July 31, 200717 yr I wouldn't say downtown malls are a dying breed. I think it depends on what the retail market will hold, how good transportation is(accessibility), and how well it is managed are the major factors. As far as market, I'm not impressed with the retail climate in the North or West side of Dayton. I don't think Salem mall is an attractive area to shop. I think people only shop there because Dayton Mall and the Fairfield Malls are so far. So a positive is that Dayton has a very nice bus system that has as its hub the arcade. I would wonder if the Library wouldn't be interested in building anew at the Arcade. By Ohio standards, which are actually pretty high, Dayton's Main Library isn't very impressive. Functionally its decent, but it just feels like walking into a 1950s school building. There's no gain in being the champion of the Arcade politically speaking because the risks and costs are so great.
July 31, 200717 yr From what I hear, all the buildings except the Commercial Building is on the National Register, so that could be an issue. Believe it or not, the Commercial Building is on there (1982).
August 12, 200717 yr You guys aren't lieing about the cluenessness in Beavercreek. But then again, when Channel 7 leads with any kind of violence that happened in Dayton for the past 20 years, it's not surprising. Beavercreek is a hell that I could never wish upon anyone.
August 12, 200717 yr I was bicycling past Chicken Louies recently, and the Chicken Louie's Chicken Mascot was out front, surrounded by three totally ghetto fabulous chicks, dancing around him chanting, "Go Chicken, Go Chicken, Go Chicken." It gave me hope for the human race and really made my day. Chicken Louie's is the "Skyline Chili" of Dayton-style chicken. It's great to take the white folks to but it isn't the best.
August 13, 200717 yr I was bicycling past Chicken Louies recently, and the Chicken Louie's Chicken Mascot was out front, surrounded by three totally ghetto fabulous chicks, dancing around him chanting, "Go Chicken, Go Chicken, Go Chicken." It gave me hope for the human race and really made my day. Chicken Louie's is the "Skyline Chili" of Dayton-style chicken. It's great to take the white folks to but it isn't the best. :D "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 25, 200717 yr The Downtowner has a nice little Article about the Save the Arcade effort. When I get time I will see if I can scan it. The Arcade dome area will be open for urban nights for limited tours (they wont be going up into the apartments or into the arcade part of the Arcade as its too dangerous with the risk of falling glass.
December 12, 200717 yr Arcade owner says latest bid too low With a foreclosure deadline looming and a purchase offer, Staub wants to try eBay auction again. By Joanne Huist Smith Staff Writer Wednesday, December 12, 2007 DAYTON — The owner of Dayton's historic downtown Arcade says an offer to buy the complex of five buildings just isn't good enough. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/12/11/ddn121207arcade.html
December 12, 200717 yr Ugh. . . Looks like it's going to be foreclosed, unless there is a christmas miracle.
December 12, 200717 yr Tony Staub holding out for the assessed value as sales price is old news. What's new news is this: The current offer would have settled back property taxes and more than 20 years of back rent the city of Dayton claims the charity owes on the Gibbons Building, 20 W. Third Street. The city took ownership of the Gibbons in July 2006 in lieu of foreclosure, according to court records. Then in the fall of 2006, Dayton sued Brownfield Charities and Arcade Square Limited for $267,000 in default rent payments for the building located on the outer ring of the complex. Staub said the city failed to make the property suitable for lease and he has countersued. That trial is set for May 8 in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. "They're trying to squeeze me out," Staub said. Contrast that with this article from the Aug 25th DDN: DAYTON — The city is taking possession of the Gibbons Annex, a building that is part of the downtown Arcade block, in hopes of getting the empty building redeveloped. Dayton Arcade Centre Partnership, which owns the five-story Gibbons Annex at 18-22 W. Third St., is giving the deed for the building to Dayton in lieu of foreclosure. The transaction will erase $212,000 in property taxes owed on the property. The annex fronts Third Street just east of the entrance into the Arcade, sitting between the Arcade buildings and One Dayton Center, the modern office tower on the southwest corner of Third and Main. The city will work with the owners of One Dayton Center to redevelop the Gibbons building, according to City Manager Jim Dinneen. The building's primary function now is housing an enclosed walkway that allows people to walk from a parking garage at Third and Ludlow streets to One Dayton Center. The City Commission unanimously approved the transaction Wednesday It looks like, once again, the city screwed up, or was making empty public statements to the press. What is the relationship of Arcade Centre Partnership to Tony Staub, and to the urban renewal scheme around One Dayton Centre, which used to be called Arcade Centre? Who were the partners, and why are they not involved. Note the mention of 20 years in back rents. This would set the clock back to 1986, when the city was instigating its Arcade Centre urban renewal project. I suspect there is some connection here.
