Speaking of the river, any new updates with the Marina District and East Side?

Also, how's progress on the sweet new downtown arena?

I read somethin on the Marina district cant remember where it was, sayin Dillin could start some construction possibly in early september...... And I guess there starting out with rental units? Havent seen any updates for the new arena lately...... just the webcam.

Im wonderin about the 280 project....... Isnt there still work to be done under the bridge? I thought they were gonna reroute front street and make the old front street craig bridge more user/pedestrian friendly.

Is that the new FED EX im seeing when I come North on 75 bout a mile before the Wales rd exit?

This port scandal's really got me down. I'm hoping it gets resovled quickly and doesn't hurt development efforts in the long run, because if it gets dragged on and on it probably will. I have absolutely no idea who wo believe on this, because it initially seemed like it was political motivation on the part of Carty, but now it's come out that there were a lot of people at the Port who were pissed off with Hartung for some time, and as much as I disagreed with parts of the Blade's editorial on the issue (they seemed all for throwing Hartung out, while it seems like he's done some great things), I do agree with them that its probably time to get someone new in after 14 years of the same president, even if he has done good work. That's a decent time even in the private sector. They just need to get everyone on the same page so we can get some development, and instead we have the opposite.. :bash:

Then there is the issue of the LCIC director stepping down and blaming in part a "hostile political climate," by which I think he was referring to Konop as much as the mayor. As much as I think Konop acts like a bullheaded self-righteous prick half the time, I do believe that this reflects more a less of tact and frustration with the establishment more than anything, and I agree that we might be better served with a different economic development model. Konop has voted to dissolve the LCIC Tuesday, and now it seems like Tina Wozniak might be switching over to his viewpoint, as she has requested an audit of the organization on suspicion that they aren't doing anything. It's hard to tell whether they haven't done anything because of the climate or because they can't get on the same page themselves...

Meanwhile, Xunlight is still racking in the grant money, ready to start production, and UT continues to win accolades for its work, so that's good. There are still plenty of positive signs for economic development in Northwest Ohio, but I just hope that that sh*t coming to light right now doesn't hurt these efforts. I hope everyone can be patient until we can get someone new in office next year. I know that Carty has accomplished some positive things in his day (as well as negative things), but I don't think real economic development is his thing, and the bigger issue is that he's too authoritarian, when we need someone who can bring all the heads to the table in a positive way. It's seeming like Carty might just throw in the towel next time around rather then run up against Wilkowski with a 10-15% approval rating.. It's funny because the people on swamp bubbles and all those sites are talking like Jack Ford is going to run again, and that's just not going to happen.. Ultimately, I hope that these shake-ups will work to get in some new people who are on the same page. Any thoughts from this forum on all the shake-ups?

What's the status of Jimmy Jackson's building? I haven't read anything about that in some time. But I don't keep daily tabs either. Hopefully someone here knows.

Greetings from the Glass:

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3256/74skylinegn6.jpg

Dorr street corrider

Dorr Street's demolition is a crime. It may have very well been the largest urban retail corridor in Toledo's history, and it was also the hub of the African-American community.

This would've been the "High Street of Columbus" which runs between downtown and OSU Main Campus just as if Dorr Street would've anchored downtown Toledo and UT Main Campus.

^^ Pilliod, great picture!!!!!!

Speaking of the river, any new updates with the Marina District and East Side?

Also, how's progress on the sweet new downtown arena?

Brenner Marina has been torn down and the Marina District is underway next month.

Downtown arena is getting "shelled-up" if you know what I mean as I was driving the other day which looks huge from a street level. I cannot wait until the exterior work is completed because it is really going to change the look of downtown.

I read somethin on the Marina district cant remember where it was, sayin Dillin could start some construction possibly in early september...... And I guess there starting out with rental units? Havent seen any updates for the new arena lately...... just the webcam.

Im wonderin about the 280 project....... Isnt there still work to be done under the bridge? I thought they were gonna reroute front street and make the old front street craig bridge more user/pedestrian friendly.

Is that the new FED EX im seeing when I come North on 75 bout a mile before the Wales rd exit?


The I-280 project is still ongoing as they've been working on landscaping, bike trails, and creating a chain of green-ways under the freeway from Greenbelt Parkway to Starr Avenue on the East Toledo/Oregon line. The former I-280 bridge will cater to bike trails both ways as it will be converted into a city street.

Yes, off of Wales Road is the new FedEx facility which is replacing the smaller facility on Reynolds/Angola Roads in West Toledo.

Slow start for Toledo-Oregon coking factory draws ire
Drawn-out process adds to city-port rift
By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER

On paper, construction of a multimillion-dollar coking works on the Toledo-Oregon border near the Port of Toledo began months ago, to preserve regulatory permits for the project that otherwise would expire.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/NEWS33/807140327/-1/ARCHIVES30

With the slowdown of the national economy, only one Starbucks Coffee cafe is closing up in this region which is at the Shops at Fallen Timbers in Maumee. Thank goodness the Talmadge Road and Westgate cafes are not closing up.

Advocates for Scott High School renovation brainstorm facility options
By MEGHAN GILBERT BLADE STAFF WRITER

Supporters of the renovation of Scott High School are looking for options to save the building, despite concerns that their community has been neglected by the district for some time.

Nearly 20 people involved with the Save Our Scott campaign gathered for more than two hours last night at the Kent branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library for a discussion where tempers flared and many kept bringing up wrongs done to the Scott community in the past.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/NEWS04/807150353/-1/ARCHIVES30

6-speed drive fueling hopes at Toledo Powertrain
New transmissions rolled out
By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

For workers at General Motors Corp.'s Toledo Powertrain plant, the difference between a steady paycheck and a long-term layoff as the automaker undergoes a $15 billion turnaround plan may come down to two extra gears.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/BUSINESS02/807160405/-1/ARCHIVES30

Petition demanding TPS renovate Scott circulates
Posted via Toledo Blade website 7-16-2008

More than 500 people have signed a petition stating their support for the renovation of Scott High School, according to the Save Our Scott campaign.

Members of the group, made up of the school’s alumni association and the Old West End Association, spent the weekend at the African-American Festival seeking support and plan to continue the effort by going door-to-door in the Scott neighborhood.

The petition demands Toledo Public Schools renovate Scott to its “former grandeur.”

The debate is how to renovate Toledo’s oldest public high school, which is on Collingwood Boulevard.

The Ohio School Facilities Commission, which pays for the bulk of the district’s building program, will not contribute enough money for a full renovation, and the district does not have enough funds to make up the difference.

PLOTTING A VISION OF THE FUTURE
Toledo Botanical Garden eyes $40M upgrade
By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo Botanical Garden officials will unveil this morning a master plan for $40 million in design, laying out a 20-year vision for expanding the garden's offerings and amenities with an eye to quadrupling attendance.

See the map and rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080717/NEWS16/807170342/-1/ARCHIVES30

Pitch for private takeover of Seneca County courthouse buoys hopes
By JENNIFER FEEHAN BLADE STAFF WRITER

TIFFIN - Seneca County's 1884 courthouse may yet dodge the wrecking ball.

A Chillicothe, Ohio preservation consultant yesterday told county commissioners he is convinced that a yet-to-be-identified private entity could take it over and turn it into "an exciting mix of cultural, government, entertainment, educational, some retail, and possibly restaurant uses."

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/NEWS17/807180404/-1/ARCHIVES30

Toledo’s Xunlight gets $4.9 million state grant
Posted via Toledo Blade website 7-18-2008

Toledo start-up company Xunlight Corp. has received a $4.9 million grant from an Ohio program to promote high-tech jobs and ventures. The award is another win for northwest Ohio’s burgeoning solar energy industry, which includes operations of U.S. solar giant First Solar Inc., European solar leader Q-Cells AG, and several private ventures.

The money, awarded by the state’s Third Frontier Commission, will aid Xunlight’s efforts to manufacture thin-film flexible sheets for producing electricity from the sun.

Xunlight, an outgrowth of research done at the University of Toledo, has been awarded more than $13.5 million in public grants and loans in the past year as it moves toward production of its alternative energy products.

SCRIPTURE SUPPLY SHOP
Sylvania purchase looks to long term
Monroe Street site is in targeted area
By ANGIE SCHMITT BLADE STAFF WRITER

The city of Sylvania has purchased the Scripture Supply Shop on Monroe Street in a strategic move hoped to improve the city's "curb appeal."

The city paid $165,000 for the home-business under an agreement that will transfer ownership only after the owner dies or closes shop. Securing the property, however, will allow the city to guide future development to comply with its corridor plan for Monroe and Main streets, Law Director Jim Moan said.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/NEWS18/807210336/-1/NEWS

With the slowdown of the national economy, only one Starbucks Coffee cafe is closing up in this region which is at the Shops at Fallen Timbers in Maumee. Thank goodness the Talmadge Road and Westgate cafes are not closing up.

I always thought it was silly to have a Starbucks stand alone store and one in Barnes and Noble. One Starbucks is enough at Fallen Timbers.

Greetings from the Glass:

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3256/74skylinegn6.jpg

What a beautiful shot!

What are the boundaries of 'North', 'East', 'South' and 'West' Toledo? Are the boundaries clearly demarcated? Any insight is welcome...

^They are not clearly delineated due to the fact that some of Toledo city limits includes suburbs that were annexed during 1950-1970 and also a few undeveloped areas that were annexed during this time period. In 1950, Toledo was only 40 square miles. This area is the most urban, highest density part of the city. By 1970, the city doubled in land area to 80 square miles. No annexations occured after that time. Of the stuff that was annexed, about half is fairly urban development, and the other half was developed during 1950-1970. Over 20 square miles of Toledo's city limits is built in a suburban fashion due to this. The most obvious suburban development within the city limits are the Southwyck, Westgate, Franklin Park, and Northtowne areas. Because of all this, the "side" designations can further be extended to "Old Toledo" versus "Annex Toledo" (but this ignores the fact that some of annex Toledo is pre-WW2 structure). I generally refer to areas as urban or suburban in terms of their development patterns and density. Southwest Toledo has the bulk of the suburban development and it blends right into other suburban areas in Springfield, Holland, and Maumee. The far West Side also has a lot of suburban development with Franklin Park, Whitmer-Trilby, and Westgate. This of course blends into Sylvania.

Anyway, general rule of thumb:

Urban Core
Downtown
Warehouse District
Uptown

Urban South Side
La Viva
Old South End
The Ivy Leagues
Beverly

Suburban Southwest Side
Southwyck
Reynolds Corners
Glendale-Heatherdowns
Toledo Country Club

Urban North Side
LaGrange
Vistula
Northriver
Five Points
Point Place

Suburban North Side
Northtowne

Urban East Side
River East
Birmingham
Main
Garfield
Woodville
East Browdway
Hi-Level
Ironwood
Miami

*the east side of Toledo has no suburban development within the city limits.

Urban West Side
Old West End
Warren Sherman
Roosevelt
ONYX
Ottawa
University of Toledo
DeVeaux
Old Orchard
Westmoreland
BUMA

Suburban West Side
Westgate
Franklin Park
Whitmer-Trilby

COSI sets 3rd plea to voters for funds
Science museum seeks county OK
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

COSI officials are hoping the third time will be the charm with Lucas County voters.

The board of the now-closed downtown Toledo science museum yesterday sent a letter to the Lucas County Commissioners officially requesting a five-year, 0.16-mill property tax levy be put on the Nov. 4 ballot.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/NEWS16/807220360/-1/NEWS

Tetra Tech execs get tour of Toledo's Swan Creek
Cruise wows developers
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Executives with a California company considering a massive redevelopment of the downtown area near Swan Creek got their first up-close look at the waterway yesterday.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/NEWS16/807220381/-1/NEWS

Has anyone else seen the signs in the former Projections building (they moved down the road) on madison and michigan (accros from the Pilkington building) that say "Coming soon- Madison Market" and "Coming soon- ___ ___ Pizza and Subs"? This is really great if this Market is going to be a real downtown grocery store! I really liked Monats and the people that ran it, but it didn't have a super great variey of items. Even if this was the same thing as Monats, though, I'd sill obviously go there for whatever they have. I think that's a smart location, because the Pilkington building is at capacity, and so is SSOE headquarters right down the block, and Brooks insurance is right around there. Also, its right next to the Library, so there's a built in foot traffic draw there year round. Anyone have additional info on these developments?

^They are not clearly delinated due to the fact that some of Toledo city limits includes suburbs that were annexed during 1950-1970 and also a few undeveloped areas that were annexed during this time period...

Thanks! That gives me a much better idea of the geography -

Pilliod, that list seems pretty accurate and comprehensive. The only change I would make is that Five Points is usually thought of as West Toledo. I always thought this was strange, because it looks like North Toledo on a map, but people I know from the area call it West Toledo and the library branch on Sylvania is the "West Toledo" branch. Then someone told me why Toledo's geography is described in this way: the Maumee is used as a North-South marker even though it runs Northeast-Southwest, so if you look at it this way, everything sort of gets tilted on a axis, so I guess that's where that comes from. Sort of like Left Bank-Right Bank in Paris even though the Sienne runs through it East-West.

Nice photo, too! I hate how that's such a great angle for the skyline shot because you get OC headquarters in the picture, but then Government Center is obscured.

Big plans for Toledo's Fiberglas Tower

Posted: July 23, 2008 05:22 PM EDT

More On WTOL.com

Toledo's Fiberglas Tower inching toward redevelopment



Posted by LS

TOLEDO (WTOL) - A major downtown redevelopment project continues to heat up.

We're talking about efforts to find new uses for the Fiberglas Tower, the former Owens Corning headquarters building, on the 200 block of North St. Clair.

The future looks bright for the Fiberglas Tower. That's how this executive with the company that owns the vacant 30-story building sees it. "The potential starts with its location," says Nick Eyde, "being in downtown right next to the riverfront across from the arena that's being built."

The Eyde Company out of Lansing is trying to put together a mixed use redevelopment plan for the former OC headquarters.

If the project comes together, it will include condos, a hotel, and office space as well as restaurants and a health club.

The first critical step would be to clean up asbestos contamination inside the building. To try and make that happen, Lucas County is putting together an application for a $3-million Clean Ohio Grant. Commissioner Pete Gerken explains, "As you know, we've talked directly to the Lt. Governor, talked to people running the program, and they're excited about the verticle Brownfield concept. They don't have this going on anywhere else in the state."

If Clean Ohio money is earmarked for the Fiberglas Tower, would that be an appropriate use of taxpayer money, considering there are plenty of other vacant or partially vacant buildings in downtown Toledo?

"There's no more important building in downtown Toledo than what I say is the largest building in downtown Toledo. It's been empty for too many years. There's not any more important building."

Should this project become a reality, it will take around 3 to 4 years to complete.

Here is a link to the story:
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=8724532#poll73165

Great update on the Fiberglass Tower.....Not Much goin on... The guy who does the Flickr pics of the new arena hasnt posted since June 20. Hopefully he gets out this weekend.

Toledorockets.com has updates on the Savage Hall Project. Not sure how often they update but it looks like they only do a pic or 2 each time. I couldnt find a gallery of past update photos but ill post if i do find it. Im hearing that Savage Hall may be the nicest arena in the MAC when its done.

Also I have heard rumors of another Sonic restuarant being put in in Oregon, OHio with retail and a hotel that was discussed in an earlier thread (the hotel retail an restuarant on navarre were talked about. SOnic wasnt in the picture then)

Anyone have pics of the Westfield Malls Outside expansion? Havent been out that way in a while and with the traffic over there i tend to stay away from that part of town.

Ok. This is my first post.

First a little about me. My name is Bob, and I lived in Toledo from 1982-1997. I currently live in Nashville, Tennessee but my heart still longs for what I consider my hometown of Toledo. I do miss it. Nothing wrong with Nashville or anything, but I've had better times in my youth up in Toledo.

Ok, now my question about the new arena. I was reading this blade article:
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/NEWS16/946263738

... and I was looking at the zoomed picture in that article, and I was thinking that it looks rather small to be an arena. I mean the old sports arena looks like it could hold more than this tiny thing. At least that's my initial perception of this thing.

Of course I realize it's not fully built either, but does anyone else feel the same way... or am I just nuts? :nuts:

- Bob

Welcome to the thread Microsoft Bob! I hear a lot of people saying they thing the arena is small or that its crammed in a tight area. But if you go to Lucascountyarena.com theres an article on there by the blades D.Hackenberg explainging the "Tight Site" and how its going to help our downtown. You cant really tell how big this thing is by looking at the blade photos or even the webcams. The uncovered "guts" of teh arena dont give it justice either. Wait till they get the main entrance a little further along and the MAdison ave plaza entrance.... By then you'll definatly be able to tell that this is the perfect design and location for the new arena.

But what im wondering is, The outdoor terrace....... The one over the main entrance... I keep reading that it will be for club level and suite ticket holders..... If this is how it really is than thats bullshit. I wrote the arena website an email trying to clear this up but havent gotten anything back....

Here is a link to the story:
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=8724532#poll73165


For both nickw311 and rustbeltrevival's post in regards to the Fiberglas redevelopment update news, very good news indeed.

Has anyone else seen the signs in the former Projections building (they moved down the road) on madison and michigan (accros from the Pilkington building) that say "Coming soon- Madison Market" and "Coming soon- ___ ___ Pizza and Subs"? This is really great if this Market is going to be a real downtown grocery store! I really liked Monats and the people that ran it, but it didn't have a super great variey of items. Even if this was the same thing as Monats, though, I'd sill obviously go there for whatever they have. I think that's a smart location, because the Pilkington building is at capacity, and so is SSOE headquarters right down the block, and Brooks insurance is right around there. Also, its right next to the Library, so there's a built in foot traffic draw there year round. Anyone have additional info on these developments?

Yeppers, this project was announced earlier this year whereas the ground floor would have market, pizza/sub, coffeehouse, and lofty cafe with market-rate apartments on the top 2-3 floors. I had a post in regard to this project in previous sticky thread until it was discontinued. Monat Market closed up due to not paying the utility bills which forced them to shutter. I went grocery shopping there once a week and I miss it, hopefully the market on Madison would "replace" it. My weekly downtown grocery consists of Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings and with Monat gone, I go to Kroger (food & gas) and House of Meats. If Anderson's Market (similar to Sylvania Township's), House of Meats, and a week-long Farmer's produce market would be located in downtown or at Erie Street Market, I would be forever grateful. Trader Joe's in downtown wouldn't be so bad either........

Great update on the Fiberglass Tower.....Not Much goin on... The guy who does the Flickr pics of the new arena hasnt posted since June 20. Hopefully he gets out this weekend.

Toledorockets.com has updates on the Savage Hall Project. Not sure how often they update but it looks like they only do a pic or 2 each time. I couldnt find a gallery of past update photos but ill post if i do find it. Im hearing that Savage Hall may be the nicest arena in the MAC when its done.

Also I have heard rumors of another Sonic restuarant being put in in Oregon, OHio with retail and a hotel that was discussed in an earlier thread (the hotel retail an restuarant on navarre were talked about. SOnic wasnt in the picture then)

Anyone have pics of the Westfield Malls Outside expansion? Havent been out that way in a while and with the traffic over there i tend to stay away from that part of town.

Savage Hall updates (looks pretty current to me): http://toledorockets.com/

Art on the Mall (yesterday at UT from 11am-5pm) was wonderful for a Sunday afternoon. Lots of people, food and arts.

The most recent "cam" pics of the arena can be seen here (it's looking gorgeous by the way): http://www.lucascountyarena.com/

Sonic Restaurant going to Oregon, I've haven't heard about this rumor but, I know that Target or Super Target has been looking at properties along Navarre Avenue in Oregon. It's a matter of perfect timing for them.

No pictures of the Westfield Franklin Park expansion yet, but was there yesterday and it looks mightly huge with three big buildings (Old Navy, Ulta, and DSW) along with other smaller outlots. This will be like a mini Levis Commons next door to Westfield indoor mall. Talk about a true regional-draw shopping destination.

Ok. This is my first post.

First a little about me. My name is Bob, and I lived in Toledo from 1982-1997. I currently live in Nashville, Tennessee but my heart still longs for what I consider my hometown of Toledo. I do miss it. Nothing wrong with Nashville or anything, but I've had better times in my youth up in Toledo.

Ok, now my question about the new arena. I was reading this blade article:
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/NEWS16/946263738

... and I was looking at the zoomed picture in that article, and I was thinking that it looks rather small to be an arena. I mean the old sports arena looks like it could hold more than this tiny thing. At least that's my initial perception of this thing.

