Dayton is a cyclist’s paradise

Esrati has started a campaign to get Bcycle to Dayton in 2010.  I fully support this effort. Dayton would do itself a favor by electing this man to City Commission along with Gary Leitzell as Mayor.

DaytonMostMetro [in conjunction with the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, the City of Dayton, BikeWalkDayton, Courteous Mass, the Miami Valley Cycling Summit [Grassroots Cycling Summit], MVRPC, Five Rivers Metroparks [mountain biking MOMBA & new Riverscape regional bike hub!], the Miami Conservancy District [riverside trails] and many others]  is mounting an effort to transform Dayton into one of the most bicycle friendly communities in the country.  With our heritage and enduring love for biking, who could not support this great idea?  Cincinnati can eat our dust…

Filed under: Assertive citizenry, Dayton, Dayton Ohio, Future of Dayton, Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, biking

Protect our Parks, VOTE YES

July 2009
Five Rivers MetroParks Levy Campaign Newsletter
_________________________________________________

Summer News from the
Campaign to Protect Our Parks

Tom Jonak
Campaign Manager

We have been busy this summer building the campaign team, signing up volunteers, and establishing campaign headquarters.

This replacement issue is critical to the health of our community.  We plan on working as hard as we can to make sure Montgomery County knows what’s at stake:  80% of the MetroParks budget.

We need your help! Our entire campaign must  be paid for and run by volunteers.   We know times are tough but we are hoping you can spare $10, $20, $50, $100 to help the campaign get the word out.  Click here to make a donation to the Five Rivers MetroParks Levy Committee.

We also need lots of volunteers! Please see the article inside for more information.  If you would like to volunteer any time at all – from 2 hours to 20 (or more) hours — click here to sign up!

We expect to be in our campaign headquarters soon (scheduled for August 3) in the lobby at Kettering Tower, downtown Dayton. .. Hope you can stop in!

Thank you!  Let’s work together to protect this community asset.

GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN Help spread the word…

Nate Arnett Grassroots Coordinator Hello all.  I have the honor of organizing the grassroots effort for this critical campaign! Our goal is to make sure that people who value and rely on the Five Rivers MetroParks remember to VOTE this November. We have put together teams centered around nine of the parks and we hope you will join one of these teams. You can help for a little bit, or get very involved – your choice. To get in touch with a team leader, click on your choice below or contact me at nate.arnett1@gmail.com: Adventure Central Team Carriage Hill Team Cox Team Eastwood Team Englewood Team Germantown Team Possum Creek Team RiverScape Team Wegerzyn Team

Every bit helps…

Bob Siebenthaler, Campaign Treasurer As you probably know, every dime spent on the campaign to replace the Five Rivers MetroParks levy must be privately raised.  We need funds for yard signs, campaign literature, and other expenses for getting the word out across Montgomery County. If many park lovers give just a little bit, we can get this job done. Please consider making a donation to the campaign.  You can use PayPal or your credit card by clicking HERE, or send a check made out to Five Rivers MetroParks Levy Committee to PO Box 13593 , Dayton OH 45413-0593. Thank you for your support of this very critical campaign.

Three ways to visit the campaign
1.) NEW Campaign Headquarters (Scheduled to open August 3) Kettering Tower (corner of 2nd Street and Jefferson downtown Dayton) 2.) NEW Facebook Page Protect Our Five Rivers MetroParks (managed by volunteer Shanon Potts) 3.) Campaign website www.metroparks2009.com

What’s the Park Issue About?

A 1.8 mill replacement levy is on the ballot for the November 3 election for the Five Rivers MetroParks. The replacement levy would allow the parks to continue to provide clean safe access to nature and recreational facilities for all residents, close to home and free. The levy accounts for 80% of the park system’s operating budget and is the only levy for Five Rivers MetroParks. Without that funding, Five Rivers would be effectively unable to operate the parks for public access. With this replacement issue we can: Keep clean, safe parks, close to home Keep protecting undeveloped natural areas for today and for future generations Keep accessible hiking, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, and other outdoor recreation activities right here in Montgomery County

Filed under: Five Rivers Metroparks, Future of Dayton , Dayton, Protect our Parks

Dayton blog update

Redesigned DaytonMostMetro.com blog: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com – Dayton’s online idea board

Dayton’s Creative Class Initiatives Celebrate One Year! – It’s Great ‘n Dayton – DaytonCREATE’s progress in one year

New Dayton dives (the eating establishment type of dive) blog: http://divingthroughdayton.blogspot.com – Unique eating establishments in Dayton

ISUS Construction: Daytonology – Historic and green construction job training for Dayton youth

Filed under: Dayton Blogs, Dayton beautiful, Dayton buy local, Future of Dayton, Urban Living, creatives, green building, historic preservation, urban redevelopment , Dayton dives, Dayton eating, Dayton Most Metro, Dayton restaurants, DaytonCR, DaytonCREATE, green building, historic preservation, ISUS Dayton

Dayton Outdoor Adventure Club, Mad River kayaking near Eastwood

DaytonOAC.com is a great forum for outdoor adventure enthusiasts in the Dayton area.

