McManus-Troup transformed into Lofts on Jefferson
A new retail and living space will soon occupy the McManus-Troup building at 715 Jefferson Avenue. Completely renovated in a transformation into The Lofts on Jefferson, the project is spearheaded by Talon Renovations, the group which developed The Lofts on Adams at the corner of Adams and Erie. The project will see the interior of the building housing 18 luxury lofts with retail space on the ground floor. The $4 million project is expected to be completed in August.
Home Rescue program to aid low-income homeowners
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Toledo are working together to assist low-income homeowners with a Home Rescue Rehabilitation program. The collaboration will focus on homes with housing code violations— faulty electrical wiring, hazardous windows, crumbling foundations and more— by providing a forgivable deferred payment loan for repairs. Eligible homeowners must have lived in the home for at least three years, and remain in residence for ten years after the renovations for the loan obligation to be forgivable. The program is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Postel named UT’s 18th president
Interim no more. Gregory Postel was named the 18th President of the University of Toledo in March, after a vote by the UT Board of Trustees. Postel had served as interim president since July, 2020 when Sharon Gaber departed. UT conducted a nationwide search for a new president, but by September suspended the search and extended Postel’s interim tenure. Postel’s new contract as President runs through 2025.
Toledo ties for top of business investment rankings
Site Selection Magazine announced that Toledo was tied for the rank of number one among American mid-sized cities in terms of dollar amount of new business investment. The magazine’s Top Metros rankings are based on the number of major capital investments in corporate end user facilities. Toledo tied with Savannah, GA for number one in the Tier 2 rankings (covering metro areas with populations between 200,000 and one million residents). Chicago ranked at the top of Tier 1 (cities with more than one million residents), while Sioux City, IA topped Tier 3 (cities with less than 200,000 residents).
Commencement exercises return to BG and UT
Students at the area’s two biggest universities will be able to walk across the stage to grab their diploma at an in-person commencement this month. Bowling Green State University holds commencement ceremonies from Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2, in outdoor ceremonies at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. The University of Toledo will hold multiple commencement ceremonies on May 8 at the Glass Bowl. Attendance for the UT events will be limited to 30% capacity, and all ceremonies will also be streamed online.
American Rescue Plan brings $188 million to Toledo
With the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed into law on March 11, a total of $11.2 billion in aid is headed to Ohio— with $188 million earmarked for Toledo. The money will arrive in two installments, the first hitting the city this month, with the second installment coming in May 2022. All the funds must be spent by the end of 2024, and must be utilized to respond to the pandemic and the negative economic impact it has caused. City officials announced plans for the money, including investing in capital projects, pay for essential city employees, increased staff for police and fire departments, new housing construction and much more.
