Carol Coletta's Keynote Address

Carol Coletta, host of Smart City Radio and CEO of the non-profit organization CEO’s for Cities, was the keynote speaker at the Downtown Dayton Partnership Annual meeting last week.  Carol is well known in the realm of urban advocacy and is considered an expert on urban issues by national media.

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.

How about them Dragons!?!?!

What the Tigers did last year for Detroit’s community spirit… and the pride that Comerica park brings to that city… the Dragons at Fifth Third field are doing for Dayton so far this season.

Dayton – It’s a Great Place to Raise a Family, Part 1

In last week’s feature blog, there is a reference to the suburbs as “a great place to raise a family.”  What exactly makes a great place to raise a family?  Is it safe neighborhoods, good schools and community focus?  Is it an abundance of available family friendly activities, substantial diversity, and a low cost of living?  Is it a place where you find others that value the same things you do, have similar economic backgrounds, faith, and interests?

Inspiration abounds from our Local Heroes

On Sunday we took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the Wright brothers at the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center, where guest blogger, MetroMark took us on a tour of the center and the field. It was a fascinating tour that ended with an extremely well done documentary about that Wright Brothers that was narrated by Martin Sheen and filmed in the Dayton area, highlighting the Wright Dunbar neighborhood.

MostMetro Prediction: Urban family living will redefine the downtown demographic

It is said in some neighborhoods in San Francisco that the hottest new accessory is a baby laden stroller and the runner up is a 7 lb. pooch in your purse. One of the most frequent questions posed to residents during “Urban Nights” is about the family demographic – are there any children living in downtown Dayton? Is there a potential real estate market to serve – that of the urban dwelling young family?

Nameless, Faceless & Homeless

Regarding the homeless standing outside The Other Place, in an editorial in the Dayton Daily News, Benjamin Schuster was quoted as saying

“My heart goes out to them. I really feel for them, but what gets me is they’re lying on the streets, they’re lying against the building, they’re in groups, and we don’t even have proper screening, we don’t have any trees or bushes which can shield these people from people driving downtown…”

Feedings in the Parks

MSNBC has published an article that is printed in the November 6th Newsweek edition that highlights the controversy in many U.S. cities about feeding the homeless in public parks.

At Risk Retail Establishments

Numerous small businesses downtown are likely in jeopardy – particularly retail establishments, for a variety reasons, including the following downtown specific challenges. 

Proposing a Downtown Dayton Small Business Association

How are businesses represented in downtown Dayton?

A Dayton Region Chamber of Commerce Primer

I became curious about the Chamber of Commerce organizations that exist in the Dayton region and decided to compile a list of facts and observations that are relevant and foundational to future blogs.

“Shots All Around”

The Foundry nightclub has (at least had) one often quoted element of their nightclub. “Shots all around” referred to their swirling barber chair/“shot chair” where a lucky (paying) participant gets a mouthful of liquor provided by the “shot girls.“ Something tells me that “Shots All Around” means something ENTIRELY different this week at The Foundry.

Safety on the River Corridor

You can consider the recent story about the arrests in Triangle park in a positive light – saying kudos to the police for their ongoing efforts to keep this area safe at all hours of the day. You also can be disgusted, thinking about the fact that it is a public space, at a time of the evening when children could be present. I am pleased that the police are out there and successfully stopping such inappropriate behavior.

Applause to the police and the MetroPark security. The efforts to clean up Triangle Park and Island Park have been ongoing for numerous years and the team effort has resulted in significant improvement. When we moved here, we were told that Triangle and Island Parks had once been quite unsavory areas – even during the light of day. This is a success story for the police – the offenders were arrested and there was media recognition for the on-going law enforcement effort.

Run for a Change

One of the awkward experiences many people prefer to avoid in Dayton is panhandling. We also avert our eyes from the homeless who are pushing carts on the other sidewalk. Homelessness is a community concern in downtown Dayton, and none of us enjoy saying “no” to somebody obviously in need. There is an opportunity on November 4th for all of us to say “yes, I am willing to help” while doing so in an environment where we can feel comfortable.

The Other Place is holding their annual 5K Run/Walk “Run for a Change” event, starting & finishing at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, November 4th. Registration begins at 7:30 and the race starts at 9am. You can register online at https://secure.theotherplace.org/runforachange/register.asp

Another event sponsored by The Other Place is also on the near horizon. “The Other Party” is planned for November 11th. You can register online for this event as well. For more information, visit www.theotherplace.org.

As the holidays approach I am reminded of one way my in-laws keep charity in mind. Each Thanksgiving they pick a name out of the hat – similar to what large families do when buying Christmas gifts. However, they choose only one name and the gift that person receives is the opportunity to name the charity the family will support in lieu of purchasing that extra gift. It’s a great example for children to see and a wonderful opportunity to help others.

The following statistics were found on The Other Place website:

“In Dayton and Montgomery County on any given night over 800 of our fellow citizens are considered homeless, similarly more than 70 people are considered to go unsheltered.”

54,000 visits were made to their emergency shelter in 2005 and over 150 people use the shelter on average each day.

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.