TOLEDO — A hulking abandoned power plant overgrown with weeds along the downtown riverfront is a link to the city's industrial past. Developers hope the site will be part of the city's future.

        Voters on Tuesday will be asked to waive a section of the city charter that prohibits spending city money on sports stadiums, convention centers and theaters.

        If voters go along with the proposal, it would clear the way for developers to start a $175 million project featuring a new arena, restaurants, offices, apartments and a marina along the Maumee River.

        Mayor Carty Finkbeiner said the entertainment district would be able to make the city “less boring” to young people.

        “Toledo hasn't been a boring community if you're my age or of you have a family,” he said. “But for young people, this will make our city more interesting.”

        The project — combined with a new minor league ballpark scheduled to open next spring, a new theater and riverfront children's museum — would revive a downtown that lost its luster in the past decade.

        Keeping people from leaving the city is a major concern. Census figures show that for every two young people who move to Toledo, three leave.
       

A renewed optimism
               Mr. Finkbeiner said he senses a renewed optimism within the city.

        “It's a new era where people are positive and upbeat about the future of the city,” he said.

        That's a big change from a time when residents got used to watching proposals for arenas, ballparks and malls come and go.

        “This community has so much to offer, but we've had this "poor is me' attitude,” said Sandy Isenberg, president of the Lucas County commissioners.
       

Riverfront redevelopment
               The centerpiece in the development would be a 10,000-seat arena for minor league hockey and concerts.

        The change in the city charter is needed so that the city can spend $8 million on projects such as new roads, sewer lines and a parking garage on the site. The change also would allow property tax revenue generated from the project to help pay for the arena construction.

        But critics say there are no limits on how much the city can spend on the project.

        Rick Grafing, a candidate for mayor in Tuesday's primary election, said the proposal was like “giving the city a blank check.”

        The lead developer on the project is Frank Kass, chairman of Continental Real Estate.

        Continental, a Columbus-based developer, has a record of turning abandoned industrial areas into entertainment complexes.

        It recycled the site of an old air conditioning factory in Columbus into a theater and retail district and is working on a $300 million project at a former steel mill site in Pittsburgh.

        The Toledo site across from downtown includes about 125 acres and a mile-long stretch along the river.

Ohio death sentences decline
Mayoral focus shifts to turnout
Life of Riley: Candidate a 'fighter'
Banks might lose Neyer vote
RADEL: Fans recall Reds mustard with relish
Sign-ups at UC rebound
Small schools, big results
Man shot in Mount Airy
Memorial to veterans taking shape
You asked for it
Congrats
Food-service training helps adults get jobs
Hopkins, scoutmaster for the ages
Jewish synagogue gets new home
Lebanon to address officials' rift
Local Digest
Turkeyfoot expansion on the way
Cities seek ideas for bridge's name
Kentucky Digest
Ky. man hurt in gunfire with police
Lawmakers face tough fall agenda
Church, corporation join forces to build home for needy
Industrial park plan fought
So far, this goose hunt a wild goose chase
Three die after truck collision
Toledo leaders hope voters OK spending
U.S. subsidies fertilize Ky. farms