December 13, 200717 yr Another Day, Another Change. . .who knows!?! Arcade's owner resumes sale talks Deal may hinge on unnamed stipulations. Thursday, December 13, 2007 DAYTON — The ongoing roller coaster ride that has raised hopes and dashed dreams of redevelopment for Dayton's historic Arcade crested yet another hill Wednesday. Tony Staub of Brownfield Charities Inc., owner of the five-building complex, came back to the negotiating table with developer Bob Schiffler, and the two men say they're close to a deal. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/12/13/ddn121307arcadefolo.html
January 25, 200817 yr "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:
January 26, 200817 yr God Bless ya and save our Arcade! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 5, 200817 yr Arcade to be featured on public TV show By Terry Morris Staff Writer Monday, February 04, 2008 DAYTON — The roving public television series "Our Ohio" will explore the Dayton Arcade during its 5 p.m. Saturday broadcast on WPTD-TV Channel 16. The downtown landmark's glass-domed rotunda, 1902 origins as a farmer's market, renovation, closing in 1991 and current preservation efforts will be featured. More information about "Our Ohio," which also features gardening, travel and cooking in the state, is available at www.OurOhio.org. Photos of downtown Dayton's Arcade http://www.daytondailynews.com/p/content/gen/sharedoh/photos_galleries/news/business/dayton_arcade.html http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/02/04/ddn020508arcadeweb.html
February 9, 200817 yr OPEN IT!!! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 9, 200817 yr Nice pix, and I think Im in one of them, in the background leading a tour. They won't be able to turn the lights on like that again. I was talking to Leon Bey back in January (Leon is one of the organizers of FSA), and he told me the copper theives got into the place and tore out a bunch of wire. He found out when he was going in with somebody (i think a media person?) and when they went to turn the lights on nothing happened, which is how they found out about the copper rip-off.
February 10, 200817 yr this is the saddest thread on uo. really burns me up. good luck to you jeffery and the rest of the local activists.
February 10, 200817 yr ^---It is, isn't it? I really hate that this city has rested on their laurels this long regarding the Arcade. It's a shame.
February 12, 200817 yr 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.
February 15, 200817 yr 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.
March 15, 200817 yr Here's a video of the Arcade: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/mplayer/features/30539 Developer: Arcade development will take collaboration By Tim Tresslar Staff Writer Saturday, March 15, 2008 DAYTON — Redevelopment of the Arcade complex and surrounding properties — an effort that could cost up to $65 million — is doable, but not by a single entity, developer Bob Shiffler told an audience Friday, March 14. Shiffler, who has been negotiating to buy the five-building complex, said redevelopment funding would need to include up to $8 million in equity that would provide investors a return. The rest of the costs would need to come from tax credits, loans, tax-increment financing or other tools, he said.
March 15, 200817 yr Here's another great video: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/mplayer/features/37726
March 16, 200817 yr The rest of the costs would need to come from tax credits, loans, tax-increment financing or other tools, he said. This has been the case with similar redevelopments in other cities. Anyone want to wager whether there's the smarts n to make t happen in Dayton?
February 18, 200916 yr link Historic Dayton Arcade goes up for bid soon By Joanne Huist Smith Staff Writer Tuesday, February 17, 2009 DAYTON — The historic Dayton Arcade goes up for bid March 12 as part of a Montgomery County Sheriff's tax lien foreclosure sale.
February 18, 200916 yr Rumor has it that Bob Schiffler, who owns buildings between the Arcade and Main Street, will be a bidder. Schiffler has tried to work a deal with the owner Tony Staub on this (including paying off the tax lien) but Staub refused to budge holding out for money (he recieved it for nothing as a charitable donation). Now he gets nada.
February 18, 200916 yr The recent DDN article quotes Shiffler as saying he will not bid. The project needs a large tenant first.
