Items displayed on the middle shelf
Exhibits on the right side inlcude photographs of Downtown Toledo Associates, which formed in 1955 with the goals of downtown revitalization. Reports and brochures on urban renewal are also on exhibit here.
Kickoff Luncheon
June 6, 1955
Photographs, Downtown Toledo Associates, 1955. Downtown Toledo Associates Records, MSS-027.
The Downtown Toledo Associates was formed in 1955 by a group of mostly retailers with businesses located downtown. The organization had two goals: to work as a civic group with local governments to revitalize the downtown; and to develop a master plan that would set the priorities for the city for the next 30 to 50 years. The latter goal was inspired by Norman Bel Geddes’s “Toledo Tomorrow” exhibit. Along with the Lucas County Planning Commission, the group worked on Urban Renewal projects by following other model cities in the United States.
Master Plan Proposal
October 29, 1956
Photographs, Downtown Toledo Associates, 1956. Downtown Toledo Associates Records, MSS-027.
The Downtown Toledo Associates was formed in 1955 by a group of mostly retailers with businesses located downtown. The organization had two goals: to work as a civic group with local governments to revitalize the downtown; and to develop a master plan that would set the priorities for the city for the next 30 to 50 years. The latter goal was inspired by Norman Bel Geddes’s “Toledo Tomorrow” exhibit. Along with the Lucas County Planning Commission, the group worked on Urban Renewal projects by following other model cities in the United States.
Model Cities Program
1967
Urban renewal plans and reports, 1965-67. Downtown Toledo Associates Records, MSS-027.
The Urban Renewal programs of Toledo generated several reports from City and Lucas County agencies on the condition of neighborhoods and infrastructure as well as some futuristic visions for a new Toledo. Plans for improving the expressway system and transportation were also included.
In 1967, Toledo was designated as one of the 63 U.S. cities to receive a planning grant and develop a plan. One of the aims was to improve some of the most needy neighborhoods and eliminate blight in these communities.
Principles for Planning
n. d.
Urban renewal plans and reports, 1965-67. Downtown Toledo Associates Records, MSS-027.
The Urban Renewal programs of Toledo generated several reports from City and Lucas County agencies on the condition of neighborhoods and infrastructure as well as some futuristic visions for a new Toledo. Plans for improving the expressway system and transportation were also included.
The Central City General Neighborhood Renewal Plan aimed at rebuilding the city's central area, and generate a blueprint for Toledo's Central Business District.
Toledo Mass Transit
August 30, 1967
Urban renewal plans and reports, 1965-67. Downtown Toledo Associates Records, MSS-027.
The Urban Renewal programs of Toledo generated several reports from City and Lucas County agencies on the condition of neighborhoods and infrastructure as well as some futuristic visions for a new Toledo. Plans for improving the expressway system and transportation were also included.
The 1967 Community Improvement program assessed and projected Toledo's mass transit needs from the present into a distant future. The report presents the roads and the bus transit system for Toledo and vicinity.
Central Area Planning
Nov. 3 & 4, 1959
DALLAS to Toledo & Detroit. Central Area Planning Tour booklet. Nov. 3 & 4, 1959.
Booklets like this were given to tour participants assessing the possibilities for developments in Toledo and Detroit based on the Dallas urban sprawl experience. The tour was sponsored by the Dallas Business District Association in Dallas, Texas.
Urban Renewal report
1960
Urban renewal plans and reports, 1965-67. Downtown Toledo Associates Records, MSS-027.
The Urban Renewal programs of Toledo generated several reports from City and Lucas County agencies on the condition of neighborhoods and infrastructure as well as some futuristic visions for a new Toledo. Plans for improving the expressway system and transportation were also included.
This report by Libbey- Owens-Ford presents an attratvie Toledo that might even compete with the lure of suburban living. Old structures in the Vistula Meadows neighborhood would be replaced with spacious high-rise apartment buildings with 2-story apartments.
Toledo Expressway
September 1965
Urban renewal plans and reports, 1965-67. Downtown Toledo Associates Records, MSS-027.
The Urban Renewal programs of Toledo generated several reports from City and Lucas County agencies on the condition of neighborhoods and infrastructure as well as some futuristic visions for a new Toledo. Plans for improving the expressway system and transportation were also included.
This engineering feasibility report for the proposed Toledo Downtown Distributor presents a vision for expressway connections to improve traffic throughout Downtown Toledo.
Toledo Urban Renewal
1966
Urban renewal plans and reports, 1965-67. Downtown Toledo Associates Records, MSS-027.
The Urban Renewal programs of Toledo generated several reports from City and Lucas County agencies on the condition of neighborhoods and infrastructure as well as some futuristic visions for a new Toledo. Plans for improving the expressway system and transportation were also included.
This report by the recently reorganized Toledo Urban Renewal Agency looks at the various Toledo communities. 1966 was the year with multiple demolition and new construction projects.