RSS Post Feedthe buzz is buzzing
Well, we've been waiting a long time for this here in South Park, but it's finally starting to happen. People are starting to notice what a great opportunity this neighborhood presents for them. Just had to share a couple of things that I've heard recently that demonstrate this. We have an active book club that meets regularly, and communicates through email. A couple of weeks ago, one of the members put out an email to the group saying--I'm looking for something to do this weekend--anyone interested? She found a whole bunch of takers, and they got together and had a wonderful time! To me, that says loads about what it means to live in a community, where you know and socialize with your neighbors. Secondly, not only did the first AIA session generate serious interest in the neighborhood from some of the outsiders who attended, but our organization just got an email from someone who doesn't live in the neighborhood, but wants to be part of our organization as we work on the AIA grant and on Rehabarama, and who is very interested in moving to South Park as soon as it's viable for her to do so! I couldn't be more pleased with the direction South Park is moving right now--it's very exciting to be part of something that's taking off the way this is.
Maureen - that is a great example of what it means to have a real "community". We have a similiar situation in Downtown - many of us get together quite often as we are pretty tight-knit. The amazing thing is the diversity of people - young, old, etc. And that is what people are looking for when they decide to live in urban neighborhoods - a sense of community. I wouldn't say that it doesn't exist in the burbs, but I think the fact that houses (and obviously condos) are so close to each other in urban neighborhoods makes it more likely that neighbors will know each other and socialize more.
Btw - when we're ready to move into a house again, South Park is definitely on our short list as well. Keep the buzz going!
Posted by: Bill Pote | March 22, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Let me disclose: I live in Huber. But before you start throwing bricks :), I'm a native Daytonian, so I love that things are moving in a positive direction. I've been watching that for awhile and it's very exciting. As Dayton goes, so goes the Miami Valley.
Posted by: Teri Lussier | March 23, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Teri, of course I wouldn't start throwing bricks--we live in a historic district and we have better uses for those bricks! Seriously, we are always happy to hear about people from the suburbs taking an active interest in what's happening in the city. You might have friends who might be in a position to move closer in, or you might simply be more likely to partake of things that Dayton has to offer if you keep hearing positive things about it. And you're right--it will be hard to turn the whole area around without turning around the City of Dayton in a significant way. We welcome your support and your interest, in any form that it takes!
Posted by: Maureen Heacock | March 23, 2007 at 07:49 PM
Absolutely! Many factors go into choosing the places we live, otherwise I would be your neighbor. But I see very similar things happening to the...inner ring? suburbs of Dayton. We have to learn to preserve (and appreciate) the things we have before we create new things for 'newness' sake.
Okay, that's entirely too much soapbox this early in the a.m., even for me. Thanks for keeping all of Dayton informed!
Posted by: Teri Lussier | March 26, 2007 at 09:16 AM
We need to start a thread with the AIA150 and South Park in the title.
I know Maureen was asking for last Saturday's AIA meeting feedback. The five focus groups are refining a plethora ideas from the kickoff. I was in home rehab, and it sounds like they may tie some, not all, examples in with Rehaberama. There are way too many different situations to create a fix-all scenario. I can't speak for the other groups and do justice. So lets hope a representative from each of them reads DMM and gives a bit of feedback.
About 100 people were on hand for this past meeting and the next one is slated for Saturday, April 14th, 9am until noon.
Posted by: Kevin Moran | March 29, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Kevin - I was in the commercial group and we're discussing revitalizing the Wayne Avenue Corridor, specifically from the highway up to Park or Pierce. Since the Kroger deal is still in the air, we've decided to pretend it'll take care of itself.
Our primary idea is to create a "Craftsmen District" which will bring in businesses that offer products or services that will help neighbors restoring their historic homes. It would be a matter of convenience for South Park, but a destination for others in the city.
Companies could include a hardware store, someone who does stained glass, storm windows & window repair & replacements, possibly a salvage store, etc. We have a good core group with the antique store, frame shop, pizza factory, etc.
The thought is that Oregon has an "entertainment overlay", Wright Dunbar has a "tourism overlay" and Brown St has a "food court overlay". We wanted to find our own theme to build from.
We want to find a way to make Theobald Court, the service street behind Wayne Avenue very walkable and parking friendly.
Finally, we're trying to create a common theme including signage, bus stops, parking, etc that defines Wayne Avenue as a thriving business district. I think most in the group would love to find a way to connect South Park to the Oregon District via Wayne Avenue.
Jim Gagnet from Coco's has done a good job of getting that started.
Posted by: Theresa Gasper | April 03, 2007 at 09:04 PM
A suggestion for a quick, easy and cheap way to kick-start the Wayne Ave. transformation: clean it up! The litter and junk along the street are a real eyesore. Most of it is in front abandoned or little-used commercial properties, but even the Rite Aid has more than its share of litter around its edges and parking area.
Posted by: Bryan | May 08, 2007 at 02:37 PM
Bryan, there are some people who don't care about where their fast food and junk food packaging goes (majority of litter). But setting up public trash cans on every block along Wayne Ave. could be a start.
Come out this Saturday, May 12 to the block party and see the ideas the architects and South Park residents came up with, because that may have been one of them. DMM will probably have some info on this event shortly. In the meantime, here's a link with some info:
http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=12723.0
Posted by: Kevin Moran | May 08, 2007 at 05:30 PM
We have the event posted on DMM - http://www.dayton.mostmetro.com/eventdetail.asp?EventID=970
Exciting times in South Park!
Posted by: Bill Pote | May 10, 2007 at 07:22 AM