UpTown is a vibrant urban neighborhood located between downtown Toledo and the Old West End neighborhood. The area has been improving incrementally over the past 20 years and the recent addition of UpTown Green, the new 2.5 acre urban park, has spurred additonal investment and interest in our growing community.
UpTown holds a unique place in Toledo’s history. Most see the area only as it exists today, not realizing the grandness of its past. UpTown was platted into development sized lots between 1855 and 1901. Demand for housing close to downtown spurred residential development shortly thereafter. By the late 1800’s, trolley lines extended along Adams, Monroe and Washington Streets providing convenient transportation to downtown and heightening the district’s appeal. Stately mansions of Toledo’s more wealthy residents were constructed on large lots fronting the major streets, with the smaller interior lots developed with less pretentious homes. Commercial development, attracted by the expanding population, began to appear on the streets traveled by trolleys, particularly Adams and Monroe Streets.
Continued expansion of downtown Toledo during the early 1900’s and the growing demand for housing resulted in many of the single family homes being demolished to make way for apartment buildings. Auto service garages and parking lots were constructed along major streets and businesses that catered to the needs of downtown companies began to appear. During this time, the Toledo Catholic Diocese acquired several lots on the corner of Madison and 23rd Streets including the home of prominent banker Col. Sheldon C. Reynolds, and constructed what would be the first building of the Mercy Hospital complex. The facility has grown to occupy the entire area between Jefferson and Madison and 21st and 23rd Streets. The early 1900’s also brought the construction of the Toledo Club at Madison and 14th and the new main Post Office (now the Jefferson Center) at Madison and 13th.
In the late 1920’s and 1930’s, further redevelopment happened with the construction of the Hillcrest Hotel (1929) and the Macomber (1938) and Whitney (1939) Vocational High Schools.
Development lagged after World War II, but in the 1950’s and 1960’s, several mid-century modern commmercial buildings were constructed in close proximity to the Mercy properties. More recent developments include construction of the new St. Paul’s Methodist church on Madison to replace its original building which was destroyed by fire in 1979.
The late 1980’s experienced continued improvement including: The Toledo Trust operations building, now The Source at Monroe and 14th, SSOE, Brooks Insurance and the Lucas County Juvenile Detention facility.
More recent developments include the Toledo Metro Federal Credit Union on Adams Street, the Toledo Lucas County Main Library expansion, the UpTown Arts Apartments on 14th and the New Cheney Flats at Adams and 17th.
In 2005, Toledo City Council adopted the UpTown Association’s proposal to create an Arts and Entertainment Village overlay for the UpTown district. The Association also partnered with a local developer to pursue redevelopment of the long-vacant three story building at 1301 Adams into a mixed use project containing ground floor commercial space and market-rate apartments on the upper floors.
The continued conversion of downtown streets back to two-way use included Washington, Monroe Streets, Madison and Jefferson.
In 2014 UpTown Green, the new 2.5 acre park was completed on a the former site of a brown field parking lot, The completion of this project was a catalyst for the an adjascent four story building to be acuired by ProMedica for the creation of the Ebeid Center for population heath.
Download the PDF Read about the UpTown Association’s History: 1986 – 2006 The First 20 Years
Economic Development
Goal Statement: The Economic Development Committee is dedicated to driving and maintaining businesses in the district, assisting in acquisition of property and its development, monitoring types of investment and residential experiences available, and building neighborhood image.
Committee Chair:
James L. Harter (Jamie), PhD President Co-Chair
Fundraising & Finance
Goal Statement: The Fundraising & Finance Committee is dedicated to monitoring the fiscal health of the Uptown Association, setting goals and strategy for maintaining and increasing organizational funding, working with the Economic Development Committee to set strategy for investment, and executing fundraisers.
Community Building Committee
Goal Statement: The Community Building Committee is dedicated to offering enriching experiences and networking/community building experiences (i.e. programs) for all residents; maintaining the aesthetic appeal and beautification efforts of the district; working with various constituents regarding the well-being, health, and physical safety of Uptown residents as well as visitors; and providing information, access to resources, and support for current and prospective neighborhood residents, as well as area leaders.
The Uptown Association fosters collaboration, community, and economic development in the neighborhood.
The Uptown Association is a regional model for economic development and neighborhood revitalization.
The Uptown Association fosters a diverse, connected, and collaborative community through open and active leadership, communication, promotion, and support.
It is our hope that this transparency demonstrates our commitment to public accountability and the financial stewardship our members have entrusted to us.
Download the PDF FY2020 Financials
UpTown Green is a 2.5 acre, $2 million City of Toledo park in the Uptown neighborhood. The park transformed 15 neglected parcels into an open green space and serves as a model for green design. The park is in close proximity to the neighborhood’s residential buildings and serves as a “green link” between the Old West End and the growing Adams Street Arts and Entertainment District. It is the first park created within UpTown and provides a much needed play space for children and a tangible backyard for adults. The park provides a “sense of place” within the neighborhood’s vast street grid and is becoming a feature of community pride and a key urban attraction.
For information about using the park for events, please contact Malcolm Cunningham at malcolm.cunningham@promedica.org
The UpTown Toledo Master Plan will develop a framework to maximize the use of Downtown’s current assets which include UpTown.
Download the PDF 05.01.2019_UpTown_Master_Plan
The UpTown Association and the City of Toledo’s Plan Commission have created overlay district standards to guide future development in UpTown. The UpTown Urban Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) District boundary is as follows: Washington Street to the south, Collingwood Boulevard to the west, Woodruff Avenue, Putnam Street, alley south of Woodruff between Putnam and Warren Street, Warren Street, alley south of Woodruff between Warren Street and Franklin Avenue, Southard Avenue, Vermont Avenue, and Jackson Boulevard to the north, 10th Street, Adams Street, Michigan Avenue, Madison Avenue, and 10th Street to the east. Properties located within the Monroe Street Corridor UNO District shall be excluded from UpTown UNO.
Download PDF ARC Flowchart