What Kind of Retail for Ballpark Village?

Well, it appears planning for Ballpark Village continues. See this morning's DDN article. Another study is in the works, and the question now is what kind of retail should go into the two waterfront development sites: Ballpark Village and the former Parkside home sites?

Creative Region Initiative Officially Kicks Off

Last night the Creative Region Initiative was officially kicked off as the organizers of the project and the 32 chosen catalysts met one another at the Westcott House in Springfield.  There was quite an energy in the room - we have some great people in the group and it is possibly the most diverse group of people I've ever been involved with in my life.  There is also the sense that this ambitious and unique effort is very different from any other community-based project ever executed in the past.  I believe there is a ton of potential to do some projects that have a huge impact on our community and will hopefully inspire even more spin-off projects in the future and beyond.

Lori Turner Pulls Out of Dayton's Branding Campaign

Very interesting turn of events reported by the DDN today. Lori Turner has written to the DDC that her firm will pull out of the Dayton branding campaign because it has "caused a distraction" to the work of promoting Dayton and bringing jobs here. Apparently, Turner Effect hasn't been paid (yet). According to Turner, her professional services have come thus far to $80,000. The other question is what impact will this have on "Get Midwest?"  I doubt if DDC will go back to the drawing board, but will another marketing firm be hired to implement a program that isn't theirs and which seems to be pretty unpopular.

Dayton City's Updated Website

Looks like everyone is updating their websites. In addition to the Downtown Dayton Partnership's new and improved site, City Hall has updated theirs as well. Check it out.

A Little Info on the Two Michaels

In case you were wondering who the movers are behind the new Oregon Art District project, here’s a little bit of information concerning them.

Dr. Michael E. Ervin was previously CEO and Chairman of Wright Health Associates. He has always maintained an interest in Dayton and has served as Chairman of the Board of the United Way and Co-Chair of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. I’m not sure if he is still involved in this, but he was/is chair of the investment committee of the UD board of trustees and has been involved in the university’s Center for Portfolio Management, nationally known for allowing finance students to manage a portfolio of funds in an environment that simulates Wall Street. He also was involved in the pre-hire interview of Dayton’s new police chief, Richard Biehl.

Michael Elsass is a nationally known artist whose gallery, at least presently, is on Front Street. You can learn more about him at his website http://www.mikeelsass.com/.

If anyone else would like to add something to these short bios, feel free.

Oregon District - Using ART for Economic Development

Once known for its seedy bars and seedier people (yes some are still there), the Oregon District has undergone a bit of a transformation over the past few years with places like Pacchia, Thai Nine, Cafe Boulevard, Jay's Seafood and John Henry making this one of the Dayton Region's only classy dining destinations for independent restaurant lovers.  There have also been a few random art galleries to add to the urban experience, but nothing like what is being announced today....

Big Announcement Coming Tomorrow...

Yes, we know what it is but we're not allowed to tell the secret... until tomorrow at 10am, so check back here then.  It is happening in the OD and it is going to be big...

here it is...

Friends to Save Arcade Become Friends of the Dayton Arcade

"Friends to Save the Arcade" has morphed into a soon-to-be 501C3 organization called "Friends of the Dayton Arcade." So . . . what's in the name change?

A 2008 Wish List for Dayton

The week between Christmas and New Years is usually a time for reflection, goal setting, and dreaming. In that spirit, I've put together a 2008 "wish list" for Dayton. Granted, I don't expect many of these things to happen in 2008; but, hey, you gotta start somewhere. Feel free to add to the list.

15-Storey Condo Height Variance Approved

The height variance for the 15-storey condominiums at 15 Central Avenue overlooking the Great Miami and downtown was approved by the Dayton Board of Zoning Appeals on December 11. The hearing was on November 27, but the meeting minutes didn't come online until either yesterday or today. I wonder when we'll hear more about this project?

