TODAY IN TOLEDO ProMedica fuels downtown rebirth by filling riverfront buildings with jobs and amenities are close behind.
As I interviewed leaders of Toledo’s business, arts, and cultural institutions, one thing became clear. They genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and they enjoy working toward a common goal. “We need to create a positive city vibe that people want to experience,” said Randy Oostra, president and chief executive officer of ProMedica. Like the Mud Hens’ ballpark, the ProMedica headquarters goes out of its way to remind Toledoans of the downtown we used to know, while jumpstarting new energy and growth. Surrounding ProMedica headquarters is a predicted $500 million in additional development. Oostra also noted that downtown jobs equal downtown living and enhanced amenities. This equation is adding up to an explosion in By far the largest employer in the area, ProMedica, made a considered decision to combine 20 administrative facilities into a 230,000-square-foot downtown campus. This development preserved Toledo landmarks on the river, centering on the iconic 1896 steam plant designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. Thousands of good jobs downtown, followed by a flood of support businesses, make all the difference. Retail, restaurants, and city amenities are much more likely to follow.
The first pitch at Fifth Third Field (sometimes called “The Fraction”) was thrown out in April 2002. The Mud Hens host a great party, and there may be baseball. The ballfield was the first step in actual downtown revitalization. It’s an outstanding example of organic utilization of existing buildings on the field’s perimeter, while building a pristine facility in the center. This was followed by the Huntington Center in 2009 – a multi-use home for the Walleye hockey team. Synergy of sports and entertainment created new energy for downtown. All that we were missing were jobs and people. This time, it looks like we’re on the right track, led by a significant commitment to downtown renovation and employment by the ProMedica health care network’s recent location of its headquarters on the river.
38 June 2018
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