Downtown Dayton & Oregon District - One and the same?

Many if not most people in the Dayton region consider the Oregon District as part of Downtown Dayton.  Those of us that live downtown know that the OD and CBD (Central Business District) are actually two separate districts.  Not to mention that if you are at a Dragons game, Canal Street Tavern show or Cannery Art Gallery event - you are in yet another district - Webster Station.  While I believe these three distinct neighborhoods deserve their own identities, I along with many others have often wondered why these three downtown districts (along with Wright Dunbar, Grafton Hill and McPherson Town) aren't marketed together.  One main reason:  the downtown S.I.D., or Special Improvement District, and the boundaries that have dictated who pays the S.I.D. tax and gets included in the overall marketing that is provided by the Downtown Dayton Partnership.  This organization was formed in the early 90's and is responsible for the bi-annual Urban Nights event, Holiday Festival, Street Ambassador program, First Bloom downtown beautification program (along with Wegerzyn Gardens), and various business retention programs, etc. 

The following article indicates a major shift in thinking, as the DDP appears to have convinced the OD to join forces.  I agree that this new partnership can be mutually beneficial (as long as they play nice together), and the potential for a longer-term consolidation means more bang for the marketing buck.  And as the region struggles to consolidate even the simplest things like emergency dispatch, the urban core of Dayton is coming together to build the synergies necessary for growth - all while maintaining the individual neighborhood identities that define our city.

Link: Partnership to provide services in Oregon District - Dayton Business Journal:.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership will start providing services to the Oregon District Aug. 6.

Members of the Oregon District Business Association ­-- composed of businesses on Fifth Street and within the historic neighborhood -- entered into a one-year contract to receive services from the partnership, according to a release issued by the partnership Tuesday.