo YMCA on Summit Street at Bush would close and re-locate to the corner of Summit and Jefferson.  It would be housed in the first floor parking garage attached to the vacant Fiberglas Tower in downtown.  Both structures are owned by the Eyde Company of Lansing, Michigan.

 

The garage would either be renovated or rebuilt depending on whether a $3 million loan is secured for demolition -- and the YMCA would lease the space from Eyde.  Office space would also be provided to the Lucas County Economic Improvement Corporation.

 

 

Full article and video at http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=13930766

IMMEDIATE   

Contact: Carla Firestone - Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Communications Director - 419-260-9981

 

PORT AUTHORITY DEDICATES RAIL LINE AT IRONVILLE TERMINAL AND UNVEILS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR SITE TOTAL INVESTMENT OF $18 MILLION

 

TOLEDO, Ohio, August 15, 2011 – Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority President and CEO, Paul Toth and Midwest Terminals of Toledo were joined today by area officials to dedicate the Port Authority-owned rail line currently under construction at Ironville Terminal. This phase of construction was made possible by $5 million in Jobs Ready Sites Grant Funding. Commemorative rail spikes were pounded into the rail line by the officials in honor of the dedication. The total public/private investment into Ironville Terminal will be more than $18 million when the infrastructure projects are complete in 2014.

 

The Port Authority and Midwest Terminals also shared their joint future plans for Ironville which include three phases of development focused on using the 71 acres of waterfront property for material delivery and handling to support a new manufacturing base located on the 110 acre balance of the property. The flexible waterfront property at Ironville will also have the ability to receive bulk materials and will support and receive goods for other manufacturing operations throughout the region.

 

Since 2008, the Port Authority has sought funding for the redevelopment of Ironville. In addition to the $5 million Jobs Ready Sites Grant (JRS) Funding, Ironville Terminal also benefits from $7.4 million in grant funding via a State of Ohio Logistics and Distribution Stimulus (LDS) grant and a $3.1 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) is currently pending. The awards are unique as several local entities partnered on each application to ensure our region had the best chance in receiving each award.

 

“The development of Ironville Terminal has received a tremendous amount of support – due mostly to the incredible potential this property has for commerce and job development,” says Paul Toth, President and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “This public/private partnership is possible not only due to the vast amounts of grant funding, but specifically to our private partners, Midwest Terminals of Toledo, who will invest nearly $5 million into the development of this property when complete. Without this strong partnership, we would not be able to create these future jobs for our community or this new development opportunity for our region.”

 

Phase One utilizes the JRS funding for the rail installation. Phase Two will involve improvements to the dock face, dredging and associated site work and is funded through both the EDA and LDS sources. The final phase, Phase Three, is focused on the installation of bulk material handling and conveyor infrastructure and will utilize the remaining LDS funds. It is anticipated that the implementation of all three grants will be complete by 2014. 

 

Ironville Terminal is currently in Phase One – Rail Installation. The JRS grant funding reduced the planned development window by seven years and this was the first time that Lucas County received a JRS award. Approximately 7,200 linear feet of rail and eight switches will be installed when Phase One is complete later this year or early 2012. The Port Authority owned rail line connects with the nearby Norfolk Southern rail line.

 

Phase Two includes improvements of the river channel and shoreline to prepare a deep water marine dock to accommodate barges and lake trading and ocean vessels. Underwater structures, thought to be wood and concrete piers will be removed to provide riverfront access. These structures are located along the dock face just off the existing shoreline. Approximately 65,000 cubic yards of sediment will be dredged to provide access the dock face and 520 feet of the existing dock face will be improved. Nineteen acres of the site will be paved for lay down areas associated with dock and rail.

 

Phase Three plans include the installation of a multi-modal delivery system. The conveyor and material transfer systems creates efficiencies through rapid freight loading and unloading and is capable of handling any dry bulk material. The material handling by conveyor system includes the components required to load and off load vessels.  Self unloading ships will discharge into a 500 cubic yard hopper which will feed the conveying system. The hopper discharge will also be capable of loading rail cars on the outer loop track.

