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The Englewood Community Fireside Chat
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner's Truth Reporter
Englewood District community leaders facilitated a virtual
fireside chat on Friday, November 6, 2020 to discuss
economic development and neighborhood improvement ideas. The
fireside chat was led by Kathleen Greely of Community RE
Invest Coalition and included panelists: Brandon Sehlhorst,
Toledo Commissioner of Economic Development; Sandy Spang, Toledo
Commissioner of Business Services; Rev. Donald Perryman,
PhD, Center of Hope pastor; Vanice Williams, newly appointed
City of Toledo District 4 councilwoman.
Facilitator Greely explained during her opening remarks that
the fireside chat was organized in response to remarks from
the virtual community meeting and conversation that was held
to discuss the redevelopment of Englewood and Junction.
"We had a community conversation last week and we're curious
to discuss several topics tonight. This fireside chat
provides an opportunity to meet and talk on a personal level
about economic development and small business development.
We received so much feedback from attendees of our last
meeting and one key remark was that we didn't receive enough
feedback from city council and resources for businesses,”
explained Greely.
According to Greely, the coalition was formed in response to
the City of Toledo's five-year consolidation plan and
includes current and former residents who have concerns
about the community. The coalition attendees met with City
of Toledo Department of Neighborhood staff prior to the
fireside chat and expressed dissatisfaction. "We met with
neighborhoods last week and half of us were asking why we
weren't included in the five-year plan."
Councilwoman Williams briefly introduced her connection to
that neighborhood and encouraged the coalition to reengage
with Department of Neighborhoods. "Thank you for putting
this on. I grew up in the area around Smith Park. I grew-up
an at-risk youth with elders who pushed me but didn't know
how. I know I am a community kid, and that's why I walk my
neighborhood now. I had a lot of people fighting for me,
that's why I fight for these kids now. The plan was created
for the entire city. The Department of Neighborhoods should
be on each chat. We have a great director, Rosalyn Clemens.
She is amazing and she has an amazing staff," said Williams.
The virtual fireside chat discussion switched to economic
development and began with Sandy Spang listing available
resources. "One of the major obstacles is the condition of
commercial buildings that need to be brought up to code
following an owner change. We're talking electric, plumbing,
heating, etc. We have programs that can help with those
changes too,” said Spang. |
