Residents take first look at expanded plan for Perrysburg downtown revitalization
Posted By: The Toledo Blade on November 14, 2024. For more information, please click here to read the source article.
Area residents Wednesday took the first look at a plan for the 300 block of Louisiana Avenue that was added in the fall to the Perrysburg infrastructure improvement project for Louisiana between Front Street and Indiana Avenue.
Perrysburg Mayor Tom Mackin said the addition was a result of public suggestions “that we expand the project to cover south of the railroad, to make sure we get additional parking and to make this connection with the look and the feel.”
Residents saw the initial plans in February.
“I think it gets us off in the right foot, and then we’ll have the second phase, which will be north of the track. So I think this is another great opportunity for the community to come in, give comments, and make what we think is a really good project even better,” Mayor Mackin said.
The mayor spoke on the sidelines of a two-hour “open house” hosted by the city of Perrysburg and the Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce. At least 100 people attended the two-hour event at the Inside the Five restaurant in Perrysburg, where city officials answered questions and explained project renderings.
Work is scheduled to begin in the spring in the 300 block of Louisiana, where it is expected to be finished in 2025. The project will then continue in 2026 and conclude later that year, with the planned improvements to the 100 and 200 blocks of Louisiana, event organizers said.
The project includes the following:
● Infrastructure enhancements: upgrades to roads, sidewalks, and lighting to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment, making it easier and accessible to business customers.
● The creation of public spaces for community gatherings and events such as the farmers market, Homecoming Festival, and Winterfest.
● Aesthetic improvements such as new trees, landscaping, and public art installations with the goal “to enhance the area’s visual appeal and music amenities to create a more welcoming ambiance.”
Brody Walters, Perrysburg city planning and zoning administrator, said adding the 300 block to the project makes sense “because everybody has always felt the downtown started at Indiana Avenue and went north.”
It was decided to start with the 300 block in 2025, and do the 100 and 200 blocks later, because 2025 is when Columbia Gas will be making gas line repairs in the 100 and 200 blocks, “so that we’re out of their way and they’re out of our way,” Mr. Walters said.
“I would argue that we’ve done well [with improvements] that happen kind of organically down there, [but] this is a very intentional effort to be design-focused. We haven’t had a significant, major investment in downtown in many, many years. It will be a complete facelift that includes ADA accessibility improvements.”
Joe Fawcett, Perrysburg city administrator, said the current estimate for the 300 block is $1.67 million and the “very preliminary” aggregate estimate for the 100 and 200 blocks is $4.7 million.
Asked if, in her opinion, the expenditures are worth it, Linda McMahon, a longtime Perrysburg resident who attended the event, said “yes.”
It needs to be done, “because we haven’t updated downtown for the 36 years that I’ve lived here,” Ms. McMahon said. “They’re putting a lot of thought into it. They’re putting a lot of fun into it, trees, everything. And they’re involving a lot of people.”
Another attendee, Lori Franks of Perrysburg Township and formerly of Perrysburg struck a similar chord.
“I think it’ll be really pretty when it’s all done,” said Ms. Franks, who also attended the event. “It will be beautiful. And you know, I envision it years down the road when the trees have grown and there are tree lines on both sides.”
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