Saving the St. James

In the words of Mick Jagger: "You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you need."

The community-development agency United North is upset because it says Toledo officials, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, and the Maritime Officers' union went around it to strike a deal that will stick it with two parking lots and the boarded-up St. James Hotel, which it says it can't afford to refurbish. But things are not as bad as they seem.

The Port Authority has agreed to buy One Maritime Place, where its offices are located, from the maritime officers' pension fund for $143,000, and to spend at least $757,000 on badly needed repairs. The downtown building, which overlooks the Maumee River, has been losing tenants for years, in part because the owners haven't maintained it. Port Authority officials say they believe they can attract more tenants once they fix the leaky roof, update the heating and air- conditioning, and upgrade lighting.

As part of the deal, United North is supposed to get the $143,000 and the three properties in North Toledo. Earlier this year, United North appeared willing to accept a similar arrangement. But Terry Glazer, the agency's chief executive officer, now says there's not enough value in the agreement to leverage the $3 million to $4 million that would be needed to redevelop the St. James Hotel, which was built in the 1870s.

Mr. Glazer says the $2.5 million federal grant used to build One Maritime Plaza was supposed to be paid to his organization's predecessor, NorthRiver Development Corp., out of rental income. Toledo Deputy Mayor Tom Crothers says the agency isn't owed anything.

Mr. Crothers adds that while the city would like to save every historic building, it has "its own fiscal challenges." The sale of One Maritime Plaza will relieve the city of its mortgage on the property.

Port Authority officials say they share United North's desire to save buildings that add character to Toledo. They insist they're willing to work with United North -- as they have in the past -- through their neighborhood funding program of grants and low-interest loans.

Authority officials say they want to see the inside of the hotel for themselves. Then they say they need a viable project.

That's not what United North wants or believes it deserves. But it may be enough to get what it needs.