River Road Park Update

List of City property for sale:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pHEX7CSkhcGPLCz0zueR3eg&output=html

Areis (link)
http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/real_estate/AREISmain/areismain.asp
click on Areis and type in under address 3620 River Rd. and data,

History of previous attempt to sell the Park
http://docs.google.com/Edit?tab=edit&docid=dd7thkjj_1cg5vm6&cancelRevision=dd7thkjj_1cg5vm6:3

Many of the neighbors stopped by and commented: 1.) The city crews have been told not to maintain the river access on the hill; 2.) The hill to the river has become the dumping ground for the grass clippings when the park is mowed; 3.) The property was originally used to draw water for the treatment plant, it has tunnels throughout that go under River Road to the building in the main portion of the park on the north side of River Road; 4.) This unique piece of property should not be sold but maintained for quality of life of future generations of residents of Toledo.; 5.) Several years ago the City leaders met with the neighbors and put together a master plan for the park which included an overlook of the River and park benches.

I spoke with a neighbor with four generations who used the park and Maumee River access. We talk about the quality of life in Toledo and what amenities are of interest to visitors and those who may decide to reside in Toledo, parks are an essential part of our life and we must fight to maintain such valuable green space. It is also time to keep the promises and commitments made by the City administrators.

In 1999, The Mayor was approached by someone who wanted to purchase the property, so the property was quickly put up for sale ($299,900) but through public protest, the sale was stopped. Many of those at the Rally wondered if once again the Mayor had someone preselected for the sale based on another request to purchase the property. I think it is fair for Toledoans to know if this is the situation once again, so I will email the Mayor today and ask. Should I receive a reply, I will let you know.

A list of over 800 City of Toledo properties from the City Website is available to view in an excel spreadsheet which I created at posted at the following Google web page: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pHEX7CSkhcGPLCz0zueR3eg&output=html

These 843 properties are financially draining our resources; the city needs to divest these properties. Every one of these properties is the responsibility of the City of Toledo and must be maintained. We should concentrate on selling such properties, not parkland that is used and would be used even more if the City properly maintained it.

City Administration has stated this is not a park, however, in Areis (link)
http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/real_estate/AREISmain/areismain.asp

click on Areis and type in under address 3620 River Rd. and data,
the official description of the property is:
"RIVER TRACT 16 N 1/2 BET CANAL & BDWY EXC W 590.56 FT ON N LINE PT S OF N 45 FT ALSO LOT 1 BURNLEY WOOD S & ADJ N 250 FT PT BET BDWY & RIVER EXC NLY TRI 10 FT ON RIVER" "Zoning Description: Parks and Open Space"

The Mayor commented on Fox 36 evening news Saturday evening that I was doing this only to get a few votes and if I wanted the property, I could buy it for the $500,000 value. I'm doing this because I firmly believe we should retain this property for the public quality of life. Though we have a budget crunch and need to be more fiscally responsible, when the budget problem is resolved, this property should still exist for public use. I recognize the cynicism in the Mayor's comment, but the $500,000 price tag is exactly why this property should be retained, so the average resident of Toledo, like you and I, can enjoy the beauty of our city.