With downtown Dayton’s Oregon District thriving and first-floor retail occupancy more than 95 percent, community leaders are taking steps to alleviate congested parking lots in the popular entertainment area. The Downtown Dayton Partnership, Oregon District Business Association (ODBA), City of Dayton, ABM Parking Services, and Citywide Development Corp. are teaming up to offer low-cost parking along with complimentary shuttle service.
Oregon District visitors may now park in the Transportation Center Garage, located at the corner of Fifth and Jefferson streets between The Neon movie theater and the Convention Center, at a reduced $3 rate Fridays and Saturdays between 5 pm and 1 am.
To help ensure visitors arrive at their destinations quickly and efficiently, a complimentary shuttle will transport visitors from the garage to several stops throughout the Oregon District. The shuttle will run continuously, picking people back up from those stops and returning them to the garage. The hop-on, hop-off shuttle will make several stops throughout the Oregon District, helping patrons reach many businesses in a short amount of time. Shuttle hours on Fridays and Saturdays will be 5 pm to 1 am.
“The Oregon District has never been a more popular destination for shopping, dining, brewpubs and other activities,” said ODBA President Mike Martin. “With our growing number of new businesses and our mainstays expanding, we’re seeing lots of new guests to downtown and the Oregon District, and we want to ensure all our patrons – old and new – can easily find a parking space and quickly get to their favorite Oregon District destinations.”
The garage also is within easy walking distance. For example, from the garage, it’s only a 5-minute walk to Jay’s Seafood Restaurant, a 7-minute walk to Toxic Brewing Co., and 9 minutes to walk to the Dublin Pub. The reduced garage rate and complimentary shuttle will launch Friday, October 16.
“How long do you usually spend driving around looking for a space?” said Robin Sassenberg, owner of The Trolley Stop at 530 E. Fifth St. “With the garage, you arrive downtown, park in the garage, relax in the shuttle or walk a few blocks, and that’s it. You can hop on and hop off the shuttle to get to and from many locations quickly. It’s simple and easy.
“I anticipate the shuttle will become a very popular choice in the coming cold weather,” she said.
More information on the Oregon District Shuttle, including a map of its route and stops can be found online.. Find locations and rates for other garages, public lots, and more parking information online at www.EasyParkDowntown.org.
