Metroparks Toledo has been awarded $19 million in federal funds for construction of the Glass City Riverwalk, which will continue the transformation of Toledo’s riverfront with trails and paths connecting historic neighborhoods to new greenspace along the water.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur supported the Metroparks’ application for the investment.
“We passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to invest in our communities, and update and repair roads, walkways, and transit Ohioans use every day,” said Sen. Brown. “This investment is a continuation of our work and will help transform Toledo’s riverfront and expand economic opportunities for Toledo into the future.”
Rep. Kaptur agreed, “I commend Toledo Metroparks and its partners for a successful and innovative proposal. By securing a second significant federal award for the Glass City Riverwalk, Metroparks locked down $42.78 million in federal investment in the riverwalk in just under five years.”
She added, “With this award, we are one step closer to realizing the full vision for a renewed Maumee Riverfront, one that will benefit all Toledoans and serve as a symbol of our city’s resilience and resurgence. It is especially rewarding as a member of the Appropriations Committee to see our work to fund these efforts result in such a transformational transportation project for our region.”
The Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded the $19.1 million investment through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Transportation Discretionary grant program.
The program provides a unique opportunity for the DOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives.
The grant is the second from the DOT for the Glass City Riverwalk, which received more than $23.6 million in 2020 under the department’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program.
It also is the third under the RAISE program for a project in the 9th District. Toledo received a $20 million RAISE grant for its project to reconnect uptown Toledo and Junction neighborhoods in 2023. This is on top of a $28.5 million DOT award for the Riverfront Infrastructure Vitality and Equity Restoration in East Toledo Overall, more than $115 million in federal funds have been invested in the 9th District through the BUILD, RAISE, and Neighborhood Access and Equity Programs since 2020.
“The RAISE grant will go toward much needed infrastructure improvements along Glass City Riverwalk in Toledo’s oldest neighborhood, Vistula, and some of the improvements planned for International Park,” explained Scott Carpenter, director of public relations. “We continue to fundraise for other aspects of the project.”
He noted the funding plan for riverwalk calls for raising half the cost from sources other than local tax levy dollars.
“That includes grants like this one and millions in private contributions. The plan stretches local taxpayers’ dollars while bringing state and federal funds back to our community,” he said, adding, “This is the third major federal grant for Riverwalk and adjacent infrastructure, so our plan is working as it was intended.”
