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In My Own Words
City council approves new housing near campus
January 22, 2014
A new four-story housing complex geared toward students at the University of Toledo is set to be constructed on Bancroft Street.
The Toledo City Council voted 9-2 on Jan. 14 to approve a zoning change that was required in order for the project to proceed.
Councilman Tyrone Riley was one of the two councilmen who voted against allowing the $27 million project. He stated during the meeting that his reservations stemmed from his concerns about the neighborhood and its inhabitants.
Riley said residents he talked to had expressed “grave concerns and reservations” about parking, the height of the four-story building, vehicle traffic in that area and the oversaturation of student housing.
“It’s a question mark, and many could say that those concerns that I’ve just outlined have not been adequately addressed to their satisfaction, and now the result: they are opposed to this particular project,” Riley said.
Diane Schreiner, president of the Bancroft Hills Neighborhood Association for Block Watch, is among the residents who oppose the project.
She said one of her major concerns is crime.
“There’ll be a lot of car break-ins,” Schreiner said. “Somebody’s going to get hurt down there for sure because it’s right up by the street.”
Councilman Larry Sykes said the four-story facility will have 143 units, 480 beds and 456 parking spaces.
Sykes said that the types of businesses to be built there would be retail, not liquor stores, and that they would cater to students.
He also said there would be security for the building, including cameras and two security guards.
“I think it will challenge owners that may be renting to students now – they will be forced to do a better job maintaining their properties, and that will help increase the value of our city,” Sykes said. “I think with more individuals being in the vicinity, I hope it will deter any and all type of crime.”
The district this land occupies is represented by Councilman Tom Waniewski, who said during the city council meeting that the project will be good for the area.
“Those buildings are already being started to be torn apart – and not by the developers – so they’ve been vandalized. It’s a blight now. It has been a problem for my district and that area since I’ve been on council with the Omni,” Waniewski said. “This is an opportunity to inject $27 million of economic development construction jobs in the area that will add taxes to our coffer.”
Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins was also present at the council meeting and said, “The neighborhoods are important, and development is important, and Toledo is open for business.”
He said his view on this project keeps in mind the advancement of the city of Toledo.
“If you go to that corner and you look from Westwood over to the creek, the fundamental question that I think you have to ask yourself: is it in the state of affairs today that you wish to keep it in, or is this a better option in terms of the neighborhood? Does this bring value to the neighborhood? Does this complement the University of Toledo and their synergy as it relates to economic development?” Collins said.
“I think this sends the right message, that in Toledo you will do better and that’s really what we’re all about,” he said. “… We do indeed have an open door and we do want business to come in here and we want businesses to flourish – and student housing is a business.”
UT Student Government President Emily Kramp said members of SG plan to meet with the development company within the next three weeks to discuss the project.