TOLEDO, Ohio — Despite recent holdups to rezone the old mall property in Southwyck, development in the area is still moving forward as a local group of companies is bringing new life into this neighborhood.
The site of the former Stautzenberger College that closed 12 years ago has now been re-purposed to serve the needs of the community in a different way.
Back in January, 2018 the City of Toledo reached a deal with Toledo-based Olympic Real Estate Group for the 20-thousand square foot building and begun a sister company operation and moved small businesses advisers under one roof.
Now, Financial Express, Rahe & Company, Practice Management Healthcare Consultants and Payroll Express are all in this location.
"This business is growing. It's added about a dozen jobs in the last 18 months, and so we're here to celebrate it and we're also aware that its location, literally right across the street from the site of the old Southwyck Mall is an indication that some of our plans and intentions for the Southwyck property are starting to intrigue business owners like the ones here," Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said.
The city was on-hand to christen the building that is now open for business and leaders are hopeful to see the trend continue with other local businesses.
"I really want to thank the City of Toledo for doing what they did to help us get this started. It's amazing what the opportunity we had here, and working with them has been rewarding and a challenge and I look forward to continuing that relationship and hopefully they have more good things to come with this area," business owner, Paul Rahe said.
Since this is a community revitalization area, there are taxes incentives for business to relocate.
Additionally, Southwyck Boulevard is close to many of major highways, including the Ohio Turnpike and just off of the heavily traveled Reynolds Road.