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Rep. Ashford
Announces over $1.6M for Toledo-area Infrastructure Upgrades
Local psychiatric hospital, university to undergo safety
renovation work
Special to The Truth
State Rep. Michael Ashford (D-Toledo) last month announced
the release of over $1.6 million in state funds to the
University of Toledo (UT) for major upgrades to the
university’s out-of-date elevator system. Funding for the
ongoing project was approved at today’s meeting by the state
Controlling Board, a panel tasked with oversight of state
spending.
“The state’s continued investment in UT shows that Ohio is
serious about providing safe, world-class education
facilities for our leaders of tomorrow,” said Ashford. “As
our students are going to and from their classes, the safety
and reliability of our infrastructure should be the least of
their worries. I look forward to seeing the completion of
this project and the peace of mind these updates will
provide for the entire university community.”
The state dollars will fund phase 2 of the project, which
includes upgrades to the 40-50 year-old elevators in five
academic buildings on campus—Snyder Memorial, Ritter
Astrophysical Research Center, the UT Law Center, McMaster
Hall, and Palmer Hall—as well as replacements to three
elevator cabs in Carlson Library.
Many of the current elevators have had no major work done
since their initial installation and are missing important
safety features, including an elevator recall function
that’s tied to the fire alarm system. These much-needed
improvements will bring the elevators up to current ADA
standards, as well as result in minimized maintenance,
increased safety, and a modernized appearance.
Rep. Ashford also announced the release of $68,200 in state
dollars to the Department of Mental Health & Addiction
Services for enhanced fire protection at Northwest Ohio
Psychiatric Hospital (NOPH) in Lucas County.
“As a long time care provider for one of our state’s most
vulnerable populations, NOPH has always maintained the
safety of their patients as a top priority,” said Ashford.
“These renovations will help to prevent the spread of toxic
smoke and potentially save many lives, should an emergency
situation ever occur.”
The project includes improving access to smoke dampers for
required testing, as well as sealing penetrations in rated
walls throughout the hospital.
The Northwest Psychiatric Hospital in Toledo is one of six
regional psychiatric hospitals that operate under the Ohio
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. These
specialized facilities provide short-term, intensive
treatment to patients in both inpatient and
community-supported environments. They also deliver
comprehensive care to patients committed by criminal courts.
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