Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, also known as the Downtown Toledo Train Station, is home to Amtrak, Greyhound, a Subway Sandwich Shop, Brightside Academy and the Toledo Metropolitan Area of Council Governments (TMACOG). In addition, it is the location of many meetings and non-profit events.
The history of the train station, which is located at 415 Emerald Avenue, started during the week of September 17, 1950 when Toledo area residents celebrated the grand opening of the new Central Union Terminal in downtown Toledo. People from all over the Toledo area lined up to use the new train service. Fast forward to 1994, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority acquired the station and invested over $11 million in various funds including federal grants to renovate the historic facility into a modern train and bus terminal and office complex. The terminal was rededicated as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza in 2001. Today, more than 100 passengers pass through the Plaza daily to destinations such as Chicago, Buffalo, Boston and Washington D.C., making it Ohio’s busiest passenger rail hub.
In June 2016, the Port Authority welcomed Greyhound Lines, Inc., the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in North America, to the train station. The addition of Greyhound makes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza a true multi-modal facility, and a facility that now operates 24 hours a day. Additionally, a Port Authority owned and operated franchise of Subway offers fresh meals to both Amtrak and Greyhound customers.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza is an important part of Toledo’s history and the Middlegrounds neighborhood and continues to serve the rental space and travel needs of people and organizations throughout Northwest Ohio.
*2023 update: Weddings are no longer held at the Downtown Toledo Train Station.
