Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
I have been watching what has transpired across the country, in Ohio, and within the city of Toledo during the past week, and my heart goes out to everyone impacted by the issues of racism and police brutality.

I support the protesters across America who have taken a stand against the great injustice and tragedy that happened to 46-year-old George Floyd, whose life was snatched away needlessly by men who betrayed their oaths as police officers to protect and serve.

I also support the calls for real reform to police operations across America -- as well as better training and higher standards -- for police officers.

Generally speaking, I believe our police department gets it right more often than it gets it wrong. But we know we can do better. As good as TPD has been over the years, we always strive for perfection.

That is why I announced a number of reforms this week intended to bring further transparency and accountability to our policing efforts. We will move Internal Affairs out of the Safety Building so residents will feel more comfortable if they need to issue a complaint against one of our officers; we are opening for public review (through both video technology and in-person visits) the training we offer to our police officers on diversity, sensitivity, and de-escalation; we are strengthening the oversight provided by the Civilian Police Review Board; and we have made public our Bias-Free Police Study, our citizen survey, and our Toledo Police handbook.

The #8cantwait campaign was launched this week, calling for eight use-of-force policies that could decrease police violence by up to 70 percent. You can learn more about it at 8cantwait.org .

I can tell you that Toledo Police are already trained on all eight. And we are revising the department manual to reflect that our officers are already trained on all eight.

Even though Toledo has seen nothing but peaceful protests over the last six days and nights, I know many people are concerned about the violence that took place last Saturday night. I participated in both protests last Saturday, because I believe that now is the time to bring change to police-community relations. While I support peaceful protests, I don’t support violence. I don’t support violence when it is directed by a protester toward a police officer, nor do I support it when it is directed by a police officer toward a protester.

I am asking anyone who attended the protest Saturday who has concerns about violence they saw, to report it to TPDconcerns@toledo.oh.gov .

We are looking at everything. The city safety director and I are both personally reviewing all of the messages. So far, we have received almost 150 messages into this email account. If you have not received a reply yet, please be patient. We will review every photo and every video in our attempt to figure out why an otherwise peaceful protest in the afternoon turned violent by sundown.

Finally, Former President Barack Obama and My Brother's Keeper Alliance issued a challenge this week to mayors across America to review use of force policies, engage with their community in that review, make findings public for feedback, and create reforms based on that review. We have already begun doing these things, and that is why I signed that pledge today, which can be found at obama.org/mayor-pledge/ .
Former Southwyck Shopping Center Sold
The city of Toledo has officially sold the former Southwyck Shopping Center property to  Amazon . In March, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz announced the city’s plan to sell the 58.5-acre property to the Fortune 500 company to build and operate a delivery station. Less than 75 days after entering into a purchase agreement, the city transferred ownership of the property.

“This project is moving forward at an unprecedented pace,” said Brandon Sehlhorst, commissioner of economic development for the city of Toledo. “Thanks to the support of Toledo City Council, the City Plan Commission, and the economic development team, the city was able to transfer the property in record time to meet Amazon’s aggressive construction timeline of being open by end of 2020. Construction has already started on the site.”

Amazon will construct a 150,000-square-foot delivery station on the property that will provide delivery services within a 45-minute radius of the site. The $25 million facility will directly employ 110 people and 300 independent delivery contractors.
“Our primary goal was to put this property back into productive use in a manner that strengthens the surrounding area through the creation of new jobs and new capital investment,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said. “I believe this project will accomplish that goal through the creation of more than 400 jobs that will have a multiplier effect on the Reynolds Road corridor.”

The city has implemented a tax increment financing (TIF) area for the site that allows the city to recoup its entire $3.6 million investment in the property.
“Unfortunately, the property only appraised for $1.5 million, which is significantly less than the $3.2 million for which the city purchased the property in 2014,” Mr. Sehlhorst said. “Even if we would have sold it for the appraised value, the city would have stood to lose $1.7 million in payback. The TIF allows the city to be made financially whole over a period of time.” No other incentives were offered by the city.

“This is another step – a huge step – toward the revitalization of that entire area and the Reynolds Road corridor,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said.
Free Summer Lunch Program for Children
Food will be provided free to children Monday through Friday, until Aug. 14 through a partnership with the Children’s Hunger Alliance for the City of Toledo’s Children Feeding Program. (While supplies last. No need to pre-register.)

Children’s Hunger Alliance staff will be at the following parks, Monday through Friday:
  • Wilson Park, 600 East Oakland St., Toledo, Ohio 43608, underneath open air shelter, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
  • Navarre Park, 1001 White St., Toledo, Ohio 43605, pool house/parking lot, 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Savage Park, 650 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43604, underneath open air shelter, 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Walbridge Park, 2761 Broadway, Toledo 43609, underneath open air shelter, 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
  • Ottawa Park, 2200 Kenwood Blvd., Toledo 43606, underneath open air shelter, 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.
COVID-19 Emergency Renter Assistance Fund
Mark Your Calendars
Drop Off Refuse and Recycling
The next Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling event is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 6 at Waite High School, 301 Morrison Dr.

Acceptable items include electronic waste, but no televisions, CRT monitors, or appliances; 10 tires, on or off the rim, but no commercial tires; documents; houseware goods; clothing; toys; bulky items; and refuse. Latex paint will be accepted for $1 per gallon.

Future Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling Events are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates:

  • June 20 at Scott High School, 2400 Collingwood Blvd.
  • July 11 at Keyser Elementary School, 3900 Hill Ave.
  • July 25 at Manhattan Plaza, 525-701 East Manhattan Blvd.
  • Aug. 8 at Deveaux School, 2620 West Sylvania Ave.
  • Aug. 22 at Longfellow Elementary School, 1955 West Laskey Rd.
  • Sept. 12 at Good Shepherd Church, 3934 West Laskey Rd.
  • Sept. 19 at the Toledo Zoo, Anthony Wayne Trail parking lot, 2 Hippo Way (this event only is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
  • Sept. 26 at Friendship Park, 2930 131st St.

For more information please call Engage Toledo at 419-936-2020 or visit  www.toledo.oh.gov .
Secret Life of Pets 2
Free Movie Night in the Park
Join us at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 11 at Savage Park, 650 Nebraska Ave., for Secret Life of Pets 2 Free Movie Night in the Park.

We will continue and expand our Movie in the Park nights this summer to six events. Family and kid-friendly events, attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars! Physical distancing protocols will be followed.

The city of Toledo supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability to fully participate in this event, please contact ADA Administrator Joan Easler, City of Toledo Office of Diversity and Inclusion, at 419-245-1059.
Public Hearings and Comment Period for Annual Action Plan

The City of Toledo Department of Neighborhoods is seeking comments on its draft July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 One-Year Action Plan to be submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The One-Year Action Plan is based on the HUD-approved Five-Year 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan submitted by the City of Toledo for housing, community, and economic development.

The remaining public hearing on the draft One-Year Action Plan is:
By The Numbers
(year to date)
51,790 potholes filled
536,543 pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
1,024,842 pounds of debris cleared from alleys
101 water main breaks repaired
599,766 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
7,244 feet of storm sewers cleaned
329 trees trimmed
1,036 illegal signs removed
3,426 building inspections completed
1,435 contractor licenses issued
2,478 fire runs
21,060 EMS runs
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