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On the downtown site(s) and some of its issues:

 

 

Parking is more than sufficient for arena

Multiple events won't tax site, planner says

By CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Downtown Toledo is parking rich and event poor.

 

That's the word from consultants searching for a sports arena site.

 

And it's one less thing to worry about for the $50 million to $70 million project, they say.

 

To handle the worst-case scenario for one night - 10,000 at Fifth Third Field, 10,000 in a downtown arena, and 5,000 conventioneers at SeaGate Centre - would require 10,000 spaces within walking distance. Toledo has 19,992.

 

Contact Christopher D. Kirkpatrick

at: [email protected] or 419-724-6077.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060314/NEWS16/603140351/-1/RSS

 

From the 3/15/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT

Commissioners hire firm as arena consultant

 

Describing the contract a much-needed first step, two Lucas County commissioners yesterday approved an agreement to begin development of a downtown arena.

 

Commissioners Pete Gerken and Tina Skeldon Wozniak approved a contract with Gateway Consulting Group and Pizzuti/Garfield Traub LLC.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060315/NEWS16/603150342/-1/RSS

 

  • 2 weeks later...

From the 3/29/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

TOLEDO HOCKEY

New arena may drop Storm for other team

By CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The Toledo Storm might have to pass the puck to another minor league hockey team as part of the new downtown arena project, say consultants studying where and if a new venue can be built and make money.

 

Contact Christopher D. Kirkpatrick

at: [email protected] or 419-724-6077.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060329/NEWS16/603290363/-1/rss

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060404/NEWS16/604040370/-1/NEWS

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

Article published April 4, 2006

 

Finkbeiner fires Marina firm

Developer may move its N.Y. hockey team to Toledo

 

By CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

 

Once a savior of East Toledo's Marina District, Pizzuti Cos. was fired yesterday by Mayor Carty Finkbeiner for missing a deadline.

 

Contact Christopher D. Kirkpatrick

at: [email protected]

 

From the 4/5/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Team not planning to move to Toledo

N.Y. hockey squad is independently owned

By CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The American Hockey League's Syracuse, N.Y., Crunch said it has no intention of relocating to Toledo - even though the team is currently an affiliate of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets and one of its owners has expressed interest in moving an AHL team to a new arena.

 

Contact Christopher D. Kirkpatrick

at: [email protected] or 419-724-6077.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060405/NEWS16/604050407/-1/NEWS

 

  • 3 months later...

From the 7/14/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Campus site recommended for basketball

UT president advises trustees to deny downtown arena plan

By JOSHUA BOAK and ERICA BLAKE

BLADE STAFF WRITERS

 

University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs wants the men's basketball team to remain on campus, rather than play its games at the proposed arena in downtown Toledo.

 

Dr. Jacobs, who became UT's president after the July 1 merger with the Medical University of Ohio, yesterday recommended to the UT board of trustees that the Rockets stay at a renovated Savage Hall.

 

Sports writer John Harris contributed to this report.

 

Contact Joshua Boak at:

[email protected] or 419-724-6728.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/NEWS21/607140361/-1/RSS

 

  • 2 weeks later...

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060729/NEWS16/607290377/-1/NEWS

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

Article published July 29, 2006

 

Cost for downtown arena could go up to $82M

 

By CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

 

A downtown Toledo sports arena would have a price tag of up to $82 million and would be paid for with the help of tax credits and revenue-sharing agreements with parking lots and surrounding businesses that would profit from its construction.

 

Contact Christopher D. Kirkpatrick

at: [email protected]

or 419-724-6077.

 

 

  • 2 weeks later...

From the 8/9/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

GRAPHIC: New arena scores a site

 

DOWNTOWN SPORTS VENUE

Game plan for arena is launched

Location, funding sources for $80M complex revealed

By CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

A game plan for building an $80 million sports and concert arena on Superior Street in downtown Toledo was to be unveiled today with a planned 2008 christening and all the sources of money identified.

