A Special Place to Be

June 10, 2025 Projects

The Old West End Festival was different this year.

On a beautiful, sunny Saturday in June, festivalgoers got a unique glimpse into what it takes to preserve a neighborhood. Beyond the usual tours of gorgeous historic mansions, two Land Bank “works in progress” were included.

The first was a home being renovated by Brian Cope & Bryan Tinsley at 614 Virginia Street, after they purchased it from the Land Bank in late 2018. The Old West End recognized their meticulous efforts to restore the home to its original beauty, showing neighbors and visitors that it's possible to save almost anything. Projects like this are not easy, but the investments they have made are more than just financial.

The other Land Bank project, located at 624 West Delaware Avenue, is a first of its kind—a true partnership with the Old West End Association. Already recognized by Toledo City Council as a testament to neighborhood grit, the blood, sweat, and paint stains of dedicated weekly volunteers are bringing the property back to life. Rescued from the brink of demolition, the hard work of the Preservation Committee is making it happen.

“The mission of the Old West End Association is to preserve a place that contributes so much to Toledo’s history,” said Laure Hammond, president of the Association. “To tell our story, we must be proactive and save the incredible homes that make our neighborhood a special place to be.”

Chuck Madrigal, chair of the Association’s Preservation Committee, echoed the sentiment. "Our buildings are significant. When you lose them, they’re irreplaceable. Why tear down something so beautiful?”

The free tours of the Land Bank homes during the Festival offered a different kind of beauty—the beauty of possibility. These were houses in mid-transformation, where raw plaster met exposed lath, where the ghost of a grand entryway was slowly being resurrected. These were not polished museums but active construction sites, yet they held a profound appeal, demonstrating the tangible impact of these preservation efforts.

David Mann, President & CEO of the Land Bank, summed it up. "Land Bank work is about the future, but it never means we must forget the past."