TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - The City of Toledo has some big development projects in the works, in hopes of revitalizing the area, with many taking place downtown.
ProMedica's new headquarters, Hensville near Fifth Third stadium and a new grocery market are just some of the new businesses and facilities popping up in the near future.
Jonathan McQueary, who lives downtown and is also a General Manager at Forrester's on the River nearby, says it's exciting.
"There's a lot of restaurants, bars opening; there's a lot of activity going on and I think it's just going to continue to get better," said Mr. McQueary.
Toledo City Council is approving road vacancies to make way for the ProMedica headquarters and Hensville construction.
Hensville, a future residential and entertainment block adjacent to Fifth Third Field, is currently under construction, and if all goes as planned, will be done by the spring of 2016. The project is something McQueary says will draw people from diverse backgrounds.
"That's going to be huge! A lot more apartments, lofts, restaurants, shops...it's just really great for development as a whole. I think it's great for our area," he said.
ProMedica officials say they are gearing up for a groundbreaking this fall, with the entire headquarters completion expected by early 2017, at the latest.
While those two major projects will bring jobs, residential areas, and nightlife, there's still not a grocery store downtown. That's only until one opens next door to the Blarney by the end of the summer.
Coupled with the city's creation of the '22nd Century Committee,' an initiative to bring back a thriving downtown Toledo, the area seems to be on the road to success.
"The different areas of downtown are getting nicer, they're cleaning it up. I praise the city for that," said McQueary. "It's really great for all of us, not just certain businesses."
McQueary also says downtown Toledo has a lot to offer right now, and lot of potential for the future.
"Everybody talks about, 'oh, Toledo used to be this, it used to be that.' I think we're coming back. Economic times are showing that it's coming back around and honestly we're really happy to be a part of it," he said.
The 22nd Century Committee plans to hold its first meeting in the next several weeks, and will be soliciting public input on development in downtown Toledo through open forums in the near future.