 

Contact Christopher D. Kirkpatrick

at: [email protected] or 419-724-6077.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060809/NEWS16/608090454/-1/RSS

 

From the 8/10/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

SEEKING SYNERGY

Mud Hens might buy hockey team; proposed arena would put multiple sports downtown

By CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The Mud Hens are considering the purchase of the Toledo Storm minor-league hockey team or bringing in a new team as part of a downtown arena project that would consolidate Toledo professional sports into an entertainment district that would straddle the Warehouse District.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060810/NEWS16/608100365/-1/RSS10

 

  • 2 weeks later...

From the 8/24/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Hens get call to add hockey, arena football

Lucas County officials praise team's management expertise

By ERICA BLAKE

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Hoping to emulate the financial success of the Toledo Mud Hens, Lucas County leaders plan to announce the baseball team's management as official agent for securing ice hockey and arena football franchises for a proposed downtown arena.

 

Blade staff writer John Wagner contributed to this report.

 

Contact Erica Blake at:

[email protected] or 419-724-6076.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060824/NEWS33/608240385/-1/NEWS


From the 8/24/06 Toledo Free Press:

 

 

Toledo-area hotel operators may challenge arena plan

By Scott McKimmy

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer

[email protected]

 

A proposal to raise Lucas County's hotel-motel tax as a major source of funding for the $80 million arena project has drawn criticism from opponents who say the increase will deal a blow to the local economy.

 

http://toledofreepress.com/?id=3844

 

  • 2 weeks later...

From the 9/6/06 Toledo Free Press:

 

 

DEVELOPMENT

Owens Corning possible arena sponsor

By Justin R. Kalmes

Toledo Free Press Metro Reporter

[email protected]

 

Owens Corning has been identified as a potential candidate for purchasing the $14 million naming rights for the proposed Downtown sports arena, a member of the business-labor committee responsible for negotiating the sale of the arena's corporate naming rights said Aug. 29.

 

http://toledofreepress.com/?id=3910

 

From the 9/8/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Lucas County Commissioners seek input on arena

 

Still months away from learning if the main funding source for an arena will come through, Lucas County officials continue advancing plans to build it in downtown Toledo.

 

The county commissioners yesterday announced a schedule of public meetings at which residents will be able to offer their visions for a new multipurpose arena. That revelation comes on the heels of the commissioners’ announcement that the Mud Hens’ management team will take the lead in negotiating with sports teams that could be tenants.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060908/NEWS33/60908057/-1/NEWS

 

  • 3 weeks later...

I'm one post away from splitting this off and away from the Marina District stuff.  From the 9/26/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

DOWNTOWN COMPLEX

County officials give pitch for arena

Business leaders urged to buy suites

By ERICA BLAKE

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Standing before windows that overlook Fifth Third Field, Lucas County commissioners yesterday encouraged members of the business community to pledge support for what they said will be another successful private-public sports complex.

 

Contact Erica Blake at:

[email protected] or 419-724-6076.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/NEWS16/609260356/-1/NEWS

 

  • 3 weeks later...

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061017/NEWS09/610170349/-1/NEWS

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

Article published October 17, 2006

 

Voters lukewarm to downtown arena

Hotel-motel tax would grow to 10%

 

By JOSHUA BOAK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

 

Despite years of debate, voters have yet to view a downtown Toledo sports arena as a game-winning slapshot for Lucas County, according to a new Zogby International poll.

 

Conducted for The Blade and WTVG-TV, Channel 13, the poll found a public split on increasing the county hotel-motel tax by two percentage points to finance half of the $80 million arena.

 

Across the county, 47.9 percent favor the increase, while 43.7 percent oppose it. Among Toledo residents, 45.2 percent are against a tax hike for the arena and 44.7 percent are for it. And in both groups, about 60 percent of voters who consider themselves independent oppose the arena.

 

Contact Joshua Boak at:

[email protected]

or 419-724-6728.

From the 10/20/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

PUBLIC MEETING

Downtown arena seating, bed-tax hike draw critics

 

Area residents, sports fans, and hotel-motel owners and operators last night criticized the plan to build a sports arena on Superior Street in downtown Toledo.