 

The 2008 $5 million JRS grant application was a partnership with Lucas County, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, the Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC), the City of Toledo and Midwest Terminals of Toledo, Inc. with the county being the official applicant and recipient of the funds. In 2009, the Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC) applied for and was awarded $7.5 million in the form of a Logistics and Distribution Stimulus (LDS) loan, which can be forgiven upon attainment of specific terms, from the Ohio Department of Development. Finally, the Port Authority has applied for and completed the majority of the process to receive a $3.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. All of these grants required significant matches, which came in the form of privately invested funds from Midwest Terminals of Toledo.

 

DGL & Associates is providing architectural and engineering services to implement the grant awards and the consultants and contractors for Phase One include AME Technologies, Bowser Morner, Deitering Landscaping, Hull & Associates, Mannik & Smith, MDA Engineering, Miller Brothers Construction, Inc., Northwest Consultants, Timiny Railroad Construction, Toledo Fence and Viking Trucking.

 

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority purchased the former Chevron property for $3.4 million in 2008. The Port Authority formed a private-public partnership with Midwest Terminals of Toledo through a long term lease for the property. That acquisition made the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority the largest land mass seaport on the Great Lakes.

 

The 181 acres of land was used as an oil refinery from 1890 to 1987 and successfully completed the State of Ohio’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP) when Gulf Oil Company spent $19 million on site remediation, approximately $13 million more than the VAP required.

 

It is the mission of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to continuously leverage our strategic geographic position, resources and economic development proficiency to provide increased business opportunities—built upon and around our innovative transportation and logistics expertise—while promoting our community and region within the global marketplace. We will accomplish this through unmatched speed and efficiency of service, collaborative and strategic partnerships, community stewardship and the continued generation and execution of new ideas and innovations.

www.toledoportauthority.org – 419.243.8259

 

 

Ironville Dock makes inroads as hub

East Toledo cargo site dedicated

BY DAVID PATCH

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

For nearly three decades, the former Gulf Oil refinery site along Front Street in East Toledo has been a fallow field in the city's industrial landscape -- 181 acres of emptiness where thousands had once been employed.

 

Now, three years after paying Chevron Corp. $3.4 million for it, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority's vision for reviving the property as a central part of multi-modal transportation in the region has begun taking shape. A rail loop is under construction through the 71 acres between Front and the Maumee River.

 

While dignitaries hammered gold-painted spikes into freshly built track Monday to officially dedicate Ironville Dock, construction workers with heavy machinery continued grading roadbed and laying track for the 100-railcar loop. The track will be used to transfer bulk commodities, such as grain and stone, between trains and ships or trucks.

 

Read more at: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/08/16/Ironville-Dock-makes-inroads-as-hub.html

This is from August, but I just came across it:

 

 

20/20 panel unveils its details of city's future

Plan readjusts vision based on developments

BY CLAUDIA BOYD-BARRETT, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: 8/30/2011

 

Set aside reality for a moment.  Forget Toledo's high unemployment rate, sinking property values, and neighborhood blight.  Imagine instead a vibrant, prosperous metropolis with a growing population, booming development, and an irresistible downtown.

 

That's what the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission tried to do in 2000 when it came up with the "Toledo 20/20 Plan" that outlined how the city might look in 2020.  Eleven years later and more than a few changes down the road, the panel has updated those plans to reflect developments and provide specific, parcel-by-parcel maps of what Toledo's ideal future might look like.

 

The plan is based upon 24 neighborhood planning areas, and the update was crafted over a two-year period with input from residents, businesses, community development groups, and various city stakeholders.  Most of it builds on the city's existing residential, commercial, and historic areas, expanding out to identify preferred uses for vacant land and abandoned or under-utilized structures.  The plan also seeks to identify and protect valued historic areas, include new ideas such as urban agricultural zones, and to shelter residential neighborhoods from unwanted encroachment of businesses.

 

The update reflects changes already made or under way, such as the establishment of Fifth Third Field and the Huntington Arena in downtown, as well as the soon-to-be-opened Hollywood Casino on the East Toledo riverfront.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/08/30/20-20-panel-unveils-its-details-of-city-s-future.html

 

---

To view the 20/20 Plan go to http://ci.toledo.oh.us and search for the Plan Commission on the left.

 

Direct link: http://ci.toledo.oh.us/Departments/PlanCommission/tabid/88/Default.aspx

Cross-posted in "GM, Ford, Chrysler: News & Info" in the business section....

 

Published: 11/8/2011

 

Chrysler Toledo plan expected Nov. 16

CEO visit possible; firm mum on details

BLADE STAFF

 

Chrysler Group LLC is expected to announce plans for its Toledo Assembly complex on Nov. 16.

