This spring, an effort was launched with public and private leaders to create the Rediscover Downtown Dayton Action Plan, with the goal of identifying short-term and long-term recommendations and setting a vision for downtown’s recovery following the pandemic shutdown. The Action Plan provides a series of targeted strategies and initiatives that will continue the momentum of growth that Dayton businesses, employees, residents, and visitors have worked on over the past several years.

“Coming out of the pandemic, it was clear that strategic actions would need to be taken by stakeholders from across the downtown Dayton landscape to ensure the blueprint for downtown Dayton success that began with the launch of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan in 2010 continues well into the future,” said Sandra K. Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “Our partners knew that we could quickly and proactively come together to make a plan that would leverage the opportunities that were created by the pandemic, including available relief funding and the community’s desire to rediscover life in the core of our city.”

The Rediscover Downtown Dayton Action Plan steering committee formed in early spring, led by co-chairs City of Dayton Commissioner Chris Shaw and Dan McCabe, Chief of Staff at CareSource and the CEO of the CareSource Foundation. The steering committee recruited 100 community volunteers and stakeholders who are committed to downtown’s continued growth and recovery. The team of diverse leaders, business owners, residents and stakeholders worked over a few months, and convened eight different subcommittees, including:

• Future of Office                                                 • First Floor & Small Business Relief

• Outdoors & Recreation                                    • Downtown Development

• Arts, Entertainment, Culture & Venues       • Public Realm & Transportation

• Residents                                                            • Marketing

Out of many meetings and discussions, each subcommittee outlined hurdles caused by the pandemic and then produced a list of recommendations that could  be addressed immediately or planned for in the near future, to ensure the success of downtown Dayton. The full Downtown Dayton Rediscover Action Plan and recommendations can be found at: www.downtowndayton.org/rediscover  

“We are inspired by the energy and enthusiasm that has shown through this planning process,” said co-chair Chris Shaw. “The proactive work that was done to form this plan, and the commitment we already have from stakeholders to bring recommendations to life, proves that the entire downtown Dayton community is in this together.”

“This Action Plan shows that not only our business network, but also the people who live downtown and who come to downtown to enjoy the amenities here, are on board to accelerate downtown’s recovery,” said co-chair Dan McCabe. “We are now inviting our entire community to learn about these efforts and to support our downtown community as we work to bring the vision to life.”

Some of the short-term action items have already been underway, including a Rediscover Downtown Dayton marketing initiative of downtown businesses, partners and stakeholders working to rally the core of the city out of the wake of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Office leaders who have begun to welcome employees back, or who are planning to soon reconvene their teams in downtown workspaces are also using tactics recommended by the Downtown Recovery Plan.

“Despite all the struggles that have come with the pandemic, progress continues,” Gudorf said. “There is much more work to be done, but the Action Plan can serve as a guide for how we can shape the future of downtown Dayton.”

The challenges of 2020 did not stop the growth and redevelopment in downtown Dayton that has been in the works for several years, and last year $90 million of projects were completed in downtown Dayton. Confidence in downtown’s momentum remains strong, with more than $200 million of planned projects in the pipeline.Throughout the pandemic, the community rallied around several relief efforts that were designed to help our independent small businesses that are the lifeblood of our city. Although commercial activity took a significant hit in Dayton and nationwide due to the pandemic, more than 20 new businesses opened in downtown Dayton in 2020.

More information on the efforts to grow downtown Dayton’s business and entrepreneurship network, attract visitors and residents, and create a community of vibrant arts, entertainment and culture can be found at www.downtowndayton.org.