TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo City Council is considering giving $5,000 grants to small businesses on Arlington Avenue that have been battered by years of construction — and the money could be in owners’ hands as early as Dec. 15.

Council members are calling the proposal the “Arlington Business Access Relief Grant.” It would give $5,000 to eligible privately owned businesses on Arlington Avenue between South Detroit Avenue and Spencer Street.

The corridor has been under long-term construction since a sewer line broke 45 feet underground and caused a sinkhole in October 2024. The fix isn’t expected to be finished until 2028.

One business owner, Skipper, told 13abc he has documented a $30,000 loss since construction started and a 17% drop in sales. “It made it really hard for our customers to get to the facility. And when that happens, you’re going to see a decline in sales,” he said.

Council members Theresa Gadus and Adam Martinez brought the legislation forward Tuesday. “This is our opportunity to show business owners of Arlington Avenue that Toledo values the people who keep Toledo going,” Gadus said.

To qualify, a business must be privately owned, registered in Ohio, a permanent customer-facing storefront, in operation since Jan. 1, 2026, maintain regular hours, and be in good standing with government entities.

Council is expected to vote Tuesday, Nov. 17. Councilman Mac Driscoll said during Tuesday’s meeting that room should be made in the budget in the future for cases like this so council isn’t adjusting the budget on the fly.

Photo: Adams Street in Toledo, Ohio, circa 1900 — via Wikimedia Commons (public domain). Historic photo; not Arlington Avenue itself.

Source: 13abc