 

The long-awaited announcement, key details of which have been reported since August by The Blade, is expected to include $357 million in investment, adding 1,105 jobs, and an $8 million expansion at the complex’s factory which now makes Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro vehicles.

 

Some details of the plans previously were disclosed by the automaker through documents it provided to state and Ohio officials. However, the company has not made an official announcement.

 

It was not immediately clear whether Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne would be present, but some experts expected he would be. Chrysler said on Monday that it was not providing details on next week’s announcement.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.toledoblade.com/Automotive/2011/11/08/Chrysler-Toledo-plan-expected-Nov-16-2.html

$16M project unveiled for former steam plant

YMCA, UT clinic, apartments planned

BY TONY COOK, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: 4/21/2012

 

For nearly 27 years, the former Toledo Edison steam plant has sat vacant on downtown Toledo’s riverfront.  But under a plan unveiled Saturday, the big brick building with its two signature smokestacks would become home to a YMCA, a University of Toledo health clinic, and 67 market-rate apartments.

 

Developer David Ball, who owns the property, cited a strong downtown real estate market and partnerships with the YMCA of Greater Toledo and the University of Toledo Medical Center as the key reasons he’s pulling the trigger on the $16 million project, which will be known as Water Street Station.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/04/21/16M-project-unveiled-for-former-steam-plant.html

 

WATER STREET STATION: AT A GLANCE

 

I was in Toledo just this past week. I could definitely pick up on a different energy in and around Downtown than what I observed the last time I was there about a year ago. The Mud Hens were getting ready to play at Fifth Third Field and plenty of people were walking towards the stadium. There appeared to be more restaurants around the stadium than before, and from what I could tell they looked fairly busy, even for a weekday. It also appears that some additional housing/apartments/lofts have become available. What before seemed like a city downtown ready to roll up the sidewalks at 5 pm now looks like a city downtown on the verge of a revival, at least in some parts.

 

Elsewhere, particularly around Adams Street, I noticed a few more businesses open than during my last trip. Several attractive yet vacant/underused buildings in that area hold quite a bit of potential for redevelopment. It's too bad the University of Toledo exists on the city's outskirts, as the presence of a major university in or near downtown would serve as a catalyst for further investment and redevelopment, much as the University of Akron, Youngstown State and Cleveland State have done for their respective cities. Even locating branch of UT or Bowling Green downtown could make a meaningful difference.

 

I'm admittedly not a huge fan of casinos as a form of economic development, but I can't help but wonder what effect Toledo's casino might have had on its downtown, had it been located there instead of further away, given what's currently happening in Cleveland. Granted though, Cleveland already has a lot to see and do around its downtown, so a casino there seems like icing on an already quite tasty cake.

 

Toledo definitely looks like it has some promising projects in the works and potential for the expansion of existing ones, but I also can't help but feel like it is still missing some key pieces and a more detailed economic development strategy that will carry it forward long-term. Unless I have overlooked something?

^ Thanks for the report. 

 

What was the reason for Toledo not putting the Casino Downtown?  I agree that near the Mudhens stadium and near the new loft conversions would have created that multiplier effect.

SeaGate Center used to offer classes for UT, but that goes back 15 years to another era in Toledo history. Toledo had no say in the location of their casino. The casino guys wanted cheap I-75 frontage.

begs the question -- did any city have a say as to where the casinos went? if so then why not toledo? thx if you know.

No city had a say, the casinos were entirely brought about by privately funded state constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling in four cities with the specific sites named in the amendment. Columbus had to pass another state-wide constitutional amendment to move it about five miles.

I was in Toledo just this past week. I could definitely pick up on a different energy in and around Downtown than what I observed the last time I was there about a year ago. The Mud Hens were getting ready to play at Fifth Third Field and plenty of people were walking towards the stadium. There appeared to be more restaurants around the stadium than before, and from what I could tell they looked fairly busy, even for a weekday. It also appears that some additional housing/apartments/lofts have become available. What before seemed like a city downtown ready to roll up the sidewalks at 5 pm now looks like a city downtown on the verge of a revival, at least in some parts.

