Konop promotes vision of Dorr Street corridor

3/1/2007

Hoping to create an environment similar to the main streets in college towns such as Ann Arbor and Columbus, University of Toledo students and Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop yesterday shared a vision of an improved Dorr Street.

Mr. Konop, during a news conference called by UT student Terry Biel, spoke of putting county resources behind attempts to create a student village environment along Dorr.

Mr. Biel, 21, a senior who is campaigning for student body president, said he wanted to highlight how student government can contribute to the creation of an updated corridor. Students should be leading the charge to bring about change, he said.

Mr. Konop used the Dorr corridor as a campaign issue during his bid last fall for a seat on the county commission. Yesterday, he said the county could help build up the area with small business loans and the funding of infrastructure improvements.

A big part of economic success is how closely the community and the university are interwoven, Mr. Konop said.