Downtown Toledo Master Plan Wins Award of Excellence from the International Downtown Association

Recognizing a pressing need for a plan to guide and attract public and private investment in Downtown Toledo, the 22nd Century Committee and public leadership hired MKSK to lead the community in the creation of a compelling vision for downtown that has resulted in the most significant reinvestment and revitalization in three decades with more momentum building toward the future.

Download the Master Plan.

The public was encouraged to participate in three public meetings, submit ideas online and visit several pop-up community input locations, resulting in more than 1,000 ideas and comments. The plan created a community-driven vision for future growth that has led to the dramatic revitalization of downtown Toledo.

The Downtown Toledo Master Plan built on existing momentum with a bold vision of a completely rebuilt, accessible and activated riverfront that connects both sides of the  Maumee River and identifies new opportunities for downtown and neighborhood reinvestment. The plan extends beyond a vision – outlining 12 Priority Action Items that identify catalytic projects to transform downtown and the policies to support them. For example, it identifies the public/private partnerships required to reinvent the riverfront; makes the case for economic incentives necessary to spur continued residential development in downtown; develops the street typology framework for new mixed-use development; and provides an economic baseline for downtown to grow jobs and attract talent. Since the plan was completed in early 2017, more than $244 million of catalytic projects have been completed and another $425 million of investments are funded and underway.

It was clear from the first public meeting that activating the Maumee riverfront was of tremendous importance to the community. This early consensus around the development of a continuous and interconnected network of open spaces along both sides of the river allowed for immediate community collaboration toward implementation.

Promenade Park, a celebratory and flexible public open space with access to the riverfront, hosts daily events and draws tens of thousands of visitors to summer concerts and movie nights.

The first landmark in a 5-mile Riverwalk, the Anthony Wayne Bridge’s new LED display transformed the iconic structure into a dazzling piece of public art.

Located along the Maumee River along a revitalized Promenade Park, ProMedica’s new headquarters renovated 3 downtown buildings and brought 1,000+ employees downtown.

Downtown’s momentum has uplifted adjacent neighborhoods, including Vistula. Locally-owned Bellwether at Toledo Spirits is one of several additions to Toledo’s oldest neighborhood.

Part of an innovative and ambitious goal to build 320 acres of new park space, the community’s investment in the riverfront is also the centerpiece of the plan’s economic redevelopment strategy to bring visitors, jobs and residents back to downtown and core neighborhoods. This is exactly what is occurring today. Funding from the city, county, state, federal government, Metroparks, and the philanthropic community has resulted in five new park and trail projects that are either built or under construction along the Maumee River, boosting the fortunes of both downtown and six historic neighborhoods. The public has continued to voice their strong support of this investment, recently passing a $112 million levy to fund projects like the five-mile Riverwalk and 70-acre Glass City Metropark. Because of the Master Plan’s guidance and demonstrated action toward completing the plan, Toledo was awarded $23.6MM BUILD grant for the Riverwalk.

These investments in public space have been complemented by a network of connected and pedestrian-friendly streets, focused residential development, rehabilitation and reuse of existing historic buildings, investment in hospitality and entertainment, and dozens of new locally-owned businesses. This has brought much needed energy, activity and livability back to the core of Toledo.

Before the plan was adopted in 2017, one of the first implementation recommendations was already underway—the creation of ConnecToledo. This new organization has focused on downtown and acts as the consistent planning partner of the city, county, and community.

The implementation results benefit all Toledoans: $244 million of completed catalytic projects, from the new ProMedica corporate headquarters to the residential conversion of downtown office towers and warehouse buildings for both market rate and workforce housing. Investment in the riverfront is just beginning. Promenade Park opened in summer 2017 and has been a hub of activity for the community, hosting dozens of community events and attracting tens of thousands of residents downtown each summer. More than $425 million of additional catalytic projects are currently underway, including the $200 million Glass City Metropark that fulfills the community’s vision of a restored riverfront park system on both sides of the Maumee River. An $80 million renovation to the Glass City Convention and Event Center and attached hotel is currently underway that will boost downtown’s hospitality market. From the architecturally significant “Four Corners” buildings at the intersection of Huron St. and Madison Ave. to Fort Industry Square, 11 historic structures have also been rescued from neglect and plans for restoration are underway. Downtown mobility improvements have also been made, with a new transit center, and the pedestrian-focused and bicycle-focused streetscape improvements underway on Summit Street and Jefferson Avenue. All of the 12 Priority Action Items in the plan are either underway or complete.