 

Elsewhere, particularly around Adams Street, I noticed a few more businesses open than during my last trip. Several attractive yet vacant/underused buildings in that area hold quite a bit of potential for redevelopment. It's too bad the University of Toledo exists on the city's outskirts, as the presence of a major university in or near downtown would serve as a catalyst for further investment and redevelopment, much as the University of Akron, Youngstown State and Cleveland State have done for their respective cities. Even locating branch of UT or Bowling Green downtown could make a meaningful difference.

 

I'm admittedly not a huge fan of casinos as a form of economic development, but I can't help but wonder what effect Toledo's casino might have had on its downtown, had it been located there instead of further away, given what's currently happening in Cleveland. Granted though, Cleveland already has a lot to see and do around its downtown, so a casino there seems like icing on an already quite tasty cake.

 

Toledo definitely looks like it has some promising projects in the works and potential for the expansion of existing ones, but I also can't help but feel like it is still missing some key pieces and a more detailed economic development strategy that will carry it forward long-term. Unless I have overlooked something?

 

 

Adams Street seems to be the "hip" burgeoning entertainment district. Theres still plenty of buildings undeveloped and run down, but the vibe is suitable for the types of people hanging out down there. Kinda the prime place to go out for LGBT, artsy people, hipsters, etc. Close proximity to the Old West End (where a lot of these people live) bolsters the neighborhood.

 

 

I agree that there are certain key pieces missing from the success & progress puzzle of Toledo, and that we definitely need more detailed plans, ideas, and strategies. At least were definitely seeing progress in the right direction. The balls rolling. We just had a new pub called Ol' Cock n Bull Tavern open up by the stadium, and a new upscale restaurant called Registry Bistro, open across from the arena....as well as a new coffeeshop called Bleak House Coffee open in the Spitzer Bldg. So the balls rolling, slowly, but at least theres some bit of momentum.

^I'm sad to hear about Adams becoming a hipster hangout, though I guess it was bound to happen given the location. Toledo's greatest point of pride was there weren't any hipsters (Toledo didn't take kindly to those types, and they always ended up moving away). "Welcome to Toledo: No Hipsters for 50 Miles!" A few years ago, all the potential hipsters went to Village Idiot in Maumee, which did a good job keeping them out of the city. Toledo always had an alternative crowd, but it never devolved into hipsterdom like you'd find in most cities. I guess that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that hipsters aren't just a fad. They're another peg down the cultural ladder of America. If it can happen in Toledo, it can happen anywhere. I still think whatever "scene" develops in Toledo is going to be extremely limited. Toledo culture just isn't aligned with hipsters (Toledo is way too masculine and hard-headed). It will never have a hipster scene like Chicago, Columbus, or from what I'm hearing, Cincinnati. It will be contained to a couple of bars, you can be sure of that. In an ideal world, there would be no hipsters, but in a city the size of Toledo, I guess there are bound to be a few bad apples in the bunch.

^lol

Hotel, retail proposed for 13-acre former theater site in Toledo

 

The 13-acre site of a former theater in Toledo that has been closed since 2005 is in line for a $25 million redevelopment plan that could include a new hotel with about 114 rooms, the Toledo Blade reports.

 

Key Hotel and Property Management Inc. bought the 3500 Secor Road property from Dedham, Mass.-based National Amusements Inc., the former theater operator, for $2.5 million, the newspaper reports.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/morning_call/2012/09/hotel-retail-proposed-for-13-acre.html

^I'm sad to hear about Adams becoming a hipster hangout, though I guess it was bound to happen given the location. Toledo's greatest point of pride was there weren't any hipsters (Toledo didn't take kindly to those types, and they always ended up moving away). "Welcome to Toledo: No Hipsters for 50 Miles!" A few years ago, all the potential hipsters went to Village Idiot in Maumee, which did a good job keeping them out of the city. Toledo always had an alternative crowd, but it never devolved into hipsterdom like you'd find in most cities. I guess that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that hipsters aren't just a fad. They're another peg down the cultural ladder of America. If it can happen in Toledo, it can happen anywhere. I still think whatever "scene" develops in Toledo is going to be extremely limited. Toledo culture just isn't aligned with hipsters (Toledo is way too masculine and hard-headed). It will never have a hipster scene like Chicago, Columbus, or from what I'm hearing, Cincinnati. It will be contained to a couple of bars, you can be sure of that. In an ideal world, there would be no

hipsters, but in a city the size of Toledo, I guess there are bound to be a few bad apples in the bunch.

