Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
I was honored today to sign a proclamation, which you can see below, urging all Toledoans to observe Juneteenth as an official holiday. As the proclamation says: Juneteenth is an important celebration that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

I was happy to see President Biden sign a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday and that the Lucas County Commissioners declared it a holiday countywide.
Toledo also recognizes the importance in celebrating Juneteenth and its historical significance as it relates to our community.
It reminds us that America has not always lived up to its lofty ideals, and it is a time to recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of equity and liberty for all Americans.

I wish we had taken these and other steps years ago, but I am heartened to see so many communities across the nation taking similar action.

Land Bank New Neighborhood Survey Project

The Lucas County Land Bank formally kicked-off its 2021 Neighborhood Survey Project this week, which will provide us with invaluable data used to direct the $180 million American Rescue Plan funding in Toledo, as well as other needs in the future.
The Land Bank hired 10 temporary neighborhood surveyors who will visit every property in Toledo and complete a basic neighborhood survey from the sidewalk. Property information will be collected on about 125,000 properties over the next several months, including land and housing conditions, trees, and sidewalks.

I helped create the Lucas County Land Bank and I am thrilled it will again help Toledo in this way. It previously completed a citywide survey in 2015, and that first-of-its-kind data helped the Land Bank identify properties to renovate or demolish, totaling over 2,400 property investments over 1,500 days.
Imagination Station
Also, I want to remind parents and guardians of the many opportunities available for kids this summer in Toledo.

I joined leaders from Imagination Station and KeyBank this week to announce that Toledo kids, 12 and under, get free admission to the science center every Saturday and a free film in the new KeyBank Discovery Theater through Sept. 6.

Come experience science like you never have before. (They have promised to light my hand on fire next time I visit the science center. They also promise I will feel nothing while they explain the science!)

KeyBank is covering half of the cost of every child’s film ticket while the City of Toledo will contribute the difference using COVID-19 stimulus relief dollars designated for local youth, recreation, and parks. 
Summer Youth Programming
Search the full list of things to do to find just the right activity for your child.
Mark Your Calendars
Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling Event

The next Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling event will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 19 at Scott High School.

The city accepts televisions and CRT monitors during all drop off refuse and recycling events this year.

The city has partnered with The Ability Center of Greater Toledo for the event Saturday. Durable medical equipment will be collected by The Ability Center. A list of accepted items can be found at this link. The items will be sanitized by Ability Center staff and given to individuals with disabilities.

The Toledo Human Relations Commission’s Community and Neighborhoods Committee and the Zepf Center are hosting a Juneteenth community cleanup in conjunction with the refuse and recycling event. The community cleanup will begin at 9 a.m., also at Scott High School, 2400 Collingwood Blvd.
Increase your home’s value through home repairs or save money purchasing a home for less than you pay in rent. Let us help you determine your next steps. Join the webinar at 6 p.m., June 24 at this link: https://toledo-oh-gov.zoom.us/j/87061267835
Find information on more city events at Toledo.oh.gov/events
By The Numbers
(year-to-date)
43,070 potholes filled
218 water main breaks repaired
820,323 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
8,017 feet of storm sewers cleaned
2,011,313 pounds of debris cleaned from streets with street sweepers
1,603,450 pounds of debris removed from alleys
1,207,463 pounds of debris removed by the Clean Toledo blight team
2,165 tires collected by the Clean Toledo blight team
1,033 trees trimmed
702 illegal signs removed
24,518 EMS runs
2,880 fire runs
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