Of course I realize it's not fully built either, but does anyone else feel the same way... or am I just nuts? :nuts:

- Bob

Welcome Bob and we look forward to many of your future posts. Here is the official website link to the new downtown arena: http://www.lucascountyarena.com/

To answer your question about if you are nuts, of course you are. LOL! The arena will be 8500 seats for hockey, arena football, and other sports event; 11,000+ for concerts and other entertainment venues. From standing on street-level this arena is significant in a tight downtown area, very tall structure (my estimate 6-8 floors up) and it looks awesome IMHO because it connects to everything walking-wise in the downtown area.

Interesting article about small businesses in our region: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/BUSINESS09/212739209/-1/ARCHIVES30

Archbold maker of scaffolding has new owner
Bil-Jax expecting to add jobs
By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

ARCHBOLD - One of Archbold's best-known companies was purchased yesterday by the U.S. subsidiary of a European firm, and company officials here said the deal is likely to mean more jobs in Fulton County.

Bil-Jax Inc., the privately held 61-year-old maker of scaffolding and lift equipment, announced that it has been purchased by the U.S. subsidiary of the French company Haulotte Group SA. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/BUSINESS03/807260368/-1/ARCHIVES30

Scott High School may get approval for partial renovation
Agency chief hints state rule might be bent
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

The head of Ohio's school construction program suggested yesterday for the first time that the state might break with policy and fund a partial renovation of the historic Scott High School - an option that could make it easier for Toledo Public Schools to save the nearly century-old building.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/NEWS04/807260366/-1/ARCHIVES30

No time to dwell on former glory of downtown Toledo
By TOM CROTHERS

THE members of our boards and I read with great interest the recent series by Blade staff writer Gary Pakulski, which identified a number of issues relating to the decline of the central business districts in several Ohio cities. When one analyzes these articles, it becomes clear that this situation can be likened to a "bad news, good news story."

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/OPINION04/807260309/-1/ARCHIVES30

White Lily flour's new owners transplant packaging to Toledo
By LAURA BENNETT BLADE STAFF WRITER

White Lily flour, a staple of Southern baking revered for its silky texture, has been transplanted from its longtime milling factor in Knoxville, Tenn., into two Ohio facilities.

J.M. Smucker Co. purchased the company in 2006 from milling company C.H. Guenther & Son Inc. of Texas. At the end of May, milling operations were transferred to an unidentified Ohio plant and packaging to Multifoods Manufacturing Inc. on Laskey Road in Toledo.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/BUSINESS03/807250347/-1/ARCHIVES30

Attention to all faithful Toledo-area Skyscraper fans: What are your thoughts on this article??????

GOING, GOING...
Manufacturing losses exact rising toll in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan
5,300 jobs disappear over last 2 years
By TOM TROY and LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE BLADE STAFF WRITERS

The pudding cups are gone.

So are the hot dogs, and bumper covers, and spark plugs.

Even the toilets in Tiffin have been flushed away.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/BUSINESS09/322675054/-1/ARCHIVES30

Unitarians’ move reflects plight of urban churches
Members leave Old West End for smaller home in S. Toledo
By DAVID YONKE BLADE RELIGION EDITOR

Sometime before noon today, members of First Unitarian Church will bid farewell to their stately Old West End building in a service filled with sermons and songs, including "In My Life" by the Beatles, before they drive to their new home on Glendale Avenue.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/NEWS10/807270312/-1/ARCHIVES30

Public invited to refine park site near downtown Toledo
Tours offered at Middlegrounds
By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER

A planned park along the Maumee River just south of downtown Toledo could have a network of trails, designated fishing spots, and even a pavilion for watching the boats and trains that pass by.

Or it could have none of those, remaining little more than a riverfront woodlot through which visitors could stroll at certain times.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/NEWS16/456647156/-1/NEWS

Go Rockets! :banana:

University of Toledo tops $100M fund-raising goal
Article published Monday, July 28, 2008 via Toledo Blade website

Jacobs hails milestone; campaign ahead of schedule
The University of Toledo has announced that its six-year, $100 million fund-raising drive has reached its goal — five months ahead of schedule.

The university’s capital campaign has raised more than $102 million since late 2002, including several multimillion-dollar gifts.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/NEWS21/66587961/-1/NEWS

Welcome Bob and we look forward to many of your future posts. Here is the official website link to the new downtown arena: http://www.lucascountyarena.com/

To answer your question about if you are nuts, of course you are. LOL! The arena will be 8500 seats for hockey, arena football, and other sports event; 11,000+ for concerts and other entertainment venues. From standing on street-level this arena is significant in a tight downtown area, very tall structure (my estimate 6-8 floors up) and it looks awesome IMHO because it connects to everything walking-wise in the downtown area.

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yep, I went to that link and downloaded the Powerpoint presentation. It looks mighty impressive. I wish I could get up there to see it when it opens. I wonder what downtown parking will be like with nearly 11,000 people attending a game or concert.

University of Toledo plans for $30M pharmacy building
Site is on health sciences campus
By GABE NELSON BLADE STAFF WRITER

With a decision by the University of Toledo board of trustees yesterday, the college of pharmacy is on track to move from UT’s main campus to new digs on its health science campus.

The trustees approved plans to build a $30 million home for the pharmacy college on the campus on Arlington Avenue where the former Medical College of Ohio existed before merging with UT in 2006.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080729/NEWS21/674982810/-1/NEWS

Scott rehab passes initial test
TPS board to decide next phase of building program
By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER

A plan by Toledo Public Schools to begin a fifth segment of its school building plan — including the possible renovation of Scott High School — passed the committee level yesterday and is set for a vote today by the full board of education.

The plan, endorsed last night by committee members Darlene Fisher and Lisa Sobecki, encompasses nine school buildings and calls for possibly building two 600-student high schools if the proposal to save Scott proves financially unfeasible.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080729/NEWS04/164850104/-1/NEWS

Attention to all faithful Toledo-area Skyscraper fans: What are your thoughts on this article??????

GOING, GOING...
Manufacturing losses exact rising toll in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan
5,300 jobs disappear over last 2 years
By TOM TROY and LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE BLADE STAFF WRITERS

The pudding cups are gone.

So are the hot dogs, and bumper covers, and spark plugs.

Even the toilets in Tiffin have been flushed away.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/BUSINESS09/322675054/-1/ARCHIVES30


This is just a sign of the times as manufacturing jobs are relocated to places with surging economies and/or cheap labor.

While it looks bad on paper (no region wants to lose good paying jobs) it also gives places like Toledo the opportunity to re-invent themselves by attracting higher paying jobs in modern, growth industries.

I've run a small internet marketing company about five years now and would love to find a grant or some private investment to expand and finally hire a few people.

Toledo needs to invest in its own citizens for job creation opportunities before it begins attracting companies - and talent - from other parts of the country.

Solar start-up eyeing Perrysburg
City believed favored site; state OKs tax credits for firm
By LARRY VELLEQUETTE and GARY T. PAKULSKI BLADE BUSINESS WRITERS

Ohio officials have approved tax credits for a Toledo start-up firm that is considering Perrysburg for a $105 million plant that would have 400 employees making make low-cost solar-energy panels.

A company official said yesterday that no decision has been made about where to situate the plant and that the firm continues to consider offers from other states and Canada.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080730/BUSINESS03/807300395

Toledo City Council adds its OK to plans for Marina zone
$8.2M sales in notes, public area get nod
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo City Council last night authorized the sale of $8.2 million in notes plus a number of permanent improvements for the $20 million public portion of the riverfront Marina District planned for the city's east side.

Developer Larry Dillin, who has committed to the creation of a $320 million private development - including condos, apartments, restaurants, and a hotel - for the Marina District, said the project would not materialize without that public-works project.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080730/NEWS16/807300398/-1/NEWS

I honestly don't understand all the outrage over the $80,000 spent on rennovating the old Toledo Civic Theater in the Erie Street Market. Consider the following:

a) this is money the city will make back,

b) hopefully the Tetra Tech deal goes through and they take it over anyways,

c) it will be great to have a large venue downtown (for the kind of shows I like to see, I'm really excited about the Black Keys Saturday), and on this topic,

d) all the fuss about this having a negative affect on Headliners is rubbish. There is definitely a market for both venues, and I understand it sucks for a privately owned enterprise to have to compete with a subsidized venue, but I would so much rather have a good venue downtown than up where Headliners is located, and that's nothing against the neighborhood; most people have to drive far to get there, and the Market is so much more accessible.

Plus, e) it really isn't that unusual to have a city running a venue, especially if it's temporary.

I understand people are tremendously upset over the reassignment of police officers from the West Toledo station, but this is money being invested for a return that will pay itself off and eventually turn a profit, even if the Tetra Tech deal doesn't go through. I say it's a good investment.

I have thrown my share of criticism at Carty, and I'm sure I will throw much more of it before his term is out, but on this issue, I wish people would leave the man alone. This was a good move, and a good investment. It will only help the Tetra Tech deal go through, as well. So on this one, Carty, I've got your back.

I honestly don't understand all the outrage over the $80,000 spent on rennovating the old Toledo Civic Theater in the Erie Street Market. Consider the following:

a) this is money the city will make back,

b) hopefully the Tetra Tech deal goes through and they take it over anyways,

c) it will be great to have a large venue downtown (for the kind of shows I like to see, I'm really excited about the Black Keys Saturday), and on this topic,

d) all the fuss about this having a negative affect on Headliners is rubbish. There is definitely a market for both venues, and I understand it sucks for a privately owned enterprise to have to compete with a subsidized venue, but I would so much rather have a good venue downtown than up where Headliners is located, and that's nothing against the neighborhood; most people have to drive far to get there, and the Market is so much more accessible.

Plus, e) it really isn't that unusual to have a city running a venue, especially if it's temporary.

I understand people are tremendously upset over the reassignment of police officers from the West Toledo station, but this is money being invested for a return that will pay itself off and eventually turn a profit, even if the Tetra Tech deal doesn't go through. I say it's a good investment.

I have thrown my share of criticism at Carty, and I'm sure I will throw much more of it before his term is out, but on this issue, I wish people would leave the man alone. This was a good move, and a good investment. It will only help the Tetra Tech deal go through, as well. So on this one, Carty, I've got your back.

I co-sign your post rustbeltrevival, you summed it up perfectly. :applause:

Its' not the investment that has me fired up, but the way he went about it. Carty purposely split the contract up into 13 contracts to stay under the $10,000 limit without council approval, just as he did for his bath tub. Its' his arrogance in how he went about it. I agree with you, a downtown venue would be great, I've never understood why Rob Croak and Jon Anderson don't just move their headliners operation downtown. I will be very interested in seeing by year's end whether or not the city made that money back in profits -- we shall see.

Its' not the investment that has me fired up, but the way he went about it. Carty purposely split the contract up into 13 contracts to stay under the $10,000 limit without council approval, just as he did for his bath tub. Its' his arrogance in how he went about it. I agree with you, a downtown venue would be great, I've never understood why Rob Croak and Jon Anderson don't just move their headliners operation downtown. I will be very interested in seeing by year's end whether or not the city made that money back in profits -- we shall see.


Yeah, since that post I've started to realize that the contracts issue is probably the reason a lot of people are upset, and I agree with you that it was a sketchy move. Just because something is legal under the charter doesn't necessarily mean it's appropriate, and Carty should definitely have consulted with council on the matter. And I don't think they'll make it back by year's end; I think they're hoping they'll have it paid off by next February or March? We'll see... could be sooner. I just hope the Tetra Tech deal goes through. I'm under the impression that the main obstacle to that deal is the cost to clean up Swan Creek, so who knows.

Fortunately for the venue itself, last night's show was a huge success, at least from my perspective. There were at least 2,000 people in attendance, perhaps closer to 3,000 (I haven't seen an official account), the show sounded great, everyone had a great time, and the food and beverage vendors made a killing (Bailey's Pizza was pumping out delicious slices for $2.00 all night!). I think it says something for Toledo's ability to draw major shows that the Black Keys' next show are in Toronto, Montreal and New York (although it may have been easier to get them because they still live in Akron, they could have easily played in Detroit on their way to Toronto).

I hope they continue to have shows at Headliners, as well, because as I said before I really believe that there is room for two mid-sized venues in the area. I think the area could become a popular destination for big names who don't play the arena circuit, because if people are traveling East-West on tour it saves the money of traveling up to Detroit then back down/over, and people from Detroit/Ann Arbor will drive an hour to see a good show just like people from Toledo will drive to Detroit /Ann Arbor to see a good show.

So, regionally I think we can tally up three major small venues for major shows- Howards in BG, Frankies and Mickey Finns; two mid-sized venues if Headliners stays open; and two large venues in the arena and the revamped Savage Hall (apparently the reason they stopped having shows there was some sort of code violations with the hanging lights, I think someone on this forum might have said that?). And I'm probably missing a venue or two. In addition to offering entertainment options, this is great for the region economically, as people will come from all around to see shows: I know that there were people from at least Akron and Detroit at the show last night!

What about the new Bijou? It has the big stage and a smaller venue right next door. (I belive there both considered Bijou. ESM is a pretty cool venue saw Kid Rock there way back before he was big. Maybe theyll start lettin local hip hop/rap acts play there. If ESM doesnt work out I'd definatly like to see another downtown venue pop up.

What about 5th/3rd field? I rememebr when it was bein built there were people syain there would be concerts there and movies shown when the hens were out of town... Id love to see a show there......

1 last thing..... Has anyone ever been to 5th 3rd field while the hens were taking batting practice? I never get there early enough to even see if they open the gates for BP.

A movie screen placed out in center field would be sort of fun, interesting if nothing else.

No need for a screen in Center field...... They have 2 video boards. when they first had the idea it was going to use the left field scoreboard now they have the right field video board thats more than twice as big

Looks like Toledo did NOT make it on this list.. YAY I was nervous...HOWEVER almost half of the list had other ohio cities:

Youngstown
Dayton
Cleveland
Canton

:(
http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/04/economy-ohio-michigan-biz_cx_jz_0805dying_slide_3.html?thisSpeed=15000

Had this list been made 15 years ago, then Toledo would have made it.

What about the new Bijou? It has the big stage and a smaller venue right next door. (I belive there both considered Bijou. ESM is a pretty cool venue saw Kid Rock there way back before he was big. Maybe theyll start lettin local hip hop/rap acts play there. If ESM doesnt work out I'd definatly like to see another downtown venue pop up.

What about 5th/3rd field? I rememebr when it was bein built there were people syain there would be concerts there and movies shown when the hens were out of town... Id love to see a show there......

1 last thing..... Has anyone ever been to 5th 3rd field while the hens were taking batting practice? I never get there early enough to even see if they open the gates for BP.

The ESM Civic Theatre is working out very well after two weekends so far and here is the direct link: http://www.toledocivictheatre.com/

IMHO, the ball field should remain to be the way it is, no theatre or concert because there's the convention center, the underway new downtown arena, and proposed Marina District ampitheatre for those type of venues.

Dana lays off about 100 in Toledo area, 400 nationwide
BLADE STAFF

As expected, Dana Holding Corp. on Thursday laid off 400 salaried employees across North America, including about 100 who work at its facilities in and around Maumee, company spokesman Chuck Hartlage said.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/BUSINESS03/292544393/-1/ARCHIVES30

11-tenant strip center under consideration in Perrysburg
By ANGIE SCHMITT BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Perrysburg Municipal Planning Commission tonight will review plans for a commercial development with space for 11 tenants at Eckel Junction Road and Dixie Highway.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/NEWS18/807310352/-1/ARCHIVES30

Mayor ups count of Toledo residents by 16,000
City plans challenge of census 'estimate'
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner yesterday announced his administration has identified about 16,000 people living in the city who were not included in a U.S. Census Bureau population estimate.

"They've just been using an estimate each year, not a real count," Mr. Finkbeiner said. "The reason it's important is because you get a percentage of federal dollars based on your population."

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/NEWS16/808010363/-1/ARCHIVES30

Erie Street Market shows will go on, city leaders say
Events set despite controversy
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

The "Metro Mixer" today and the concert tomorrow night at Toledo's newest downtown entertainment venue - the Erie Street Market - will go on, city leaders insisted yesterday.

That's despite accusations of stolen stage lights and a political uproar over how Mayor Carty Finkbeiner used almost $80,000 of taxpayer money to renovate part of the city-owned building.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/NEWS16/808010353/-1/ARCHIVES30

Marathon's Findlay operations may be split off from Houston
By GARY T. PAKULSKI and LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
BLADE BUSINESS WRITERS

FINDLAY -Northwest Ohio would gain a new publicly traded company under a proposal being studied at Houston-based Marathon Oil Co.

The firm's 1,500-person operation in Findlay, which oversees service stations, oil refineries, and miles of oil pipeline, would become a separate company if directors vote to split the company's two main business units.

"They would be two very strong publicly traded companies," said Angelia Graves, a Marathon spokesman in Findlay.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/BUSINESS06/808010401/-1/ARCHIVES30

Toledo taxpayers, neighbors bear woes of vacant sites
Study: City holds up, but crisis is looming
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledoan Sue Postal hates the vacant house on her street.

The house, in the midst of foreclosure, has been empty for three or four months, she estimates.

"It blatantly looks empty," she said. "It just says, 'Come over and pick on me.'"

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/NEWS16/808050319/-1/ARCHIVES30

More talks set on central Toledo public housing redevelopment
Working group planned for Brown, Whitlock
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

More voices soon will join the discussion about redeveloping the Brand Whitlock and Albertus Brown housing complexes in Central Toledo.

The adjacent complexes, which are among Toledo's oldest public housing, are slated for renovation or replacement.

After a lively debate at the agency's board meeting yesterday, the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority agreed to create a working group - made up of city and county officials, residents, and others - to meet regularly and discuss and develop a redevelopment and relocation plan.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS16/808070321/-1/ARCHIVES30

United Way board votes to raze downtown Toledo landmark
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

Citing the increasing costs of running -and renovating -an older building, the United Way of Greater Toledo board has voted to build a new structure and demolish its headquarters in the heart of downtown.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS16/808080342/-1/ARCHIVES30

United Way's plan for new quarters unsettles tenants
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

After learning yesterday that the United Way of Greater Toledo plans to build a smaller headquarters - and no longer serve as landlord to almost a dozen other nonprofit agencies - the tenants reacted quickly but with mixed emotions.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080809/NEWS16/808090362/-1/ARCHIVES30

ENERGY COSTS FUEL TREND TO CITY LIVING
Toledo primed for revitalization, but key components still missing
By MATTHEW EISEN BLADE STAFF WRITER

Bob Seyfang sees his neighborhood brimming with people on the sidewalks moving in and out of specialty boutiques, dining at outdoor bistros, and shopping at local hardware and grocery stores.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080810/NEWS16/33226367/-1/ARCHIVES30

Arena proves catalyst for Mich. city's revival
Grand Rapids' blend of amenities resembles Toledo's
By MATTHEW EISEN BLADE STAFF WRITER

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The panorama from the balcony of Holly Jacoby's third-floor loft reveals a rejuvenated downtown bubbling with new shops and restaurants, renovated office buildings, and an auspicious 12-year-old arena glistening in the distance.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080810/NEWS16/808100321/-1/ARCHIVES30

$6M development set to begin in Wauseon
By ANGIE SCHMITT BLADE STAFF WRITER

WAUSEON - The scene of an April, 2007, fire that damaged a half-dozen downtown businesses will begin its rebirth this week as a $6 million development.

More than 200 public officials, business owners, and members of the public are expected to attend a groundbreaking ceremony at 5 p.m. tomorrow for a 28,000-square-foot retail, restaurant, and hotel development in the heart of downtown Wauseon. Mayor Jerry Dehnbostel hails the event as a turning point for the city.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080811/NEWS17/808110335

DEVELOPMENT
Kaptur to host shipping project leaders
By Staff Reports via Toledo Free Press website 8-8-2008

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, and local officials will host representatives of Canadian-based Melford International during a scheduled visit Aug. 19 and 20. According to a news release, Melford CEO Bob Stevens and president Paul Martin are expected to make the two-day trip to Toledo.

Kaptur led a delegation from the area to Nova Scotia last month to view development of the Atlantic Gateway project for a deepwater port to facilitate international shipping via the Atlantic Ocean and St. Lawrence Seaway, the release said.

THE URBAN OPTION
Urban or suburban, it’s all about going green
Some residents fight path to city centers
By MATTHEW EISEN BLADE STAFF WRITER

With 14 carefully placed panels sipping light from the sun, the meter on the side of Carol Bintz’s new home in Monclova Township spins backward in the summer months, sending excess power created by her solar-panel system to the Edison grid, significantly reducing the home’s energy costs.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080811/NEWS16/61341503

United Way to build new facility; public forum scheduled Aug. 12
By Brandi Barhite
Special Sections Editor bbarhite@toledofreepress.com
Toledo Free Press website 8-8-2008

United Way of Greater Toledo could have a newly constructed headquarters by the end of 2009, according to board chairman Bob LaClair.