 

 

Haha. Ottawa Tavern is probably the most hipster-ish bar, probably like 90% hipster. Then the Attic is probably like 50% hipster. Then Wesleys is probably like anywhere from 10% to 80% hipster depending on the night. Manhattans is probably like 5% hipster, and the rest are cool older people into blues and jazx music.

 

That's my Adams Street Guide to Hipsterdom.

The Blade had a recent piece about downtown Toledo, looking at the state of downtown living.  It focused on the existing downtown living options and the downtown businesses that exist, and don't exist, to serve the needs of those residents. 

 

Below is the link to that article.  Also below is a map that shows the downtown area being looked at.  A much larger version of this map is at the article link: 

 

Toledo Blade: More people choosing to call downtown Toledo their home - Residents seek nearby businesses that meet basic needs

 

Townhouse rentals planned for former downtown Toledo eatery

BY TYREL LINKHORN, BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

Published: 12/1/2012

 

A Toledo-area developer has plans to turn the former EasyStreet Cafe into five townhouse-style rentals, adding a new option to a popular and growing downtown housing market.  Lorenzen Realty completed purchase of the 19th-century building at 822 Washington Street about two weeks ago.

 

The historic building, built in 1890, had been a bar and restaurant for years, and formerly featured five apartments on the upper level.  But it recently had been sitting vacant.

 

Building co-owner Justin Lorenzen said the company had its eye on the property for some time and felt it would make a good spot for townhouses.  The plan calls for five 2,000-square-foot townhouses that include a full basement and two indoor parking spots.

 

READ MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/Real-Estate/2012/12/01/Townhouse-rentals-planned-for-former-downtown-Toledo-eatery.html

That article in The Blade that talks about what downtowns residents need hits the nail on the head. A grocery store of some sort, and also a smaller pharmacy store would help out a lot. Part of the appeal of choosing to live downtown, is being able to live an urban lifestyle, so to speak, and in a central business district, I think people expect walkability and amenities to be a part of their lifestyle. Theres a sufficient amount of dining, drinking, and entertainment venues downtown to secure peoples interest, on that end of the equation, but the basic necessities of every day living are missing. I like the idea of the Andersons or Churchills investing in downtown. People throw around names like Trader Joes and Whole Foods, and those places obviously are not bad, but they are big national chains that overlook mid-size, rust belt, downtown Toledo so im not sure we stand a chance with them, at least not in the near future. The Andersons family lives in Toledo, and it would be a greater possibilty that they might see the opportunity downtown. Im not counting on it, but perhaps the city and the Andersons could work together to make a store happen. A store like the Andersons Market thats out in Sylvania would be great downtown.

Maumee Valley breaks ground on first residence hall

BLADE STAFF

Published: 12/5/2012

 

Maumee Valley Country Day School in South Toledo broke ground today on a new on-campus residence hall that will be used to board both international and regional high school students.  The $1.5 million facility will provide living quarters for 28 students in the ninth through 12th grades.

 

 

READ MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/Education/2012/12/05/Maumee-Valley-breaks-ground-on-first-residence-hall.html

NeighborWorks Toledo Region plans to construct 40 more prefabricated homes near downtown

BY FEDERICO MARTINEZ, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: 12/8/2012

 

From neighborhood blight to new, energy-efficient homes in two months.  That's the goal of NeighborWorks Toledo Region, which launched construction Friday of two new houses on the 300 block of Toledo's Chapin Street.

 

Construction of the prefabricated houses is expected to be completed by February, said Bill Farnsel, executive director of the nonprofit investment group.  The homes will be sold to low-to-moderate income residents through the city's federally funded Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

 

The organization plans to start construction of 40 similar houses in the Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center area near downtown in February, said Mr. Farnsel.  All of those homes will be completed by Dec. 31, 2013.

 

READ MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/12/08/NeighborWorks-Toledo-Region-plans-to-construct-40-more-prefabricated-homes-near-downtown.html

51 miles of road repaving, new fire station part of Toledo capital budget

BY IGNAZIO MESSINA, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: 12/8/2012

 

Toledo Mayor Mike Bell's proposed capital improvements budget released on Friday sets aside funding for paving 51 miles of road lanes along with money to build a fire station and renovate another. ... More than $44 million, which includes state and federal matching grants, was proposed for roads.  Major projects in the plan include Secor Road between Central Avenue and Monroe Street as well as part of Collingwood Boulevard in the Old West End. 

