Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
The day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Robert Kennedy gave a speech in Ohio that, sadly, is as relevant today as it was 52 years ago.

The video of the death of George Floyd made me sick to my stomach, and in the days since that happened, I have struggled to express the sadness in my heart. RFK must have felt a similar sadness, and I know I’ll never express it as eloquently as he did.

Please watch this short clip , and say a prayer for our country.

At home here in Toledo, I call on all community leaders to join me in denouncing what happened to George Floyd and to promote peace.
Battle against COVID-19 continues
I joined dozens of people yesterday to donate blood during an American Red Cross Drive dedicated to honoring heroes on the front line fighting COVID-19. The virus is still with us and I encourage everyone to do a part to help us get through this difficult time. Those things could include donating blood, volunteering, and wearing a face covering or mask in public to protect people around us. 
We announced yesterday another way to help businesses during this pandemic. Some city streets will be closed beginning in early June to vehicular traffic so restaurants can expand their seated table space into the public-right-of way. The exact locations for street closures are being determined, but this will apply to areas that are in the Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area and the Village on Adams Outdoor Refreshment Area.

We are doing everything we can to assist as many businesses as possible.
COVID-19 Emergency Renter Assistance Fund
If you can't pay your rent due to COVID-19, we can help.

The Emergency Renter Assistance Fund (ERAF) program will help provide stable housing for the most vulnerable Toledo families during this global crisis, the mayor said.

The ERAF will assist about 700 income-eligible households with three months maximum of emergency rental assistance, which will take the form of payments directly to landlords. The payments may cover rent, past due rent, late fees, new renter fees, security deposits, utility deposits, and moving costs.

The ERAF will provide rental assistance up to $2,500 during a consecutive three-month period. During the period of approved rental assistance, beneficiaries will be encouraged to meet with a financial opportunity center coach.

The city has partnered with NeighborWorks Toledo and Lutheran Social Services of Northwest Ohio to operate the program. The organizations will accept ERAF applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
  • Existing Toledo tenants requiring rental assistance, and help with rental arrears, should contact NeighborWorks Toledo, 704 Second St., Toledo, Ohio 43605, 419-691-2900, www.nwtoledo.org.
  • Unhoused or homeless Toledoans seeking to transition to rentals, or to prevent from moving into a shelter, should contact Lutheran Social Services of Northwest Ohio, 2149 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, Ohio 43620, 419-243-9178, www.lssnwo.org.

You can also call Engage Toledo at 419-936-2020 for help or questions.

More info at toledo.oh.gov/renters .
Free Summer Children Lunch Program
Food will be provided free to children Monday through Friday, June 1 to 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.
Mark Your Calendars
Virtual "Wednesdays With Wade"
Join us for another virtual "Wednesdays With Wade" with Mayor Kapszukiewicz.

It will be held at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 3

You may watch on the city Facebook Live, https://www.facebook.com/cityoftoledo/ , where it will be simulcast live from a Zoom meeting. You may post your questions for the mayor or city staff in the Facebook comments once it starts.
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.

Public Hearings on the draft One-Year Action Plan are scheduled as follows:
By The Numbers
(year to date)
50,650 potholes filled
536,543 pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
950,982 pounds of debris cleared from alleys
96 water main breaks repaired
584,600 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
7,244 feet of storm sewers cleaned
319 trees trimmed
1,036 illegal signs removed
3,276 building inspections completed
1,411 contractor licenses issued
20,092 fire runs
2,314 EMS runs
Toledo In The News
New website aims to drive tourism in NW Ohio Several area chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus are banding together to promote the vast traveling and tourism opportunities in northwest Ohio.

Toledo restaurants allowed to expand outdoor dining areas to sidewalks, parking lots Get your shades ready if you're dining in Toledo in the near future. There are now many more opportunities for outdoor dining.
Read Last Week's Newsletter