TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - A feasibility study was released to Toledo City Council on Wednesday, which recommends changes to public transportation services in downtown Toledo.
The study was reviewed during a committee hearing which provided council members a chance to ask questions and give the public a chance to raise concerns.
The City of Toledo and TARTA split the cost of the $184,000 study, which recommends eliminating the downtown bus loop and making significant changes along Jackson Boulevard, including using a block primarily used for surface parking as the location to build a new downtown TARTA station.
That is drawing concerns from officials at the Valentine Theatre, worried about the potential loss of parking right next to the facility.
"There's been an investment of nearly $30 million in the Valentine Theatre, and convenient, close proximity parking is imperative to future success of the Valentine," said Marketing Director Matt Lentz.
Councilman Rob Ludeman said much more public input will be gathered before any decisions are made to move forward with the plan.
"Downtown is starting to thrive. More people are living here and working here. That's what we want. We don't want to cause anything to have a negative effect, so we'll listen and see what folks have to say," said Ludeman.
The study recommends seeking federal funding for 80 percent of the $24 million project should a decision be made to proceed.
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