The board of trustees voted unanimously Aug. 6 to move forward with the $4.9 million project, which would eliminate the need to spend upward of $10 million to renovate the current building, which was constructed in 1969 as a gift from The Stranahan Foundation.

The new building would be on the current property at One Stranahan Square in Downtown Toledo, built on the employee parking lot at the southwest corner of Jackson and Superior streets.

“Probably worst-case is we would start construction in the spring and would be completed by the end of the year, end of 2009,” LaClair said.

The plan calls for the construction of a two-story, 25,000-square-foot building exclusively for United Way. It also sets aside $1.1 million to demolish the current 100,000-square-foot building and create a public park in that area. During the construction, United Way and its tenants would remain in the current building, known as United Way Community Service Building.

“The reality is that this building hasn't been fully occupied in well over a decade,” said Bill Kitson, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Toledo. “And as the tenant occupancy rate has continued to decline, the cost of keeping the building up, the inefficiencies that come with time in an older building, we are to the point now that we spend over $400,000 a year to be in this building.”

That price tag includes $250,000 in operating costs not covered by current tenants' rent and a $150,000 rental fee for space United Way occupies.

“That is money that is not going into the community; that is money that is not advancing the mission, and that is only going to continue to climb as we face more tenants looking at building options of their own,” he said.

The 11 nonprofit tenants in the current building will be notified of the board's decision Aug. 8.

The board decided to set aside $25,000 to help the organizations with relocation.

Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center CEO Sarah Corpening said her group was already planning to move from the United Way building, which it has been in for nearly 30 years. The center is moving to the corner of Delaware and Cherry streets.

The nonprofit's Children's Advocacy Center on Monroe Street is moving to the new location as well.

“We don't have a lot of clients coming into this office,” Corpening said of the United Way building. Our decision to move was well before the United Way was thinking of moving.”

Corpening said she knows the issues of the building, in particular the “funky angles and leaky roof.”

“I don't blame them for making this decision,” she said.

Community forum

United Way will host a community forum at 5 p.m. Aug. 12 to discuss the project. United Way intends to launch a capital campaign to pay for the demolition and construction.

“It is not reasonable to go to the community and to ask them to pay for a new building, but there are donors who would have an interest in this new facility,” Kitson said.

The land and all costs associated with the construction of the original United Way Community Services Building were a gift from The Stranahan Foundation.


Kitson said the idea of putting the nonprofits in a facility together didn't work as planned. United Way doesn't want to be a landlord either, he said.

“While it gave them space and gave them a place, it did not create a synergy or organizations evolving together and moving forward to solve the world's problems,” he said. “Some had said that the idea of a Community Services Building is a failed experiment.”

Stranahan gift

William Foster, vice president of The Stranahan Foundation and member of United Way building committee, said 40 years ago there was only one large foundation in Toledo and that was The Stranahan Foundation.

The foundation was constantly being asked to donate for all of these buildings, he said. That is why Robert A. Strahanan, his great-grandfather, decided to have one campaign the foundation would pay for.

Foster said the building improved an area of Downtown that was considered slums, but “the whole coming together and singing ‘Kumbaya' didn't work” when it came to the nonprofits.

“It comes down to dollars and cents. When you can save $400,000, it goes right back into the community, it's a no-brainer for us,” Foster said.

Foster said it would be up to The Stranahan Foundation to decide about donating toward the new building, declining additional comment.

Options

Kitson said a United Way building committee began looking at the renovations in 2003. An engineering firm estimated $5 million in renovations were needed, and when that seemed like too much, the board waited, he said. A few years later, renovations were figured at $10 to $15 million, which included improvements to the tenant spaces, too.

When that proved unaffordable, United Way considered selling the building and finding office space to rent or buy elsewhere, according to Kitson. While there was plenty of office space, United Way needed accessible space and ample parking to accommodate the many people who come Downtown to get help from United Way. It was also determined that selling the building was unrealistic given the current market and state of the building.

“We still know that if something comes up, no dirt has been turned, we aren't that far along where we can't decide something different,” Kitson said.

The next step in the project is to host the community forum and then finish the design. At some point, the plans need to go to the plan commission in the City of Toledo.

“From strictly a United Way perspective, this will enhance our mission,” Kitson said. “It will allow us to have more public access; we will have more conducive meeting spaces to the kinds of meetings people want, it will expand 2-1-1's ability to help people ... and we believe the park-like setting with the demolition of the current building is an asset to the Downtown area that people are going to appreciate and enjoy.”


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




Current tenants:

• AIDS Resource Center of Ohio Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center
• Erie Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America
• Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center
• Family Services of NW Ohio
• Lucas County TASC
• Parents Helping Parents
• Rotary Club of Toledo
• Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board
• Youth Advocate Program



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

United Way building, then:
• In 1969, the engineering and architecture firm Samborn, Steketee, Otis & Evans (SSOE) was retained to design United Way's current building.

• The building itself was constructed in 1969 by general contractor Rudolph/Libbe; Lumm Corporation was retained as the mechanical contractor.

• The land is home to United Way of Greater Toledo and all costs associated with the construction of the original Community Services Building were a gift from The Stranahan Foundation.

• This donation afforded United Way permanent real estate tax exemption, provided the organization remained on this property and leased only to other nonprofit organizations.

• Depreciation was not funded and not planned for when the building was constructed.

United Way building, now:
• United Way's total annual spending on the building is $400,000. This includes $250,000 in operating costs not covered by current tenants and a $150,000 rental fee for space United Way occupies.

• When it was determined the current building situation was no longer financially sound, United Way engaged The Collaborative and SSOE to work to jointly create design drawings for a new building.

• Rudolph/Libbe has again been retained as general contractor.

• From the beginning of all building discussions, a member of the Stranahan family has taken an active role in all conversations. The Stranahans have stated the current building is detracting from the needs and mission of United, is costing United Way significant money and is inefficient in terms of energy and resources.

— Source: United Way

‘Smoke' ribs event likely to return next year
By Katherine Timpf
Toledo Free Press Staff Writer ktimpf@toledofreepress.com
Toledo Free Press website 8-8-2008

The three days of food and music on the riverfront for Smoke on the Water — Ribs for the Red Cross will likely translate into a repeat appearance year, organizers say.

“For our first time out of the door, I thought we did really well both for the positive exposure for the event and the monies raised from it,” said Chris Kozak, spokesman for sponsor Columbia Gas of Ohio.

Kozak said that while final calculations have not been completed, this year's event had a greater turnout than last year's Columbia Gas Ribs on the River event.

“We sold as much beer as the one last year by 1 p.m. Saturday … Some of the vendors had some concern on Saturday night getting enough ribs for Sunday,” Kozak said.

Tim Yenrick, executive director of the American Red Cross Toledo Area Chapter, said the event grossed an overall $120,000. Yenrick attributes the event's success to the great weather, assortment of local and national vendors and the national entertainment acts. Country star Julie Roberts played Aug. 1 and related a story about the Red Cross helping her family after a house fire. Rockers We Are The Fury and Eve 6 played to a large crowd Aug. 2. Family Day Aug. 3 featured Polka Floyd and Candice Coleman.

Tom Bolander of Tom's BBQ in Toledo said he participated in the event for another reason — to support the American Red Cross.

“It was better organized,” Bolander said. “ I'm glad we went and we'll go again next year if they have it and if the Red Cross sponsors.”

Yenrick said a repeat is likely.

“Believe it or not, we're going to sit down within the next few weeks with the planning committee and see if we want to move forward in setting a date for next year,” Yenrick said. “We feel very positive about it and we will be doing it again, I hope.”

Winners of the Judges' Choice Awards were 1. Big Moe's BBQ & Catering of Kalamazoo, Mich.; 2. Chicago Barbeque Co. of Burr Ridge, Ill; 3. Po Mo's of Toledo.

People's Choice Awards were 1. Sidelines Sports Eatery & Pub of Lambertville; 2. Big Moe's BBQ & Catering of Kalamazoo, Mich.; 3. Famous Dave's of Toledo.

Mayor ups count of Toledo residents by 16,000
City plans challenge of census 'estimate'
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner yesterday announced his administration has identified about 16,000 people living in the city who were not included in a U.S. Census Bureau population estimate.

"They've just been using an estimate each year, not a real count," Mr. Finkbeiner said. "The reason it's important is because you get a percentage of federal dollars based on your population."

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/NEWS16/808010363/-1/ARCHIVES30


I wonder how far this will go. I know Kansas City is having a huge problem right now with the Cesus count.

Toledo, Sylvania leaders reach water deal
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

The city of Toledo will sell water to Sylvania residents at a cheaper rate in exchange for a share of income tax for all new development at Flower Hospital, the mayor’s of both cities announced Monday.

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner said the agreement would bolster the city’s tax revenue.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080811/NEWS16/85388797

I wonder how far this will go. I know Kansas City is having a huge problem right now with the Cesus count.

IMHO, until the official count in 2010 is when City of Toledo is going to ensure accurate numbers (or fight tooth-and-nail) because that is when the federal share changes depending on the population level. The leaders of this region will want the federal share to remain the same not less.

Article and pictures for the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Hotel at Levis Commons: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/BUSINESS03/712193022

IMHO, the building would be perfect for a UT Downtown campus since it is located on the TARTA bus loop and it's more centralized urban-wise for students who live in the downtown apartments. Ultimately, it's accessible to the central city residents to provide opportunities with a gift of a lifetime (i.e. college degree and/or professional education). Law School would be logical too, but the Berdan Building (located on Erie/Washington/Huron) in the Warehouse District would be perfect for them (sorry for my bias on that one).

University of Toledo leader will look at United Way structure
Jacobs: Law college move is premature
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs is willing to look at the United Way building to see if the university could use it, he said yesterday, though he cautioned that any talk of moving the College of Law to the downtown site is premature.

"I promised that I would look at the building at some point and I will go do that, if I am invited by the appropriate people," Dr. Jacobs said.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/NEWS16/808120371/-1/NEWS

IMHO, until the official count in 2010 is when City of Toledo is going to ensure accurate numbers (or fight tooth-and-nail) because that is when the federal share changes depending on the population level. The leaders of this region will want the federal share to remain the same not less.

I know what you're saying. I was reading on a KC thread that they were shortchanged some 50,000 people. I don't know how accurate that is. But that's a huge number!

Owners have new plan for landmark; $35M would revive ex-Fiberglas Tower
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Lansing-based owners of Toledo's largest vacant building - the 30-story, former Fiberglas Tower - have a new plan to clean the asbestos-contaminated hulk of a structure and transform it into a collection of office space, condominiums, and a hotel, restaurant, and health club.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080814/NEWS16/808140362/-1/NEWS

As a sidenote to this development news, I heard from a local radio show that Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop is interested in moving the Lucas County Job Family Services headquarters from Monroe/Detroit to One Stranahan Square (where United Way is at). This would be interesting to see further developments at this site especially after UT officials makes its trip tomorrow.

Some scold United Way for demolition plans
Backers decry 'throwaway' mind-set, cite building's value
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

Calling its proposed replacement "a little tin box" and criticizing a disposable mentality, several people yesterday strongly criticized the local United Way's decision to do away with its landmark 1969 building, citing its distinctive architecture and the intangible value it brings to downtown Toledo.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080813/NEWS16/808130368/-1/NEWS

Airport's Future Debated
Airport Seeks Lease Extension
Posted on WSPD 1370AM Newsradio website 8-13-2008

City council faces a February deadline to potentially decide a new direction for Toledo Express. Port officials, including airport director Eric Frankl, gave council Wednesday an update on the airport.... which the mayor previously stated would be better off under city control. Council President Mark Sobczak disagrees... The current lease expires in 2029... but Frankl says an extension would keep the airport eligible for federal grants and help attract new investment. Among council's choices - allow the port to continue operating the airport... bring it back under city control... or form an independent airport authority.

Another moan and groan from Mr. Ashford.

City Council Discusses Southwyck Grant
Legality Questioned on Use of Grant to Remove Asbestos
Posted on WSPD 1370AM Newsradio website 8-13-2008

Toledo City Councilman Michael Ashford calls out the Finkbeiner administration on its request to use a federal grant to remove asbestos from Southwyck Mall. Ashford Tuesday night produced documents showing the previous administration's original intent for the grant, which was to clean up brownfields and help inner-city neighborhoods.

The grant application also talks about cleaning up potential new school sites... none of which Ashford says applies to Southwyck Mall. An attempt by Councilman Joe McNamara to squash the request failed... another vote is planned in two weeks.

I was at Levi's Commons yesterday. It is very impressive now. It's no Easton, but it's much better than the few unimpressive shops in a corn field I remember it being a couple of years back. It's a really nice mall, with good foot traffic, crowds, etc.

JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES
Lucas County agency weighed for United Way building
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

Touting the possibility of adding 400 jobs downtown along with saving a landmark structure, Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop has urged the county to consider moving its offices of Job and Family Services into the local United Way headquarters.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080815/NEWS16/808150344/-1/NEWS

I was at Levi's Commons yesterday. It is very impressive now. It's no Easton, but it's much better than the few unimpressive shops in a corn field I remember it being a couple of years back. It's a really nice mall, with good foot traffic, crowds, etc.

My only complaint of Levis Commons is the abundances of surface parking lots, they should consider in-ground parking garages in a "go-green" version to increase the density of the surounding developments.

Local leaders focus on 'green-collar' jobs
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo and Lucas County officials have teamed up to create a "green-collar" job-training and placement program to assist renewable energy and energy-efficient companies, Toledo Councilman Joe McNamara and Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak announced yesterday.

"This is the type of program we need to help our work force be ready for these new jobs," Ms. Wozniak said.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080815/NEWS16/808150378/-1/NEWS

HISTORIC 1884 COURTHOUSE
Ohio offers aid, tax-credit plan to save Seneca County courthouse
Proposal calls for private owner
By JENNIFER FEEHAN BLADE STAFF WRITER

TIFFIN - As Seneca County teeters on the brink of tearing down its historic 1884 courthouse, the Ohio Department of Development yesterday laid out a plan to provide up to $900,000 for renovation, plus up to an additional $2 million for the project in historic tax credits.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080815/NEWS17/808150402/-1/NEWS

!!!!!ATTENTION TOLEDO REGIONAL FOLKS!!!!! Be sure to tape it, DVR it, TIVO it, or simply watch it tonight. This program should be quite interesting to watch in regards to the Southwyck and Marina District projects.

'DEADLINE NOW'
Developer describes demands of 2 Toledo projects
Posted on Toledo Blade website 8-15-2008
Link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080815/NEWS16/808150396/-1/NEWS

Developer Larry Dillin, who has been selected by the Finkbeiner administration to move along a $320 million development in East Toledo's Marina District and revitalize the area of the former Southwyck Shopping Center, is the guest on this week's edition of Deadline Now.

Toledo City Council last month authorized the sale of $8.2 million in notes, plus a number of permanent improvements for the $20 million public portion of the riverfront Marina District. Council is expected to vote Aug. 26 on authorizing a $1.5 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency brownfield loan to Mr. Dillin to be used for environmental cleanup at Southwyck.

Mr. Dillin and Jack Lessenberry, the show's host and The Blade's ombudsman, talk about the challenges of both projects. They also discuss how the sluggish economy could affect the developments.

Deadline Now will be broadcast at 8:30 tonight and at 2:30 a.m. tomorrow on WGTE-TV, Channel 30.

DEVELOPMENT
Council split on United Way building proposal
By Justin R. Kalmes
Toledo Free Press Managing Editor
jkalmes@toledofreepress.com

In the week since the United Way of Greater Toledo board announced plans to build a new headquarters Downtown, several elected officials and community members have spoken out against the move in an effort to save the building that has housed the agency since 1969.

The ultimate decision may rest with Toledo City Council, whose members are split in their opinions.

Despite claims from United Way that it spends $400,000 a year to be in its headquarters at One Stranahan Square because of a lack of tenants and the structure's poor condition, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, at least five members of Toledo City Council and leaders from local preservation groups have said they are opposed to any plan that would include demolishing the building.

“The threshold is very high in order to get my agreement to approve the destruction of any building Downtown,” Councilman Frank Szollosi said. “I'm very much against the tear-down mentality.”

Finkbeiner, in an Aug. 12 letter to Bill Kitson, United Way of Greater Toledo president and CEO, Bob LaClair, board chairman, and William Foster, vice president of The Stranahan Foundation, asked the agency to reconsider its decision to tear down the building.

“The United Way Building at One Stranahan Square is a unique and distinctive building that should be spared the wrecking ball,” Finkbeiner wrote. “It is a signature building for Downtown Toledo and, although relatively new, it is an important part of the fabric of the Downtown core.”

“Toledo has made great progress in renovating and reusing distinctive buildings that enhance community identity and pride, and I am convinced that the demolition of the United Way Building will halt this progress and be a step backwards for the city and for the United Way.”

Kitson and LaClair said they met with Finkbeiner last year to discuss United Way's campaign when the topic of the agency's headquarters came up. Both men said they told the mayor options included renovation, moving or rebuilding on the current site, which would include demolition of the existing structure.

Finkbeiner, in a statement, said, “I meet with Bill Kitson twice a month — once on Poverty Commission matters and once on Every Citizen Counts Commission matters. Following one of those meetings, Bill said the United Way was looking for new quarters Downtown. I urged him to stay Downtown. No mention of tearing down the United Way building was brought up.

“There has been no change of heart or direction. I'll help the United Way in any possible way — but not in the demolition of the building.”

The plan unanimously approved by the board Aug. 6 calls for a $4.9 million project that would include construction of a two-story, 25,000-square-foot building exclusively for United Way and demolition of the current 100,000-square-foot structure to make way for a public park on the site. Kitson said it would cost $10 million to $15 million to complete renovations needed at the agency's current headquarters.

Because of the steep price tag attached to renovation, United Way considered selling the building and renting or buying space in a different structure. Kitson said those options proved unfeasible when considering the accessible space and parking needed to accommodate the people the agency serves. Real estate experts said selling the building would be unrealistic because of its poor structural state, he said.

At a public forum Aug. 12 attended by about 50 people, a handful of individuals spoke out against United Way's plan. Kitson gave a 30-minute presentation before a public comment period in which he explained how the board reached its decision and showed renderings of the proposed building.

“This mindset of destruction has seemed to overwhelm our community,” John Welch said. “It makes me sad to see we're going to throw away this majestic building for a little tin box I see on the screen.”

Irene Martin, head of the Landmarks Preservation Council of Northwest Ohio, said United Way should market the building at One Stranahan Square before tearing it down.

“We need to know that this building cannot be saved before we just commit it to the landfill,” she said.

Though it could be months before council decides whether to allow demolition to begin on the building, its members were split when asked their reaction to United Way's plan.

Councilman George Sarantou said he favored preserving the current United Way headquarters, but would refrain from reaching a definitive opinion on the matter until he saw firm costs of doing so versus building new.

“It really is a gem,” he said. “I would hate to see it come down.”

Councilwoman Betty Shultz agreed with Sarantou, calling the building a “landmark” that should be saved. Despite The Stranahan Foundation's support of the United Way board's decision, she said she was “absolutely opposed” to demolishing the agency's current home.

“It doesn't matter to me who has funded the current building,” she said. “It has become a part of the Toledo landscape … We should preserve that which is good.”

Council members Mike Craig and Wilma Brown were more flexible in voicing their opinions on the matter, but both said they favored saving the current building.

Five on council offered their support of United Way's plan. Council members Michael Ashford, Phil Copeland, Mark Sobczak, Tom Waniewski and Lindsay Webb said the decision on what to do with the structure should lie with the agency.

“I think people get a little too emotionally attached to a building and they lose sight of the work that United Way does,” Waniewski said. “It's not the building that drives the United Way; it's the people.”

Sobczak said he trusts the United Way board's judgment.

“I think they know what's best for their agency,” he said. “If they could save $400,000 a year by tearing down and rebuilding, I think, far be it for me to get in the way of that decision.”

Webb said she was torn in her stance on what to do with the structure that houses United Way.

“I'm not exactly happy about the idea that we're taking down that building,” she said. “On the other hand, the United Way has the right within the parameters of planning and zoning to do what they need to do with their property.”

Ashford said he would not stand in the way of the agency if it means more dollars to provide services for those who rely on United Way. Spending money to maintain the current headquarters that could be used for community resources would not be in the agency's best interests, he said.

“United Way has to be run like a business, too,” Ashford said.