There are just over 300 members and quite a few active members.  I was very happy to come across the site.

HERE is a thread about Downtown Springfield’s plans to create their river navigable, build rock climbing walls and landscape a large downtown park while connecting the urban core with bike paths.  I blogged about it HERE.

Here’s an update on the Mad River whitewater park on the Mad River in Eastwood MetroPark.

Comment #8 of this thread was authored by “Wildwater” from Five Rivers Metroparks and says:

I understand the restless feeling and I share everyones “I am ready for a park now” feeling but unfortunatly all the bureaucratic red tape does take time. I hope that we will be moving forward with construction soon but on a brighter side it is awesome that we will have two sites so close together! Here is what is up with where we are in our process with the Dayton park:

The Mad River project is ongoing. The project has been in the design and permitting phase since Jan 2007. Engineering on the in-stream features are 95% complete. All environmental assessment and survey work has been completed. Five Rivers MetroParks and the City of Dayton recently completed a cooperative agreement regarding the design, operations and maintenance of the facility. The project has applied for and is pending approval of a Ohio Environmental Protection Agency 401 water quality permit and a US Army Corp of Engineers 404 construction permit. A decision on whether to move forward on the construction phase of the project will be made once permits are in hand. The Buck Creek project was in the permitting phase for 4 year and their efforts will help to shorten the process, we hope to receive all needed permits in 2009.

So there you have it.  Don’t forget about Go4theOutdoors.com either!

The Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC) is a Dayton, Ohio based club whose primary focus is whitewater kayaking. We also have members interested in a myriad of outdoor sports who are always looking for people to play with or teach or learn from. We have bikers, runners, hikers and skiers and are always looking for more!The club has a very busy paddling schedule from early spring through late fall. We have trips to West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania among others to suit all skill levels. We can also help you find certified kayak instruction here in Ohio to get you started. Our club is proud to have many family groups as members, and many of our camping trips feature activities for the non-paddler and children, including hiking, campfire science night, ice cream socials, pizza night and random good times. But after the kids go to bed, there is plenty of campfire entertainment for the adults! If you’re worried about noisy late nights you can camp in “geezerville” where posted quiet hours are strictly observed! Our club members often coordinate indoor events like hockey games, wine tastings and movies during our “down” time to enhance the relationships formed on the river and in camp. You will find new friends among the members of our club. The OAC is an AWA affiliate.

Filed under: Dayton Ohio, Downtown Dayton, Five Rivers Metroparks, Future of Dayton, Outdoor Recreation, biking, ohio, parks , Dayton Outdoor Adventure Club, Dayton Outdoor Recreation, Dayton Whitewater Park, Kayaking, Mountain Biking

The Merc: Downtown Dayton’s most exciting real estate project

The Mercantile Lofts…..the MERC

The MERC is a mixed use development encompassing the 600 block of East Third St. in downtown Dayton and is being undertaken by E3 Development. The project consists of the reuse of three (3) 100 year old, historical  buildings into 150,000 sf of retail/office/residential space.

Located in the heart of Webster Station, one block away from 5/3 Field, the Second St. Market and the Cannery.

Commercial spaces range in size from 3500 sf up to 50,000 sf and lease for approximately $14/sf/yr for custom, finished space that includes parking. Options for ownership available. Availability 9-18 months.

Call Matt Stoermer 657.1935 or Jeff Wray 331.5610

Entry way from rear of building. Residential units  will have covered and secure onsite parking.

Rendering of courtyard between old steam plant and Lotz Paper bldg.

Restored hardwood floors of a residential loft from another  project, (Cooper Lofts) done by same developer.

Cooper Loft kitchen.

Cooper Loft condo.

The MERC will eventually have 42 residential lofts ranging in size from 800 sf up to 3000 sf. including several townhouse models similar to this unit in the Cooper Lofts. Cable railings, high end appliances, walk in tile showers, gas heat and restored hardwood floors will be standard.

The following pictures are of the existing space at the MERC.

