A year or two from now, the portion of Superior Street between Jefferson Avenue and Monroe Street in downtown Toledo could be converted into a public green space - complete with trees, benches, outdoor dining, and children's playgrounds - to accompany the Lucas County arena.
That was one of many proposals which the Arena Neighborhood Development Initiative laid out yesterday during a news conference.
The initiative, part of the Greater Toledo Business Partnership and the Downtown Toledo Improvement District Inc., used $25,000 of the improvement district's money to create an expansive "vision" for downtown after the arena is finished.
The project's organizers said they hoped the presentation would spawn private developers to look at helping re-invigorate Toledo's downtown.
The vision, presented in a video yesterday, sees Toledo's downtown streets lined with cafes and outdoor dining, low lights and trees, to encourage a "pedestrian-friendly" city.
Among the proposals: a second "Frogtown Alley" between Huron and Erie streets, a redeveloped Fiberglas Tower named "One Leadership Center," as well as new nightclubs, movie theaters, and restaurants."We truly have an opportunity to create a nucleus, with which we can create an entertainment district," said Tom Crothers, the executive director of the Downtown Toledo Improvement District.
Mr. Crothers said they have not yet approached the city about the proposals.
The Lucas County arena will host a minor-league hockey team, a possible arena football team, concerts, and other events.
Funded by an increase in the hotel-motel tax, it is expected to be completed by fall of 2009.
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