In partnership with the Columbus-based Pizzuti Companies, Garfield Traub Development provided  Lucas County, Ohio with certain pre-development planning services for the development of a  multi-use sports and events arena that will benefit Toledo, Lucas County, and Northwest Ohio. This 8,500 fixed-seat arena will replace the 59-year old Toledo Sports Arena in East Toledo with a larger, state-of-the-art facility and be connected to the County’s SeaGate Convention Centre, providing for operating savings and synergies between the two facilities.

In the first phase of the assignment, Garfield Traub provided an “Arena Action Plan” that determined the arena’s seating capacity, size, operating revenues and expenses, development budget, and the funding and financing plan.  The plan also identified the required enabling legislation, and Garfield Traub directed the optioning of the multi-parcel key downtown site through a local real estate service company.

Our  team  directed the process of selecting the architect, builder, and operator under a formal Request for Qualifications.  The scope of work also included directing the public relations efforts, running a series of public meetings, and advising the County regarding the governance/ownership and financing structure.

Under a governance structure that is unique among cities, Lucas County will own the arena through a new not-for-profit that will also own the SeaGate Convention Centre and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.  A related County-controlled not-for-profit will own the minor-league hockey and arena football team franchises.

The arena will be funded largely through a 2% increase in the County’s hotel/motel tax, but will also include grants from the State of Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission and the Federal Department of Transportation and the issuance of arena revenue bonds backed by the County.  Private funding will include the sale of naming rights, and the creation of a “Founders’ Program” for suite and premium seating sales.

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