 

The Bell administration is also committing $1.7 million to renovate Fire Station 3, the city’s oldest fire house.  The city in September shuttered the 85-year-old building at 701 Bush Street because of cracks in the floor of the fire engine bay and plans to repair the main station house and add additional space for fire apparatus.

 

The mayor has also agreed to allocate $2.7 million for a new fire station, which will become Fire Station 12 — the name of a former firehouse at Suder Avenue and Manhattan Boulevard that was closed in 1980.  It is to be built on the site of basketball courts in Blair Park, at Adrian and Chase streets.

 

READ MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/12/08/51-miles-of-road-repaving-new-fire-station-part-of-Toledo-capital-budget.html

MODERATOR NOTE: Reposting articles wiped out by the server crash

 

Old West End public housing to get $4M-$5M

BY KATE GIAMMARISE, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: 1/11/2013

 

A public housing complex for seniors in the Old West End will get $4 million to $5 million in upgrades as part of a national program that officials say aims to preserve affordable housing by attracting private investment.  The 136-unit Parqwood Apartments complex, a building for low-income seniors at 2125 Parkwood Ave., will get modernized units and common areas, as well as energy-efficiency upgrades.  Parqwood was built in the 1940s.

 

The Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority is one of only two housing authorities in Ohio to be included in a new U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program known as Rental Assistance Demonstration.  The federal program allows authorities to raise funds for needed public housing repairs by essentially reclassifying public housing as privately owned Section 8 housing, permitting private investors to put up funds for redevelopment.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2013/01/11/Old-West-End-public-housing-to-get-4M-5M.html

 

First phase of $46M Collingwood Green Senior Community dedicated

BY SAM GANS, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: 6/5/2013

 

The ribbon-cutting unveiled the first phase of what some officials called a “new face” of affordable housing in northwest Ohio. ... The 65-unit building, which cost $12.7 million, was completed Friday. It is on Division Street and Belmont Avenue in central Toledo, and replaces former LMHA complexes Brand Whitlock and Albertus Brown.

 

The site’s proximity to downtown and I-75 made replacing the previous buildings a top priority for LMHA, said Ivory Mathews, deputy executive director. ... The building is the first phase of a $46 million project which will include 272 housing units for both low and middle-income families, a community building, and a seven-acre park.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2013/06/05/First-phase-of-46M-Collingwood-Green-Senior-Community-dedicated.html

 

This is an awesome building (and I think the last historic one left on its block). The area also still has its original brick streets. Anything to get this saved is a good thing in my book, and it's within walking distance of Downtown and Old West End. Toledo desperately needs a full grocery store in its urban core. While Downtown or Warehouse District make the most sense to me (due to higher population), an Uptown location can capitalize on multiple neighborhoods all within walking distance.

 

Toledo mulls giving ProMedica building

BLADE STAFF

 

Toledo officials are considering donating a vacant, city-owned building in the UpTown neighborhood to ProMedica to convert it into a grocery store.

 

City records show the company wants to acquire the building at 311 18th St.

 

“It has been estimated that the redevelopment of the building would easily exceed $1 million,” according to legislation Toledo City Council will review Tuesday in advance of a vote to donate the property.

 

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/09/15/Toledo-mulls-giving-ProMedica-building.html#dh9DTMyO4KS07Gpr.99

Lucas Co. Commissioners to buy former Seagate Hotel

 

The Lucas County Commissioners today approved the purchase of the former Seagate Hotel property in downtown Toledo.

 

The commissioners announced at an afternoon news conference that they have authorized the Lucas County Improvement Corp. to buy the property for $1.38 million.

 

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/11/18/Lucas-Co-Commissioners-plan-to-buy-former-Seagate-Hotel.html#b8dDwvVwJ0CDDJiG.99

^Something sounds shady about this deal. I've heard the city is planning to tear it down for what sounds like a big sum of money (demolition contractor friend getting hooked up?). The hotel was dated, but structurally sound. It could easily be brought up to modern standards and Downtown Toledo could use a Hilton or Marriott property.

Published: Monday, 11/23/2015 - Updated: 2 weeks ago

Middle Grounds gets the spotlight as district revitalization gains steam

Plans on track for struggling area near train station, new metropark

BY MARK REITER

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Maurice “Moe” Habbouche has seen it all at the Middle Grounds District.