Councilman D. Michael Collins said he was not qualified to comment on the issue.

“I think we have enough issues on our plate dealing with city government that we don't need to express our opinions out to areas where we're not even welcome, let alone invited,” he said.

Councilman Joe McNamara said, “I would like to see the building preserved and am delighted that the University of Toledo is looking at it.”

United Way board member Jani Miller said she is not surprised at the outcry to save the agency's building. She said many of those people have yet to examine the same facts the board used in reaching its decision to build a new home for United Way.

“I firmly believe that once they have the facts, there really is no other reasonable decision that could be made,” Miller said. “I think that people who truly care about the United Way and all the United Way does for this community will take the time to meet with the United Way to understand the situation.”

Demolition of the United Way headquarters would be subject to review by the Toledo City Plan Commission, which would then turn the matter over to council's zoning and planning committee for its review before it goes before the entire body.

Ashford, Brown, Collins, Craig, Sarantou, Waniewski and Webb all sit on the zoning and planning committee.

“At the end of the day, this is a city council vote,” Kitson said.

Update on the downtown arena as of August 15, 2008 @ 8:30AM, it's looking good!!!!!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/arenaII8-15-2008.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/arena8-15-2008.jpg

A lot of developments happening right now along Monroe Street from Huron to Erie and along Huron Street from Jefferson to Washington which is quite exciting: Pizza Papalis (steel frame is now being put up for the addition of the original building), The Blarney (expansion), Toledo Free Press (expansion), ABLE Law Building (former Western Union building) and Hannon Block Building (renovations/rehabbing).

We need to get some pictures taken of this ongoing developments.

Stadium is looking good. Are there any decent bike routes to get to downtown from the campus area without being on roads with too much traffic? I want to ride my bike to check things out since I've been gone.

Tivo is set, thanks Bonjour.

Stadium is looking good. Are there any decent bike routes to get to downtown from the campus area without being on roads with too much traffic? I want to ride my bike to check things out since I've been gone.

Tivo is set, thanks Bonjour.

Hey Nick,

Check this PDF direct link (TMACOG) for our regional bike network: http://tmacog.org/Transportation/bike_guide_08_09.pdf.

I know there isn't a direct bike trail from UT area to downtown but some of my friends tell me the best way go from UT/Ottawa Park/Jermain Park to downtown is by Bancroft or Monroe Street but watch out for the Detroit/Monroe/Bancroft intersections since it is usually busy and heavy.

You can find bike trails along Greenbelt Parkway, International Park, Promenade Park, and Middlegrounds Preserve (on the Owens Corning campus).

There's an article in the paper today about the potential of oil extraction in NW Ohio. NW Ohio was the world leader in oil production circa 1880's, right after the first boom in Pennsylvania. The industry gave rise to Marathon petroleum, but went bust by 1900. There's still a lot of oil left (well over 50% according to the Blade), especially in Bowling Green, but it's technically challenging to remove it they say. However, with the higher oil prices, oil companies have greater incentive to extract the last bit of oil out from these old wells.

There's an article in the paper today about the potential of oil extraction in NW Ohio. NW Ohio was the world leader in oil production circa 1880's, right after the first boom in Pennsylvania. The industry gave rise to Marathon petroleum, but went bust by 1900. There's still a lot of oil left (well over 50% according to the Blade), especially in Bowling Green, but it's technically challenging to remove it they say. However, with the higher oil prices, oil companies have greater incentive to extract the last bit of oil out from these old wells.

Yes very interesting article indeed, many of the Wood County towns and villages became a reality due to the oil boom back in the 1800s such as North Baltimore, Weston, and Jerry City. The problem is currently, most of the land in NW Ohio are privately owned and it's up to the property owners to allow oil drilling along with local elected officials/zoning. I think with the billions and billions of profits that the oil companies have made, they certainly could start drilling oil and perhaps create jobs/wealth for our region?! I know my statement would be rattling those tree huggers and "green" folks.

Direct link to the story: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080815/BUSINESS01/808150338

Toledo is not a city of tree huggers, and most of the areas involved are solidly Republican anyway.

This article is quite pointless because it's more than 14 months away until the doors open for the first time. Yes the naming rights is not set in due to the economy but it's pure speculation that we may not have naming rights once the new arena opens, which I am betting a 9 out of 10 chance that we will have it before the arena opens. Enough of the doom-and-gloom.

Downtown Toledo arena naming rights prove to be a slow sell
By ALEX M. PARKER BLADE STAFF WRITER

With the opening of Toledo's new downtown sports arena still more than a year away, project officials concede the city's struggling economy is confounding efforts to find a company willing to pay millions of dollars for naming rights.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080816/NEWS16/808160362

No wonder UT does not want the Berdan Building to begin with because the United Way is in far better condition even though it's not suitable for UT. Once the new U.S. Federal Building is built,, the Federal Courts building would be available for UT if interested? Time will tell.

University of Toledo decides United Way building unsuitable for its use
Lucas Co. officials to tour next week
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

The University of Toledo will not purchase the United Way building, President Lloyd Jacobs said yesterday after he and a dozen UT staffers toured the downtown Toledo property.

The United Way of Greater Toledo last week announced plans to build a new structure and tear down its current home because of the extensive and costly renovations that it has said would be required to stay.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080816/NEWS16/808160339

UT president says ‘no thank you” to United Way building
By Scott McKimmy Toledo Free Press Staff Writer
news@toledofreepress.com

After a 45-minute tour of the United Way building and 20 minutes conferring with 13 building experts on his staff, UT President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs announced he has no intentions of housing classrooms or other university facilities there.

United Way's plans to demolish the structure and construct a new headquarters on the same property at One Stranahan Square in Downtown Toledo have drawn some controversy from opponents who say the building should be preserved as an historic landmark.

“There's a tremendous amount of infrastructure need, and renovating from floor to floor to meet classroom or other university-type needs is probably prohibitive,” he said. “So the bottom line is that at the present time I will not be pursuing any further possibility of the University of Toledo being involved in this building.”

Jacobs viewed the roof, offices and operational equipment, asking questions about their condition and personally scrutinizing areas where problems have arisen for the building's maintenance staff. At one point he climbed a ladder to view water leakage in a ceiling.

The tour's primary purpose was to weigh options for potentially expanding the university's law school campus, according to reports.

“The building itself probably would require much too much renovation to meet our needs for any of our current space requirements at the University of Toledo, and that statement includes the consideration of the law school,” Jacobs said during a brief press conference.

Following the press conference. Bill Kitson, United Way president and CEO, said his organization's intention is purely financial and he is still open to input to resolve the controversy.

“Unfortunately,” he added, “we're right back to having no viable solutions.”

Toledo is not a city of tree huggers, and most of the areas involved are solidly Republican anyway.

Libertarian (aka anti-government) as well.

With the stagnant national economy, these urban-sprawl strip development are taking a hit. I personally hate them due to its lack of pedestrian access and cheaply-made parking lots that adds to value to the surrounding area.

ALL BUILT UP, WITH SPACE APLENTY GOING BEGGING
New minicenters in metro Toledo struggling
By GARY T. PAKULSKI BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

SURESH NANDA didn’t have much company when he opened a Subway sandwich shop last year in a year-old strip center on South Reynolds Road in Toledo.

But he was convinced that other businesses would begin renting space in the center once the promised revival of Southwyck Shopping Center began across the street.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080817/BUSINESS10/339975714

See this link for photos from this morning's article of the Toledo Blade in regards to its progress: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080817/BUSINESS05/277125051

Hey all... So with the rebuilding of the west toledo YMCA in conjunction with the new YMCA....

What happened to Bowman Pool?!?! I remember this pool about 10 years ago it was an awesome place to go... just found out this year that it is no longer. Any pictures of this pool either when it was open or before it was torn down?! When was it closed?! I can't find any information on it online.

And with that... Does anyone know where one could go to get into swimming (either inside or outside pool)? I was gonna go to Bowman to do some swimming and I hate the pool at my gym (Ballys) it's too small and there are always like 200 year old people doing water aerobics. ANYWAYS...

^Unfortunately, I think JCC is all that's left for YMCA outdoor pools in the market. Bowman is missed by many. There are still a lot of private clubs around the city with nice outdoor pools though. Another question, what ever happened to the Olympic-sized pool and diving towers at the Lucas County Rec Center?

No wonder UT does not want the Berdan Building to begin with because the United Way is in far better condition even though it's not suitable for UT. Once the new U.S. Federal Building is built,, the Federal Courts building would be available for UT if interested? Time will tell.

The historic Federal Building is my guess too. It looks to be in very nice shape and the location is perfect for a law school.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008001.jpg

Pictures were taken August 16, 2008 on Sunday late afternoon:

Arena coming along with the shell at the Huron/Jefferson corner
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008020.jpg

Two pictures of looking west along Jefferson Avenue at the new arena with Lake Erie Center Building in the background and nearby the convention center
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008023.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008005.jpg

Three pictures of looking south along Superior Street with Key Bank in front of the new arena and Commodore Perry in the background
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008003.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008024.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008018.jpg

A shot from Erie Street with the new arena and renovations of the Western Union Building
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008016.jpg

A shot of the new arena from Monroe & Superior Streets looking north next to the Fifth Third Field
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008004.jpg

A shot along Huron Street from Madison with the new arena coming along next to the Huntington Bank Building
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008006.jpg

A shot from Jefferson Avenue of the former Fiberglas Tower that will be undergoing a $40M renovations and you can see the new arena coming along in the picture:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008002.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008008.jpg
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http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008009.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008012.jpg

The outdoor expansion is being done by Dreamscape company for The Blarney Pub which is looking gorgeous:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008011.jpg

The former Projections Building located at the corner of Michigan/Madison which will be opening as a market, pizza/coffee cafe, and lofty apartments:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008010.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008013.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008015.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008017.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008022.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/DowntownAugustPictures_2008019.jpg

For those who are interested in going from Toledo to the Erie Islands!!!!!!!!!!!!There will be a ferry leaving the Maritime Terminal in the Marina District a week from today (August 24, Sunday) at 9am to Put-In-Bay and returns around 8:30pm. I will be going so hopefully I will have great photo shots that day.

Direct link for information: http://www.jet-express.com/

Fantastic photo's Bonjour, thanks for the update. I was just whirling around downtown on my way home from work on Friday and thought about busting out the camera to snap some photo's of some of the developments. Little here and there, Toledo will come around.

REVITALIZATION
Downtown site for University of Toledo law school resurfaces; many faculty still resist proposal
By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER

There’s a proposal out there to instantly bring 500 of the area’s brightest young minds to downtown Toledo, triggering a wave of revitalization that could fill empty storefronts, attain the “critical mass” of urban dwellers needed for growth, and go a ways toward plugging the so-called “brain drain.”

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080818/NEWS16/353858944/-1/NEWS

More of Madison Avenue to become 2-way street
Posted via Toledo Blade website 8-18-2008

Madison Avenue will be converted to two-way traffic between Michigan and 17th streets on Wednesday, the city of Toledo has announced.

The conversion is part of an ongoing campaign to reduce the number of one-way streets in downtown Toledo. Madison was converted to two-way traffic west of 17th last year, and traffic signals and signs needed for the upcoming conversion were installed recently.

No schedule has been set for converting the section between Michigan and St. Clair streets.

REVITALIZATION
Downtown site for University of Toledo law school resurfaces; many faculty still resist proposal
By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER

There’s a proposal out there to instantly bring 500 of the area’s brightest young minds to downtown Toledo, triggering a wave of revitalization that could fill empty storefronts, attain the “critical mass” of urban dwellers needed for growth, and go a ways toward plugging the so-called “brain drain.”

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080818/NEWS16/353858944/-1/NEWS

I love how these faculty members cite they are are against this move because of the kids, but then they cite inconvenience, which leads me to believe these faculty members are against this move for their own reasons. How can this not make sense? The legal community is downtown. The move would benefit both UT and downtown.

I love how these faculty members cite they are are against this move because of the kids, but then they cite inconvenience, which leads me to believe these faculty members are against this move for their own reasons. How can this not make sense? The legal community is downtown. The move would benefit both UT and downtown.


ITA, as myself as a planner, urbanist, UT alum, and logical human being, it makes FULL SENSE to have the UT Law School to be located downtown with access to the court systems, judicial facilities, law firms, etc, etc.

Majority of the UT Law school faculty has to be suburbanites IMHO because of their opposition, especially what's interesting in the article that the most opposition comes from the emeritus professors who are retired. Enough of that bullsh*t.

I firmly believe that if the law school is located in downtown, it would raise the caliber of the school to all current and prospect law students and even potential law professors. The amentities for the students would be the same if not better where they are currently on the Main Campus. As an UT alum, I support the UT law school to be located downtown for logistical reasons!

Great pictures as usual Bonjour - and as a UT Law student, I would love to see the move to downtown but unfortunately I will be out of law school by the time any move would happen.

ITA, as myself as a planner, urbanist, UT alum, and logical human being, it makes FULL SENSE to have the UT Law School to be located downtown with access to the court systems, judicial facilities, law firms, etc, etc.

Majority of the UT Law school faculty has to be suburbanites IMHO because of their opposition, especially what's interesting in the article that the most opposition comes from the emeritus professors who are retired. Enough of that bullsh*t.

I firmly believe that if the law school is located in downtown, it would raise the caliber of the school to all current and prospect law students and even potential law professors. The amentities for the students would be the same if not better where they are currently on the Main Campus. As an UT alum, I support the UT law school to be located downtown for logistical reasons!

Just about every major university that is located in any decent sized metropolitan area has some sort of integration within their respective downtown centers. It would truly raise the caliber of the university and it would absolutely be a selling point as to the access these law students would have being within such close proximity to the core of the law community of Toledo. In running a business, a key component in decisions to move or build a factory or plant is proximity to suppliers, proximity to customers (employers), and access to technology.

I wholeheartedly agree with you Bonjour that these emeritus professor's must be suburbanites, and in fact, I can confirm a few of those.

First Solar to double its Perrysburg Township plant
BLADE STAFF via Toledo Blade website 8-18-2008
Direct link: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080818/BUSINESS03/308199982

Solar energy giant First Solar Inc. has announced a major expansion of its plant in Perrysburg Township.

The Tempe, Ariz., firm said today that its lone U.S. manufacturing facility will more than double in size by spring, 2010. The project will include a second research and development facility, additional production line, and three buildings.

The 500,000-square-foot addition will create 134 jobs. About two-thirds of the positions will be in manufacturing, but additional research and office personnel also will be hired.

Game is on to revive Ford Stamping Plant
Posted WTOL CBS 11 website on Aug 18, 2008
Reported by Rob Wiercinski

MAUMEE (WTOL) - A deal's in the works to revive the former Ford Stamping Plant, located in Maumee on Illinois Ave.

Keith Obey heads up Maumee Authority Stamping Inc. (MAS) and says that work inside the plant can resume as early as Oct. 1, if his effort to purchase and start a new stamping operation is successful. If the deal is finalized, about 130 people would work at the facility.

Help may soon come from Lucas County to make that happen. On Tuesday, the Lucas County Commissioners will discuss whether or not to authorize a $1.5 million loan for the venture.

"The key is, is it going to be a short term loan, is it going to have high return, is it going to create jobs quickly in the near term? I think this deal fits all three criteria for me," said Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken.

The City of Maumee is also lining up to lend a helping hand.

"The city has indicated we will extend support through our jobs grant program. It's a program that's worked effectively for us filling vacancies in Arrowhead Park and assisting new ventures as well," said Maumee City Administrator John Jezak.

Pumping new life into the plant isn't viewed as a matter of if, but when.

"I think we've seen interest from other parties that are out there that want to take a look and do something with the facility if the MAS proposal doesn't go forward, but I think MAS is going to be successful," Jezak said.

For Gerken, success will depend on the new company creating a diverse customer base and not relying solely on automotive stamping business.

"In the long haul we know that has to be a diverse stamping plant, do wind pieces, it's got to do turbine pieces, alternative energy pieces -- and it can; the equipment's in there and we have the skills here to do it," Gerken said.

There will be discussion at Tuesday's meeting to show potential private investors there is interest in the community for the project. A vote on the $1.5 million loan isn't expected until next week.

A couple of pics taken Monday of the new arena from the top of the parking garage next door. A little different perspective than the photos Bonjour posted.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3315/046tf7.th.jpg
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9696/047lk1.th.jpg
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4580/048tn6.th.jpg

A couple of pics taken Monday of the new arena from the top of the parking garage next door. A little different perspective than the photos Bonjour posted.

Great photo shots!

500,000-SQUARE-FOOT ADDITION
First Solar Inc. in Perrysburg Township to add jobs, double size
2nd research facility, more production areas included
By GARY T. PAKULSKI BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

In a major boost to northwest Ohio’s position as a budding center of low-cost solar-panel production, First Solar Inc. said yesterday that it will more than double the size of its operations in Perrysburg Township and add 134 jobs.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/BUSINESS03/106232335

Downtown Toledo developer crafts 6-unit success
By GARY T. PAKULSKI BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

Two months after buying one of the last remaining units in an unusual row-house development in downtown Toledo, Joel Tse has no regrets.

"I love said it," said the Toledo Symphony flutist.

"I like downtown living, and it's close to the museum."

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/BUSINESS05/808190363

Consultant pitches courthouse rescue plan to Seneca officials
By JENNIFER FEEHAN BLADE STAFF WRITER

TIFFIN — The clock is ticking, but some believe there still may be time to save Seneca County’s 1884 courthouse.

“Absolutely. Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Franklin Conaway, a preservation consultant from Chillicothe, Ohio, said after meeting with county commissioners yesterday about a proposed redevelopment plan for the courthouse. “Whatever comes of this, we are now negotiating. That’s different."

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/NEWS17/106232337/-1/NEWS

Lucas County weighing 3rd try for COSI levy
4 area firms pledge to assist campaign
By ALEX M. PARKER BLADE STAFF WRITER

Lucas County commissioners today are expected to decide whether to put a 0.16-mill, five-year additional levy on the November ballot to reopen COSI.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/NEWS16/106232313/-1/NEWS

Nova Scotia reps in Toledo to discuss study, partnership
By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER

Representatives of a proposed deepwater container port in Nova Scotia are expected to sign a "strategic collaboration agreement" with Toledo port officials when they meet with local leaders and visit Toledo's port facilities today and tomorrow.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/NEWS11/808190391/-1/NEWS

Lucas County weighing 3rd try for COSI levy
4 area firms pledge to assist campaign
By ALEX M. PARKER BLADE STAFF WRITER

Lucas County commissioners today are expected to decide whether to put a 0.16-mill, five-year additional levy on the November ballot to reopen COSI.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/NEWS16/106232313/-1/NEWS

I was firmly against having to pay for COSI through taxes, as initially it was a terribly run business with a lack of coordination. If the alternative energy business sector chimes in and can help develop alternative energy exhibits, and COSI coordinates better with the area public and private schools, then I would support the effort. They need to coordinate better with schools, develop more interesting and relevant exhibits, and they need MARKET themselves better. They're website sucked, they're marketing material suck, and they never truly advertised -- which is key to a consumer based business. This needs to be a one time tax to get COSI off the ground and into a self-sustaining facility.

I love the concept of COSI and my 5 year old son will yell "I wanna go there!" whenever he see's the COSI sign on the news in regards to the levy. It is a great asset for this area, and I hope it does pass this time, but I do hope they build a better business model for themselves and establish some strong partnerships within the business and education sector.

After the fatal shooting at the BP on Dorr and Secor I heard that UT bought the gas station. Any ideas of what will go onto that lot? Hopefully not more surface parking.

Weren't they mulling over the idea of a hotel in that area?

I was firmly against having to pay for COSI through taxes, as initially it was a terribly run business with a lack of coordination. If the alternative energy business sector chimes in and can help develop alternative energy exhibits, and COSI coordinates better with the area public and private schools, then I would support the effort. They need to coordinate better with schools, develop more interesting and relevant exhibits, and they need MARKET themselves better. They're website sucked, they're marketing material suck, and they never truly advertised -- which is key to a consumer based business. This needs to be a one time tax to get COSI off the ground and into a self-sustaining facility.

I love the concept of COSI and my 5 year old son will yell "I wanna go there!" whenever he see's the COSI sign on the news in regards to the levy. It is a great asset for this area, and I hope it does pass this time, but I do hope they build a better business model for themselves and establish some strong partnerships within the business and education sector.

I agree with in regards with the whole marketing angle. Perhaps they should borrow the script from the folks of Toledo Zoo and/or the Art Museum.

After the fatal shooting at the BP on Dorr and Secor I heard that UT bought the gas station. Any ideas of what will go onto that lot? Hopefully not more surface parking.

