Toledo City Council on Wednesday voted 8-2 for the final projects to receive American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The city was awarded a one-time payment of $180.9 million in ARPA funds in 2021 to assist in public health and economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic. Communities across the country were under the gun to spend what was left in their ARPA accounts by the end of this year, or forfeit the money.
For the last several weeks, the council considered which projects should get Toledo’s remaining amount of just over $6 million.
The final list of projects that received the nod from council include:
● $2.8 million for community and senior center improvements,
● $1 million for recreation facilities and playgrounds,
● $2 million to the Metroparks Riverwalk project to rebuild a seawall, and
● $500,000 for facility build-out for Starbase, a training program to have classroom space available at the resource center in East Toledo.
Voting in favor of the list were councilmen Adam Martinez, Sam Melden, Nick Komives, Cerssandra McPherson, John Hobbs III, Mac Driscoll, Council President Carrie Hartman, and Brittany Jones. Opposed were Councilmen Vanice Williams and Theresa Morris. Councilmen George Sarantou and Theresa Gadus were not in attendance.
Ms. Williams, who represents the 4th District, said she voted against the final list because she wanted funds to go toward a grocery store in her district and not for a seawall.
“It eliminated the predevelopment dollars for a grocery store in a food desert in my district,” she said. “We are looking to try and incentivize grocery stores to come here. You shouldn’t have to live in a neighborhood without a grocery store, but we do. We lack grocery stores and quality foods in neighborhoods right here in District 4.”
Ms. Williams added: “We picked recreation over necessity. I am not against the Metroparks, but I’m for quality food for my neighborhood,” she said.
Ms. Morris, who represents the 6th District, said she voted against the measure because she thought more funding should go toward emergency first responders.
“I wanted to see more go toward our police vehicles, more for our fire stations,” said Ms. Morris. “In my opinion, council is charged to take care of all of the city services. I wish we could do more for everyone, but we can’t. I know some of our police vehicles are in bad shape. Our fire stations are in need. Funding a seawall for the Metroparks is not something I would connect ARPA with. That’s my challenge. I love the Metroparks. Being outdoors during COVID really did help a lot of people. But in this situation, I had an issue justifying the needs of a seawall over the needs of Toledoans,” she said.
Also at the meeting, council approved $250,000 in capital improvement funds for upgrades to the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department’s fire stations.
Those facility improvements include station roofs, multiple concrete jobs, parking lot pavement, HVAC and vehicle building exhaust systems, windows, kitchen remodels, security fencing, overhead doors, office remodeling, station equipment, and station security improvements.
The projects will likely be completed by the end of next year, according to Bryce Blair, deputy chief of operations in the fire department.
Last year, the council hired a consultant to conduct a facility condition assessment study of the department’s 18 fire stations. It concluded it would cost $12 million to address all the repair needs.
Fire Battalion Chief Ted Sheares said the department has funds from last year that will help with some of the repairs.
“Currently, we have almost $2.9 million for projects that are already contracted or about to be contracted. The vast majority of the projects are spoken for. The $250,000 would just add to those measures,” he said.
In other business, the council agreed to spend $37,500 to replace rotted decking, reset sunken pavers, and repair deteriorated handrails at the Boeschenstein Park boardwalk on Summit Street.
An evaluation of the boardwalk showed the super-structure was in good condition, but some of the decking material and handrails needed repair and/or replacement, according to Karen Ranney Wolkins, commissioner of parks and recreation.
The walkway pavers have sunk and need to be reset in order to maintain consistent accessibility to the Swan Creek overlook by the public.
The council also agreed to spend $115,000 annually for five years for golf equipment leases at the three municipally owned golf courses.
“Some of the equipment will be used to maintain bunkers,” said Joe Fausnaugh, director of parks, recreation and youth services.
“The bunkers at our golf courses haven’t been maintained in years. They are basically unusable,” said Mr. Fausnaugh. But because we’re investing in the courses and improving conditions for the first time in a long time, the bunkers at the golf courses will actually enhance the play for next year. We need the equipment to take care of those bunkers once we get them rebuilt. “
Also at the meeting, council approved spending $123,648.17 for youth engagement, mentoring, and development initiatives. The money will support 10 additional afterschool programs, bringing the total to 35. The programs will serve youth across seven ZIP codes in Toledo.
“This will enhance our ability to reach and engage underrepresented youth effectively,” said David Bush, commissioner of youth services.
In addition to the ARPA funds, the recreation department will receive a $1,151,000 grant from the Department of the Interior that will cover more than 50 percent of the cost of revitalizing Savage Park, Toledo’s oldest city park. The grant aims to enhance public access to high-quality outdoor recreation and natural spaces in the Junction neighborhood.
“Securing the grant will allow the city to completely transform Savage Park and its splash pad,” Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said in a statement released Wednesday. “For too long, this space has not met the needs of our community. This funding will make the park a vibrant, safe, and welcoming place for families and neighbors who rely on it for recreation and connection.”
Parks director Fausnaugh said he was thrilled upon hearing of the grant.
”We have been meeting with the residents in the Junction neighborhood for two years about implementing improvements to Savage Park,” he said. The grant “will finally allow us to move forward with our plans to restore the park’s status as a cherished community hub for gatherings and recreational activities.”
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