Five actions were taken Monday to further development of the Glass City Riverwalk along both sides of the Maumee River, one of which involves a viability assessment of remaking a massive 40,000-square-foot building along Water Street into a family-themed recreation center that could include indoor pickleball courts and a restaurant.
The Metroparks Toledo Board of Park Commissioners, during a special meeting inside the Wildwood Preserve Metropark’s Manor House administration department, approved all actions by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Kevin Dalton was absent.
Some actions were housekeeping matters, such as updating its development agreement with the city of Toledo for the next phase of the riverwalk, agreeing to let Toledo Rowing Club continue rent out space for a boathouse along South Main Street, and formally voting to accept ownership of Toledo’s 63-acre International Park for $1. That transaction has been in the works for more than a year.
The ultimate goal is to improve International Park and blend it in with the adjacent Glass City Metropark for a bigger footprint along the East Toledo side of the Maumee River.
More recently, though, have been discussions to acquire Toledo’s Streets, Bridges & Harbor Building at 1030 Water St. from the city for potential use as a family recreation center. That building is on the other side of the river, in North Toledo’s historic Vistula District.
Once the deal to acquire that building for $1 was approved at the meeting, the Metroparks board agreed to enter into a joint cooperation agreement with Toledo Pickle, LLC.
That company, according to Matthew Killam, Metroparks chief outreach officer, is expected to spend about 90 days assessing costs of converting the massive building into a multipurpose facility that could include indoor pickleball courts, a restaurant, and various activities meant to fill a niche in the Vistula neighborhood.
According to a notice in Toledo Legal News, Toledo Pickle LLC’s preliminary estimate for the project is $7.2 million. The company, which identified itself as the project developer, said in its published notice that it is seeking a statement of qualifications from contractors, professional architecture and engineering teams for what it calls a Family Entertainment Venue.
The building is along Water Street, between Lagrange and Elm streets and directly across the river from the Glass City Metropark.
It has for years been occupied by Toledo’s Division of Streets, Bridges & Harbor.
The action does not commit the park district to developing the building. That would come in a future vote if the project is deemed viable.
The action also does not commit the park district to operating it. That would be done by a private company, much like skate rentals and food services are contracted out at Glass City Metropark’s skating area known as The Ribbon.
Board Vice President Fritz Byers said he’s “personally thrilled” by the project, though explaining it is important to remember it would be done by a private developer because such reconstruction is not part of the park district’s core mission.
“This is not our core activity, but we are a partner,” he said. “I’m personally thrilled we're involved in this.”
Board President Scott Savage expressed similar thoughts after the meeting.
“The first couple steps are the hardest,” he said, adding that a future family recreation center will become another great asset along the river. “I’m thrilled.”
Mr. Killem said the project is another example of how the riverwalk would “bring energy” to the shoreline.
The original plan was to raze the building. Then, after hearing from residents, the decision was made to possibly redevelop it.
Vistula-area residents told the park district they want “a clean, safe place with a good dining experience and things for kids to do,” Mr. Killem said.
Toledo Pickle is headed by businessman Mike Gibbons, whose many restaurants include the Chop House, Real Seafood, Zia’s, and Ciao!
His many career achievements include serving as the National Restaurant Association chairman from 2009-2010.
Mr. Gibbons “is someone who understands the value of investing in [the riverfront],” Mr. Killem said, adding that he “knows how to run a good business.”
“We have a national caliber operator who wants to do this,” he said.
Mr. Gibbons was not available for comment.
First Published February 12, 2024, 5:55 p.m.
