Plans for development of the Glass City Riverwalk took a step forward with the purchase of nearly six acres on the west side of the Maumee River in downtown Toledo.
At the February 24 meeting, the Metroparks Toledo commissioners approved the purchase of 5.89 acres at 1456 Summit Street and 0 Water Street for $1.8 million.
Purchased from Downtown Toledo Development Corporation doing business as ConnecToledo, the parcels “will provide a critical connection in the chain of properties that will form the Glass City Riverwalk,” said Tim Schetter, director of natural resources.
The acreage has 1,800 square feet of river frontage and is just upriver from Veterans Memorial Skyway.
“Acquisition of this property will allow for significant shoreline naturalization that will contribute to better water quality in the river and Lake Erie,” Mr. Schetter noted.
He believes the property will support multiple public recreational opportunities from the downtown side of the river, enhance scenic views across the river from Glass City Metropark and help foster economic development downtown.
Currently on the site are two unheated metal warehouses that will be demolished, he said.
In related matters, the commissioners contracted with Lewandowski Engineers of Toledo for professional surveying services for the Riverwalk at a cost of $496,129.
Surveying will be done in five areas: Glass City park, International park, Vistula, downtown Toledo and the Garfield Greenway, and across three bridges–Anthony Wayne, Martin Luther King Jr. and Craig Memorial. The project is expected to be complete before July 2022.
The board also named the Lathrop Company as the construction manager at risk for Glass City Metropark development.
The company will initially be awarded a construction manager at risk contract for pre-construction services only, explained Jon Zvanovec, Metroparks project manager. When the final project plans are nearing completion, Lathrop will develop a final construction cost estimate to arrive at a guaranteed maximum price, he added.
Other Business
In other business, the park commissioners:
•Awarded a bid for wetland restoration at the Oak Openings Preserve expansion, corner of State Route 64 and Airport Highway, to G-6 Infrastructure LLC of Maumee for $86,450.
Work, which will begin this summer with completion by August 31, entails wetland construction, sediment construction, site layout and temporary erosion control measures.
“We got really tight bids and they came in under budget,” Mr. Zvanovec said.
•Authorized Allen Gallant, chief of community de-velopment, to apply for a $50,000 grant from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities for the park district’s summer program “My Mentor and Me.”
“My Mentor and Me is a support program that provides trained mentors to accompany special needs students attending Metroparks’ summer day camps with their peers,” he explained.
•Agreed to apply for a $75,000 paddling enhancement grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources division of state parks and watercraft. Metroparks plans to use the funding to develop a concrete boat launch and ADA floating kayak launch at Howard Marsh phase two. It will be similar to one constructed in the first phase of the park, said Mr. Gallant.
•Adopted a new vision statement for the park district that reads “Metroparks Toledo will be, in its culture and community engagement, the beacon for conservation of natural resources; diversity, equity and inclusion; and the activation of spaces that enhance physical and mental health. The communal pursuit of these aspirations will elevate our region and transform its identity.”
•Authorized staff to apply for an Ohio Public Works Commission Clean Ohio green space conservation program fund in an amount not to exceed $1.2 million.
•Agreed to request a $50,000 grant through the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The funds would be used to implement a virtual window on wildlife initiative. The Windows on Wildlife are accessible yearround for visits in person, Mr. Gallant said, adding, “We want to set up a live video feed to allow viewing through our website from any location.”
•Approved a strategic plan for 2021 to 2023. The plan features priorities including sustainability of funding; maintenance of core services; strategic community partnerships; organizational health; engagement in Metroparks’ story; diversity, equity and inclusion, and natural resources conservation.
•Paid bills for January totaling $2.11 million.
The next park board meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, and can be viewed livestream at metroparkstoledo.com.
