TOLEDO, Ohio — The Glass City Center is one of Toledo's largest attractions and has helped jump start revitalization in the area. City leaders have called it a game changer and an investment into Toledo's downtown.
Just one year ago and $70 million later, the former SeaGate Centre has been transformed into the Glass City Center. It was a more than three-year renovation and expansion project to both the outside and massive inside of the property.
Troy Roeske, marketing director of the Glass City Center, said the history of Toledo is showcased through art incorporated throughout the entire building. The art ranges from murals transferred from the Toledo Museum of Art to famous jazz musicians, many of whom have performed in our area.
Roeske said, despite the art, the walls of the Glass City Center are a blank canvas that can be transformed into anything you desire.
The expansion included a new 16,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom and a 75,000 square-foot convention exhibition hall. Each of these halls can be modified in square footage to accommodate smaller gatherings or to host large scale events.
Although the goal of this renovation is to nearly double the amount of foot traffic into Toledo within the next five years, the General Manager, Steve Miller, said their first year went well.
Within their first year, the Glass City Center brought in 130,000 visitors and has had an economic impact of $33 million.
With a calendar full of events, building leadership said the next year is promising.
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