Weren't they mulling over the idea of a hotel in that area?

They haven't purchased it yet, however, they are in negotiations was the last word I received. They have a plan, not released I believe, that will transform that corridor. UT needs to become more embedded in the city, making that area a college town.

After the fatal shooting at the BP on Dorr and Secor I heard that UT bought the gas station. Any ideas of what will go onto that lot? Hopefully not more surface parking.

Weren't they mulling over the idea of a hotel in that area?

That was mentioned in The Blade paper about sale pending and several blogs had rumors in regards to it. I know with the current master plan of the UT Main Campus that they wanted to increase the visibility of the Rocket Hall (i.e. Admissions, Visitor's Center, etc) or another large dormitory in that part of an area.

The hotel for UT Main Campus is being proposed over at Bancroft/University Hills/Douglas area where you see the ground has already been broken. The details of the hotel (i.e. company, rendering, plans, etc) hasn't been revealed to my knowledge.

They haven't purchased it yet, however, they are in negotiations was the last word I received. They have a plan, not released I believe, that will transform that corridor. UT needs to become more embedded in the city, making that area a college town.

I co-sign this post.

Good to read that the former Hylant Building on Jefferson/15th will be getting a new owner and new life from a non-profit organization called Family Service of Northwest Ohio that will be moving out of the current UW Building.

Konop tours United Way building; nonprofit to purchase former Hylant headquarters
By Justin R. Kalmes Toledo Free Press Managing Editor
jkalmes@toledofreepress.com

As part of the latest proposal to spare United Way's headquarters from the wrecking ball, Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop toured the facility today to determine if the county's Job and Family Services department could relocate there.

The tour came after Konop and fellow commissioners Pete Gerken and Tina Skeldon Wozniak passed a nonbinding resolution to urge United Way of Greater Toledo to reconsider demolishing the building at One Stranahan Square and participate in evaluating the feasibility of moving Job and Family Services there from its offices at 3210 Monroe St.

United Way president and CEO Bill Kitson and building superintendent Brian McCarty led Konop, architect Paul Sullivan and Steve Seaton, director of support services for Job and Family Services, on an approximately 45-minute tour of the 100,000-square-foot building. Prior to the tour's start, Konop told Kitson the resolution he proposed was “in no way to discourage” United Way from moving forward with its plan to build a new headquarters.

Konop and Seaton said the building that houses Job and Family Services is facing issues similar to those found at United Way's headquarters in that millions of dollars of renovation work is needed at both facilities. United Way has said renovating its building would cost upwards of $10 million, which would include upgrades and making it compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Despite the county's interest in the building, Kitson said United Way would continue moving forward with its plan. He said the agency's board would have to determine what the building's value would be before considering a sale to the county.

“I don't see why the United Way has to just give the building away for free when everyone has said there's value in it,” Kitson said.

Konop said the tour proved the United Way building is salvageable and worth considering for alternative uses.

“It's a 40-year-old building that's been maintained by a nonprofit so there is some obvious wear and tear,” he said.

Konop suggested United Way could save money on demolition if it were to allow another agency to take over occupancy of the building. He said he hopes the agency would consider an offer less than the building's market value if a government entity were to move into it.

Sullivan, who was part of a group that opposed demolition of buildings in Downtown Toledo to make way for Fifth Third Field, disputed cost estimates for renovation that United Way used in reaching its decision to raze the building.

“Paul was the first architect to come forward with a different view of building renovation than all the others we've dealt with,” Kitson said.

United Way is expected to submit drawings next month to the Toledo Plan Commission.

In related news, one of 10 tenants at the United Way building has reached an agreement to move its offices to the building at 1505 Jefferson Ave. that housed the Hylant Group. Family Service of Northwest Ohio entered into negotiations in June to obtain financing for the building with help from the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to purchase the Downtown building, Steve Hartman, the agency's board chairman said. The agency has yet to obtain final approval on the deal, he said.

Hartman said Family Service of Northwest Ohio has talked with three or four other tenants in the United Way building about leasing space at the agency's new building once its move is complete.

The Hylant Group, Hartman said, donated office furniture and part of the building's purchase price as part of the deal.

“Everybody was excited that we were going to occupy a building Downtown and put it to good use. It couldn't have happened without the Hylants,” he said.

^Unfortunately, I think JCC is all that's left for YMCA outdoor pools in the market. Bowman is missed by many. There are still a lot of private clubs around the city with nice outdoor pools though. Another question, what ever happened to the Olympic-sized pool and diving towers at the Lucas County Rec Center?

Didnt even know that existed!!!! Wow...When was that around and when did it leave?!?! I wish we had an outdoor aquatics place to go to during the summer. Like that Royal Oak Waterpark in Royal Oak Michigan.. it's small but its wonderful and its only 7-12 bucks for the day. It's a city run pool/waterpark and its a great afternoon.

Lucas County commissioners urge United Way not to tear down building
BLADE STAFF via website on 8-19-2008
Direct link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/NEWS33/106232287

The Lucas County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday morning to urge the United Way to find other uses - not demolition - for its downtown building.

Commissioner Ben Konop has suggested the building could be a future home for the county's offices of its Job and Family Services.

The United Way of Greater Toledo last week announced plans to build a new structure and tear down its current home because of the extensive and costly renovations that it has said would be required to stay.

According to United Way estimates, updating the 1969 building would cost at least $10 million, while new construction would cost $6 million - including the current structure's removal.

Changes proposed to Marina District agreement
Posted: Aug 19, 2008 via WTOL CBS 11 website

TOLEDO (WTOL) - Changes are being proposed to the Marina District development agreement between the City of Toledo and developer Larry Dillin.

The current plan calls for 58 acres of land along the riverfront to be transferred from the city to Dillin for a mixed use development project. Just last month, a new financing plan for the Marina District development was unveiled. Now, another plan is before Toledo City Council, which calls for a smaller piece of land being transferred to developer Dillin.

The mayor's office is asking council to amend the city's agreement with Dillin and to sell just 18 acres to Dillin Riverfront Properties for $1.2 million. These acres would be used residential-over-retail development.

The first phase of the work would concentrate on building Riverside Dr., but it would push back work on a public park and other improvements between the river and the new road.

Under this amended agreement, Dillin would still have the option to purchase the additional 40 acres for $3.4 million.

The city's economic development director doesn't view this as the project being scaled back but one that is moving forward -- in phases.

"We're looking at some changes in the Marina District financing proposal and in trying to move the project forward we also need to try to balance the risk that the city might have involved with the project," said Toledo Economic Development Director Dave Amstutz.

News 11 has tried to contact Dillin, but he's scheduled to face city council during a committee meeting that's set for Friday morning.

Revision sought in marina deal
Plan could hasten start of work
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Developer Larry Dillin is asking Toledo City Council to approve a fourth amendment to the development agreement for the $20 million public portion of the riverfront Marina District planned for the city's east side.

The last plan approved by council would have sold 58 acres along the Maumee River to Mr. Dillin for $3.6 million for a residential and commercial development.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/NEWS16/808200416/-1/NEWS

Architect urges saving United Way building
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

A prominent local architect and preservation advocate said he believes the United Way building in downtown Toledo should be saved, possibly by being sold if the agency no longer wants the structure.

“It shouldn’t just be discarded,” said Paul Sullivan, a Toledo architect who is a past president of the Toledo chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

“We have programs that recycle bottles. We should be able to recycle buildings.”

Earlier this month, the local United Way announced it plans to construct a smaller building, and tear down its current home, considered by some to be a downtown landmark.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/NEWS16/106232259/-1/NEWS

Lucas County leaders mull $1.5M loan to reopen plant
ALEX M. PARKER BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Lucas County commissioners are considering a $1.5 million loan to Maumee Authority Stamping to reopen the auto parts plant Ford shuttered last year.

The money would come from the county's cash reserves, and would be part of a short-term loan.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/NEWS33/808200450/-1/NEWS

Family-Child Abuse Center Moving Out of United Way Building
Space Chief Concern for Agency
Posted on WSPD 1370AM Newsradio website on 8-20-2008

The Family and Child Abuse Prevention center will be the first agency to move out of the United Way building before it's demolished. Director Sarah Corpening says the agency simply needed more space. The agency is renovating an old Rite Aid pharmacy across from Saint V's at a cost of one million dollars. It will include offices, medical exam rooms, and other space for police and social service workers to interview sexual abuse victims. The agency will lease the building from Mercy Health Partners.

New business coming to Perrysburg
By Arielle Berlin Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Posted on WNWO NBC 24 website

PERRYSBURG, OH -- As the auto-industry pulls jobs out of the area - the solar panel industry is bringing them back.

A new solar panel company is setting up shop in an old plant in Perrysburg,.

They expect to create 400 new jobs in the next few years.

Perrysburg City Council voted yesterday to give Willard and Kelsey a tax break for moving into the area.

"It's the kind of business every community wants, a higher-tech business with pretty highly qualified people working there," says Perrysburg City Council President Joe Lawless.

The City of Toledo will receive some tax money as a result of this project.

The plant should start hiring in a month and will open for business in about six months.

WTOL 5 am news reporting that the first roof beams will be going up today at the new sports arena project. Arena419.com has been updating frequently some pretty good arena update pics are on there from earlier this week.

utrockets.com has some more new pics of the Savage Hall update looks like it is coming along well. Hard to believe all the work thats being done is only going to take one off season.

Sonic on 20/23 in Perrysburg looks like its about to open in a few days. Its a lot smaller looking than i expected.

Toledo's Health Care REIT to buy Dana headquarters on Dorr Street
Dana, a Fortune 500 firm, to move to Maumee
BLADE STAFF

Health Care REIT Inc., a company which buys property nationally to be used for health care operations, said today it is moving its offices out of downtown Toledo and buying the headquarters of Dana Holding Corp. at 4500 Dorr St.

The unexpected sale, which hinged on state and local assistance, would house the 70 Health Care REIT employees at its current headquarters in Fifth Third Center at One SeaGate on Summit Street. The deal, whose price was not disclosd, is expected to be done by Oct. 1, the real estate investment trust firm said.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/NEWS33/106232186

Dana plans to relocate headquarters to Maumee
Posted on WTOL CBS 11 website
Aug 21, 2008 12:14 PM EDT
Direct link: http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=8878588

From the Dana Corporation web site:

TOLEDO, Ohio - August 21, 2008 - Dana Holding Corporation (NYSE: DAN) and Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE: HCN) jointly announced today that the companies have reached a contingent agreement for Dana to sell its corporate headquarters building and grounds to Health Care REIT, a Toledo-based real estate investment trust, for an undisclosed sum. The sale agreement, which is contingent on the support of state and local authorities, is anticipated to close by Oct. 1, 2008.

In conjunction with the agreement, Dana plans to relocate its corporate headquarters staff to its existing Automotive Systems Technology Center located approximately eight miles away in the Toledo suburb of Maumee, Ohio, by mid-2009.

"The relocation of Dana's corporate headquarters facility enables us to consolidate our local operations and make the most efficient use of our Toledo-area footprint," said Dana Executive Chairman John Devine. "This move provides Dana with a headquarters facility that more appropriately reflects our company's profile, while also providing an excellent new home for a respected and growing Toledo-based company."

Added Health Care REIT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George L. Chapman, "This is an opportunity to secure a unique property in the city of Toledo that would accommodate our growth. The campus could play a key role in supporting our corporate objectives.

"We're pleased that this transaction would maintain a strong corporate presence at this prominent Toledo landmark," Chapman added.

Under terms of the sale agreement, Dana would vacate its facility located at 4500 Dorr Street facility by September 2009. Health Care REIT plans to transfer its headquarters workforce from its current location in One SeaGate to Dorr Street. Health Care REIT employs approximately 200 people nationwide, including 75 people at its One SeaGate corporate headquarters.

Dana employs more than 1,000 people at five facilities in Lucas County.

About the Dorr Street Campus
Dana established its global headquarters at the Dorr Street location in 1970, after spending the previous 40 years at the company's former Bennett Road complex in north Toledo. Located directly across from Inverness Club golf course, the 200,000 sq.-ft. Georgian Colonial-style building opened in the fall of 1970 and currently houses approximately 175 employees, including the company's executive leadership and a variety of corporate-based functions such as Accounting, Finance, Law, Tax, and Corporate Communications. In 2006, Dana sold its former Dana Commercial Credit headquarters facility located adjacent to the current Dorr Street campus to ProMedica Health System, which utilizes the building as its corporate headquarters.

About Dana's Maumee Technology Center
The technical center facility is located on a 30-acre site near U.S. 23 and Maumee-Western Road southwest of Toledo. The facility opened in the spring of 2004 and currently houses significant engineering, administrative, and sales and marketing functions from the company's light axle, driveshaft, and structural products units. The nearly 200,000 sq.-ft. facility includes 90,000 sq.-ft. of design and development space and an additional 80,000 sq.-ft. for offices and potential future expansion.

About Health Care REIT, Inc.
Health Care REIT, Inc. is a real estate investment trust that invests across the full spectrum of senior housing and health care real estate. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has an enterprise value of approximately $7.4 billion. As of June 30, 2008, the company's broadly diversified portfolio consisted of 635 properties in 38 states and includes senior living facilities, medical office buildings, hospitals and other medical facilities. Through its development group located in Nashville, Tennessee, the company provides comprehensive planning, development and leasing services to health care systems and providers. The company has a complete array of property management services through its Paramount Real Estate Services Group headquartered in Jupiter, Florida, which also has 17 regional offices throughout the United States. More information is available on the Internet at www.hcreit.com.

About Dana Holding Corporation
Dana is a leader in the supply of axles; driveshafts; and structural, sealing, and thermal-management products; as well as genuine service parts. The company's customer base includes virtually every major vehicle manufacturer in the global automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway markets, which collectively produce nearly 70 million vehicles annually. Based in Toledo, Ohio, the company's operations employ approximately 35,000 people in 26 countries and reported 2007 sales of $8.7 billion. For more information, please visit: www.dana.com.


Statement from Mayor Carty Finkbeiner

I believe the announcement of Healthcare REIT's move to Dana's Headquarters in Toledo is a strategic move for both companies - and the best of a challenging era for Toledo, Dana and Healthcare REIT.

Healthcare REIT is a real estate investment trust that invests in senior housing and health care real estate and has operated at One Seagate since 1986. They are a well-recognized Toledo success story.

The growth of the company has forced them to look for appropriate space to house their staff. This will allow Healthcare REIT to expand their offices to accommodate their growth while retaining jobs within the City of Toledo.

With this agreement, Dana will relocate their corporate headquarters to their existing Automotive Systems Technology Center, located in Monclova Township just off of U.S. Route 23. They are moving their offices to an area where an already established Joint Economic Development District exists between the City of Toledo, Monclova Township and the City of Maumee. This JEDD has proven to be very profitable for all parties.

The City of Toledo Department of Development will actively work with the Fifth Third Center at One Seagate to fill the space presently occupied by Healthcare REIT.

George Chapman is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare REIT, positions he has held since October 1996. Mr. Chapman is a native of the area, growing up in Maumee, attending Maumee High School and a graduate of Cornell University. His business commitment to the Greater Toledo area is deeply appreciated, as is Toledo's gratitude toward both Dana and Healthcare REIT for their ongoing commitment to the Toledo region.

WTOL 5 am news reporting that the first roof beams will be going up today at the new sports arena project. Arena419.com has been updating frequently some pretty good arena update pics are on there from earlier this week.

utrockets.com has some more new pics of the Savage Hall update looks like it is coming along well. Hard to believe all the work thats being done is only going to take one off season.

Sonic on 20/23 in Perrysburg looks like its about to open in a few days. Its a lot smaller looking than i expected.

Thanks for the update Mudhen419, however, from my observation when I went back a week ago that I think Sonic looks the same size except it's more in the back of the building facing Meijer than spread out parallel along Route 20.

Toledo Jeep workers to be laid off four more weeks this year
BLADE STAFF
Posted via Toledo Blade website 8-21-2008

Toledo workers who build the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro head back to work Monday after a seven-week furlough, but are facing additional days off because of sluggish vehicle sales.

Production will be suspended at Chrysler LLC’s Toledo Jeep Assembly complex for four additional weeks through the end of the year, said Dan Henneman, plant chairman for United Auto Workers Local 12. The move affects 2,200 workers.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/BUSINESS02/106232200

Toledo port impresses Canadian developers
By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER

Paul Martin and Bob Stevens didn't need to visit Toledo to hear about its proximity - within a day's truck drive - to a huge portion of North American industry and consumers.

They already had been briefed about the city's transportation assets. What impressed the president and chief executive officer of Melford International Terminal Inc. most during their day-plus visit that ended yesterday was the extent of waterfront land where local officials aim to develop a feeder terminal for their proposed project in Nova Scotia.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/NEWS11/808210381

OFFICIALS TOUR ONE STRANAHAN SQUARE
United Way site called inadequate for agency
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

The United Way building cannot accommodate the Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services, county Commissioner Peter Gerken said yesterday after touring the downtown Toledo building.

"This is not a future home of JFS," Mr. Gerken said, citing the building's infrastructure needs, lack of enough available parking, and the design that would not accommodate the hundreds of people who pass through Job and Family Services' doors daily.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/NEWS16/808210342/-1/NEWS

I wonder to what effect that the move will have on downtown. Although I'm glad Healthcare REIT is staying in Toledo, but I always worry when a business of that caliber leaves downtown.

I wonder to what effect that the move will have on downtown. Although I'm glad Healthcare REIT is staying in Toledo, but I always worry when a business of that caliber leaves downtown.

I firmly believe if one door closes another one opens. I'm quite encourage by this development deal because they will be buying the Dana Corporation Campus which will allow Healthcare REIT to expand their workforce. Since they are currently at the One Seagate Tower with 75 employees, initially they cannot expand with a leased space and with the Dana Campus they will have their own property and will have the ability to grow by creating new jobs. By owning a property in Toledo shows their commitment to stay here and grow.

When Dana Corporation got out of their bankruptcy, it is unfortunate that they had to face the automotive decline immediately with the slowdown of the economy and high fuel costs. It makes sense for what they are doing in order to survive in this fickle market and at least they had a buyer for their main campus which could've ended up vacant at either the Maumee facility or Toledo facility. I sense if there was no buyer to begin with, they would've closed the Maumee location to move the employees to the main Dana Campus but obviously it didn't turn out that way.

Good thing that both companies, one trying to survive and one is booming will be staying in our region. In fact, changes at both locations of Maumee facility and the Dana Campus will not result any loss tax revenue or income taxes for the City of Toledo due to their effective JDEZ program.

It will be soon (possibly and it's an opportunity for Toledo to seize on) that a potential, booming companies such as First Solar, Xunlight Corp., Willard & Kelsey Solar Group, expansion of HCR Manor, expansion of SSOE, expansion of Hylant Insurance, or a new corporation in this region to be expanding or relocating in downtown Toledo.

Time will tell.

After year, Maumee ex-Ford plant still idle
Plans for financing, method of operation, opening date shift
By GARY T. PAKULSKI BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

One year after would-be automotive executive Keith Obey proposed reopening a closed Ford Motor Co. parts plant in Maumee, machines still stand idle and many questions remain about how the project will be financed.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/BUSINESS03/808220344

Commissioner eyes new terms for courthouse
By JENNIFER FEEHAN BLADE STAFF WRITER

TIFFIN - Seneca County Commissioner Dave Sauber threw another hurdle at preservationists racing to secure a private owner for the county's 1884 courthouse.

In addition to "a bottom number" of $500,000 for the courthouse, Mr. Sauber told the board yesterday he would want the county to receive a performance bond guaranteeing the courthouse is renovated on schedule as well as an agreement that the new owner purchase the annex building next to the courthouse.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/BUSINESS06/808220385/-1/BUSINESS

MOVING OUT OF TOLEDO
Dana sells headquarters, will relocate to Maumee
Health Care REIT buys Dorr St. site
By JON CHAVEZ BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

In a stunning development, a little-known downtown Toledo firm that invests in health-care facilities plans to buy the 160-acre campus of Dana Holding Corp., which means the automotive-parts supplier will move its global base to the suburb of Maumee.

The announcement yesterday, which will open space in a premier riverfront office building that is trying to find tenants, means Health Care REIT Inc. will replace Dana at its Toledo home of 80 years.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/NEWS08/106232150/-1/NEWS

NEW FINANCING PROPOSAL
Credit troubles may jeopardize Marina District
Developer seeks council's nod for plan with less risk for city
By IGNAZIO MESSINA Blade Staff Writer

A longtime plan to develop 125 acres on the waterfront in East Toledo could be in jeopardy as the city's developer has been unable to secure a letter of credit to back part of the Marina District project.

