TOLEDO, Ohio — You may have noticed construction at Levis Square on North Saint Clair Street. We now know the urban park's makeover is almost complete.
In total, Levis Square Park's renovations are worth $3.5 million. In August 2023, Toledo City Council announced the park's final phase would cost $1.25 million to renovate, a bill paid for with a state capital grant.
EARLIER COVERAGE: Toledo City Council approves funding for city park improvements
Joe Fausnaugh, the city's director of Parks and Youth Services, said the development will increase Levis Square's usefulness to the city and its residents.
"We are making it more of a purposeful space, a space that can be programs and can be more of an asset to the businesses and the residents," he said.
Crews have already broken ground on the final phase, with an estimated completion date of the end of August 2024. Its earlier two phases, completed in years past, transformed the area from a dark alley to a vibrant park where the summertime food truck event "Lunch at Levis" is held, among other activities.
The project has been among the city's more expensive renovations, city officials said, as crews needed to work around underground structures downtown, such as pipes and wiring.
Fausnaugh described some of the work involved in the final phases.
"It's really just a continuation of the rest of what you see at Levis Square," he said. "So lots of planting beds, decorative lighting, decorative pavers. It will tie Levis Square directly to Promenade Park at Summit Street."
City leaders said they believe the renovations will bring in new events to Toledo.
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