 

Their comments were made at a public meeting at the Sanger branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

 

More than half of the projected cost of the almost $82 million project - $42.5 million - is slated to come from the Lucas County hotel-motel bed tax, said Pat Zohn, of Gateway Consulting, of Cleveland, which is developing plans for the proposed arena.

 

Contact Joshua Boak at:

[email protected] or 419-724-6728.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061014/NEWS09/610140343/-1/NEWS

 

  • 3 weeks later...

From the 10/25/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

MEETING IN OREGON

Commissioners advance plans for arena

 

A proposed multipurpose arena in Toledo doesn't quite have funding in place or a permanent location chosen, but Lucas County commissioners continue to move forward on making it a reality.

 

Commissioners agreed 2-1 to seek proposals for architectural services, construction management services, and facility management services for the multipurpose arena.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061025/NEWS18/610250380/-1/NEWS

 

  • 1 month later...

Finally...this topic has been split from the Marina District thread.

 

I made the split with articles occurring after March 14, 2006.  This is the date in which an accord was reached to divide $7.5M originally intended for an East Toledo arena.  Instead, $5.5M was targeted to an arena and $2M was set aside for the Marina District.  This symbolically sealed the fate of any idea of an arena being a component of the Marina District project.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2004.msg84097#msg84097

  • 2 weeks later...

From the 12/5/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

17 advisers named to help design arena

Lucas County panel includes NBA's Jackson as athletes' voice

 

An advisory committee was named yesterday to help guide the design of the new Lucas County arena.

 

The committee, which includes professional athlete Jim Jackson, is modeled on the committee that helped produce Fifth Third Field, said Tina Skeldon Wozniak, president of the Lucas County commissioners.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/NEWS33/612050334/-1/NEWS

 

From the 12/12/06 Blade:

 

 

25% increase in hotel tax is expected

Bill would let Lucas County implement hike

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - Despite protests from the lodging industry, visitors to Lucas County hotels and motels could be charged another 2 percentage points in taxes to pay for a downtown Toledo arena and expanded convention center.

 

The full House is expected to consider today a $1.8 billion capital budget bill, a wish list of bricks-and-mortar and equipment projects across the state that would, among numerous other things, authorize the county commissioners to raise the local hotel tax from 8 percent to 10 percent.

 

Contact Jim Provance at: [email protected] or 614-221-0496.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061212/NEWS33/612120397/-1/NEWS

 

From the 12/14/06 Blade:

 

 

Hotels ask Senate to reject Lucas Co. tax for new arena

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS — The hotel industry yesterday urged Ohio senators not to place the burden of funding construction of a downtown Toledo arena and expanded convention center on the backs of one industry.

 

Contact Jim Provance at: [email protected] or 614-221-0496.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061214/NEWS33/61214003/-1/NEWS

 

  • 2 months later...

From the 1/17/07 Toledo Blade:

 

 

County to boost hotel tax today for arena project

$80M facility planned downtown

By ERICA BLAKE

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Lucas County commissioners said they will approve a 2 percentage-point increase in the local hotel-motel tax today, putting in place the funding mechanism necessary to build a new arena downtown.

 

Contact Erica Blake at: [email protected] or 419-724-6076.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070117/NEWS33/701170381/-1/NEWS

 

From the 1/18/07 Blade:

 

 

LUCAS COUNTY

Hotel-motel tax going up to 10% to fund arena

By ERICA BLAKE

BLADE SATFF WRITER

 

Lucas County commissioners yesterday put in motion the funding necessary to build a multipurpose arena - leaving them with the responsibility of building it and then filling it.

 

Commissioners voted unanimously to raise the county's hotel-motel tax by 2 percentage-points.

 

The increase, which will take effect March 1, raises the tax from 8 percent to 10 percent and will help fund more than half of the approximately $80 million project.