Ground floor of Lotz Bldg. Perfect for a bar/restaurant with:

access to (2) two outside courtyards, exposed brick and wood, restored hardwood floors and arched brick openings. 6500 sf floor plan could be divided in half. Space could be ready in less than 9 months.

2nd, 3rd and 4th floors are 7000 sf per floor. 2nd floor ideal for open office use. Upper floors will be residential lofts ranging in size from 1000 to 2800 sf. Residential units are for lease with an option to purchase available including a Lease Equity Acquisition Program (LEAP) where a portion of the total rent will be rebated back at closing.

5th floor of Lotz Bldg is available for commercial or residential.

Skylights and additional windows to be installed as will an intermediate  2nd level. Exposed timbers at ceiling to remain so.

Arched brick ceilings in 4th floor residential unit.

Turbine room in steam plant. Space is 5500 sf. Plans call for a second mezzanine level and hot water radiant heatng system under a new stained and polished concrete floor. Space can be divided.

Different view of turbine room. A large skylight will be installed in circular tank opening at far end with a spiral staircase going to mezzanine level incorporating legs of old tank. Additional skylights will be added. Residential units are also an option in the steam plant.

This is  one of a kind space, perfect for the visionary leader, that will command high visibility due to strategic location, high traffic count and publicity surrounding the reuse and restoration of a century old steam plant.

Be a part of downtown Daytons’s most exciting project….

the MERC

More images of the Merc’s buildings that I found on UrbanOhio.com:

Read more about the Merc from the Dayton Business Journal HERE.

Filed under: Creative Spaces, Dayton Ohio, Dayton neighborhoods, Downtown Dayton, Future of Dayton, Things to do in Dayton Ohio, Urban Living, Urban workspaces, creatives, urban redevelopment

Patterson, Olmstead, and Remaking Dayton Discussion this Friday at 8:30am at City Commission Chambers

This post comes from THIS THREAD on Dayton.MostMetro.com.  Thank you Kate!

The City of Dayton’s Department of Planning & Community Development often has Friday morning information-sharing workshops amongst ourselves which we call “Studio.” This Friday we’ve moved Studio into the City Commission Chambers and are opening it up to anyone with an interest. See below.

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This Friday morning, you are welcome to join us on Friday, February 27, 2009, at 8:30 A. M. in the City Commission Chambers on the Second Floor of City Hall where Glenn Harper  (bio attached)  of the Ohio Historical Society will give a talk on Frederick Law Olmsted’s work in the City of Dayton, particularly at Hills and Dales Park.  Frederick Law Olmsted was one of America’s greatest landscape architects.  His firm designed the grounds of the Dayton VA Center and created a  master greening & park plan for  Dayton. The Olmsted Brothers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olmsted_Brothers) (http://www.olmsted.org/ht/d/sp/i/218/pid/218) were the sons of Fredrick Law Olmsted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Law_Olmsted) – father od American landscape architecture and designer of New York’s Central Park (http://www.centralpark2000.com/database/park_designers.html) and Boston’s ‘Emerald Necklace’ (http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/landscape/olmsted.html) Park system.

Of particular interest in Mr. Harper’s lecture, is the subtext of the relationship of John H. Patterson and the firm – as well as Mr. Patterson’s strong vision and drive to transform Dayton from an environmental and aesthetic backwater of sorts to a city that would be know for its beauty, attractiveness and emerging park-like vision.

The Olmsted Brothers Plan/Conversation for Dayton can be accessed through this link.
http://olmsteddayton.blogspot.com/
http://www.daytonhistorybooks.citymax.com/page/page/4894557.htm

Filed under: Dayton History, Dayton beautiful, Downtown Dayton, Future of Dayton, creatives, education, nature, parks, urban redevelopment , Dayton Ohio, Frederick Law Olmstead, John Henry Patterson, parks

Dayton Bicycle Heritage

Carillon Park has an entire building dedicated to Dayton’s historic role in the development of the bicycle.  From the early days when the Wright Brothers tinkered in their cycle shop to the days of ultra-high performance racing bikes from Dayton-based Huffy Corp, you’ll find all types of bikes at this park.

In 2003, American Heritage magazine named Dayton as that year’s Great American Place and had this to say about the Gem City:

A town forced to earn its living by its wits from the very beginning—most spectacularly through the work of two young bicycle mechanics—and now remaking itself into a Colonial Williamsburg of the industrial age, this year’s Great American Place is DAYTON, OHIO.

Also, related to this post:

• Take a Bicycle Ride Downtown and Learn about Dayton’s Creative Class
• U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame could come to Dayton

Filed under: Dayton History, Dayton Ohio, Dayton places to visit, Future of Dayton, biking, creatives , Carillon Park, Dayton bikes, Dayton History, Dayton Ohio

2News Live Streaming Video: What is the future of Dayton?