As a result, Larry Dillin, creator of Levis Commons in Perrysburg, said he will be seeking approval from Toledo City Council on a new financing plan for the project's $20 million proposed main roadway and park along the Maumee River.

See the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/NEWS16/808220370/-1/NEWS

LUCAS COUNTY CRITICIZED
State wants more arena information on financing
$7.7M held pending more documentation
By ALEX M. PARKER BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission wants more information about the financing of the Lucas County arena project before releasing $7.7 million in state funds.

The report, written in June and presented during a July meeting with the commission, criticizes the county for going ahead with the $100 million project without full documentation of how it will be funded or a signed agreement with the sports franchise.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/NEWS33/808220355/-1/NEWS

Southwyck owners anticipate $1.5M loan
EPA funds would be dedicated to asbestos removal at the mall
By IGNAZIO MESSINA Blade Staff Writer

The owners of the Southwyck Shopping Center in South Toledo are willing to accept a $1.5 million loan to help fund asbestos removal from the vacant mall and demolish it by the end of the year, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner announced yesterday.

"This is a rather momentous occasion in the sense that we have been working on this a long time - since I returned [to office] in 2006," Mr. Finkbeiner said. "We have been working to gain control for two reasons - one, to demolish and, two, to rebuild."

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/NEWS16/808220348/-1/NEWS

$400,000 grants to fund Mercy College upgrades
By MIKE SIGOV Blade Staff Writer

Mercy College of Northwest Ohio has received more than $400,000 for campus renovations and improvements, which will begin next month.

A $189,677 federal grant and a $225,000 state grant were announced yesterday at the unveiling of a state historical marker commemorating the 90th anniversary of the former Mercy Hospital and the Mercy School of Nursing at 2221 Madison Ave., outside the entrance to what now is Mercy College of Northwest Ohio. The anniversary was celebrated on June 21.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/NEWS08/808220331/-1/NEWS

Kaptur to announce NASA grant for UT
By Justin R. Kalmes
Toledo Free Press Managing Editor jkalmes@toledofreepress.com
Direct link: http://www.toledofreepress.com/?id=8518

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur lights up when given the chance to talk about Northwest Ohio's role in weaning the country's dependence from foreign energy sources. Of all she has done in her more than 25 years in Congress, Kaptur said she considers the securing of federal dollars for the research and development of alternative and renewable power sources in the region to be some of her most important work as a legislator.

Though the rest of the country is starting to see the need for energy independence, Kaptur sees Northwest Ohio as a region that will lead in reaching that goal.

“I haven't been able to move the country as fast as I wanted to, but I've always believed that members of the House — if we do something well in our own areas to meet the needs of our own people, if it's good enough, it will meet the needs of the nation,” Kaptur said. “Even though I can't move the nation, if I can create the momentum here for energy independence, others will follow us.”

NASA investment
With a $1.13 million investment from NASA to fund a test and certification center at UT for large-area solar modules, the total amount of federal dollars Kaptur has helped acquire for alternative and renewable energy projects in the region since 2002 has surpassed $50 million. Kaptur was expected to announce the award Aug. 22 at a news conference at the university.

The NASA investment will allow for the testing of second-generation photovoltaic panels — those that convert sunlight directly into electricity — at UT. The work involves putting thin-film semiconductors onto an inexpensive base material that result in solar cells that are less expensive to produce and are smaller and lighter than their predecessors, said Robert Collins, a physics professor at the university who was co-investigator on the earmark proposal with professor Sylvain Marsillac. University researchers will work with NASA to expand the application of such solar cells in space travel or terrestrial uses, he said.

The development will result in the hiring of additional faculty from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which will “cement” a relationship between UT and the agency, Collins said. The new center will complement all activities of the Wright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization at the university, with the end result being a “world-unique” facility where photovoltaics researchers will design and develop instrumentation that will exist nowhere else, he said. Work there will also benefit local startup companies such as Xunlight Corporation, a Toledo-based thin-film solar cell manufacturer.

“This is really a unique opportunity that we need to capitalize on,” Collins said. “We've had a small amount of funding before, but not at a level that allows us to look at this problem from the basic level and say what do we need to help local companies and NASA the most.”

The bottom line, Collins said, is work at the center will result in economic development throughout Northwest Ohio.

Kaptur said projects such as those at UT are creating wealth in the region by using the area's best resources and putting them to use through 21st-century applications.

“If America's going to make it in terms of energy independence, it has to make it in places like Toledo,” she said.

Jump start
Kaptur compares the alternative and renewable energy industry developing in Northwest Ohio to the high-tech corridors formed in San Francisco and Boston. She said the federal government's role has jumpstarted an industry here that would not have otherwise existed.

“We never relented in our efforts to give birth to this industry,” Kaptur said. “We're a lot further ahead than the other 434 congressional districts.”

Another project Kaptur has been a key player in involves building a solar field at the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing's base in Swanton. Once complete, the more than $8 million project will provide electricity to power 60 percent of the complex, said base civil engineer Lt. Col. Bill Gieze.

The first two phases of the project should provide about a third of the total electricity for the unit, he said, which will result in an estimated utility savings of $125,000 and 500 tons of coal that won't need to be burned. Those sections of the project are expected to be fully operational by January. The third phase should be done by October 2009.

“It does two things for us: It reduces our reliance on fossil fuels, but it reduces the burden on the taxpayers here in Ohio and across the nation. It's a big savings to them,” Gieze said.

The project has also resulted in jobs for local companies. Advanced Distributed Generation LLC., the prime subcontractor for the project, hired an additional six full-time and three part-time employees for the job, said John Witte, vice president in charge of operations. He said approximately 15 people were hired by other companies as well for the airbase project.

Gieze said Kaptur's work made the project possible.

“It's very difficult to get funds for nondirect mission-related types of projects,” he said. “By Congresswoman Kaptur obtaining and securing these funds, it allows us to research technologies … and determine if they're feasible for the rest of the Air Force to use.”

Kaptur recognizes the progress the region has made in being at the forefront of developing alternative and renewable energy sources, but isn't satisfied yet.

“We are identified. We have a certain core of activities that have been undertaken; there's a certain confidence level that's been built up,” she said. “We have to continue building on the research capacities and the business capacities that have been developed in this community, and they will grow naturally.”

The industry, Kaptur said, should have been able to flourish more easily on a national level, but that did not happen until recent years.

“We're kind of tiptoeing our way right now. We should be sprinting. We should be much further ahead as a country right now,” Kaptur said. “I don't want to wait until 2025.”

DEVELOPMENT
Container shipping terminal remains possibility for port
By Duane Ramsey Senior Business Writer
news@toledofreepress.com
Direct link: http://www.toledofreepress.com/?id=8535

The possibility of a new cargo container-shipping facility located in the Port of Toledo came one step closer because of an agreement with Melford International Terminal, the Canadian company planning the Atlantic Gateway Initiative project in Nova Scotia.

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, UT and Midwest Terminals Inc. and Melford entered into the strategic collaboration agreement in support of the development of a marine container trans-shipment terminal in the Port of Toledo.

The agreement does not guarantee Toledo will be the site of the container-shipping terminal on the Great Lakes, but the port remains in consideration for the facility as plans continue for Melford's international terminal on the Strait of Canso in Nova Scotia.

“Toledo is one of several strategic ports for a container-shipping terminal and intermodal logistics park,” said Melford CEO Bob Stevens. “We don't like to think of it as a competition, but an opportunity for several potential distribution sites on the Great Lakes and Toledo is certainly one of them.”

Other Great Lakes ports that could support such a container terminal include Buffalo, N.Y., Erie, Pa., Cleveland and Detroit, according to port authority officials. Toronto and Montreal are potential ports in Canada, according to Melford.

Stevens said Toledo is strategic for a number of reasons that include its existing intermodal distribution network of seaport, air, rail and highway transportation, a manufacturing base and exporters looking to ship products overseas.

“You should have your own market for such a facility,” Stevens said about Toledo.

“The Port of Toledo has the largest land mass and is the only port on the lower Great Lakes that could handle the additional container shipping terminal,” said Paul Toth, interim president of the port authority.

The port authority owns 230 acres of waterfront land comprised of the former Chevron and Toledo Coke properties. It's currently taking bids for the road, water and sewer infrastructure needed for development, Toth said.

“The port has been involved in intermodal transportation moving goods from one form to another for nearly 100 years,” he said.

“Toledo is the crossroads of the Great Lakes, and the port authority has worked hard to make the Port of Toledo a world-class port and to develop this relationship with Melford,” said U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who made the initial contact with Melford executives in Washington, D.C.

Kaptur said the project could bring hundreds of jobs needed to move products from one form of transportation to another through an intermodal terminal in the port.

“It could make our port more successful and allow us to have one of the most modern shipping facilities in the country,” she said.

“This is an exciting project that is a great opportunity for Toledo,” said Paul Martin, Melford president. “It's time for Toledo to take advantage of its strategic location for the intermodal distribution of goods.”

Melford is planning a deep-water container shipping terminal and logistics park on the Strait of Canso that leads into the St. Lawrence Seaway from the Atlantic Ocean. The strait contains a 150-foot-deep shipping channel to accommodate the larger cargo vessels now carrying goods from Asia to North America.

The $400 million privately funded investment in the deep-water port is supported by the increasing number of containers being shipped to East Coast ports that are saturated beyond capacity, Martin said.

The project will be located on 315 acres of a 14,000-acre industrial reserve owned by the government of Nova Scotia. Melford already owns the 315-acre site and plans to purchase an additional 1,800 acres later this year.

Stevens said Melford expects to begin construction in the spring of 2009 and open the terminal in the first or second quarter of 2011. It wants to have Great Lakes ports ready to receive container shipments at that time, he said.

UT to get $1.13 million grant from NASA for new facility
BLADE STAFF
Posted on Toledo Blade website 8-22-2008
Direct link: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/NEWS21/106232136

The University of Toledo announced Friday that it will be receiving a $1.13 million grant from NASA to build a solar panel testing and certification facility.

The Lucas County Commissioners have also pledged to give $100,000 to the project, from the county’s economic development fund.

The facility will test the power, efficiency, and safety of solar panels from throughout the Midwest, and will be one of the few such facilities in the country.

University officials said the facility will bolster Toledo’s image as a center for the research of solar energy.

"This will help to create a brighter future for us, in more ways than one," U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, (D.. Toledo) said, while announcing the grant with UT President Lloyd Jacobs.

Maumee stamping plant deal looks closer
Selection of finance group expected soon
By GARY T. PAKULSKI BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

A group working to revive a former auto parts stamping plant in Maumee expects to choose in the next few weeks between a pair of private investment groups seeking to finance the project, a representative said yesterday.

"We will probably be making some announcement in the next three weeks about which group will be selected," James Tuschman, a lawyer for Maumee Authority Stamping Inc., said.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080823/BUSINESS03/808230372

MARINA DISTRICT
Dillin tries to ease Toledo council's Marina fears
Developer reiterates personal guarantee on loans
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Developer Larry Dillin did his best yesterday to quell the restrained trepidation among Toledo councilmen over his newly proposed financing plan for the $20 million public portion of the Marina District on the city's east side.

'Certainly, I prefer not to be here — this is not fun,' Mr. Dillin told the six councilmen who attended yesterday's committee-of-the-whole hearing on his new plan.

'This project has been out there a long time, too long,' he said.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080823/NEWS16/106232111/-1/NEWS

WHITE COATS MARK START OF MEDICAL STUDIES
University of Toledo gets $1.13M NASA grant for solar-panel testing center
By ALEX M. PARKER BLADE STAFF WRITER

The University of Toledo has received $1.13 million from NASA to fund a solar-panel testing center, a grant which university officials said will help the region cement itself as the alternative-energy capital of the Midwest.

"This will make our future a lot brighter in a lot of ways," U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, (D., Toledo) said yesterday during a news conference at the university with the school's president, Dr. Lloyd Jacobs.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080823/NEWS21/808230371/-1/NEWS

Nonprofit agency to buy former Hylant building
Article published Saturday, August 23, 2008
Via Toledo Blade website

A large non profit agency is finalizing plans to leave the United Way Building at One Stranahan Square in downtown Toledo.

Family Service of Northwest Ohio plans to buy the former Hylant Group building, 1505 Jefferson Ave., and move there, Jim Jones, Family Service's president and chief executive officer, said.

This month, United Way of Greater Toledo announced plans to build a new home; other non profit agencies housed in its building must find office space elsewhere.

Mr. Jones said he hopes several non profits housed in the United Way structure will follow his agency to its new home. 'We would like to see it be a community resource,' he said.

Family Service is an outpatient mental health clinic that provides counseling, outreach, advocacy programs, and home care for the elderly and disabled. It was the first agency to move into the United Way building 39 years ago.

It is the largest agency there after the United Way.

There's a great event for y'all to attend this upcoming September 7, 2008 at Warehouse District called the "4th Annual Wander the Warehouse District".

Here is the direct link: http://www.wanderthewarehouse.org/

Hope to see y'all there! :banana:

Thought I would share some pictures I've taken over the summer of Vistula and Northriver.

For more about Northriver and Vistula, check out http://www.geography.utoledo.edu/tault/northriver_neighborhood_map.html

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This is being renovated into a bed & breakfast. The owner was nice enough to invite my fiance and I in for a tour.
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View from the top of the tower-
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This porch is insane.
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Yum Yum Hamburg!
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Thanks for looking!

Awesome pics djc2e thanks for the contributions. I was wondering about the picture of the brick house under the picture of the top of the new bridge coming out of the trees..... What street and block is this house on? and Is that another pic of that house from a different angle under it? And where is that bed and breakfast located as well

Awesome pics djc2e thanks for the contributions. I was wondering about the picture of the brick house under the picture of the top of the new bridge coming out of the trees..... What street and block is this house on? and Is that another pic of that house from a different angle under it? And where is that bed and breakfast located as well

Thanks - I believe the house you ask about is on N Superior between Locust and Lagrange. Yes, there were two pics of that house from different angles.

The bed & breakfast is on N Huron at Walnut St.

Check this out, found it on UT's website!!!!!

http://www.foxbusiness.com/video/index.html?referralObject=3040516

Great photos of the Vistula neighborhood djc2e and that neighborhood has so much potential! The neighborhood has so many gorgeous houses/buildings and it would be a huge investment in return to revitalize them.

Also thanks for the link to the Regional Growth Partnership being being on Fox Business News rustbeltrevival.

Oh what such fun going on the Jet Express (90-minute trip one-way) on August 25, 2008 from Maritime Terminal in the Marina District to Put-in-Bay with great weather. The turnout was well-received since the boat was full. I have loads of photos for y'all to see and hope you enjoy them!

I took shots of the Maritime Terminal and the marina in the morning (8-ish) before the Jet Express arrived:
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Anticipating the arrival of the Jet Express, it looked so cool:
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On the way to go leaving Maritime Terminal to Put-in-Bay through Maumee River and Maumee Bay:
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http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/JetExpressAugustPictures_2008038.jpg

Out to the "blue" Lake Erie:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/JetExpressAugustPictures_2008070.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/JetExpressAugustPictures_2008006.jpg
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http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/JetExpressAugustPictures_2008041.jpg

We are arriving to the Erie Islands and snapshots from top of the Perry Monument!!!:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/JetExpressAugustPictures_2008031.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/JetExpressAugustPictures_2008044.jpg
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http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Decker9999/JetExpressAugustPictures_2008008.jpg

Now it's time to go home, we left Put-In-Bay (7-ish) and Hello again Toledo!:
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Home Sweet Home!

Haven't been to Put-in-Bay in 23 or so years. Looks just the same. I need to get back and visit. Thanks for sharing all of the pics!

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Please keep them coming. I so miss NW Ohio.

Glad you had a good time on the Jet Express. It looks like a fun trip. If I get up there someday I'm going to have to take a trip on the express. How much were the tickets?

- Bob

Great pics.
Love the shots of the ships in port.

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Please keep them coming. I so miss NW Ohio.

Glad you had a good time on the Jet Express. It looks like a fun trip. If I get up there someday I'm going to have to take a trip on the express. How much were the tickets?

- Bob

The Maritime Terminal just opened this past late Spring and they are doing trial-run service until the Marina District goes full force. This is the second known ferry run (that I know of) this summer and the round-trip tickets cost $60.00 with some of the proceed goes to charity of the Toledo Animal Shelter organization. The trip was a lot of fun and I wouldn't mind if they had ferry routes to Windsor and Cedar Point which I believe would be a huge hit for Toledo region.

Xunlight adds $7M to loan total
BLADE STAFF
Posted via Toledo Blade website
Direct link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/BUSINESS01/808260377

Toledo's Xunlight Corp. has been awarded two loans totaling $7 million to help the solar-panel start-up firm buy machinery and equipment to construct an assembly line capable of producing 25 mega-watts worth of panels annually.

The loans were approved yesterday by the Ohio Development Financing Advisory Council, part of the state Department of Development. They are $3 million at an interest rate of 3 percent for seven years, for research and development, and a $4 million Ohio Enterprise Bond loan for seven years with the interest rate to be determined at closing.

The funds, which are subject to Ohio Controlling Board approval, will help Xunlight, founded by two University of Toledo professors, create about 280 jobs and retain 30 within the first three years of the start of production.

The company is developing thin-film-silicon-based solar panels using a production process that makes flexible and lightweight panels at low cost.

Xunlight was approved this month for a $4.975 million grant to support engineering research. All told, the company has been approved for nearly $20.5 million in state and federal grants and loans to help it produce solar panels at a factory off Nebraska Avenue in Toledo. It also received $22.3 million in April from a California venture capitalist.

Dana move to cut city's Fortune 500 roster to 1
Officials note that auto supplier, property buyer are still in area
By GARY T. PAKULSKI
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

Once there were seven. Soon there will be one.

Economic development officials and business executives are generally circumspect about a corporate headquarters shuffle announced last week that will leave the city of Toledo with a lone Fortune 500 company and will cut the ranks of prominent businesses downtown by one.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/BUSINESS07/808260351

Fresh Market to open Sept. 17 at Westgate
Article published Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Via Toledo Blade website
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/BUSINESS03/808270297

Fresh Market, a Greenboro, N.C., gourmet grocery chain, has set Sept. 17 as the opening date for its store in the Westgate Village Shopping Center in West Toledo.

The 21,000-square-foot store, the chain’s fifth in Ohio, is at 3315 West Central Ave.

It is to have 90 employees and will include a bakery, meat counter, ready-to-serve entrées, fresh seafood, imported and domestic cheeses, and a produce section with a large number of organically grown items. The company has about 70 stores in the Southeast and Midwest.

Gerken delays resolution on Maumee plant loan
Article published Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Via Toledo Blade website
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/BUSINESS03/48057198

Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken is temporarily withdrawing a resolution for a loan to the firm that proposes taking over the shuttered Ford stamping plant in Maumee.

In a memo to his two fellow commissioners, Mr. Gerken said he needs more information from Maumee Authority Stamping Inc. before he can promote the company’s request for a $1.5 million county loan.

The proposal was the subject of commission discussion a week ago.

“I am not ready to move forward with the resolution that I requested to have on the agenda for [today],” Mr. Gerken wrote to Commissioners Ben Konop and Tina Skeldon Wozniak yesterday.

Mr. Gerken said he will place the proposal on a future commission agenda, no sooner than Sept. 9.

Keith Obey, a former executive of the Ford plant who has worked for a year to reopen it, could not be reached for comment last night.

Retooled Marina plan gets council approval
City OKs $3.9M state loan for main road
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo City Council last night set in motion construction of the long-awaited Marina District along the Maumee River on the city's east side with approval of a $3.9 million state loan and a new agreement with Perrysburg developer Larry Dillin.

"I have believed for many years the Marina District will reshape the face of Toledo," said Mr. Dillin, who was selected by Mayor Carty Finkbeiner to transform the waterfront property.

Council voted 10-2 on both measures - the first to approve the new development agreement with Mr. Dillin and the second to approve a $3.9 million loan from the State Infrastructure Bank.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/NEWS16/808270439/-1/NEWS

Zoo installs own turbine
Move shows interest in green energy isn't hot air
By TOM HENRY BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Toledo Zoo yesterday demonstrated its fledgling interest in clean, renewable energy with the installation of a residential wind turbine in its main parking lot off the Anthony Wayne Trail.

It hopes to get reimbursed for the $40,000 project through a combination of grants.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/NEWS38/808270443/-1/NEWS

Toledowalleye.com has an arena constuction video update:
http://www.toledowalleye.com/news.asp?id=18

Also arena419.com has a new photo update as well.