Arcade Owner Says Bid Is Too Low

The DDN this morning is reporting that Brownfield Charities is not responding to Bob Schiffler's offer to buy the Arcade because the "offer is too low." Now, you've got to ask yourself what kind of "koolaid" is Tony Staub drinking? You would think that an offer, any offer, to get the tax lien off his back and to bring the Arcade back to life would be greeted with hats and horns. After all, Danis gave him the five buildings as a gift to get the "white elephant" off his back. I thought Tony had the best interests of the community at heart, but I guess greed once again rears its ugly head. Hopefully, Bob Schiffler will hang in there and help Tony see reason. What say you?

What Is Going On with Ballpark Village?

The Dayton Business Journal today has two articles dealing with economic development in this region. One on the front page discusses ongoing questions about the feasibility of Ballpark Village. Another article on the third page talks about a firm headed by Dave Lightle interested in developing an aviation and space indoor theme park in the Dayton region. One prospect is Riverside, home of the Air Force Museum; another is downtown Dayton. There is no mention of Ballpark Village in this article. Nor is there mention of an anchor attraction in the article for Ballpark Village. What is wrong with this picture?

Progress on Saving the Arcade

Jeff at Daytonology and the DDN report on a new plan being advocated by Dayton developers for reusing the Arcade complex. This particular plan, first briefed on October 21 by Bob Shiffler and David Bohardt, holds great promise.

UPDATE 11/06/07: I just found out from Susan Gruenberg, the person who honchoed the Urban Nights event at the Arcade on September 15, that the Arcade rotunda will again be open for public tours the evening of the Grande Illumination, Friday, November 23. More information to come!

First Big Tenant signs at Ballpark Village; Mead Tower Owners Not Smiling

This story began with an article in the DBJ in which Thompson Hine - Dayton's largest law firm - was thinking about possibly relocating to Ballpark Village if in fact that development were to come to fruition.  Well, it didn't take long for them to go from thinking about it to actually signing a letter of intent...

Dayton Daily News
Link: Law firm signs letter of intent for space at Ballpark Village

Law firm Thompson Hine has signed a letter of intent to lease office space at Ballpark Village.

The firm said it is the largest tenant to agree to take office space at the development at Monument Avenue and Riverside Drive.

By March 2009, the 110-employee firm will occupy the entire top floor of a new office building at Ballpark Village. The firm will also occupy part of the floor immediately below, taking a total of 45,489 square feet, the firm said.

This is some bittersweet news (as Phillip over at The Gem City blog says), as it means that Ballpark Village is a step closer to reality, but at the expense of yet another large business moving out of the Mead Tower (now called 10 West 2nd).  In fact, that means that Dayton's second largest building will pretty much go completely dark since MeadWestVaco (the only other large tenant) has already left.  (CareSource is taking up several floors on a temporary basis until their new building is finished next year.)  That is scary and sad, but it also means that there is opportunity to get new businesses in there.  A big issue with 10 West 2nd is the parking garage across Ludlow - which is run down and not very secure.  While the city is building a new parking garage on Main it should really look at doing what needs to be done to bring the Ludlow garage back to life. 

It is also interesting that the DDN article noted that the new office building for Thompson Hine would be the first to be built in BPV.  It sure sounds like there is a lot of news coming out about new developments in the BPV saga as of late - hopefully it is a sign that this pipe dream of a development is actually going to happen.

RFID Jobs Coming to Dayton

A DDN article on the web today reports that the City of Dayton has committed (some would say "invested") $1.4 million with CityWide Development who will use the funds as "seed money" over four years to create the Dayton RFID Incubator Corp., to be called DRIC. DRIC is expected to create 100 jobs with an average annual salary of $80,000 over three years. It will be located in the Creative Technology Accelerator in Dayton's Tech Town business park.

New Montesori School, and one step closer to Ballpark Village

We've recently learned that the Dayton School Board has selected the area on the north banks of the Great Miami River directly across from RiverScape as the new location for the city's latest Montessori school.  Though the exact details are not known at this time, it appears that this latest development will allow for the city to acquire the Patterson Career Academy property - the original location that the school board had slated for this new Montessori school and one of the three main properties that must be acquired by the city to make room for Ballpark Village.

