|
Hello Toledo!
This week’s takeover edition of the Mayor’s Newsletter is all about District 3! There are many exciting projects and positive energy radiating throughout District 3. First, let’s get the business stuff out of the way.
As many of you are already aware, this is my first term as a Toledo City Council Member. I serve as Chair of the Health Promotion and Access Committee; Vice Chair of the Neighborhood and Community Development Committee; am a member of the Education, Recreation, and Employment Committee; the Finance, Debt, and Budget Oversite committee; Streets, Public Services and Utilities Committee; Water Quality and Sustainability Committee and finally Zoning and Planning committee.
I have been proud to focus on legislation that centers around safety in neighborhoods with an emphasis on Tenant-Landlord rights, Water Affordability, the Environment, and Sustainability.
Whew! Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff going on in District 3.
Have you had a chance to check out the Ribbon at the Glass City Metropark? Metroparks Toledo is bringing it! I have heard so much positive feedback from visitors. I can’t wait to see the completion of Phase two where families will have access to three amazing play areas, the Ribbon, and a new restaurant to enjoy along the muddy Maumee!
But the exciting energy doesn’t end there. If you take a drive down Broadway in South Toledo, you notice the beautifully installed gateway arch. In collaboration with the Broadway Corridor Collation, the “Old South End” arch introduces residents to one of Toledo’s oldest neighborhoods. This is just the beginning of a revitalization, as the city is actively planning a full reconstruction of Broadway called “The Broadway Mile.” Planning is in effect now and construction will begin in 2024.
City Parks are flourishing! In District 3 alone, many projects have already started with funding and planning through the Toledo Recovery Plan. Have you noticed new playground equipment or upgrades happening in your neighborhood parks? Keep an eye out as more updates are taking place.
Parks and Recreation are working with the support of the Ability Center of Greater Toledo to install an all-inclusive playground at Navarre Park. This much-needed upgrade builds on the addition of a new shelter structure at Navarre Park and an updated park lot with new concrete paths to make it accessible to all Toledo Residents. Toledo Refining Company and Mercy Health Foundation were project leaders by donating and raising $100,00 to make the project possible.
As we continue into 2023, more projects are slated with one major notable project going to blow your mind! Highland Park in the South End will be transformed! There will be upgrades to the ballpark, the tennis courts, the shelter house, and an all-ages interactive playground experience.
Blight has been one of my biggest crusades. The Mayor recognized my passion to alleviate blight in our neighborhoods and invited me to work alongside his administration in the Bloomberg- Harvard City Leadership Initiative. We were one of ten cities chosen to focus on innovative ways to tackle problems regarding a focus, ours was blight. By late summer, it is our goal to have new ways to address blight within our city. One way we are starting now is through the demolition of nuisance structures. District 3 will have 289 structures demolished beginning in the summer of 2023. We have expanded the blight team that the Mayor and I worked to create. This will expand city efforts to reduce and remove overgrowth and efficiently clean reported blight issues.
As I wrap up this takeover, I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to our District 3 resident spotlight. Aviance Hill is a leader in District 3 and all of Toledo. She is someone who touched my heart and I admire her strength and perseverance as she pioneers and advocates for a better Toledo. Please take a moment to read her Resident Spotlight below.
Have a wonderful week, Toledo!
Editor's Note: Council Member Gadus is the second in a series of City Council Takeovers of the Mayor's Weekly newsletter. For more updates on District 3, you can subscribe to Council Member Gadus's newsletter on our website or follow the District 3 page on Facebook.
|
