mark1152

Michael, this is a realistic proposal and in a great area. Eastwood Park will soon have a bicycle trail connecting downtown with points east, including Huffman Prairie, Fairborn, Wright State University, and Wright-Patt. Let's hope it becomes reality!

The Wrights perfected their flying at Huffman Prairie and developed the world's first practical airplane, the 1905 Wright Flyer III, which is on display at Carillon Historical Park. Case in point, the longest flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903 was 59 seconds, 854 ft, straight hop, no turns. On Oct 5, 1905, Wilbur flew the Flyer III for 39 minutes and 24 miles around Huffman Prairie. Later on, they test flew their follow-on models at the Prairie and taught the first generation of pilots how to fly. H Hap Arnold, the father of the USAF, learned how to fly from the Wrights at Huffman Prairie.

Excuse my cynicism, but I think they do know what they want to put on that corner. I just hope it enhances the neighborhood and the southern gateway to the city. I'd also like to know what's new with plans for the Fairgrounds. Anybody hear anything?

The next Our Ohio is tonight (Friday) at 9 pm on Ch 14, WPTO. BTW, that Arcade meeting is next Wednesday, Feb 20, 7 pm, at the Metro Library.

This is cool and projects a Dayton image we can relate to. :shoot:

Woodland does things first class . . . usually. The design is nice, but it doesn't wow me.

I don't believe any article has laid out the proposed streetcar route. See Dayton OS in December 2007 http://daytonos.com/?p=643. All it says is RTA would connect UD/Brown and MVH with the OD and downtown points beyond. One logical route would be Brown to Warren to Patterson Blvd to Fifth and the OD to Wayne to Third to Webster to Monument. But I think a better route might be Brown to Wyoming to Wayne to Fifth to Jefferson to Monument. That would better service South Park and open up Wayne Avenue which is a really cool streetscape waiting to be developed. Just a thought. :drunk:

In addition to the GLBT and other issues being discussed, let's not forget the transit project that I believe connects all these things together. A trolley system connecting the UD/Brown St. neighborhood with the OD via Wayne Avenue would bring those who appreciate the creative forces of our town into the urban core. Is RTA partnering with the new Arts District, Webster Station, DDP, et al, to make this happen?

Billy, with the new interest in getting UD students downtown, was there any mention about the trolley system that would be connecting the OD and other points downtown?

dfly, yes! the 4th st. entrance is directly accessible to the 4th st. entrance of the Arcade. But I'm not sure if Schiffler is planning to develop that part in the near future.

Check out http://www.downtowndayton.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45 at the Downtown Dayton Partnership website.

I have nothing against the atrium, but it's kind of out of place with the rest of the neighborhood. According to Bob Schiffler, he plans to bring the building out to the street and give it an art deco design. Apparently, there's already a tenant signed up for it.

Don't know all the details, but the Oregon District is on the verge of a major revamp. Check out the thread at http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15282.0.html.

In other words, they're sucking from other retail areas. So much for providing "unique venues new to the Dayton area."

Dayton's salvation is and will be in its ability to collaborate and partner with like-minded groups. One of Dayton's historic problems was the image it was the big kahuna that ramroded its will in the region. That's changing. I think it'll eventually become a national model in showing how things get done through partnerships.

Jeff, as usual, amazing. Question: when do you sleep?

What I like is the inclusion of bike lanes. I just wish there were lanes on all streets. The new Riverscape development going up this summer is to include a bike hub with showers and lockers. Sounds like they want to attract the biker crowd big time, but more needs to be done.

Is this tower going up on the site of the old Dominic's?

I plan to go to the meeting on Wednesday, Feb 13, at the MetroLibrary, to see what updates there be. Yeah, it's amazing what happens with neglect . . . the stripping of the copper wiring. S--- happens, but things are definitely looking up for the Arcade's future.

Oregon's new arts district should help with this.

