OREGON, Ohio — The city of Oregon is filled with businesses, especially along its busiest street, Navarre Avenue.
But city administrator Joel Mazur felt something was missing and plans to bring it to Oregon with new development on currently vacant land.
"An historic downtown like a lot of cities have," Mazur said. "It brings a destination point. Something unique that residents can come and gather in."
He said it would also bring people who live outside of Oregon to the area.
WTOL 11 spoke with two people who live in east Toledo, among the target audience for Mazur's vision of Oregon Town Center.
"Everything's in Oregon," Rebecca Gast said. "Grocery shopping, restaurants, gas. Pretty much everything. There isn't much in east Toledo."
Gast wants more businesses in the area but is worried about traffic. Mazur said the city of Oregon received a safety grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, which will be used to build medians and traffic lights around Navarre Avenue to help with traffic flow.
Paula Bailey said there aren't many places in east Toledo to shop, so she comes to Oregon often.
"I do most of my errands at Walmart, I like the Chinese place, I like Big Lots," said Bailey.
A hotel chain, Home2, Olive Garden, Balance and Beer Head have signed a letter of intent to set up shop at Oregon Town Center.
But some people are ready to see development and the city said it should happen much faster now.
Oregon City Council member Kathleen Pallauf said the city acquired the property in 2019 and there's a reason it's taking some time.
"Of course, it took four years," Pallauf said. "We had a pandemic and does a business really want to open during a pandemic?"
Mazur said before he started as city administrator a year ago, there was no contract in place with developer Fairmount Properties.
"Since we had the developmental agreement signed," Mazur. "Things are moving a lot more rapidly."
Fairmount Properties put up a sign Wednesday, advertising to get more businesses interested in leasing at the space.
"Now that we have a signed agreement, it's happening," said Mazur. "We are working diligently, and we will be working toward a groundbreaking here very soon."
Mazur said people can expect a groundbreaking around middle to late next year.
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