Neighborhoods

The Garfield Community, Toledo, OH

Beginning in August of 2020, Midstory partnered with the Toledo Design Collective (TDC) on the Garfield Community Plan. Funding provided by the TDC supported Midstory’s role as a storytelling media partner in a yearlong planning and engagement effort to envision future development in the Garfield neighborhood of East Toledo. Collaborating with multiple area stakeholders, including East Toledo institutions, businesses and residents, Midstory produced a five-part video series that captures the ambition, voices and perspectives of the planning effort, featuring historical, contextual and timely calls-to-action with a view to support the development of the area in a long-term capacity.

In Collaboration with:

Elizabeth Ellis

Project Planner/Studio Director
Toledo Design Collective

I think this is the time that a lot of people are realizing the power in community organizations and the power of collectively coming together with a common voice of this is what we want to see done.

Bev Piper

Garfield Resident
One Voice for East Toledo

I grew up on Licking Street… Growing up my dad was actually a police officer and my mom was a school assistant teacher. I just loved living here and there’s so much to do… So my goal now is to try to get this area back to how it was for the next generation so we need everybody’s input.

Bev Piper

Garfield Resident
One Voice for East Toledo

I grew up on Licking Street… Growing up my dad was actually a police officer and my mom was a school assistant teacher. I just loved living here and there’s so much to do… So my goal now is to try to get this area back to how it was for the next generation so we need everybody’s input.

Larry Michaels

East Toledo Historian

The East Side was truly a melting pot… Toledo in 1860 had a population of 13,000. By 1900, it was 131,000…

Stefanie Revesz

Waite HS Teacher

You know I just went to a park across the steet… I can see the river and everything… good things are happening!

Stefanie Revesz

Waite HS Teacher

You know I just went to a park across the steet… I can see the river and everything… good things are happening!

Isabella Escareno

Waite HS Student

I feel like there’s a lot of things in Toledo that I’d want to keep as well just because like it gives it character…

Molly Burns

TDC Project Manager

There’s something about the work ethic and the grit and yet also the warmth to the Garfield neighborhood that I think sticks with me when I walk through it.

Molly Burns

TDC Project Manager

There’s something about the work ethic and the grit and yet also the warmth to the Garfield neighborhood that I think sticks with me when I walk through it.

Bob Seyfang

TDC Founder and Architect

Back when I was in high school, I remember playing football over at Waite Stadium. So it was a wonderful neighborhood. There were car dealers on Main street. There were drug stores or JC Penney was there. Woolworth’s was there. It was pretty remarkable.

Jodi Gross

Executive Director
East Toledo Family Center

If you don’t make plans, you will never accomplish anything. I think that the Garfield plan is a great example because although that neighborhood is in great shape. There are good things happening. You need to be able to continue to move forward.”

Jodi Gross

Executive Director, East Toledo Family Center

If you don’t make plans, you will never accomplish anything. I think that the Garfield plan is a great example because although that neighborhood is in great shape. There are good things happening. You need to be able to continue to move forward.”

Looking Ahead for East Toledo: Garfield Community

00:04:33

Re-envisioning East Toledo | 1. Behind the Garfield Community Plan

When we hear about Toledo's history and its progress, it's often in reference to the west side. But our city's Main Street can only be found on the east side, and the riverfront communities of East Toledo have made significant contributions to Toledo's rich and diverse cultural and industrial past. With all the excitement around the Marina District (now a new Metropark), what are the residents' hopes and dreams there?
00:03:44

Re-envisioning East Toledo | 2. “Once an East Sider…Always an East Sider” — Resident Visions

When we hear about Toledo's history and its progress, it's often in reference to the west side. But our city's Main Street can only be found on the east side, and the riverfront communities of East Toledo have made significant contributions to Toledo's rich and diverse cultural and industrial past. With all the excitement around the Marina District (now a new Metropark), what are the residents' hopes and dreams there?
00:06:39

Re-envisioning East Toledo | 3. “A Neighborhood for the American Dream” — East Toledo History

When we hear about Toledo's history and its progress, it's often in reference to the west side. But our city's Main Street can only be found on the east side, and the riverfront communities of East Toledo have made significant contributions to Toledo's rich and diverse cultural and industrial past. With all the excitement around the Marina District (now a new Metropark), what are the residents' hopes and dreams there?
00:04:09

Re-envisioning East Toledo | 4. “And Generations to Come…” — Waite High School

When we hear about Toledo's history and its progress, it's often in reference to the west side. But our city's Main Street can only be found on the east side, and the riverfront communities of East Toledo have made significant contributions to Toledo's rich and diverse cultural and industrial past. With all the excitement around the Marina District (now a new Metropark), what are the residents' hopes and dreams there?
00:05:19

Re-envisioning East Toledo | 5. “The Plan Lives On” — Looking Ahead for East Toledo

When we hear about Toledo's history and its progress, it's often in reference to the west side. But our city's Main Street can only be found on the east side, and the riverfront communities of East Toledo have made significant contributions to Toledo's rich and diverse cultural and industrial past. With all the excitement around the Marina District (now a new Metropark), what are the residents' hopes and dreams there?

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