The Germans came and we welcomed them.
 
So too the Hungarians.
 
And, the Polish. And, the Irish.
 
Now, the Chinese are coming to what they call the “friendliest city we’ve visited.’
 
Let’s not disappoint them.
 
They will bring their money, their ideas and their love of our culture. And, in the end, they may create a thriving Chinatown at the vacant Marina District, creating a new destination point in the middle of the Midwest.
 
Listen to what Brad Peebles, commissioner of the department of development for the City of Toledo, said about the Chinese investors who are buying The Docks for $2.15 million and have their eyes on developing the Marina District. He made his comments Thursday to members of the East Toledo Club at its monthly luncheon.

“One of the things they’re looking at closely is the opportunity to create an atmosphere where they could say to those in China, ‘We have for you, in the United States, housing. We have something you can buy.’ They are going to be selling Toledo, Ohio from China.”
 
Peebles said the Chinese investors are looking to create an “International Village,” a mix of residential, retail and commercial development, on the 51-acre Maumee Riverbank property. They hope what they build will create synergy with their pending plans for The Docks.
 
Peebles could hardly contain his enthusiasm for the project, nor for what the investors can do for East Toledo. He said that, between Monday, February 21 and March 1, six different Chinese delegations will visit Toledo. Where critics see fear of the unknown, Peebles sees neighbors.
 
“I was as fearful as many people have been to these initiatives. Having the opportunity to get to know these people and understand their rationale, I will tell you they are here for the same reasons you and I are. This is an opportunity for them to protect wealth that they can’t do in China. It’s an opportunity to allow them to bring their families to be free to be educated the way they want to be versus the way the government wants them to be. We should be extremely proud that they want to be here.”
 
These new neighbors have fallen in love not only with the warm welcome from our community but also with the cultural, educational and recreational opportunities we have. In short, they were wowed by our quality of life.
 
Who could object to investors who see our community this way?
 
Well two come to mind: D. Michael Collins and Lindsay Webb, Toledo councilmen who seldom side with Mayor Mike Bell, the man Peebles credits with the foresight and courage to lead the trade mission to China during The Big Recession.
 
Their objections will be parochial. Don’t pay attention to arguments that the city is selling an asset too cheaply. Collins will fight for development for the old Southwyck property and Webb for the soon-to-be vacant Raceway Park property. There’s only so much development a city the size of Toledo can support at a time some experts predict it will take 14 years to get back to the employment and wage levels we were before The Big Recession.
 
East Toledo lost the hockey arena to downtown Toledo interests and those interests are reaping the benefits today. Councilman Mike Craig and the East Toledo community should rally behind this investment, provided the investors and their offer survive the due diligence process.
 
One point of contention that could scuttle the deal is what will happen to the 17 acres in the Marina District designated as parkland. Most of this is located between the access road and the river. The investors want it.
 
“That’s going to present a problem. It’s something we’re going to have to deal with as we move forward,” Peebles said.
 
Peebles went on to talk about other development projects the city has been working on. He anticipates an EPA decision within 30 days on the proposed $900 million coke plant, which is expected to break ground in 60 to 90 days pending approval. The company, FDS Coke, has sold out capacity of the coke it can produce for two years, Peebles said. It also has a back-up site in West Virginia, he said.
 
Peebles took a moment to reflect on how his fortunes have turned in two years. He came to East Toledo at the start of The Big Recession. His job, as director of River East Revitalization Corporation, eventually devolved into liquidating assets, fending off bill collectors and shutting down the non-profit corporation credited with bringing hundreds of jobs to East Toledo.
 
Now, going to work is much more pleasant, rewarding and exciting. He’s fielding calls from all around the globe.
 
“The world around us is now starting to see the value in what we have here when it comes to logistics, workforce and opportunities.”
 
We’ve seen this optimism before and been disappointed. But, maybe this time… 

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