Quick Fact Sheet on Dayton’s Historic Arcade
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* A historic landmark in downtown Dayton placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The Ohio Preservation Alliance lists it as a Most Endangered Historic Site.

* The five connecting buildings with a glass rotunda were built in 1902 for E. J. Barney and M. J. Gibbons by NCR architect Frank Andrews.

* Dayton’s Arcade is named for the glass-roofed entrance on Third St. Its Flemish façade was inspired by an Amsterdam guild hall. The architecture is Renaissance Revival and the buildings cost $2 million when opened in 1904. There are Ludlow St. and Fourth St. entrances. The Arcade’s dome is 70 ft. high and 90 ft. in diameter. Detailing around the spectacular dome includes Ohio specialties: oak leaves and acorns, garland of grain, rams’ heads, colorful wild turkeys, and cornucopia filled with fruits and vegetables.

* It was originally a farmers market with permanent vendors in later years. The Arcade was filled with the smell of cheese, baked goods and popcorn with seafood and meat counters and a Culp’s meal counter. It was a multi-use facility with restaurants, markets, apartments, retail, offices and services.

* As malls grew in popularity, the Arcade’s business declined. Investors spent millions renovating the Arcade in the late 1970’s. The Arcade reopened to great fanfare as an upscale retail shopping center with popular restaurants. After evicting the tenants the 131 apartments were left vacant and never remodeled.

* Due to funding issues and fewer shoppers, the Arcade closed by 1991.

* The Arcade was unsuccessfully reopened by the city for Holly Days at Christmas.

* Tom Danis planned to redevelop the Arcade, but sold it for $1 to Brownfield Charities, that currently owes back taxes on the facility. A tax lien has been sold by Montgomery County and comes due November 19, 2007.

* Friends to Save the Arcade was formed in June, 2007 to raise awareness and to mobilize public opinion about the endangered historic Arcade. The free public tours of the Arcade on Urban Nights, Friday, September 14, 2007, were organized and sponsored by Friends to Save the Arcade to educate the public about the conditions of the Arcade and the need to keep the buildings from being demolished. Continued fund raising efforts are being made to help preserve and maintain the buildings.

* To volunteer to help save the Arcade contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749
* Friends to Save the Arcade Steering Committee: Maribeth Graham (maeg434@aol.com) Jo Granzow (jhgranzow@sbcglobal.net) Leon Bey (grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com)
* Fact sheet compiled by Leon Bey (937) 274-4749. Help Save the Arcade!
9/07