Thanks, acetone, for the exterior pics. When Suny's opens, I'll try to get some interior pics. The art deco inside is amazing. It's a beautiful building. I'm anxious to see what they do to the upper floors.

Ronnie, thanks for the update! Oregon is unique and needs to maintain its edginess, but it also needs to attract folks who drive cars. I'm looking forward to an arts district that also sports one-of-a-kind retail and local restaurants. This will be big for downtown.

The new McCrory's building is an art deco gem! It really polished up nicely. The big story in this is Bob and Nancy Schiffler and how they are transforming downtown between Third and Fourth. Watch the news . . . the Arcade will soon be under development thanks to the Schifflers.

You guys really need to get out and see what's happening! The Arcade will soon be under development (see the Arcade thread); CareSource is building it's headquarters downtown (see the CareSource thread); Ballpark Village is moving ahead (see the Ballpark Village thread); downtown condos are 98 percent filled and more are on the way (several threads on this). What is still below the radar is that the Schear family (former Liberal markets) wants to open a full-service grocery downtown. Yes, you can find the negatives ... Bimini Bill's is closing. But that happens in the restaurant business wherever you look. 2008 is going to be a watershed year for downtown. Stay tuned.

"Friends to Save the Arcade" has morphed into a soon-to-be 501C3 organization called "Friends of the Dayton Arcade." So . . . what's in the name change? One of the reasons is to distinguish the "new" organization from any other group claiming to be saving an urban arcade anywhere else in the country . . . Cleveland, Newark, Asheville, etc. This is Dayton's Arcade. The other reason is that the preservationist group is no longer in the "saving" business but is moving on to helping bring back the venerable Grande Dame. It hasn't hit the news yet, but the "deal" between a Dayton developer and Brownfield Charities is almost complete. More on this later. Joanne Huist Smith, DDN reporter, has an article in today's paper about a book project Curt Dalton is putting together on the history of the Arcade. He's asking for Daytonians to provide short interviews that will become an oral history on what the five-building complex means to the community. It should be on sale in time for Christmas 2008. Proceeds from the book as well as other retail and pledges being publicized by the "Friends" on their website will be used to restore the rotunda dome and arcade skylights, which are in danger of collapsing. Another project in the works is to have a gala evening of Dayton entertainment in support of the Arcade at the Victoria. Lorna Dawes, former Muse Machine president, is working on this possibility. Still another interesting tidbit I picked up from the "Friends" meeting yesterday was that the Arcade will soon be featured on the PBS program "Our Ohio." Not sure when it will be broadcast as yet. Now for the ongoing talks between Dayton developer, Bob Schiffler, and current Arcade owner, Tony Staub. Bob is the developer who has beautifully restored the Kuhns Building at the corner of Fourth and Main, next to the Arcade. He also is about to open the first floor of the art-deco diamond McCrory's Building on Main St., which will also be used to house a waiting list of tenants on the second and third floors. According to Schiffler, the agreed upon package is "99%" complete.:clap: Of course, it's that one percent we have to be cautious about; so, let's not party yet. Still, Leon Bey claims that the agreement being crafted includes the following: removal of the tax lien from Brownfield Charities, withdrawal of city and other legal suits being brought against Brownfield Charities, and "a bundle of money" (Leon Bey's words; amount not disclosed). Bey expects an announcement very soon. Some other interesting things that came out of the "Friends" meeting: the Fidelity Building on the corner of Fifth and Main is being considered for condos. According to Bey, the developer has been brought into town by Schiffler. The Schear family, which owned the former Liberal markets and still has a small grocery store next to the Arcade, is interested in bringing a full-service grocery store downtown. Where would it be? Right now, the talk is in the former DDN 1950s annex, which is also being considered by Schiffler as part of a parking garage complex that would service the Arcade, the Schwind, and other businesses downtown. Once again, nothing yet has been signed; so, it's too early celebrate. Still, 2008 could become a watershed year for downtown Dayton. :strong: