This was actually a win lose situation. It's good to see the interest in the Arcade, but it kept many from getting in last night. The lines were wrapped around to Ludlow Street near Kinko's. Not my idea of Urban nights, so I went to other venues instead. I just hope the suck economy here doesn't cause this project to be delayed any more. Then again, if we had something like the Arcade back in business, it could help the economy. I just hope the owners have met our retarded mayor. That could be a big problem

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I am a part of a new company moving into the Oregon District " The Renaissance Salon & Spa" - We wish to be a part of all good coming into the Downtown Dayton area! We would love to be a part of the support for the restoration of the Dayton Arcade!!! To contact me : 937-281-1999 or 937-414-0357. We are a full service salon consitrating of group events ie: bridal, special occassion events, image consulting and relaxation treatments ie: massage and skin care. Please let us know about future events that we can be on board. GO DAYTON!

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whats up with this..?!?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Historic-Dayton-Arcade-Complex_W0QQitemZ180319708690QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCommercial?hash=item180319708690&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

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From the Toledo Blade:
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080403/NEWS24/804030420

<blockquote>...The state economic stimulus package is smaller than the $1.7 billion plan Mr. Strickland proposed more than a month ago, and it counts on $970 million in borrowing as opposed to $1.7 billion. Of the $970 million, $400 million would require new voter authorization on Nov. 4.

The plan breathes new life into the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program that rewards private investment in the restoration of historic structures as part of larger economic devel-opment projects. The program, operating on a first-come, first-served basis, was so popular that it ran out of money eight months into its two-year budget.

The new jobs package would make another $120 million in credits available, roughly matching what has already been awarded. But the program is expected to be changed so that applicants, including the endangered Seneca County Courthouse, would have to compete based on which provides the greatest economic benefit.

Voters rejected an $8.5 million bond issue in March to help pay for restoration of the 1884 courthouse, despite a pledge from Mr. Strickland that he would seek $2 million in state funds to complement it. Since then, the county commissioners have proceeded on a path toward demolition.

“The governor believes that it makes sense that they would delay while this [economic stimulus] process moves forward to see if funding becomes available,’’ said Strickland spokesman Amanda Wurst.

She cautioned, however, that the tax credit is aimed at private developers, not local governments or nonprofit organizations. The county’s pending application proposes a convoluted mechanism that would have a private business receive the credit and funnel it to the county, minus a fee...</blockquote>

More@ the Blade.

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I have helped in redevelopment in other cities and I have loved the Arcade since I moved here in 2003. I think it would be a shame to lose it for a parking garage-as has been suggested in the past-and I think it is a valuable piece of history and real estate. I am a social work and urban affairs major at WSU and I have read studies and conducted studies about what people want from the downtown area. A major portion of people to be considered are those who are already downtown everyday due to employment. We need to keep them there for lunch time activities and after work activities. Many of the renovated warehouses and buildings into apartments have done extremely well. If the plans for Ballpark Village go through, and they are going to go through...the Arcade will be an asset. The details in the apartments are not seen in anything modern today and add a special element that the competition does not have. The apartments should be used as apartments-but with security features so that regular people cannot access those floors. I think the offices should be used as offices. The idea of using part of the arcade for community events or shows is a great idea! Area schools can showcase their bands or chorales, for example. This has worked in the past in other areas...and it brings families downtown too! I think that "mom and pop" shops should bring back businesses to the arcade too. It is part of the charm that other centers have. If people downtown have the ability to pickup items from the gift shop and bakery and jeweler and their drycleaning, etc...during the workday or shortly thereafter---they will! Also, if there is a delinquent building that is attached or across the street--I do not remember if there is....that should be developed into parking for the Arcade and it's tenants and helps solve the issue of parking. These are just some thoughts that I think would enhance the Arcade and downtown. Oh- Please-NO boutique hotel!!!!

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but maybe would could get university students and professionals involved in a service learning project to create a reality based "Simm City" like version of the Arcade...something that would carry participants through the actual process of what it would take to get redevelopment underway. An interactive website, maybe, that would allow ideas to be tested for community support before embarking on an expensive effort. Let's make the next revival sustainable!

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Maybe I am reading too much into your comments…but I suspect that you believe, like many pessimistic about Dayton, that anyone left in the area must be brain dead. Turning a small part of the Arcade complex into an area that would combine both cultural education and profitable business would draw intelligent people in. It could also help expand the horizons of a curious, but naive portion of the population. Downtowns are meant to be places where people liberate themselves from their isolated communities and intermingle. Yes, commerce is necessary…you’ll get no argument from me there…but commerce can take place anywhere, we need to take advantage of what makes downtown unique…its centrality and its history.

Think a social experiment would only happen in Berkley? Trying turning on the television…reality TV is hot! (not to say good…but popular) People everywhere are interested in social interaction. I am not sociologist…but there are some excellent teachers of sociology in the area. With all of the universities and colleges in the area, I think the potential is here to create something interesting and enlightening without being raunchy.

We need an indoor public performance place downtown. Concerts on Courthouse Square aren’t going to happen in extreme weather. It also seems like an indoor venue would promote the enforcement of a proper code of conduct.

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I would like to see an area for an international/cultural market, requiring 10% of each store to be devoted to an explanation of the culture, it’s symbolism, it’s strongest beliefs, geography etc. Allow family businesses to be a part of this (even if not representing a specific recognized culture) if the can provide a history of the family, the business and its traditions (it could become a study in the development of a culture).

An art market with either an open studio for patrons to see the artist working or a visual and verbal representation of the artist working (images, posters or videos).

A history museum of the significant events and people of the Dayton area, with information about tours of the historical sites throughout the area, including the Dayton Arcade, and the flood, with books, videos, and interactive displays with stories about the flood and the engineering the prevented future floods, and ideas for future development of the river and the Arcade, maybe a study of the bridges in the area (a hot topic right now). The history of Dayton- both good and bad, the need for Dayton to become educated about the people that live here and transcend the prejudice and fear that prevent them from living together harmoniously, the need for a better understanding of the economic decisions that have been made that lead to the deterioration of some of the city’s buildings and stagnated both its progress and its vitality, the need for an examination of the motivational factors of all of it subcultures- both racial and economic and a thoughtful analysis of where we are headed locally, nationally and globally.

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