Toledo Design Collective Celebrates 25 Years of Community Impact at Annual Reception

Toledo Design Collective (TDC) will celebrate its 25th anniversary at its Annual Reception, marking a milestone moment in the organization’s continued commitment to community-driven urban design, inclusive planning, and neighborhood revitalization across the Toledo region.

Founded in 2001, TDC has spent the past quarter-century working alongside residents, partners, and public agencies to shape a more connected city. From early efforts to elevate design standards in downtown Toledo to its current role as a leader in community engagement and neighborhood planning, TDC has helped guide transformative projects and initiatives that reflect the voices and aspirations of residents.

The 25th Anniversary Annual Reception will bring together civic leaders, community partners, planners, designers, and residents to reflect on this legacy and look ahead to the future of Toledo, its neighborhoods, and the region. The event will feature remarks from representatives of partner organizations including Lake Erie West Regional Council (formerly TMACOG), and Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, highlighting the collaborative relationships that have defined TDC’s work, including that which led to the revitalization of the Broadway Corridor Streetscape through the Old South End and Broadway Mile neighborhood plans.

Over the past 25 years, TDC has played a key role in advancing projects such as neighborhood master plans, vacant lot reclamation efforts, and supporting public engagement in major civic initiatives like the Glass City Riverwalk. Through its programs, TDC continues to support residents in shaping their own neighborhoods and building momentum for long-term investment and growth.

Much of TDC’s success is attributed to its robust education, outreach, and engagement programming, including that driven by its long-standing internship program. Having hosted more than 50 students from regional schools — including University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, University of Michigan, University of Miami Ohio, University of Cincinnati, and Pratt Institute, among others — this work has yielded more than $150 million dollars in development projects for the City in recent years.

“As we celebrate 25 years, we are grounded in the work that brought us here and inspired by what lies ahead,” said Ryan A. Bunch, Studio Director of TDC. “The future of our cities will be defined by how well we listen, how we design for relationships and experiences connected to physical spaces, and how intentionally we invest in people and place. TDC is committed to continuing this work alongside our community, enhancing neighborhoods that improve today’s experiences by designing for the future.”

The Annual Reception serves as both a celebration and a call to action, inviting supporters to invest in the next chapter of TDC’s work. As the organization continues to grow, expand its reach, and deepen its impact, community support remains essential to sustaining and scaling its efforts.

Event Details:

TDC 25th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Reception
5:30 – 8:00 p.m. / Remarks at 6:15 p.m.
Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, 1225 Broadway St, Toledo, OH 43609 Parking available at 525 Crittenden Ave.
RSVP recommended at www.TDCAnnualReception.eventbrite.com

Press is encouraged to schedule arrival between 4:30-5:30 p.m. for advance interviews and is welcome to remain through the event.

For more information about the event or to support Toledo Design Collective’s work, visit ToledoDesignCollective.org or contact Studio Director Ryan Bunch at [email protected] or 419-279-0680.

About Toledo Design Collective
Toledo Design Collective is a nonprofit civic design center dedicated to improving the function, accessibility, and aesthetic of the Toledo region. Through community engagement, planning, and design, TDC works to ensure that all neighborhoods have access to high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable planning and development.