TOLEDO, Ohio — The city of Toledo wants to hear from residents about the direction of the city. So, it's holding a series of public information sessions about current and future projects to improve the city, as well as ways to assist residents financially and economically.
Residents at the first meeting at the Washington branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library filled out surveys about what they want to see. City officials said residents can also provide info online.
"We're really out here trying to let people know the ways they can provide that input," city senior planner Josh Lewandowski said.
The American Rescue Plan Act provided the city with money that can be used for help with housing and utilities. Resident Joseph Zielinski said new plans are needed.
"It's about time that we did another one because things are changing faster, a lot of things that we need to be thinking about," Zielinski said.
Resident Corey Goings said the city has improved from its state years ago.
"It looks a lot better than it did ten years ago," Goings said. "I see the changes."
Residents also mentioned improved public transportation and more affordable housing as needs for the city. Zielinski also mentioned conserving Lake Erie as a priority.
"That's a key to bringing business and people to this part of the country, the Great Lakes area, not just Ohio, but all the Great Lakes because we've got more freshwater than anybody else in the country right now," Zielinski said.
The city will release a draft of how they'll spend the money, but officials said that plan won't be available until early 2023.
"We'll try to roll out a draft plan at the beginning of next year for input on that," Lewandowski said.
The city will hold a few more meetings over the next several weeks, so if you'd like to share your opinion, you still have time.