 

Contact Erica Blake at: [email protected] or 419-724-6076.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070118/NEWS33/701180349/-1/NEWS

 

From the 1/25/07 Blade:

 

 

Demolition work for arena likely to begin in summer

By ERICA BLAKE

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Demolition to make room for a new multipurpose arena in downtown Toledo could start as early as summer to ensure the facility is open by fall 2009, Lucas County officials said yesterday.

 

Contact Erica Blake at: [email protected] or 419-724-6076.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/NEWS16/701250338/-1/NEWS

 

From the 1/26/07 Blade:

 

 

Finkbeiner warns county about firm

Mayor concerned about arena project

By ERICA BLAKE

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, in a letter to the Lucas County commissioners, cautioned the county against entering into a contract with the lead architecture firm chosen to design the new multipurpose arena.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/NEWS16/701260361/-1/NEWS

 

From the 2/15/07 Blade:

 

 

Lucas County to ask city to vacate arena site

Part of Frogtown Alley, Superior Street sought

By ERICA BLAKE

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

Before Lucas County officials can build a multipurpose arena in downtown Toledo, they know they have to have the land.

 

As part of the aggressive time- line to have an arena built and operating by the fall of 2009, county commissioners plan to submit an application to Toledo officials today asking for the city to vacate a portion of Superior Street and Frogtown Alley.

 

Contact Erica Blake at: [email protected] or 419-724-6076.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070215/NEWS16/702150353/-1/RSS10

 

  • 2 months later...

no more club bijou/underground?  i wonder which overpriced venue with lousy bands will fill the void???

  • 1 month later...

Does anyone know if theyll move club Bijou to a different location downtown or is it permenatly closed..That was one of the few hot spots downtown.

From the 6/14/07 Blade:

 

 

VIEW ARENA

* Arena PowerPoint presentation

 

Toledo residents offer arena input

Ideas could find way into design, county official says

 

John Gage of Perrysburg wants to see Toledo's strong hockey history represented in the new downtown sports arena.

 

Mary Chris Skeldon wants the arena to offer healthier food options, including ethnic dishes.

 

Amber Hawkins wants world-renowned entertainment acts like Alicia Keys or Earth, Wind & Fire to perform at the arena.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070614/NEWS16/706140416/-1/RSS10

 

From the 6/19/07 Blade:

 

 

PHOTO: While no official date has been set for the demolition of the more than 60-year-old Sports Arena, Joe Zunk of the Lathrop Co., the project manger, said he expected demolition to start early next month. However, he said initial work, such as getting permits, could start as soon as Monday. Demolition to clear the way for the new arena could begin in mid-July, early August.  ( THE BLADE )

 

County picks demolition contractor for Toledo Sports Arena

Cleveland firm is expected to make way for new arena

By LAREN WEBER

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

A Cleveland firm is expected to be hired for the demolition of the Toledo Sports Arena on the city’s east side and the seven downtown buildings recently purchased by Lucas County to make way for the new multipurpose arena.

 

The county commissioners will award the $448,700 demolition and abatement contracts to B&B Wrecking & Excavating Inc. at their meeting this morning.

 

Contact Laren Weber at: [email protected] or 419-724-6050.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070619/NEWS16/70619041/-1/RSS

 

From the 6/20/07 Blade:

 

 

DEMOLITION CONTRACTS

Toledo Sports Arena-razing firm under fire from city

Minority role in other pact questioned

By TOM TROY

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The demolition contractor hired by Lucas County yesterday to tear down the Toledo Sports Arena is in hot water with the city of Toledo over his alleged effort to mislead the city about minority subcontracting.

 

Blade Staff Writer Laren Weber contributed to this report.

 

Contact Tom Troy at: [email protected] or 419-724-6058.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070620/NEWS16/706200392/-1/RSS

 

Link contains a photo.  From the 6/29/07 Blade:

 

 

July 23 newest date for razing Toledo Sports Arena

By MAGGIE REID

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The wrecking ball set to demolish the Toledo Sports Arena seems to have lost a little momentum as it prepares to bring down the local landmark.

