Downtown Toledo Skyline

The best place to witness the area’s exciting growth is Toledo’s revitalized downtown, where the recent transformation continues to impress residents and visitors alike. With an increased emphasis on beautification, walkability, bike-friendliness, and an engaged ambassador program focused on hospitality, cleaning and safety, downtown has become an increasingly popular place to work, live and play.  The reimagined Glass City Center underwent a $70 million complete renovation in 2022, making it the area’s premiere multi-use facility for conventions, trade shows, sporting events, and weddings. Combined with Fifth Third Field and the Huntington Center, the three facilities act as the anchors for a revitalized downtown. Convention visitors, concert goers, and sports fans fill surrounding restaurants and bars year-round, while new residents inhabit condos and apartment developments that revive formerly dormant office space. Over the past 5 years, more than $2 billion has been invested into downtown Toledo, fueling its urban renaissance.

Toledo has also seen an influx of investment across a variety of industries, with approximately $2.2 billion worth of projects underway, with major investments from some of the world’s largest companies. The robust business development has garnered national attention, as Site Selection Magazine has ranked Toledo in the top 10 for new business investment for six consecutive years. Amazon invested nearly $25 million in the vacated Southwyck Shopping Center to build a state-of-the-art fulfillment center on the 58-acre site. Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, and General Motors have spent nearly a combined $100 million dollars to upgrade facilities and infrastructure for the area’s auto industry. Supported by more than $31.3 million in state funding from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program and $10.4 million in local investment, the new Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub will build on Toledo's legacy as the "Glass Capital of the World" to accelerate innovation and job growth in both the glass sector and solar industry, which relies heavily on glass. Local global glass manufacturer Libbey Glass is also in the midst of a $30 million investment taking place over four years.

Spitzer Building

Glass City Riverwalk Rendering

The urban renewal in Toledo is only beginning though. The Four Corners, downtown’s only major intersection with all four original buildings intact, is in the process of redevelopment that will return population density to the area and promote further economic activity in the surrounding downtown area. ARK Restoration, one of the partners on the project, has received accolades for their ability to transform historic buildings into modern use facilities. One of their most recent projects, the Wonder Lofts, saw their team renovate a vacant Wonder Bread factory into stylish modern living in the historic Vistula neighborhood. The Four Corners project will bring 360 residential units and a mix of retail and commercial uses to these historic buildings. The transformational project that is garnering the most excitement and has the most potential to attract investment and residents is Metroparks Toledo’s current Riverwalk project. Nestled along the Maumee River, the Glass City Riverwalk has rapidly become one of the region’s most popular recreational destinations, drawing over 600,000 visitors in 2023. With nearly 80 acres already restored and accessible, including the award-winning Glass City Metropark, and an additional 220 acres of riverfront green space under development, the project will span both sides of the river and connect neighborhoods to greenspace and recreational activities. Upon completion, the Glass City Riverwalk will be the nation’s second-largest riverwalk and will be a successful driver for economic growth and community development.

With all the excitement surrounding downtown’s revitalization and all the projects on the horizon, Toledo is a city that you’ll want to experience for yourself!