PERRYSBURG
Council OKs tax credits
Plan will aid start-up solar-panel manufacturer
By CARL RYAN BLADE STAFF WRITER

A high-tech start-up firm will be getting a tax break courtesy of Perrysburg City Council.

In a unanimous vote last week, council agreed to a payroll tax abatement for Willard & Kelsey Solar Group, LLC, a maker of solar panels using a newer, lower-cost, thin-film technology.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080828/NEIGHBORS03/808270349/-1/NEIGHBORS

Burlington Coat Factory opens first Toledo store
Article published Friday, August 29, 2008
Via Toledo Blade website

Burlington Coat Factory has opened its first Toledo store at 5243 Airport Hwy., in the former Best Buy and Pharm stores.

The store, part of a chain that is popular in some markets, has 68,000 square feet for its clothing and home merchandise. The store has nearly 90 employees, and a store manager said another Burlington store is expected to open next year, possibly in West Toledo.

New Penta center in Perrysburg Township begins its career in grandiose style
School ready ahead of schedule
By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER

They learn by seeing and doing at Penta Career Center, and students now can attend school inside a real-life example of building-trade success: a $90.6 million project done ahead of schedule and within budget.

Less than three years since its groundbreaking, the vocational high school's stylish and spacious new building in Perrysburg Township is finished and ready for 1,500 students to start class Tuesday.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080829/NEWS04/808290352/-1/NEWS

Seneca County courthouse fate still in flux after meeting
By CHAUNCEY ALCORN BLADE STAFF WRITER

TIFFIN - Yesterday was supposed to be the day the Seneca County commissioners decided whether to postpone knocking down the county's historic courthouse or to renovate and preserve it.

The courthouse, built in 1884, is considered a historical landmark, but an inefficient liability to county government.

Yet after listening for about an hour to preservation consultant Franklin Conaway and his associates' presentation on how to save the courthouse, county Commissioner Ben Nutter and Tiffin Mayor James Boroff had more questions than answers.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080829/NEWS17/808290381/-1/NEWS

Port authority OKs $1M loan to maker of solar panels
By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will guarantee $1 million of a $7 million loan to Xunlight Corp. and possibly buy a stake in the solar-panel start-up firm as well.

The port authority's board of directors yesterday approved lending Xunlight money from the agency's Northwest Ohio Bond Fund repayable over five years, with only interest due during the first two.

The money will be used to finance the firm's installation of a solar-panel production line capable of producing 25 megawatts' worth of panels annually at its Nebraska Avenue plant.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080829/NEWS11/808290350/-1/NEWS

Tourism revenues up in Lucas County
Despite economy, figures rise steadily
Posted on Toledo Blade website 8-29-2008

Despite the faltering economy, tourism revenues have increased steadily in Lucas County during the last few years, according to a report issued yesterday by the Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The report states that tourism generated $1.55 billion in sales during 2007, which is about 2 percent more than in 2006.

Those sales generated about $208 million in local, state, and federal taxes.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080829/NEWS33/808290354/-1/NEWS

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Investors to plug $11M into solar firm
Private financing to aid production
By GARY T. PAKULSKI BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

Less than a week after solar-panel start-up Xunlight Corp. got a large infusion of public money, it has received another vote of confidence from the private sector.

A group of venture capital funds, led by Amsterdam-based Rabo Ventures, will provide $11 million to help the firm expand from trial production to full-scale manufacturing of flexible, lightweight solar panels at its plant and research center on Nebraska Avenue in Toledo, the company announced yesterday.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080830/BUSINESS01/808300380

These stories about Xunlight are making me nervous rather than making me excited. I think for the last year or two there's been regular articles about them fundraising from various sources with production expected "real soon now". But where's the product?

These stories about Xunlight are making me nervous rather than making me excited. I think for the last year or two there's been regular articles about them fundraising from various sources with production expected "real soon now". But where's the product?

Production begins late this year, early next year.

What do y'all think?

Click here: http://www.nowtoledo.net/

this is a quote from someone on glass city jungle that i agree with.....

# 5 Brian Maxson Says:
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:31 am
OMGROFLMFAO

Ben, you have yet to prove you’re competent to be a commissioner.

So far, not seeing it.

Agreed. I'm not impressed at all with Ben Konop.

I totally agree its time for a changing of the guard as far as Toledo's leadership is concerned, but I don't think Ben is the answer.

Here's a thought: In Toledo we have the zoo, art museum, and the Mud Hens organization which are all run very well and are well respected around the country, if not around the World. How about tapping some of the people that run these organizations for new leadership in the community?

And Mr. Konop's grass roots movement turns out to be his way of entering the mayoral race....

this is a quote from someone on glass city jungle that i agree with.....

# 5 Brian Maxson Says:
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:31 am
OMGROFLMFAO

Ben, you have yet to prove you’re competent to be a commissioner.

So far, not seeing it.

Good gosh. I just can't get away from Toledo politics.

Isn't this forum for discussions about Toledo development, and not more of the same old Toledo vitriol that so efficiently keeps this fair city down? Do we not have better things to do with our time than to complain, complain, oh, and complain?

Moving on (oh, sorry -- that's what most are doing in this town -- gee, wonder why?.)

Quiet around here for the past few days...

Did Toledo fall off the map? :clown:

No Way Never!

Drove by Sonic on my way home today and there new LED sign says they will be open at 6am 9/10....... Im hopin it will be 24 hr since there really isnt any 24 hr drive thru out here in perrysburg.

Anyone been out to a BG game since they re-did there stadium? From what I have heard theres a new athletic complex at the one end of the stadium with balconies overlooking the endzone.... I've also been looking for actual plans, or pictures of the new Stroh Center which will replace Anderson Arena. I've seen the main pic of the inside of the Stroh center but nothing of the exterior or the Concourses

good news here:

Marina District green-lit, dirt set to fly

Last Edited: Tuesday, 26 Aug 2008, 11:02 PM EDT
Created: Tuesday, 26 Aug 2008, 10:35 PM EDT

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO -- Toledo's long-awaited Marina District has finally received the green light and developer Larry Dillin said the dirt will be flying as soon as possible.

Nearly a decade in the works, the Marina District has gone through almost daily changes in how it will be funded.

The city will give Dillin a loan of about $3 million dollars. In return, the developer gave his guarantee the loan will be paid back. The guarantee was also backed by his business portfolio, of which he wants to keep private.

"If my financial statement somehow becomes public, this project is dead," Dillin said. "I will not move forward."

"I have believed for many years now that the Marina District project is going to rewrite the face of Toledo," he added. "I think it's too important to not move forward."

Everyone agreed an independent third party will review his assets, so crisis was averted, but that didn't completely calm Dillin's nervousness, as Glass City council members mulled over the loan.

"We need to be looking to the future of this city," said Councilman Michael Craig. "Here is an opportunity to have a world class development at the center of this city."

"We've cashed in a lot of our chips already," added Councilman Tom Waniewski. "We've abated the land, we've gotten money from the county, the state, the port authority and we have nothing to show for it. Let's get this rolling. Let's get this done."

Dillin's track record can be found at Levis Commons in Perrysburg, but that didn't prevent anxiousness over whether or not this dirt would ever become a world class marina, shopping, and living center.

"I wouldn't blame him either if he got up and walked away," said Councilwoman Betty Schultz. "We have been working, we have been having meeting about meetings we're going to have. It's time to move forward."

"This gentleman has a track record," said Councilman Phillip Copeland. "He's built things, we see it. There aren't things we're just guessing."

A review of Dillin's finances is expected to happen later on this week.

The first phase of the Marina District phase is Riverside Drive. Once that's phase is complete, Dillin said investors will be more interested in the project and maybe come up with additional funding.

(FOX Toledo's Shaun Hegarty contributed to this report)

http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=D2852681C8A4C5DFD6CC02218BB05630?contentId=7295211&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7396721&version=1&locale=EN-US


check this out!!!!!!!!

Drove by Sonic on my way home today and there new LED sign says they will be open at 6am 9/10....... Im hopin it will be 24 hr since there really isnt any 24 hr drive thru out here in perrysburg.

I ate there last Thursday and it was even better than I remembered from living in SC many years ago. 15 miles round trip (from SW Toledo) is also alot closer than Fort Wayne or Detroit.

The only thing that sucked was waiting in line just to get in line. The Wood County sheriff deputies managing traffic didn't adequately explain the queue system and seemed quite joyful in scolding me for not following directions. A manager greeted me upon entering the lot & apologized for the wait. It didn't take long to get served once I placed my order.

Hopefully, business plateaus enough that they can do away with the extra line.

http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7396721&version=1&locale=EN-US


check this out!!!!!!!!

completely badass!

Downtown Toledo's landmark Commodore Perry Apartments building sold yesterday at a sheriff's sale for $6 million - $3 million less than its appraised value and less than what the city of Toledo pumped into the building a decade ago.

The 156-unit, mixed-income building at 505 Jefferson Ave. at Superior Street, for which foreclosure proceedings began in 2006, was purchased yesterday after a single bid by Liquidation Properties Inc., Toledo attorney Howard Hershman said.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080911/NEWS16/809110363

Any speculations on what this will mean for the future of the Commodore Perry?

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080911/NEWS16/809110363

Any speculations on what this will mean for the future of the Commodore Perry?

Considering Commodore Perry is nearly full, I think they will do fine as Wells Fargo see this a great property since it's across from the new arena. JMO.

The new location will be at the former Arbuckle Building site that had a huge fire couple of years ago. This is very interesting considering the plans for it.

White Tower restaurant sold; will be moved to new downtown Toledo location
BLADE STAFF

The White Tower building — the last one in Ohio — has been sold to a new owner and will be dismantled and moved to a new downtown location, officials said Wednesday.

Rumpf Development, Ltd. purchased the 600-foot-structure at Jefferson Avenue and 13th Street for $1 from the YWCA, which will use the land for a planned expansion.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080917/NEWS16/809170234

Those cheesy commercials must be paying off. :lol:

Maumee retailer plans $3.5M expansion
BLADE STAFF

A long-time locally-owned appliance store in suburban Toledo will spend $3.5 million to enlarge its showroom by four-fold and expand into bedding and furniture.

Construction at Appliance Center, Maumee, will begin late this month and likely be done by March, said John Oswald, president.

Employment could grow to 100 from its present 65, he added.

A ground-breaking is scheduled for Friday.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080916/BUSINESS03/309169995/-1/BUSINESS

Work begins on road to Marina District
Developer has yet to pay Toledo $1.2M for nearly 15 acres by river
By IGNAZIO MESSINA BLADE STAFF WRITER

Construction crews yesterday began grinding up the asphalt parking lot that
surrounded the now-razed Toledo Sports Arena, making way for the main roadway and other improvements leading to the long-planned Marina District development along the Maumee River.

Mike White, the project engineer for the city, said Larry Dillin, the developer, is finalizing a more than $5 million contract with Miller Bros. Construction Inc.
for the current work.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080917/NEWS16/809179969/-1/NEWS

About time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucas County backs loan of $1.5M for Ford plant
By ALEX M. PARKER BLADE STAFF WRITER

A $1.5 million loan to Maumee Authority Stamping Inc. was approved 2-1 by the Lucas County commissioners yesterday, moving forward a plan to reopen the closed Ford plant.

Commissioners Pete Gerken and Ben Konop — frequent rivals who often clash during commissioner meetings — joined together to support the resolution, while Tina Skeldon Wozniak, the president of the commissioners, voted against the proposal.

With the loan, Maumee Authority Stamping said it will be able to secure $3 million in operating capital to close a deal between Ford and a private investor who will buy the plant and lease it to Maumee Authority Stamping.

To see the rest of the story at this link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080917/NEWS33/809179949/-1/NEWS

First Solar tax breaks OK’d
2 projects to cost $136.5M, create 134 jobs, retain 100

BOWLING GREEN — Wood County commissioners approved 15-year, 100 percent property tax abatements yesterday for First Solar Inc.’s Perrysburg Township complex, where two projects costing an estimated $136.5 million are planned.

Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar, which produces solar panels and is considered a world leader in low-cost, thin-film technologies, plans to add 278,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 62,000 square feet of office space to its south plant at Cedar Business Center, said Wade Gottschalk, associate director of the Wood County Economic Development Commission. The addition would create about 90 jobs and retain about 100.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080917/NEWS17/809170256/-1/NEWS

http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7396721&version=1&locale=EN-US


check this out!!!!!!!!

It's quite interesting especially with the Hytower Building and loved the green space adjacent of the new arena at the corner of Huron & Jefferson.

Greatest Show on Earth booked for new Toledo arena
Posted via Toledo Blade website 9-17-2008

Ladies and gentleman and children of all ages, how's this for an opening act?
The Greatest Show on Earth is one of the first events booked into the as-yet-unnamed downtown Toledo arena when it opens in the fall of 2009, the Lucas County commissioners are expected to announce today.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has been scheduled to play the arena Nov. 11-15, 2009.

The commissioners' announcement will take place on the top floor of the Port Lawrence parking garage, with Ringling Bros.' national ringmaster in attendance.

Good News!

Custom Deco isn't moving, Toledo mayor says
Posted via Toledo Blade website 9-17-2008

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner yesterday said Custom Deco Inc., an East Toledo glass decorating and sales firm purchased nearly two years ago by Boelter Beverage Group of Waukesha, Wis., will remain in the city.

Boelter considered moving Custom Deco and its 200 jobs from its location at 1343 Miami St. to Wisconsin, Mr. Finkbeiner said. The city's department of development assisted Custom Deco in packaging $1.75 million in acquisition financing, the mayor said.

Not this story again....grrrrrr.

United Way site still has value, its architect claims
West tours building with mayor
By KATE GIAMMARISE BLADE STAFF WRITER

For the first time in about five years, retired architect Byron West yesterday toured the United Way building that he helped design four decades ago.

His conclusion — that it is structurally sound but needs many costly mechanical upgrades — is similar to that of others who have inspected the building, which the United Way of Greater Toledo plans to demolish.

But Mr. West said he believes the building at One Stranahan Square has value as a distinctive downtown landmark.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080913/NEWS16/809139997/-1/ARCHIVES30

GM’s Alexis Rd. plant to lay off almost 200
Move follows end of making 4-speed transmissions
By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE Blade Business Writer

Nearly 200 workers at General Motors Corp.’s Toledo Powertrain Plant will be laid off indefinitely Monday, three days after the plant ceased making its traditional four-speed, rear-wheel drive transmission.

Production of the four-speed transmission ended yesterday, with workers at the Alexis Road plant having made several commemorative models in recent days to mark the end of an era at the 52-year-old plant, spokesman Wanda Wellman said.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080913/BUSINESS03/809139926/-1/ARCHIVES30

Initiative on merger panel is protested
Sylvania Township seeks removal from ballot
By ANGIE SCHMITT BLADE STAFF WRITER

Sylvania Township trustees have filed a formal protest with the Lucas County Board of Elections seeking to remove from the Nov. 4 ballot a voter initiative to establish a commission to develop a plan to merge the city of Sylvania with the township.

The trustees contend that a residency issue has invalidated a petitions signed by 2,498 residents of the township and the city of Sylvania.

County election officials certified the signatures Aug. 28 and placed the matter on the general election ballot.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080913/NEWS18/809139983/-1/ARCHIVES30

I know I am lil' late to post this story, but what a great event for this community. It's truly amazing.

'Home Edition' site is where Toledo's heart is
Community rallies behind Frisch family
By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER

Connie Krum can't sleep. Her heart is about to explode.

"They simply won't believe this when they get home," she said, keeping a close eye on the swarm of workers hammering together a new home for Mrs. Krum's daughter, Jackie Frisch, and her family.

Mrs. Frisch; her husband, Aaron, and their 11 sons were shocked, and pleased beyond words, when they learned Sunday that they had been chosen for the ABC reality show Extreme Makeover Home Edition's 128th build.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080911/NEWS16/809110412/-1/ARCHIVES30

Go Rockets! :banana:

COLLEGE TRENDS
UT enrollment grows for 3rd consecutive year
BGSU numbers drop; Owens continues rise
By MEGHAN GILBERT BLADE STAFF WRITER

The University of Toledo has more foot traffic on campus for the third consecutive year.

With 1,217 more students this year, a 5.8 percent increase over 2007, the university's head count is at 22,336 students - the highest in the area. "It is consistent with our intention to raise up the University of Toledo in visibility, stature, rankings, and the value of the UT experience," UT's president, Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, said. "That experience is being more widely recognized."

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/NEWS21/809100371/-1/ARCHIVES30

Block Communications to move offices downtown
BLADE STAFF
Posted on Toledo Blade website

Block Communications Inc., parent company of The Blade, will relocate its headquarters to the National City Bank building in downtown Toledo from Monroe Street in Sylvania.

Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications, made the announcement yesterday after his firm concluded negotiations to lease a floor of the 29-story building at Madison Avenue and St. Clair Street.

The National City Bank building is owned by 405 Madison Ltd., a partnership that includes Dan DiSalle, Sr., president of DiSalle Real Estate and DiSalle Securities and Mortgage Co., and Bill Thees, senior vice president of DiSalle Securities and Mortgage.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/NEWS16/809100436/-1/ARCHIVES30

Downtown Toledo vision unveiled; proposal aims to capitalize on Lucas County arena
Posted via Toledo Blade website

A year or two from now, the portion of Superior Street between Jefferson Avenue and Monroe Street in downtown Toledo could be converted into a public green space - complete with trees, benches, outdoor dining, and children's playgrounds - to accompany the Lucas County arena.

That was one of many proposals which the Arena Neighborhood Development Initiative laid out yesterday during a news conference.

The initiative, part of the Greater Toledo Business Partnership and the Downtown Toledo Improvement District Inc., used $25,000 of the improvement district's money to create an expansive "vision" for downtown after the arena is finished.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/NEWS16/809100450/-1/ARCHIVES30

TOLEDO BOARD OF EDUCATION
Woodward bids OK'd; 3 Toledo school building projects delayed
By MEGHAN GILBERT BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Toledo Board of Education yesterday approved capital improvements that include changes to the district's building campaign and contract awards for a new high school and roof replacement at another school.

The board voted 4-0 to amend the district's $640 million Building for Success plan by moving the construction of three buildings into the final segment of the state-supported plan.

The new Birmingham, Longfellow, and Riverside elementary schools were pushed from the fourth to the fifth segment of the building program, for which the state pays 77 percent of the cost with the other 23 percent funded locally.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/NEWS04/809100391/-1/ARCHIVES30

Seneca delays courthouse demolition
Preservationists given Nov. 10 deadline
By JENNIFER FEEHAN BLADE STAFF WRITER

TIFFIN - A development group has two months to fashion a plan for preserving Seneca County's 1884 courthouse that will meet the county commissioners' approval.

The commissioners yesterday voted 3-0 to delay their planned demolition of the local landmark at least until Nov. 10, when the Seneca County Courthouse Development Group is to have two proposals for saving the courthouse before them.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080909/NEWS17/809090377/-1/ARCHIVES30

Very interesting article, please chime in your thoughts!

THINK BIG: 10 franchises that could boost NW Ohio
By Michael S. Miller Editor in Chief
mmiller@toledofreepress.com

Rock critic Dave Marsh once defined “cool” as “that which expends the least amount of energy defining itself.”

But there has to be a balance between working too hard to be cool and not working hard enough. There are a wealth of wonderful homegrown restaurants and entertainment opportunities in Northwest Ohio. But even if you patronize the zoo, museum, opera, symphony, theaters and baseball stadium on a regular basis, there are plenty of open nights on the calendar.

While recognizing that our area needs some immediate help in the jobs and quality of education departments, there needs to be some sizzle to the steak. The following is a list of entertainment and restaurant franchises that could go a long way to improving our “cool quotient” and attracting and retaining young people. Toledo may never land a Hard Rock Café (until that casino opens at Portside), but Perrysburg has a Cheesecake Factory on the way, Rossford has Bass Pro Shops and Sonic is finally here, so why not dream a little?

1. IMAX
Toledo supports a lot of movie screens, as long as they're showcasing Hollywood's mainstream. Coming off the biggest summer box office ever, the biggest hit was “The Dark Knight,” which made a lot of money from IMAX screens. IMAX is a large-format film process that dramatically increases cinema's visual and audio canvass. Cedar Point used to have an IMAX screen, but Toledoans have to travel to Ypsilanti or Detroit to get the IMAX experience. It's 48 miles to the nearest IMAX screen. Imagine the impact if our COSI, like Columbus's COSI, was attached to an IMAX screen.