What is the future of Dayton? That’s what WDTN 2News is asking you.

(WDTN) – Is the future of Dayton best served by a regional approach? Can several local communities work together and share the cost and benefits of services like police, fire and economic development? Is there a model for success for regionalism Dayton can copy?

2News is on your side investigating the answers.

Live streaming event Thursday the 26th at 2pm on WDTN.com

email Dan Edwards with your questions.

Filed under: Dayton Ohio, Future of Dayton

I’m a friend of the Dayton Arcade. Are you?

If you’re not, go to Friends of the Dayton Arcade and become by giving your time, money or support.

Check out this blog post too:

The Dayton Arcade – Crown Jewel of the Gem City

Still not convinced?  The watch this:

STILL not convinced?  Then check out these posts HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE.

Filed under: Dayton Arcade, Downtown Dayton, Future of Dayton, historic preservation, urban redevelopment , Dayton Arcade

A little bit of Urban Farming

This is a cool idea. I know this idea has been floated in the Dayton area a lot over the past few years and has some supporters.

In Chicago, a former public housing site is now being used as an urban farm. Someday they farm will be replaced with an expensive building project, but for now it is producing heirloom tomatoes.  The project has also produced jobs and an irreplaceable sense of community.  Who said you had to leave the city to get back to nature anyway?

The Chicago skyline beyond City Farm’s compost heap and hoop house / Photo by Mary Brophy

FLD posted more stuff about this topic here and here.

Filed under: Dayton Ohio, Future of Dayton, nature, urban gardens, urban redevelopment , community gardens, urban farming

Hey, I’m new and the “Greater Downtown Dayton Plan” is genius

Hey everyone, I’m Seth and this is my first official post on For the Love of Dayton. I’ve done some posting at Dayton.MostMetro.com and UrbanOhio.com but this is my first public foray into my buddy’s blog. He’s let me troll around here before so I’m not exactly new.

Absolutely genius.  That’s what this plan is.

What is the difference between the urban lovers/dwellers and those not ‘in the loop’?  Our definition of downtown.  Usually I would refer to downtown as the CBD (central business district for you outsiders) and perhaps add on Webster Station (Dayton Dragons / Fifth Third Field for you outsiders) and the Oregon District.  I’d be willing to bet the “outsiders” would consider Brown St., the Dayton Art Institute, Miami Valley Hospital, South Park, and UD as downtown.

Engage in the conversation HERE.

This is how you get involved:

How You Can Get Involved
Calling all citizens with original ideas, it’s time to voice your opinion on what you want your downtown to look like in the future! Here’s how you can get involved.

1. Answer a Few Questions
   • Take our online survey or visit any Dayton Metro Library branch location to pick up a copy
2. Chat Away
   • Various discussion threads have been setup on MostMetro.com and you can chat on everything from developing a green city to future housing ideas. Check out what others have to say and offer your opinion.
3. Public Input Sessions
   There are three public meetings scheduled for anyone in the community to participate in. Don’t be shy, we promise the meetings will be informal and interesting for all who attend.
   • Tuesday, February 10 at 12 noon at the Dayton Metro Library
   • Thursday, February 12 at 5 p.m. at c{space, 20 N. Jefferson Street
   • Tuesday, February 17 at 7 p.m. in the Charity Earley Auditorium, Ponitz Conference Center, at Sinclair Community College
4. Become Our Friend
   Yes, we have a Facebook group. Become our friend and stay informed on additional meeting opportunities and plan progress. Our official name on Facebook is A Greater Downtown Dayton Plan.

And now two articles:

Groups line up to draft plan to revitalize downtown Dayton
Dayton Business Journal
Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 2:49pm EST

The city of Dayton looks to draft a plan to develop what it has termed “greater downtown Dayton,” which includes the central business district and key institutions and neighborhoods surrounding it.

The officials said they will present a draft plan to the public in early June.

Michael Greitzer, co-chair of the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Dayton City Manager Rashad Young and retired physician and community activist Dr. Michael Ervin, are leading the effort.

Ron Budzik, retired Mead Corp. executive and Downtown Dayton Partnership board member, and KeyBank Southwest Ohio District President Ed Reilly also are leading planning committees.

No funding is lined up, but sources will be identified during the planning process and the ability to fund projects may affect their priority ranking, officials said.

Officials are encouraging public comments to draft the plan and have scheduled three February meetings where comments will be heard. Details are available at downtowndayton.org.

