Several members of the original Friends of the Valentine that saved the theater from the wrecking ball gathered Saturday afternoon in front of the building to ensure the legacy of the Toledo landmark.

Developer Hunter Brucks has said he is no longer pursuing an amphitheater for Waterville but is considering other locations and conducting due diligence on properties in Toledo, including, initially, one across from the Valentine.

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has assured Valentine Theatre leadership that the 2.5-acre parking lot in front of its building is no longer being considered for an amphitheater.

“The Valentine Theatre board is satisfied with the assurances it has received from the mayor that the Paramount block is off the table,” said Clare Gorski, chairman of the Valentine Theatre board of trustees. “The Valentine board and staff are returning our focus to ensuring that our patrons and renters have the best possible experience at our beautiful 127-year-old theatre.”

As Toledo Pride’s parade rolled down Adams Street, with the noise often drowning out the speakers, the group said that even with the news, they gathered to ensure the Paramount block would not be selected.

They said it is obvious how a loud, outdoor music venue would be disruptive to not only the Valentine but also the residential apartments that exist or are planned in the surrounding blocks.

Michael J. Young, a former Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission planner, was among those in attendance.

“The idea of an amphitheater in this site would be what I call an unforced error,” Mr. Young said. “There is no reason to put the effort into something like this, which has so many consequences that could be negative.

“You can’t have something that loud in a downtown that has now become a neighborhood,” he said. “The sound of an outdoor facility would echo throughout and discourage investment.”

He said nothing should occur that could jeopardize the Valentine's future. 

“The Valentine is too important and too fragile to risk on something like this when I don’t remember anyone a month ago saying what we need downtown is an amphitheater,” Mr. Young said. “Toledo has an ample supply of other venues. It doesn’t make sense.”

Catherine Hoolahan, a former Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission chairman, said she doesn’t believe an amphitheater is needed in downtown Toledo or anywhere else.

“I don’t know that we need it,” she said, naming several other music venues, including the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater. “I think there has to be a lot of real serious thinking about whether we really need another venue.”

While praising the idea of a feasibility study commissioned by the Lucas County commissioners, the group called on officials to announce the other sites under consideration so the public can weigh in.

The group also wants to ensure that no taxpayer funds would be used to construct an amphitheater or infrastructure related to the project.

“We have a sufficient amount of amphitheaters in this community, especially when you look at the needs that we need to be addressing,” said Pete Culp, also a former chairman of the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission. “This money could be used to eliminate a lot of problems.”

While the developer has not publicly asked the city or county for funds for the project, former Toledo mayor Carty Finkbeiner, who organized the event, said often excitement about a project spurs the call for public money to ensure its completion.

First Published August 19, 2023, 8:14 p.m.