 

The demolition date for the arena, previously set for July 9, was pushed back yesterday to July 23 at the request of the contractor.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070629/NEWS16/706290358/-1/RSS10

 

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070911/NEWS16/709110350/-1/NEWS

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

Article published September 11, 2007

 

Redesign helps new Toledo arena mesh with its surroundings

 

By JOE VARDON

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

 

The Lucas County commissioners unveiled fresh drawings of the new downtown arena yesterday which showed a spectacular collaboration of glass, brick, and concrete surrounded by public gathering spots lined with trees.

 

Contact Joe Vardon at:

[email protected] or

419-410-5055.

 

A little bland (compared to other small city arenas going up, like Tulsa's) but it's way better than the old Sports Arena (which is Hara Arena's [Trotwood] twin brother).  Good for Toledo!

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

Way better than what was there, and a welcome addition to downtown, but I'm disappointed there isn't something more twenty-first century - something like Sprint Arena in KC, or like the previous poster said, the new Tulsa arena. The Toledo proposal looks like something that would be built in indiana - and I don't mean that as a compliment!

 

--Former Hoosier

good call -- while kc sprint and tulsa are are interesting and even eye-opening, this one is 100% safe and boring as hell. oh sure its nice, but its yet another disappointing blown opportunity in ohio architecture (and i am still grinding my teeth over the cuyahoga county building debacle).

 

 

 

  • 2 months later...

Downtown arena stays on track as planners give OK

 

By IGNAZIO MESSINA

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

The new multipurpose arena in downtown Toledo got another nod of approval yesterday - this one from the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions.

 

The five-member commission unanimously approved a downtown overlay review for the arena and a major site plan review.

 

Contact Ignazio Messina at:

[email protected]

or 419-724-6171.

 

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071207/NEWS16/712060376

  • 1 month later...

I don't think you need to look as far as Grand Rapids, MI to see that it will help.  Just look at the development that has been spurred by the Mud Hens new digs, 5th/3rd Field.  With the facilities close to eachother, hockey will help businesses through the winter months when the Hens aren't playing.  Concerts held year round will also provide a bigger boost in the summer as well.  Anything is better than the old Toledo Sports Arena.....that place was a heap and also on the east side of the river.  Having the new complex downtown will help the city quite a bit. 

The good thing about arenas, as opposed to ballparks, is that they are versatile and will host a slew of events.  Baseball has lots of games, but the non-season time offers very little in terms of activity around the venue.  Arenas, on the other hand, offer much more diversity and the ability to attract a consistent flow of people into the city.

  • 4 weeks later...

Some photos from today

100_0094.jpg

 

100_0092.jpg

 

100_0090.jpg

  • 2 weeks later...

Great photo update on the arena construction site.  Keep it coming. 

 

I just viewed the Arena PowerPoint presentation posted earlier.  Very impressed with its layout.  Appreciated the choice of this site and showing its relationship to the Mud Hens ballpark and the convention center.  Its interesting that Toledo is building the ballpark first and following it up with the arena.  Columbus did the arena first and is now building the Clippers ballpark. 

 

Toledo's site locations of the convention center, ballpark and the arena will be similar to the Arena District in Columbus and its proximity to our Convention Center.  Only Toledo's venue proximity is even better. 

 

Hope this goes well for Toledo.  If it does, you'll have a ballpark, arena and convention center to support and feed off each other and hopefully spin-off surrounding renovation and development.  Having an arena and convention center within walking distance of each other is a big plus.  In Columbus, there are many events that use both the convention center and the Nationwide Arena.  The upcoming Arnold Classic is one example. 

 

Also, I have to say that I like the new design of the arena.  It may be looked at as a "safe" design.  But a contextual design is called for at this location.  You've got attractive older urban buildings in this area.  This arena design respects this context but still looks attractive on its own.  Anyway, good luck and keep us updated on its process.

 

  • 2 months later...

It's about time Toledo actually built an arena.  Looks good.

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

I was comparing it to the Sports Arena across the river.

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

  • 4 months later...

It looks good.

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

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