Stats: The IMAX theater network consists of more than 295 IMAX theaters in 40 countries. Online: www.imax.com

2. Culver's
We love our burgers in Toledo, but unless you have been to Culver's, you are missing one of the greats: The Culver's butterburger. Not fast food so much as high-end diner food prepared quickly, Culver's also offers frozen custard and desserts to envy. There's a busy Culver's in Adrian, Mich., 38 miles away. If Adrian can support a Culver's, surely Toledo can.

Stats: Founder Craig Culver owns six Culver's and oversees more than 370 franchised restaurants in 17 states. Online: www.culvers.com

3. Common Ground Festival
Each summer, Lansing, Mich., dedicates both sides of its modest riverfront to three days of country, rock, rap and pop music acts. Top names draw thousands of people to an event that could be on our Downtown river banks. A conversation about bringing such a festival started a few falls ago, but did not gain momentum. Bowling Green's Black Swamp Blues Festival has the idea, but imagine that event transferred to the riverfront and you'll have an inkling of the vision.

Online: www.commongroundfest.com

4. Buca di Beppo
This restaurant chain, named “Joe's Basement,” specializes in “family style” Italian cuisine. That means when you order lasagna, you get a brick that can feed five people. The specialty is a “meatball the size of a baby's head.” The nearest Buca is 60 miles away in Livonia, Mich.

Stats: There are 93 Buca di Beppo restaurants in 25 states and the District of Columbia.Online: www.bucadibeppi.com

5. Dave & Buster's/GameWorks
With its casino atmosphere and ADD approach to entertainment, Dave & Busters is a video arcade game addict's heaven, with the latest in interactive and virtual technology. There's a Dave & Buster's in Westlake near Cleveland, 97 miles away, and one in Utica, Mich., 81 miles away. GameWorks, a similar franchise, has locations in Columbus and Auburn Hills, Mich.

Stats: Dave & Buster's owns and operates 46 locations in 21 states and Ontario, Canada.
Online: www.daveandbusters.com

6. Howl at the Moon
This is a dueling-piano bar that specializes in crowd sing-a-longs. It's ultimate karaoke, one of the safest ways you can give your date a sore throat. The closest location in the Flats in Cleveland, at a place that looks a lot like our still-underdeveloped Steam Plant.

Stats: Howl at the Moon has 14 locations in 12 states. Online: www.howlatthemoon.com

7. Apple Retail Store
A retail store specializing in, what else, Apple electronics devices, this store offers the latest gadgets for computers, iPods and gizmos you haven't heard of yet. The Apple Store in Aventure Fla., gets so busy, customers have to make appointments to get in. The closest Apple Store is at Briarwood mall in Ann Arbor.

Stats: Operates 199 stores in 41 states.

Online: www.apple.com/retail

8.Urban Toddler
Not yet a franchise, but a nod to young parents that could be the Starbucks of kids entertainment. At the Saline, Mich., location, 30 miles to the north, Urban Toddler features a giant room divided into play areas. There's a fire station, an art studio, a theater stage, a grocery store, a library and a café surrounding a middle section racetrack and padded play areas for tumbling. The store is attached to a retail store that focuses on kids clothes and education toys.

Online: www.myurbantoddler.com .

9. IKEA
People treat a day of IKEA shopping as a consumer theme park day. From utensils to furniture and decorations for every room in the house, IKEA is a wonderland of stuff. It's a Swedish concept, but for consumers, it's as American as credit cards and coveting. The closest IKEA is 56 miles north in Canton, Mich.

Stats: IKEA operates 260 stores in more than two dozen countries.

Online: www.ikea.com

10. Who did we leave out?
What franchises would you like to see added to the Northwest Ohio consumer landscape? E-mail your thoughts on our list or your suggestions to letters@toledofreepress.com for use in next week's issue.

Xunlight finds market for photovoltaics in Europe
By Duane Ramsey Senior Business Writer
news@toledofreepress.com

Executives of Xunlight Corp. returned from the European Photovoltaic Energy Conference held last week with potential markets for the company's lightweight solar energy products being manufactured at its Toledo operations.

“Our product was very well-received by attendees who showed a lot of interest. We're very pleased with the attendance, the reception we received and our entire experience in Spain,” said Matt Longthorne, vice president for corporate development and strategy at Xunlight.

Longthorne attended the 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Conference in Valencia from Sept. 1 to 5 with Xunlight founder and CEO Xunming Deng, Li Wei Xu, vice president of finance and administration, Michael Yang, vice president of manufacturing, and product engineer Jim Young.

“We met with several potential customers and found a significant demand for the products we're making. Roofing material suppliers and systems integrators in Europe can't get enough flexible photovoltaic products,” Longthorne said.

Many roofs can't take the weight of the glass solar modules currently on the market today. The European markets are looking for building integrated photovoltaic, he said.

Europe comprises 75 percent of the global market for photovoltaic products, with Germany consuming 50 percent of that market.

“Our product is the perfect fit for that application. It's the same product that is in the process of pilot production,” Longthorne said.

Xunlight is operating a two-megawatt roll-to-roll pilot production line and is building a 25 megawatt roll-to-roll line to manufacture flexible and lightweight photovoltaic products. A recent investment of $11 million in financing from new and existing institutional investors is funding the expansion of its manufacturing facilities.

The company expects to sell commercial products by the middle of 2009. The process of getting the photovoltaic product certified in both Europe and the United States requires time.

“Europe has been very aggressive in supporting photovoltaic for alternative energy, much more so than the U.S.,” Longthorne said. “We expect to sell our products where the market is strong.”

Xunlight is not the only solar energy company expanding in the Toledo area.

First Solar Inc. is enlarging its manufacturing operations by adding about 500,000 square feet of production, research and development, and office space to its facilities in Perrysburg.

The expansion is expected to add 134 new jobs to its current work force of 700 in Perrysburg, according to the company.

“Scaling our manufacturing facility while taking advantage of existing infrastructure will incrementally lower the manufacturing cost per watt at a rate comparable to our lowest cost facility in Malaysia,” said Bruce Sohn, president of First Solar. “The expansion of our operations in Ohio is the direct result of the outstanding achievements of our associates and a strong, ongoing partnership with state and local leaders.”

The expansion will add a fourth production line and reconfigure the company's original pilot line to bring the manufacturing facility to the same four-line layout at its five other plants in Germany and Malaysia. It is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2010 and will increase the annual capacity at the Perrysburg facility to approximately 192 megawatts.

The entire solar energy industry is concerned about the federal solar tax credit that offers a 30 percent credit for investment and is set to expire at the end of 2008, according to Longthorne.

The solar tax credit is part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that was set to expire at the end of 2007, but was extended through 2008.

Proposed legislation to extend the renewable energy credits beyond 2008 suffered a setback in July when House Bill 6049 was blocked by Senate Republicans. Without another extension, the credits would drop to 10 percent in 2009 and to zero after next year, losing $1.7 billion in solar energy tax credits per year.

“It's very critical to get the tax credit extended,” said Monique Hanis, spokesperson for the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA). “Without those credits, investments in companies like Xunlight and First Solar could be stymied due to an unstable market for expansion in the U.S.”

First Solar is not counting on the federal tax credit for the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Perrysburg, but does use it when building solar installations for large customers, according to a company spokesman.

SEIA president Rhone Resch unveiled the U.S. Department of Energy's new photovoltaic energy system installed on the roof of its headquarters in Washington, D.C., Sept. 9.

“Solar energy is the only domestic energy technology available that can be widely deployed by the federal government to lower energy costs for taxpayers while improving our energy security,” Resch said.

“Now, Congress must do its part to accelerate the growth of the solar industry by passing an eight-year extension of the solar tax credits, which expire at the end of the year. This modest, common-sense tax credit has helped expand the U.S. solar industry and put Americans back to work. Congress should not leave for the campaign trail without addressing this important national priority.”

Hanis said energy has become a popular public issue since Congress came back from summer recess. Republicans insist on a tax package that includes a much broader support of energy to reduce the cost of oil and gasoline.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Polosi and another group of Democrats and Republicans are trying to put together new energy legislation, according to Hanis.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur confirmed the House passed HR-6049 that included extension of the federal energy tax credits, but the Senate has not acted on the bill.

Kaptur reported that the Senate's proposal, S-3125, would actually extend the tax credits for eight years, compared to the six-year extension in the House bill. That Senate bill would apply tax credits for additional forms of alternative energy, such as geothermal, wind turbine and others, for businesses and public utilities.

Another Senate Bill, S-3335 which includes energy tax credits, is still on the Senate's calendar and could come up for a vote before Congress recesses for the November elections.

The Senate majority and minority leaders agree that the energy tax credits need to be renewed and are trying to reach a compromise on the larger issues of S-3335, according to Sen. George Voinovich's office.

“We need something to clear the Senate to extend energy tax credits for businesses and homeowners,” Kaptur said. “Our country needs to become more energy-independent at home. The solar market has grown in Toledo and it needs the tax credits to continue that growth.”

The SEIA thinks Congress could pass legislation before it recesses for the elections, but it is expected to adjourn in early October, so time is running short.

In a survey conducted by Solar Power International, 43 percent of nearly 4,000 respondents were confident the federal tax credit will receive a long-term extension before it expires. Thirty percent were not so confident and afraid it won't happen, while 16 percent are not all confident and don't believe it will happen.

The Solar Power International will hold its 2008 conference Oct. 13 to 17 in San Diego when Xunlight will be exhibiting its photovoltaic product.

Menards expands in NW Ohio
By Duane Ramsey Senior Business Writer
news@toledofreepress.com

Menards has expanded it presence in the Toledo market with the opening of its third store on Alexis Road near Interstate 75.

Menards, a chain of home improvement stores in the Midwest, also operates stores in Holland and Oregon.

The retailer opened its 240th store in Tipp City in June with plans to open new stores in Ontario, Massillon, Chillicothe and Sandusky in Ohio during 2009, according to company spokesman Jeff Abbott.

“We are very pleased with our decision to locate stores in Ohio and look forward to providing the best in home improvement goods and services in the Toledo market for many years to come,” Abbott said.

The newest 240,000-square-foot Menards on Alexis Road is among the company's largest mega-store format that includes a full-service lumberyard and garden center. It also operates two-story, 300,000-square-foot mega-stores in Illinois and Minnesota.

The Toledo area Menards stores carry name-brand appliances, pet products, lawn and garden supplies and even groceries for a one-stop shopping experience, Abbott said.

“There is something for everyone at Menards from the beginning do-it-yourselfer to the experienced contractor,” Abbott said.

“Menards is well-known throughout the Midwest for its selection of high-quality, name-brand merchandise, tools for any job and materials for all your home improvement projects.”

Menards is also known throughout the home improvement industry as the low-price leader, which is how Menards competes with Home Depot and Lowe's, according to Abbott.

“Our famous slogan, ‘Save big money at Menards,' is widely known and easy to remember,” he said.

Menards offers consumers more than 30,000 products in stock and more items through its special-order service.

“Certainly, economic conditions provide unique challenges, but we're actually having a very good year,” Abbott said. “Now more than ever, spending money on home improvement is a great investment for homeowners, tenants and business owners.”

The stores in the Toledo area and state of Ohio are supplied by a 669,000-square-foot distribution center located in Holiday City near the Ohio Turnpike and U.S. Route 20.

Based on sales, Menards is the third largest home improvement chain in the United States behind Home Depot and Lowe's with estimated sales of $8 billion in 2007, according to the Home Channel News trade publication.

Id definatly like to see a Dave and Busters downtown or in the marina district.... Also on East 6th street in Cleveland they have some sort of bowling that seemed pretty cool from the outside.... i hope someone here knows what im talkin about....

Id definatly like to see a Dave and Busters downtown or in the marina district.... Also on East 6th street in Cleveland they have some sort of bowling that seemed pretty cool from the outside.... i hope someone here knows what im talkin about....

Dave & Buster's http://www.daveandbusters.com/default.aspx would be perfect on the ground floor of the Lake Erie Center on Jefferson & Huron right across the street from the new arena.

I love it! This is soooo cool especially with all the developments happening in downtown.

1 WHITE TOWER, TO GO
Developer buys diner for return to downtown oasis; joint to flip sites for new operation
By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER

That neon-lit era of 24-hour diners and the 3 a.m. ButterBURGER could soon return to downtown Toledo.

The White Tower diner at Jefferson Avenue and 10th Street, the first and last official outpost in the state of the restaurant chain, has a new owner who plans to dismantle, rebuild, and reopen it as an all-hours burger joint under the White Tower name.

Bruce Rumpf, owner of Rumpf Development Corp. and the Job 1 USA staffing agency, bought the closed 1929 diner for $1 from the YWCA of Greater Toledo in a sale announced yesterday.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/NEWS16/809189983/-1/NEWS

In my years of going to UT, thank goodness there's a second chance to this gorgeous building.

UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
RevitalizedField House gains new life; former arena now holds state-of-the-art classrooms
By MEGHAN GILBERT BLADE STAFF WRITER

Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin rocked there.

Simon & Garfunkel harmonized within its walls.

And it’s where The Temptations brought Motown to T-town.

Memorial Field House, which once hosted big-name musicians as well as hoards of basketball fans on game days, has been revamped into the newest state-of-the-art classroom building on the University of Toledo’s main campus.

Direct link to the story: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/NEWS21/809189981/-1/NEWS

5. Dave & Buster's/GameWorks
With its casino atmosphere and ADD approach to entertainment, Dave & Busters is a video arcade game addict's heaven, with the latest in interactive and virtual technology. There's a Dave & Buster's in Westlake near Cleveland, 97 miles away, and one in Utica, Mich., 81 miles away. GameWorks, a similar franchise, has locations in Columbus and Auburn Hills, Mich.

Stats: Dave & Buster's owns and operates 46 locations in 21 states and Ontario, Canada.
Online: www.daveandbusters.com

7. Apple Retail Store
A retail store specializing in, what else, Apple electronics devices, this store offers the latest gadgets for computers, iPods and gizmos you haven't heard of yet. The Apple Store in Aventure Fla., gets so busy, customers have to make appointments to get in. The closest Apple Store is at Briarwood mall in Ann Arbor.

Stats: Operates 199 stores in 41 states.

Online: www.apple.com/retail


Dave & Busters would be nice but I think it is more of an urban phenomenom. If it did come, it would be out by the highway, not downtown in existing infrastructure.

I have been saying for years that we need an Apple Store. There are two 20,000+ student colleges within 45 minutes of Toledo and countless other smaller colleges. I hate having to go to Columbus, Detroit, or Ann Arbor for the nearest Apple Store.

One store that I think is missing from that list is Urban Outfitters, but I don't know how well it would do with Toledo's regressive and blue collar attitudes and culture.

Id definatly like to see a Dave and Busters downtown or in the marina district.... Also on East 6th street in Cleveland they have some sort of bowling that seemed pretty cool from the outside.... i hope someone here knows what im talkin about....

Yup. We have a Dave and Busters attached to one of the biggest malls here in Nashville, TN. The Opry Mills Mall. The IMAX theater and Dave and Busters are a just a couple of the big attractions in that mall. Opry Mills is just a one story mall, but it's twice the size of Franklin Park Mall:

http://www.simon.com/mall/directory.aspx?ID=1259

Anyway, Dave and Busters has a cool looking bowling alley area/room, with all neon lit lanes, a neon lit bar in the back of bowling alley area, and great music and videos playing. It's a cool yet eerie feeling place to bowl. It's the only way I can describe it. It's kind of a small bowling alley area as well. It's definitely no Imperial lanes or anything like that, but I would give it four stars for the atmosphere.

D&B also has a huge arcade area with a bar/restaurant in the center of it. A good size sports bar in the very back of the place, with many wall size big screen TVs going at the same time. And there is a separate pool room for those who like to shoot some pool.

D&B does very well out here for another reason. Location, location, location. Not only is it in the mall, but it's in the same part of the mall with the Regal Cinema 20 & IMAX theater, The Gibson Guitar shop and theater, and from an outside door from their restaurant they can cross the malls two lane outer drive street (no parking lot to cross) and go directly to the Grand Ole Opryhouse which seats 4400 and catch a show. A lot of people who go to the shows stop into the mall for dinner beforehand.

Did I mention the bars in D&B? :cheers:

PS There are also bars inside the Grand Ole Opryhouse itself. Which surprises many of our older guests down here in the 'Bible Belt' when they come to catch a show.

[Edit: I forgot to mention that D&B is also withing walking distance of The General Jackson Showboat (a large paddle wheel type boat) which is located very near the mall and has daily trips up the Cumberland river into the heart of downtown Nashville and it's entertainment district. The Jackson also has nightly dinner shows on the river. I'm actually going to see a show on the Jackson here in just a couple of weeks with some of my other friends from work. I'm looking forward to my first trip on board the Jackson.]

Very interesting article, please chime in your thoughts! ...

10. Who did we leave out?
What franchises would you like to see added to the Northwest Ohio consumer landscape? E-mail your thoughts on our list or your suggestions to letters@toledofreepress.com for use in next week's issue.

I really believe that a small casino, with a small casino riverboat would go over big in downtown Toledo where COSI is, or used to be.

As for COSI, I've always felt that It would have faired a bit better had it been on the Anthony Wayne Trail right across from the Zoo. I don't know how the landscape has changed out that way since I left Toledo back in 1997, but the zoo had a small tunnel that ran under the AW trail to a very large parking area on the other side of AW trail. I always felt that COSI should have been in or near that lot, and in that 'tourist area' (and yes I use that term loosely here) of town. Either there, or somewhere in the UT/Bancroft area of town.

I agree with both points ya made MS Bob. Hate havin to go to Detroit to gamble my money away.....

And about Cosi.... I think it would benefit the zoo and Cosi if it was near the zoo but the only bad thing is that the parking area you speak of is now the african safari portion of the zoo. The Tunnel is no longer in use anymore either (I miss jumping on the slam plate down there lol) they built a bridge over the trail made it more handicap acessable with ramps. There is still a parking lot over on the trail side but it is definatly needed the parking on Broadway is inadequate.

If you havent been to the Toledo Zoo since 1997 i highly recomend going back. You wouldnt recognize 3/4's of that place. Its about 1/3rd the size bigger now that they use the area across the trail and it keeps getting better every year

http://nbc24.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=194361

MAUMEE, OH -- A dozen supporters for the downtown Toledo Science Center, COSI, went door to door Saturday in Maumee. The idea was to drum up support for the levy that COSI has on the november ballot. This comes after the science center's levy failed in the last election, forcing COSI to shut their doors.

Lori Hauser, former COSI Director says, "I understand it's a tough economy right now, but I think that one thing our community needs is resource centers to go and get inspired about science and technology and being able to spark an interest in young people today that would hopefully turn into a want to follow a career in science and technology."

The levy is a one-sixth of a mil and would cost the average homeowner $5.21 per year.

Does anyone have an elevation drawing of the building?

Here is the link to the site plan:
http://nbc24.com/uploadedFiles/wnwo/News/Stories/United%20Way%20Site%20Plan.pdf

Here is the link to the news story:
http://nbc24.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=195661

111-year-old site will be market and restaurant


A downtown building which for years beginning in the 1930s was home to a pair of popular drug stores is reverting to use as a store.


From the Blade:
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/BUSINESS03/809230340/-1/BUSINESS

Finally we secured our Arena 2 franchise...... You can find info at Lucascountyarena.com

No Mascot yet, there saying sometime near Thanksgiving the name will be released...... Still waiting for the naming of the Arena. If you Wiki Lucas County Arena you will see the first "Nickname" for the Downtown arena.... "The Fish Tank"I dont know who came up with that nor do I really care for the nickname but since its on Wiki someone is caling it that...

I'm excited about the AF2 team but I would be more excited about a full AF team. Grand Rapids, a smaller town than Toledo has the Rampage AF team.

Does anyone have an elevation drawing of the building?

Here is the link to the site plan:
http://nbc24.com/uploadedFiles/wnwo/News/Stories/United%20Way%20Site%20Plan.pdf

Here is the link to the news story:
http://nbc24.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=195661

You know, this actually could be very good news. It's infill! There are no plans to tear down the old building until the new one is done. They're building it on an existing surface lot, so in other words, much-needed infill and more urbanity. The best case scenario is the following:

1. Surface lot filled in by new building.
2. Old building finds tennant and is remodeled instead of being demolished.

I'll be honest, I don't find the architecture of the old United Way very appealing, but it is integral to downtown's urban fabric, so I'd like to see it stay, along with seeing the bad surface lots filled in.

I'm excited about the AF2 team but I would be more excited about a full AF team. Grand Rapids, a smaller town than Toledo has the Rampage AF team.

I would like to see that and think it would also be good to get a NBA D-league team. Ft. Wayne has one.