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The Revolving Doors of Fort Industry Square

They say a good building can take on many lives. But in many post-industrial spaces across the country, it’s often easier to forgo creativity for efficiency. The historic structures of Toledo are no exception. Over the last century, many beautiful buildings of this port city have been demolished, allowed to fall into disrepair, whose costs of maintenance far outweighs its capital potential. Yet on the waterfront block of Fort Industry Square, along its quaint facades of varying heights and styles, something quietly transformative is happening.

Exploring Urban Heat in Toledo, Ohio

It’s July 19th, 2021, a beautiful summer day in a tree-lined neighborhood in Toledo, Ohio. The sun is shining and the temperature hovers around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but there’s plenty of shade to make a picnic or a barbecue pleasant despite the heat. But if you live a few miles away — particularly in the inner-city — it’s more than 10 degrees hotter, substantially raising both health risks and electric bills…

Saving the World, One Seed at a Time: How Libraries Are Tackling Modern Environmental Crises

The old card catalog at the Lyon Township Public Library (LTPL) in Michigan fell out of use after the library’s infrastructure went online. An...

One Man’s Quest to Make “America’s Museum” in Youngstown, Ohio

In the early 20th century, Americans were infatuated with international (read: European) art, as people clamored to buy pieces by famous artists like Renoir and Monet. It wasn’t until 1919 that the first institute dedicated solely to American art opened in Youngstown, OH. The Butler Institute of Art is still one of Ohio’s most popular museums today, and the rich history of its founder, Joseph G. Butler Jr., led to the Institute’s focus on representation and access for all Americans.

Reviving a Lost Indigenous Language

When Daryl Baldwin was growing up, the last speakers of his heritage language were passing away; as of a few decades ago, that language...

Capturing Asian American Identity in the Midwest

“Hyphenated” is a magazine showcasing a collection of photos that strive to illustrate the Asian American identity in the Midwest. Created by Midwest photographer and designer Josh Chen, it explores both the diversity and the commonalities in the Asian American experience.

The Lasting Wonder of Toledo’s 20th Century Department Stores

In 1975, a crowd of thousands gathered around the former Tiedtke’s Department Store as it burned to the ground. Others, like Toledoan Wendy Chorney...

Asiatown’s Long History of Providing Community in Cleveland

When Johnny Wu moved back to Cleveland in 1984, he was searching for a community to call home. Wu was born in Cleveland in 1967,...

Signs of the Past in a Forward-looking Chicago Neighborhood

The yellow-on-black block letters are faded, and for most of the year, it’s obscured by ivy. But southbound riders on the Red Line “L”...

The Complicated Legacy and Future of Chicago’s Koreatown

Walking down the streets of Albany Park is like following a trail of breadcrumbs. Spotted with Korean signage, the Chicago neighborhood, once the city’s...

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