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.
Neighborhoods
The Garfield Community, Toledo, OH
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