PEACH WEEKENDER I AROUND TOWN

ProMedica celebrates Steam Plant opening

9/7/2017
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • SOC-promedica31p

    ProMedica CEO and President Randy Oostra, left, Pro Medica Senior Vice-President Real Estate and Construction Robin Whitney, and Bob LaClair, CEO and President of Fifth Third Bank, among others, cut the ribbon during the opening of the new ProMedica headquarters in downtown Toledo.

    The Blade/Andy Morrison
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  • The grand opening celebration of ProMedica's new downtown Toledo headquarters on the Maumee River was in the Steam Plant just before Labor Day weekend.

    ProMedica CEO and President Randy Oostra, left, Pro Medica Senior Vice-President Real Estate and Construction Robin Whitney,  and Bob LaClair, CEO and President of Fifth Third Bank, among others, cut the ribbon during the opening of the new ProMedica headquarters in downtown Toledo.
    ProMedica CEO and President Randy Oostra, left, Pro Medica Senior Vice-President Real Estate and Construction Robin Whitney, and Bob LaClair, CEO and President of Fifth Third Bank, among others, cut the ribbon during the opening of the new ProMedica headquarters in downtown Toledo.

    The four-story contemporary/​historic mixed design structure with lots of windows has a great view of the river. Employees will be able to see ships passing by. The atrium holds Trace, a blue glass sculpture of a flock of birds by Danielle Roney of Brooklyn. Each floor has a deluxe break area, and the conference rooms have glass fronts. Outdoors there is a patio with a steel fire pit created by Kristine Rumman and built by Dane Turpening of Toledo. The open design of ProMedica logos made of steel from the building, is set on brick from the smoke stacks and building.

    It sure doesn’t look like it did two years ago when ProMedica purchased it, ProMedica board chairman Bob LaClair said. Mr. LaClair is also president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank. 

    Randy Oostra, president and CEO of ProMedica and the brainchild behind it all, glowed with a big smile.

    Part of the new compound is the triangle building on Summit Street, formerly KeyBank and now called the Junction. About 30 employees of the ProMedica Foundation will move into the first floor of the Renaissance Downtown Toledo Hotel on Tuesday.

    The family of the late Betty Mauk was also recognized. Mrs. Mauk was instrumental in creating Promenade Park, which will be a focal point of entertainment.

    “It's full steam ahead!” said Sen. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green).

    After presenting a proclamation from the City of Toledo, Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson said, “It's a wonderful day for all of us.”

    Also among those at the ribbon-cutting were state Sen. Edna Brown (D., Toledo), Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green), and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo).

    Cheers and whistles erupted when the ribbon was cut. Violins played as community movers and shakers toured the facility that was formerly the Toledo Edison Steam Plant. I worked for Edison in the plaza across the street many moons ago, so it was great to see the Steam Plant renovated with hints of the historic structure here and there.

    Among the nearly 1,500 invited guests were Tom and Betsy Brady, Brian and Mary Kennedy, Steve and Penny Staelin, Sharon Speyer and Dean Monske, Dr. Dan Cassavar and wife Chris, Michael Abernathy, Liz Michalak, Jeff Stegeman, Nikki Rinehart, Dr. Dan Dessner and wife Dr. Jonna McRury, Marc Folk, Sandra Hylant, Richard Hylant, Mike Hylant, Clyde Scoles, Lynn and Karen Fruth, and Karen, Mark, and Susan Kruse, Keith Burwell, Laurie Gross, and Dr. Neeraj Kanwal and wife Susan.

    ■ Enjoying the summer were Bernie and Dorothy Welniak, Mechelle Zarou, and Jennifer Cumming and others as they sat outside Manhattan’s Pub ‘N Cheer.

    ■ George Damasco, Sr., and wife Donelda (Nel) celebrated their 60th anniversary at Mancy’s Italian restaurant with friends and family. The couple, married at Holy Rosary Cathedral in 1957, have four children: G. Thomas, Jr., Dawn, Brenda, and Beth.

    ■ Dr. Tim Kime and his wife, Barb, celebrated their 80th birthdays at Wildwood’s Ward Pavilion. The party was hosted by their children Tim, Jr., of Washington, Tammy Kime of St. Joseph, Mo., and Todd Kime of Toledo.

    Barbara Hendel is The Blade’s society editor. Contact her at:  bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.