 

The owner of the Green Lantern restaurant on Broadway, Mr. Habbouche remembers the 1960s when the street was lined with shops and businesses, and Central Union Terminal was busy with passenger trains arriving and leaving.

 

“I’ve seen the good times. I have been here for the bad times,” Mr. Habbouche said. “In the last 10 years, I’ve seen a lot of changes.”

 

A bustling railway hub in its heyday, the Middle Grounds District is joining downtown and the Warehouse District as an area that gets its own formal master plan. Approved unanimously by the Toledo Plan Commission earlier this month, the plan aims to build on momentum occurring in the district with construction of the Middlegrounds Metropark and future relocation of the Greyhound bus station from downtown to the train station, now called Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.

 

The revitalization of old buildings and reinvestment in the adjacent Toledo Warehouse District also is an optimistic sign for the struggling neighborhood, planners say.

 

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2015/11/23/District-revitalization-gains-steam.html#Thob3qECSSwtzUFt.99

Published: Wednesday, 12/23/2015 - Updated: 1 month ago

Potbelly to open downtown store

Franchisee intrigued by ProMedica project

BY JON CHAVEZ 

BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

 

The impending move to downtown Toledo by ProMedica has attracted another business to follow the health care provider.

 

Potbelly Sandwich Shop, a Chicago restaurant chain with one franchise store on Talmadge Road near Sylvania Avenue, has signed a lease to occupy the former Roulet Co. jewelry store at 413 Madison Ave., next to the PNC Bank Building.

 

Franchisee Jeff Gibbs said he had considered adding a second store in the Toledo suburbs, but the development activity generated by ProMedica’s decision to relocate its headquarters and bring up to 2,100 employees to the former Edison Steam Plant on Summit Street was too hard to resist.

 

“It just feels like the momentum downtown is really swelling up and with the various companies moving downtown, like ProMedica and the other things going on, residents moving downtown, that things are moving in that direction,” Mr. Gibbs said. The downtown store will be about two blocks from ProMedica’s headquarters.

 

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2015/12/23/Potbelly-to-open-downtown-store.html#73dRX46iQrU6QPCE.99

Great news! Sylvania Avenue is outside the traditional urban core, but it was historically a dense streetcar spine serving a lot of walkable neighborhoods. This area of Toledo got hit hard by the last recession and auto layoffs, so this could be signs of a turnaround in the Glass City.

 

Published: Tuesday, 1/19/2016 - Updated: 1 week ago

New businesses springing up on Sylvania Avenue

Small stores planned to occupy 1-mile stretch

BY TAYLOR DUNGJEN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

On Sylvania Avenue, Kathy Carey saw potential.

 

A major conduit through West Toledo, the street is lined with businesses and cuts through busy, stable neighborhoods. After a six-month search for the perfect place to open her bakery, Kathy’s Confections, Ms. Carey walked into 2746 W. Sylvania Ave. and her heart felt settled.

 

“I looked at it and thought, ‘My gosh. It couldn’t be any more perfect,’ ” she said.

 

A one-mile stretch of Sylvania Avenue, between Douglas and Secor roads — it divides the Elmhurst and Hampton Park neighborhoods — has been known to District 6 Councilman Tom Waniewski as the ‘Sylvania Avenue Mile.’ His vision for the strip is a walkable destination spot of small businesses.

 

Although the plan has been in the works for “five or six years” without noticeable action, Mr. Waniewski said “it is cooking. Stuff we’re doing behind the scenes is starting to cook.”

 

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2016/01/19/New-businesses-springing-up-on-Sylvania-Avenue.html#4vTEePlhOFgP7lPY.99

http://m.toledoblade.com/local/2016/02/28/Greyhound-s-move-to-train-station-nears.html

 

Greyhounds move to train station nears

http://m.toledoblade.com/Medical/2016/03/17/Mercy-complex-to-replace-building-for-expansion.html

 

Mercy complex to replace building for expansion

 

(St v's)

http://www.13abc.com/home/headlines/Major-new-investment-in-Downtown-Toledo-hopes-to-bring-back-dying-neighborhood-372277732.html?device=phone&c=y

 

Major new investment in Downtown Toledo hopes to bring back dying neighborhood