LagrangeWORKS! Business District
Improvement Program
The Lagrange community is home to one of the few remaining active neighborhood business districts in the greater Toledo area,
with over 200 businesses and organizations operating in the historic Polish International Village. Bounded by I-75 on the
north, I-280 on the east, Bancroft Street on the south, and Cherry Street on the west, the commercial trade area of the
Lagrange business district includes nearly 8,000 households with more than 20,000 residents. There is a significant youth
and family market, with a very high population and household density that peaks in the heart of the business district on
Lagrange Street. There is also an intense concentration of retail spending power per square mile in the Lagrange
neighborhood:
- $50 million a year retail market within walking distance
- $135 million a year retail market within one mile
- $790 million a year retail market within three miles.
Business District Committees
Successful projects that impact the image and profitability of our neighborhood business district don’t just happen by magic.
Each requires dedicated volunteers willing to donate a few hours a month toward their business district. To stimulate
economic development in the context of historic preservation, the Lagrange business district has embraced a four-point
approach to business district revitalization that focuses efforts on design, economic restructuring, marketing and
promotions, and organization.
- The Business Renaissance Committee is the governing board for our business district with a major focus on business recruitment and retention. Their major accomplishments include the establishment of the new business district association and the redevelopment of four long-neglected commercial buildings in the 2800 block of Lagrange Street.
- The Marketing and Promotions Committee is working to promote a positive image of the business district. They are responsible for communications, publications, and special events such as the Angel Wings On Lagrange Winter Fest.
- The business district’s appearance is the task of the Design Committee, including streetscape maintenance, facade upgrades, and signs and zoning issues. This committee can take credit for implementing a window replacement fund, architectural design guidelines, and the wrought iron gate project on Lagrange Street.
LagrangeWORKS! Business District Association
The LagrangeWORKS! business district association is a growing coalition of neighborhood businesses that are working together
to fund and promote the many neighborhood improvement projects undertaken by these committees. Annual dues are $100 for
small businesses and non-profit organizations, $250 for corporations and franchises, and only $25 for individuals
(residents). Donor patronage is also available in three levels: Bronze for $500, Silver for $1,500 and Gold for $2,500
and up.
Lagrange Streetscape Improvements
After raising over $500,000 from public and private sources, LDC completed major streetscape improvements on Lagrange
Street in the heart of the business district. These improvements include upgraded sidewalks, brighter decorative lighting,
historic mast-arm street signs, street furniture including benches and trash receptacles, landscaped parking areas with
brick and wrought iron fences, and canopy street trees with wrought iron guards and grates. Many private property owners
have since added wrought iron gates to complement the streetscape improvements.
The Shoppes On Lagrinka
The Lagrange Development Corporation is undertaking a major commercial real estate development project in the 2800 block of
Lagrange involving four commercial buildings in the heart of the Polish International Village’s business district. The
intent is renovate each building, attract new businesses to the central commercial corridor, and provide employment
opportunities for our neighborhood residents.
This nearly 10,000 square foot shopping plaza development offers opportunity for up to eight new businesses:
| 2860 Lagrange, upper |
986 sq. ft. |
Wood frame |
$6.70 / sf |
| 2860 Lagrange, lower |
1,038 sq. ft. |
Wood frame |
$6.70 / sf |
| 2856 Lagrange |
1,502 sq. ft. |
Brick/masonry |
$6.70 / sf |
| 2854 Lagrange |
937 sq. ft. |
Brick/masonry |
$6.70 / sf |
| 2848 Lagrange |
1,736 sq. ft. |
Brick/masonry |
$6.70 / sf |
| 2846 Lagrange |
1,328 sq. ft. |
Wood frame |
$6.70 / sf |
| 2844 Lagrange |
677 sq. ft. |
Wood frame |
$6.70 / sf |
All of the buildings were built in the late 1800s or early 1900s and are representative of a turn-of-the-century
neighborhood shopping district. Recent streetscape improvements complement the historic architecture. Available parking
in adjacent 18-space rear lot and plenty of on-street parking. Close proximity to retail and professional services, banks,
and churches. There is an intense concentration of retail spending power per square mile surrounding this site:
- $50 million a year retail market within walking distance
- $135 million a year retail market within one mile
- $790 million a year retail market within three miles.
Significant youth and family market. Very high population and household density that peaks at this site. Loss of area
grocery stores creates an opportunity for food operators. For more leasing information, contact Lagrange Development
Corporation via e-mail or by telephone at (419) 255-8406.
The Ohio Theatre
Fundraising plans are also underway for renovating the historic Ohio Theater, one of Ohio’s
few remaining operating theaters. Built in 1921 for vaudeville, the building is in critical
need of major repairs, both structural and mechanical. The theatre will soon be listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, and an architectural study is underway to determine
the extent and cost of necessary renovations.