February 18, 200916 yr In the alternate universe of Dayton Bizzaro World (where things work right not backwards) the "large tenant" would be Reynolds and Reynolds, expanding their downtown campus into the low rise Ludlow and 4th Street arcade buildings they way they did by moving across the street into the Ludlow and Wurlizter Buildings. But yes, that mysterious missing tenant. It seems The Merc loft redevelopment needs a commercial tenant for that deal to go through, too. But the mystery tenant is nowhere to be found. Why is that? Maybe Dayton just doesn't have the capacity to generate enough economic activity to where there would be a enough tenants willing to move into these proposed re-use projects.
February 18, 200916 yr Heres' something interesting. One of the prospective bidders has a blog where they propose turning the Arcade into an entertainment center and the Commericial building into a 10 story verticle COSI.
February 18, 200916 yr Heres' something interesting. One of the prospective bidders has a blog where they propose turning the Arcade into an entertainment center and the Commericial building into a 10 story verticle COSI. Sounds like a good idea to me, i think they should go through with it, we need a lot more attention downtown
March 3, 200916 yr Editorial: Arcade’s fate isn’t looking good By the Dayton Daily News | Sunday, March 1, 2009, 05:43 PM When former Montgomery County Treasurer Hugh Quill sold the tax lien on the Arcade in 2006, some people worried whether that move could come back to bite Dayton.
March 12, 200916 yr Downtown Arcade Sold At Auction DAYTON — The historic downtown Arcade was purchased by Gunther Berg and Wendell Strutz of Plymouth, Wis., for the minimum bid, $615.106.02, at auction this morning, March 12. The two men have formed Dayton Arcade LLC for the purchase and plan to restore the complex to its former glory within three years.
March 23, 200916 yr In depth article on the drama around the low bid and more information on the new owners. It seems the German partner restored an apartment building in Potsdam before coming to the US, and their US partner is the firm that did the structural stabilization for Fallingwater (!) Arcade owners eager to restore 'jewel' 'I think there's an opportunity for Dayton to be surprised.' By Joanne Huist Smith Staff Writer Sunday, March 22, 2009 PLYMOUTH, Wis.— Gunther Berg seems a man of few words until you ask him about his vision for restoration of Dayton's historic downtown arcade. From his offices in a building he restored in downtown Plymouth, Wis., Berg talks of possibilities.
March 25, 200916 yr Just a quick link to the Dayton Most Metro discussion: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/forum/index.php?topic=58.0
May 6, 200916 yr http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/new-owners-complete-arcade-purchase-109061.html New owners complete Arcade purchase DAYTON— The history of Dayton’s downtown arcade officially began a new chapter today. Partners Gunther Berg and Wendell Strutz made the rounds of Montgomery County offices this morning, Wednesday, May 6, to pay the approximately $614,000 balance owed on the complex. Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2362 or [email protected].
September 8, 200915 yr From Dayton Daily News: Urban Nights visitors will get last look at historic Arcade Historic downtown site to get a $30 million restoration. By Margo Rutledge Kissell, Staff Writer http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/urban-nights-visitors-will-get-last-look-at-historic-arcade-287157.html?cxntnid=dlh-090809 DAYTON — Visitors to Urban Nights this Friday, Sept. 11, will get a final peek inside Dayton’s historic downtown Arcade before a planned restoration begins.
September 9, 200915 yr Oh, thank god! For a second, with that titile you posted, I thought they were going to demolish it or something!!!! Anyways, I hope this works out. We sure as h*ll need it, and I for one am really looking forward to it :)
September 9, 200915 yr Oh, thank god! For a second, with that titile you posted, I thought they were going to demolish it or something!!!! Anyways, I hope this works out. We sure as h*ll need it, and I for one am really looking forward to it :) Well I just hope it really works out this time. There has been attempts to restore and/or open it before and for whatever reason they just never panned out. I have fond memories of the Arcade from my childhood.
September 13, 200915 yr I walked through the Arcade on Friday. Amazing place. I vaguely recall going there when I was young. Our walk-through group talked to the two partners and they seem like the real deal. They are focusing on complete restoration. Outside during Urban nights, they were passing out information about Sinclair CC student housing across the Arcade on Ludlow. Small apartments but the rent was good for being right downtown near the College.I really hope this area gets a boost from the Arcade and Sinclair.
