Get an update on progress through the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan during a special community meeting.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this city since I moved here in 2009, it’s that Dayton doesn’t give up. It’s true we’ve had our share of setbacks, but we also have a history of bouncing back tougher than ever.
In 2010, community leaders from the public and private sectors rolled out a new strategic plan for our city’s urban core called the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan. In it, you’ll find the framework for a healthy and vibrant downtown as well as the surrounding neighborhoods. But why downtown? Why not just call it quits? We had been outed by a national publication as “dying”; what’s the use in fighting?
Daytonians don’t give up. Perhaps it’s something coded in our DNA, but whatever the reason, Dayton denizens have a long tradition of sticking up for what they believe in. Flood knock out your city? Big deal; we’ll rebuild. Impossible notion of human-powered flight? Hey ma, watch this! Our city’s got grit and determination, and today I’m pleased to invite you to witness the latest blow to any nay-sayer who dogs Dayton.
The Greater Downtown Dayton Plan community update is scheduled for 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the Wintergarden area at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, right in the heart of downtown Dayton. Mix and mingle with other people like you who refuse to quit. Our presentation will begin at 4 p.m. Those who love boring PowerPoint presentations and staid speakers should sit this one out; our presentation will be fast-paced and dynamic, featuring new promotional videos. We’ll begin and end with live music, to boot.
Find out why downtown not only is worth saving, it’s worth growing. Roughly 42,000 employees, 20,000 residents, and 40,000 students call the greater downtown area home. We see more than 7 million visitors every year. Surprised? You shouldn’t be; downtown Dayton reflects a national trend. Downtowns are filling a special niche: to be places where people have an active, convenient lifestyle. Creating that place is integral to attracting investment, as well as retaining and creating jobs because more businesses are locating and expanding where people want to be — and more of them want to be in vibrant, diverse cities where they can live, work, play and learn within walkable distances. This is the future of our city, and the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan is our blueprint to achieve it.
Here’s a little sneak peek at some of the highlights the plan has achieved since it launched in 2010:
- $408.5 million: Projects completed
- $182.1 million: Projects currently in development
- $81 million: Investments in downtown’s educational institutions
- $72 million: Amount invested in walking and biking corridors
- $1 million: Amount of capital funding secured to launch a bike share in 2015
- $5.47 million: Total river corridor investments, including the RiverScape River Run
There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, and we’ll continue to lean on the support of our community. But let’s take one day to reflect on all the good things happening in Dayton. Let’s take a moment and talk about our progress. Let’s get a glimpse of progress in the pipelines and start to see the future of our city as a vibrant, active community. Let’s look at a million more reasons why Dayton is a city worthy of attention from the rest of the world as a place where don’t wait on salvation to be delivered to us; we’re a city with momentum, and we did it ourselves.
Please RSVP to turner@downtowndayton.org or call (937) 224-1518 ext. 221, and we’ll be sure to save you a seat at the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan community update.