It will be interesting to see if this means that the Miami Apartments will be demolished or rehabbed (though it could be a beautiful building, my money is on demolish), and if the rest of that small riverfront neighborhood will be brought back from the dead.  There are several dilapidated properties there that should be torn down, yet ironically there is one fairly new and modern house that was designed by Rogero Buckman that sits directly across the street from the former Rockwells.  And speaking of Rockwells - what will become of that stunning property?  (please not another ill-conceived high-priced steak joint!)

With the acquisition of the Woolpert building having been secured by the city, all that is left is the blessing of the Miami Conservancy District on the development of the Deeds Point area for housing, and to find a new home for Requarth Lumber.  And my last conversation with the president of that company leads me to believe that this is all very close to becoming reality.

More jobs coming to Downtown Dayton

Just in case you don't read or hear about this in the local news, here is some good news for Downtown Dayton...

From Dayton Biz Bits
August 2, 2007

Technology Firm to Invest, Add Jobs Downtown

Enterprise Information Management, Inc., (EIM), a Virginia-based provider of information technology solutions, is moving forward with plans to invest $1.25 million and add jobs at its downtown Dayton office, following approval of a development agreement by the Dayton City Commission.

The investment will retain six full-time positions and add 100 jobs with an average salary of more than $55,000 over the next three years. EIM will lease and upgrade up to 10,000 square feet of office space at the Talbott Tower, 131 N. Ludlow St., and purchase new equipment. The City of Dayton is supporting the expansion with a $200,000 grant.

Since its inception in 1996, EIM has delivered complex technology solutions to federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. The company's services include enterprise transformation, acquisition management and information technology services

Yes, the article said "100 jobs ... over the next three years".  Kudos to those folks that made this happen - it is a big win for our urban core!

Community vs money? Is it really that simple?

Here is an interesting post on Cool Town Studios that briefly talks about our society's growing economic trend of spending money on events and experiences rather than material luxuries.  The idea of spending money on local businesses that offer authenticity rather than national chains that offer formula-based mass production is already significant in many other cities - can that attitude find its way in the Dayton region?  With places like The Greene packed with people while our independents fight for survival tells me that our region has a long way to go before this idea gains traction here, but how long will it be before people grow tired of generic experiences that can be found in Anywhere, USA and begin to discover the many great locally-owned businesses we have here?  How long will it be before this region's residents figure out that the key to happiness does NOT mean isolated living in a suburban McMansion, but it can be found living in an urban neighborhood that has true character and true community?  Does Dayton have the foundation in place for attracting people who want to live in culturally diverse communities, or will we continue to see those people simply move to bigger cities to find the urban lifestyle they are looking for? 

Cool Town Studios by Neil Takemoto Link:
Community vs money? Is it really that simple?.

Balancing a sense of community vs. financial wealth isn't a known inversely proportional correlation, but probably more so than you think...

Update (6/26/2007):  Our fellow blogger David Esrati has a similar conversation going on over here - it is nice to see this conversation happening out there...

Ballpark Village - Just a little bit longer...

It looks like we have to wait until August to find out if we will be getting the long-anticipated riverfront development tentatively called Ballpark Village.  The good news here is that the city has secured buy-rights to the Dayton Career Academy (one of three main properties that must be acquired), and that the Requarth Lumber building is to be saved and incorporated into the development. Dayton Daily News By Joanne Huist Smith Link: Decision about Dayton's Ballpark Village project delayed.

The region will have to wait until the end of August to learn if Dayton's downtown waterfront will be transformed into Ballpark Village, an entertainment area with retail, housing and offices.
..."We see no indication that the project won't work as conceived," Dickstein said.
Also on Wednesday, the City Commission secured the Dayton Career Academy, 441 River Corridor Drive, from the Dayton City School District with a $3 million option-to-buy contract. The city also is trying to work a deal to buy Requarth Lumber, 447 E. Monument Avenue. The plan calls for incorporating that 1895-era building into the development.

("Requarth Lumber" image taken from http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=540639750&size=l)

Downtown Dayton Job Growth – The Reality

A presentation of job retention statistics was given during the Downtown Dayton Partnership Annual Meeting last week.  The information was very interesting and highlights both the challenges and the opportunities that the community faces in job growth, office vacancy rates and perceptions of the economic health of downtown.   As we have frequently commented, one of the biggest problems that downtown Dayton faces in the fissure between the reality and perceptions of downtown problems.  The slides from the presentation statistically demonstrate the reality of the challenge to grow and retain jobs in the urban core and are highlighted here.

