St. Anthony Church in Toledo’s Junction neighborhood is one step closer to securing the proper permit to operate as a community center.

On Thursday, representatives from the Lucas County Land Bank asked the Toledo City Plan Commission to approve a special-use permit for the former church at 601 Junction Ave.

The Toledo Municipal Code stipulates that to operate a community center, developers need a special-use permit.

In December, 2024, city council approved $910,099 in a majority vote to turn the church, which has been empty since 2005, into a multipurpose recreation center. That funding was the last of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act money.

On Thursday, Joe Fausnaugh, Toledo’s director of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Services, said he expects to host athletic events, youth program

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