New displays to enliven old storefronts

7/26/2001

The second phase of a beautification project aimed at filling the windows of empty downtown Toledo storefronts is to be announced today by Mayor Carty Finkbeiner.

Seventeen window displays will be unveiled, boosting the total to 35.

Some of the additions are the Toledo Opera, Junior League, Keep Toledo-Lucas County Beautiful, the city's department of neighborhoods, Make-a-Wish Foundation, COMPASS, and the Valentine Theatre.

The project, which began in May, involves local organizations and businesses putting displays in the windows to eliminate the appearance of empty storefronts.

The first phase involved windows on Huron Street between Madison Avenue and Jefferson Street. This phase is to include windows of the LaSalle Apartments, the former Shale's Pharmacy, and Toledo Towers.

The project is a revitalization effort designed to clean up the appearance of the downtown and attract businesses, the mayor has said.

The mayor is to kick off the second phase of the project at 11:30 a.m. at the LaSalle on Huron Street. A live window display will be presented from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.