One of Toledo’s first skyscrapers, the iconic Spitzer building in downtown, is getting $1 million in state funds toward its redevelopment.
“You could make an argument it is the most historic building in Toledo,” Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said.
Tuesday afternoon, local and state officials gathered for a news conference outside the Spitzer building, at 520 Madison Ave., to make the announcement. Funds for the Spitzer building are earmarked for asbestos abatement and lead-based paint removal, according to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office.
“Returning this to a useful building in the community is something we all look forward to,” said Gary Byers, Lucas County commission president.
As part of the new Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, the Ohio Department of Development is providing funding for 78 projects, including approximately $54.8 million for 37 clean-up projects and $5.5 million for 41 assessment projects, according to state officials. These projects will impact communities in 35 counties across the state.
The goal is to help local communities clean up dozens of contaminated properties to make way for future economic development.
Funds awarded as part of the program will help to assess and clean up industrial, commercial, and institutional brownfield sites that are abandoned, idled, or underutilized because of a known or potential release of hazardous substances or petroleum, according to state officials. Following site remediation, properties can be redeveloped to revitalize neighborhoods and attract new economic development.
Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Development director, said the grant helps remove a barrier to revitalization. She also noted that this is just round one of the program’s awarded grants, and nearly $350 million will be invested in total across the state in the coming months.
“We’re really excited about this, quite frankly,” she said. “Buildings like this in downtown Toledo will sometimes sit vacant for a really, really long time.”
Almost two years ago, the Lucas County Land Bank acquired the deeds to both the Spitzer building and its neighbor, commonly referred to as the Nicholas building. For several years prior, both buildings were owned by the Ergur Private Equity Group, run by California resident Koray Ergur, and have been in various states of vacancy, disrepair, and without utilities.
The Spitzer building was constructed in the 1890s as one of the earliest skyscrapers in Ohio. The site is expected to be redeveloped as a mixed-use residential and commercial space.
Local officials spoke about the need for more grants that would help continue the revitalization of not just sites downtown but throughout the city. Mr. Kapszukiewicz pointed out that there are areas where the city needs to improve when it comes to asking for money.
“We do need to do better,” he said. “We have missed opportunities.”
But securing funds for the Spitzer building deserves to be celebrated, the mayor said, and he gave much of the credit for the building’s current status to the land bank, which he believes took a risk in acquiring the property back in 2020.
David Mann, president and CEO of the Lucas County Land Bank, believes the building’s future is bright.
“This building has a really interesting past,” he said. “It will have a really interesting future.”
Other grants awarded include $336,000 for the demolition of Rossford’s former Eagle Point school, $506,397 for the cleanup of Fulton County’s former Britsch plant, and $492,800 for Hancock County’s Ra-Nik cleanup project.
First Published April 26, 2022, 3:29 p.m.