“From an economic standpoint, downtown must remain attractive to businesses and employees,” Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin said.

Dayton has faced a barrage of bruising press last year, such as news of a $13 million budget gap and being named one of the country’s 10 dying cities by Forbes.com.

Officials have touted positive news such as a new 300,000-square-foot downtown office building, additional parking in the Oregon District — the city’s entertainment strip — and a new technology business park.

and another:

Local leaders want input on revitalizing downtown
Dayton Daily News
By Tim Tresslar
Tuesday, January 27, 2009

DAYTON — A group of business and government leaders who have been working on a turnaround plan for the downtown said they want to hear from the public in the coming weeks.

At a press conference held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, officials announced A Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, an initiative aimed at creating a development blueprint for the city.

The planning effort, which began last year, has included input from local business executives as well as elected officials, administrators and staff from the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Montgomery County and the city of Dayton.

The effort is divided among three committees focused on the plan for downtown, a value proposition for the urban core and funding sources for implementing the plan. The group defines value proposition as the things that make Dayton an attractive place to locate and its competitive advantages.

Dr. Mike Ervin, a local philanthropist and co-chair of the planning effort, said the principles laid out on Jan. 27 are meant to act as a starting point for the discussion over the downtown’s future.

The group hopes to have a draft plan completed by June, he said.

“The future belongs to those regions taking urban revitalization seriously,” Ervin said. “Those are the regions that are and will continue to attract high-value jobs, young professionals and those businesses and institutions that want to employ them.”

Also chairing the planning effort are Michael Greitzer, co-chair of the Downtown Dayton Partnership Greitzer and Dayton City Manager Rashad Young.

During the press conference, the group issued what it calls guiding principles for planning. The list includes such issues as housing, sustainable development, training for green jobs and evaluating and recommending whether the city should have street cars.

Ervin said the area under review will include not only the central business district, but also other neighborhoods and landmarks such as Miami Valley Hospital, the University of Dayton and the Dayton Art Institute.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Dayton Ohio, Dayton neighborhoods, Downtown Dayton, Five Rivers Metroparks, Future of Dayton, Oregon District, Outdoor Recreation, University of Dayton, green building, riverfront development, urban redevelopment , Greater Downtown Dayton

Space Shuttle to Dayton? I hope so.

From the DDN:

Could Dayton come up with $42M for a shuttle?

By John Nolan

Staff Writer

Sunday, December 21, 2008

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, preparing to retire the country’s fleet of space shuttles in 2010, is asking interested parties nationwide for information on where the shuttles should be permanently displayed after retirement.

This is Dayton’s chance, as the birthplace of aviation, to push hard for permanent assignment of one of the shuttles to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, said Tony Sculimbrene, executive director of the National Aviation Heritage Alliance in Dayton.

“This isn’t just the Air Force,” Sculimbrene said. “Dayton, as a community, has to get behind this.”

The alliance sent a letter to NASA in September lobbying for a shuttle for the Air Force Museum.

The museum’s supporters have raised $14 million of the $42 million needed to construct a building there that could house a shuttle, museum officials have said.

The nation’s remaining shuttles are Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. NASA estimates it will cost $42 million to secure one for a new home. That includes $28 million to remove hazardous materials and fuel to make a shuttle safe for display, $8 million to otherwise prepare it for display, and $6 million to transport it from the Kennedy Space Center to a suitable landing site.

The shuttles are to be available after their scheduled Sept. 30, 2010, retirement. NASA expects that its budget will be reduced in that time frame, so the agency is unwilling to bear the cost of preparing the shuttles for their next use, spokesman Mike Curie said Thursday, Dec. 18.

The agency sent an e-mail nationwide on Wednesday to museums, science centers and other organizations, including the National Aviation Heritage Alliance, seeking information on what to do with the shuttles.

NASA wants to know:

• Which organizations would be capable of properly displaying the shuttle orbiters and engines.

• Who could bear the full cost of transporting the shuttles to their new homes.

• How the retired shuttles could best be used in the national interest to “inspire the American public, and students in particular.”

It would seem to be a tailor-made assignment for the Air Force Museum, keeper of generations of historic American aircraft for the Air Force. The museum draws 1.2 million visitors annually and promotes itself as the world’s largest and oldest aviation museum.

The museum will respond to NASA by the deadline of March 17, museum spokesman Rob Bardua said.

“The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has identified the Air Force’s space mission as its most important exhibit priority, and therefore the museum remains extremely interested in acquiring a shuttle,” museum director Charles D. Metcalf said in a statement released through Bardua.

Filed under: Future of Dayton, Things to do in Dayton Ohio