Dayton MostMetro

As I read the latest DDN article about city, regional and state officials meeting behind closed doors to figure out how to “drawing NCR-like companies to Dayton”, I simply shook my head. I’ll actually give officials the benefit of the doubt since I saw nobody actually quoted as saying “NCR-like companies”; I’ll assume that was a DDN attempt to attract views by using the buzz-word de’jour - NCR. Still, I can’t help but wonder what ideas were shared between all of these powers-that-be.  Specifically - how many times was the phrase “tax incentive” tossed around?

It actually wasn’t what was said that I’m that concerned about, but more importantly - what wasn’t said. Did anybody talk about improving Dayton’s services and quality of life that would help attract young talent and ultimately the businesses that follow that talent?  While I agree that we must be looking at ways to directly attract businesses to our city and region, I would argue that it is every bit as important to improve our city’s environment and transform it in a way that attracts people.  Without doing the latter, it is a waste of time to bother trying to attract any businesses, let alone Fortune 500 corporations.

The following is a 30 minute video that I strongly recommend you view when you have the time.  It is a piece about Portland, OR - and it could very well be used as a call to action for Dayton.  Note - Portland continues to attract residents from across the country DESPITE having an unemployment rate of 11.8%.  The idea:  transform our entire downtown area (and beyond) into an uber-pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment, start Ohio’s first bicycle-share system, add a 3C/D rail station, and implement the first of many streetcar routes as has already been recommended.  It is all about “sense of place”, and it can do more to attract residents, business and investment into our city than any corporate welfare check could ever hope to do.

Those who work for the City of Dayton or follow city news know that the city has had a rule in its city charter since 1987 stating that anybody employed by the City of Dayton (including police and fire) must live in a primary residence within the city limits.  This rule has been fought by [...]

I’ve noticed with all of the news articles, opinion pieces and various commentary - everybody refers to this as “NCR relocating to Atlanta”.  Atlanta this, Atlanta that.  Yes, there is a lesson to be learned here for Dayton and it is exactly what I wrote about in my previous post - the need for the [...]

As if being listed as a top-ten dying city last year wasn’t enough of a wake-up call, Dayton’s largest and most famous home-grown company NCR has announced its relocation to Atlanta and sent shock waves throughout the region and up to the state capital. While various city, regional and state leaders spent their media time [...]

You’re probably reading that title and asking yourself what in the world this post could be about. That is unless you are a developer or downtown building owner - then you probably know exactly where this is headed…
We have a vacancy rate of over 30% in the downtown CBD, and a walk down many [...]

“What about the public schools?” This is a question I’ve heard time and time again, whether I’m casually talking to another person or giving a talk to a large group about why they should be aware of the interesting things happening in the urban core of Dayton, efforts to make our city vibrant again [...]

Last Friday was another great Urban Nights event downtown, and the streets and sidewalks were full of people - making our downtown look like a truly vibrant city.  Everybody I’ve talked to asks the same question (after EVERY Urban Nights) - why can’t downtown look like this every weekend?  While I would agree that it [...]

Urban Nights is the twice-a-year downtown party when people across the region come downtown to enjoy what is generally perceived to be a rarity - a vibrant downtown that is alive with people, live music, restaurants, art galleries, loft condo tours and street life.  I say perceived because everything I just mentioned does indeed exist [...]

The new owners of the Dayton Arcade - Gunther Berg and Wendell Strutz - paid the balance due to the county ($614k) earlier today and will now begin the next steps of planning the restoration of downtown’s crown jewel that has unceremoniously been allowed to sit and rot for the past several years.
Mr. Berg (from [...]

“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities, you’ve got to get out and walk.” – Jane Jacobs (“Downtown is for People”, Fortune April 1958)

Jane’s Walk honors the legacy and ideas of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs who championed [...]