September 14, 200915 yr ^ This must be whats going to happen to the Moraine Embassy/Schwind Building.
September 14, 200915 yr ^ Yes, the name of the building was the Schwind. They had really nice flyers. Small floor plans, basically a 1 bedroom dorm for ~$1300 per academic quarter at Sinclair. Furnished also. I think this is a Bob Shiffler development. Is "downtown" going to shift back to 3rd & Main? We will see....
September 14, 200915 yr I'm hoping the Arcade renovation will be putting apartments back in, too. The 4th Street building had apartments on the upper floors that could be remodelled. The 3rd Street side apartments were really an SRO situation, so they would need some signifigant rework to bring them to code. The one thing I missed from Urban Nights this year was the Circus. The one in the fall had a great little venue going on in the old Unicorn space, with performance stuff in one room, and that drum thing outside on the corner. I guess that Garden Station thing made up for it. The placed looked different at night, with the candles and torches.
September 14, 200915 yr Not really. As long as the BurgerMaster and Broaster Hut are around, Dayton will still be the same. Now if one of those two leave, then I'm going to start a coalition of tremendous terror. It'll be an outrage! Well, you can start it now.
November 13, 200915 yr That's the joke with Courthouse Plaza, no one lives in any of the buildings around its circumference...the Arcade should have some housing and the area from BHA to the Landing should be targeted for revitalization since it is a semi-continuous region of downtown.
March 13, 201015 yr Ruh-Roh! Arcade $89K behind on property taxes DAYTON — The new owners of the historic downtown Arcade are $89,100 behind in property taxes on the complex of five buildings. “These taxes, from my perspective at this point in time, are owed,” Elaine Johnson, Montgomery County’s director of real estate said.... ....The partners missed payment of $36,638 in July 2009, a figure that has grown to $41,378 with added penalties and interest. An additional $47,722 was due in February, Johnson said. The article goes on to say the developers want to interest the library to move some things into the Arcade, which (reading between the lines) indicates some concern with finding tenants. If you all will recall from my Arcade history series library relocation has already been looked at back in the 1990s. The libray board, ore some members, have considered relocation, but to a site near UD and the new DDN building, over on the old NCR land.
March 13, 201015 yr I think the library moving to the Arcade is a great idea. Where do you get the impression that they want to move closer to UD/DDN? They'd almost have to build a new building since I don't think there are any buildings that would suit them in that area.
March 13, 201015 yr Arcade progress happening behind the scenes, group says Dayton's historic downtown arcade was purchased at auction one year ago. By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer Updated 10:57 AM Friday, March 12, 2010 DAYTON — Leon Bey never tires of talking about possibilities when it comes to the future of Dayton’s historic downtown arcade. The co-founder of Friends of the Dayton Arcade will share his enchantment for the complex of five 1904-era buildings in a presentation at Kettering’s Charles I. Lathrem Senior Center on Tuesday, March 16, at 3:30 p.m. He’ll introduce, through photos and personal encounters, Gunther Berg and Wendell Strutz of Plymouth, Wis., who purchased the arcade for $615,106.02, at auction one year ago on March 12, 2009. “We’re in contact with the new owners on a weekly basis,” Bey said. more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/arcade-progress-happening-behind-the-scenes-group-says-594438.html
March 13, 201015 yr On a more hopefull note: Arcade Progress Happening Behind the Scenes DAYTON — Leon Bey never tires of talking about possibilities when it comes to the future of Dayton’s historic downtown arcade. The co-founder of Friends of the Dayton Arcade will share his enchantment for the complex of five 1904-era buildings in a presentation at Kettering’s Charles I. Lathrem Senior Center on Tuesday, March 16, at 3:30 p.m. He’ll introduce, through photos and personal encounters, Gunther Berg and Wendell Strutz of Plymouth, Wis., who purchased the arcade for $615,106.02, at auction one year ago on March 12, 2009. Leon Bey is probably the hero of this saga as he stirred the pot on reviving interest in the Arcade.
March 13, 201015 yr ^^I think I beat you to it Jeffery, but good point about Leon Bey. If Nan Whaley's corporate donors had their way, it'd probably be a parking lot by now. :evil:
Create an account or sign in to comment