Are We Fighting to Win Teradata?

An article in Friday’s Dayton Business Journal highlights some of the efforts being made by Dayton officials to keep the Teradata division of NCR Corp. located in Dayton.  As we all know, the stakes are pretty high – not only is it “critically important” to keep Teradata in Dayton, but it is also crucial for the city to make headway in the fight to woo a large company to stay (or relocate) here.  After numerous losses to neighboring suburbs and other cities, Dayton really does need a “win” in this game.

Cool Space Locator

I ran across this article on Cool Town Studios today, and it is a very interesting and progressive idea:  A nonprofit commercial real estate service in Pittsburgh is seeking out "cool spaces" for businesses that are looking for, well - cool spaces to put their business in. 

Dayton and the Creative Class

     Last night, Richard Florida (American economist and urban studies theorist) spoke at Wright State University.  His book Rise of the Creative Class was one of the things that inspired me to get more involved with urban advocacy.  Yes, I am included in that creative class group - I'm in my 30's, I am an entrepreneur, I work with technology, I live downtown, I enjoy coffee shops, I go to the theater.  But that isn't what Florida's "Creative Class" is all about, despite what many people believe.  No matter what your profession, if you frequently express yourself either through art, music, writing (even bloggers), acting, etc., then you are in fact creative and thus in this group.  If you work at a job where you use your mind to create - whether that is at a software company or a manufacturing plant where your input leads to process improvement - you are in the creative group.  The point is, many people think of this "creative class" idea and think that it only applies to high tech people or artists.  Those "yuppie types" as I've heard some people say.  But as Florida spoke last night, he emphasized the fact that this class of people is not very exclusive; most of us are indeed creative and thus are part of this group.

Bohemian Today, High-Rent Tomorrow

Anybody that has been to a major city has noticed the significant number of art galleries, live theaters and live music venues that exist in these cities' urban cores.  These creative types typically live in areas where their surroundings are condusive to their creativity.  Edgy urban neighborhoods filled with eclectic people, historic or funky architecture, and other things that are not bland attract artists, who in turn make these neighborhoods even more diverse and eclectic.  Eventually, hip professionals both young and old start to move in as they are attracted by the same things that the artists are.  But when they start to move in, something happens - demand (and thus prices) begin to go up.

NCR to spin off Teradata

Well this was just a matter of time.  Let's hope that the city of Dayton is in the running for the location of the new company, and then let's hope that the city does everything it can do to keep the company here.

Link: NCR to spin off Teradata - Dayton Business Journal:.

NCR Corp. is spinning off its data warehousing business as a separate publicly-traded company.

The new company, to be called Teradata, had $1.5 billion in revenue in 2005 and operating income of $309 million before pension expense.

Dogs - the secret to a successful downtown

Many of the people that live in my downtown neighborhood (Cooper Place, Cooper Lofts, Ice Lofts) own a dog.  Some even have two.  Now, I may be biased (that is my "best friend" Cody on the right), but I believe that cities that are dog-friendly are cities that are successful.  Why are dogs so important to the vitality of an urban neighborhood?  Why are so many cities developing ways to attract even more dog owners?

When you live anywhere - a suburban house or urban condo - you have the choice to sit inside or go out and interact with your neighborhood.  And it doesn't matter where you live - today's electronic entertainment options (300 channels, internet, video games, etc.) make it pretty easy to just stay inside - especially when it is raining or cold.  But if you have a dog and you live in an urban neighborhood, you have to go outside at least a couple times a day.  This fact has many positive effects on a neighborhood.

For one, when you have a dog you feel safer walking around downtown and you will more likely explore different routes that you might not otherwise try.  (When you have to walk the dog, it becomes quite boring doing the same old route every day).  While exploring different routes, you may discover something that you didn't know about before - a shop, a restaurant, a nice park, etc.  And as you get to know your city more by exploring it, you will be more likely to use the things you find, even when you don't have your dog in tow.  (or in my case, dog has me in tow)

Dog walkers tend to be more vigilant about things happening in their neighborhood.  If they see something going on that shouldn't be, they are more likely to call the police.  After all, they have to make this walk no matter what, so they sure aren't going to ignore things that make the walk less enjoyable.

Finally, the more people you have walking down the street, the more lively and attractive that street becomes, which encourages more people to join in.  When people see dog-walkers, they are made even more comfortable by the normality of seeing people walking dogs.  When you see people walking dogs, it tells you that it is a safe community that people do live in.

What can Dayton do to promote dog owners to live in urban Dayton?  Well, for one - it would be nice to have an urban dog park where dogs can run freely as their owners socialize with other dog people.  It has the same effect that dog walking has, but helps even more to build a community.  Anybody that has been to Schiller Park in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus can attest to that.  This is hard to accomplish in downtown because of all of the traffic, but in some of the historic neighborhoods it is definitely doable.  Some parks should have leash-law exemptions to promote the use of the parks by dogs and their owners.

What are some examples that you know of that Dayton could emulate?  What are your ideas or comments on this?

CareSource Management Group to Build Corporate Headquarters in Downtown Dayton

Well folks, it looks like it is finally official. Great news for Downtown Dayton! Hopefully we'll hear a similiar announcment about Ballpark Village in the coming months - let's keep the momentum going!

Link: CareSource Management Group to Build Corporate Headquarters in Downtown Dayton.

Revitalizing Our Cities and Towns

It appears that the new Governor-Elect Ted Strickland has already begun plans to help revitalize Ohio's urban cores - including Dayton. This is certainly a step in the right direction - check it out and tell us what you think....

Link: Revitalizing Our Cities and Towns.

City of Dayton Initiates Unprecedented Downtown Redevelopment Project

Having lived in Downtown Dayton for three years, this is certainly something we've been anticipating for some time now. 

Massive development in works for downtown Dayton - Dayton Business Journal:

I had heard through the grapevine that Mandalay Entertainment Group was talking about developing around Fifth Third Field - now it is at least semi-official.

Mandalay Entertainment Group owns the Dayton Dragons, along with four other minor league baseball teams and a sizable number of entertainment and sports ventures. In other words, if they say they are thinking about developing a $200 million project, it isn't the typical lip service we are used to hearing in Dayton. It will be interesting to see how this develops....

By: Yvonne Teems
Dayton Business Journal
Link: Massive development in works for downtown Dayton - Dayton Business Journal:.

Mixed views on the Greene

The Greene - that new "lifestyle" shopping mall that recently opened in Beavercreek, has been a topic of debate ever since it was first proposed.

Reusing Memorial Hall

Link: Memorial Hall caught in size, money vise.

County criticized for refusing offer to reopen auditorium to music acts, saying it would be too costly.

Jim DeBross

Dayton "Ebb & Flow" - DBJ "Living in Dayton" Publication

The "Ebb & Flow" of the Dayton market growth has been a common theme in the last few weeks.  Community proclaimed "Mayor of Webster Station" Charlie Campbell has emailed local business owners talking about the "ebb and flow" of individuals contributing as leaders in downtown.  The editor of the Dayton Business Journal, Don Baker, introduces a special publication of the Dayton Business Journal this week saying that, as a native, he has watched the region's "ebb & flow" of economic development.  In this context, the terminology is intended to demonstrate that the current economic conditions are part of a larger picture over a longer timespan - and the events the region is currently grappling with are natural and somewhat expected occurrences that are necessary for growth and sustainment.  The life that is supported in a river would not be sustainable unless the river continued to "ebb & flow."  Because of these changes, Dayton is growing in resiliency.  The recent economic setbacks need to be addressed quickly - however, the events are normal peaks and valleys when viewed across a broader scope of time.

Throughout the "Living in Dayton" publication, there seems to be an unspoken sentiment - take the current economic challenges in stride - we have a long history and rich resources that level out the peaks and valleys over the long haul. 

The "Living in Dayton" publication is an annual publication of the Dayton Business Journal and is available to print edition subscribers only.  The publication is available in news stands this week.