Leaders expect visible progress in the coming months. Work on the pilot phase is expected to begin this summer, with hopes the project could expand into a long-term model for neighborhood revitalization across Toledo.
TOLEDO, Ohio — A $1 million housing initiative is launching in Toledo’s Old South End, bringing together several organizations in an effort to rebuild the neighborhood and address long-standing housing challenges.
City leaders and community partners say the initiative is the result of more than a year of planning and collaboration focused on coordinating housing efforts and improving neighborhood conditions.
“We've really been in dialogue for the last year, almost year and a half at this point, to talk about how we can better coordinate efforts so we can drive efficiencies and be more responsive to the community and the community needs,” said Mike Deetsch, executive director of the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation.
The partnership brings together roughly half a dozen organizations that will align resources under a shared strategy. Instead of operating separately, the groups plan to focus their initial efforts on a small section of the neighborhood to maximize impact.
The first step will be a community survey a physical assessment of homes and properties to better understand the current conditions across the neighborhood.
“It’s really about bringing all of these eager partners around the table together to figure out how do we not duplicate efforts, how do we make sure that we’re driving impact in a meaningful way that ideally lays the foundation for further work to come,” Deetsch said.
The pilot phase of the project will begin near the corner of Broadway Street and South Avenue. Leaders say the work will include surveying homes, repairing existing properties and constructing new housing.
“The problems in the neighborhood didn't happen overnight, and we're not going to solve them all overnight, but working with the residents and working with these partners, we believe we can get started to make a difference very soon,” said David Mann, president of the Lucas County Land Bank.
Community members involved in the initiative say the effort could significantly accelerate ongoing revitalization work in the Old South End.
“I grew up near this neighborhood, and I'm really proud to be part of Historic South Initiative as we started trying to revitalize this neighborhood,” said Carl Wagner, a longtime resident and partnership member. “We've been working here for over 10 years, specifically in housing, and now we're really going to be joined by six other partners. It's going to accelerate the work. We'll coordinate projects. It's going to be wonderful for the residents.”
https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/housing-initiative-revitalize-old-south-end-toledo/512-d7d71bd0-5745-473c-8c37-d738316abd93