Spotlight on Dayton

According to the Dayton Daily News, this city's not looking so hot. Now believe me, this was pretty shocking to me too, so if you don't believe it at first, I won't blame you. After all, if you ask anybody on the street downtown, they'll go on and on about how the recession has hardly touched our town. But as the article says, there's an effort to highlight the fact that every now and then, well, we've still got a thing or two going for us.

The Dayton Region Rally, slated for November 17th (so Tuesday, for anybody who's interested), is an event sponsored by the DDN itself. Focused around three themes -- work, play and living -- the Rally will play host to a variety of speakers from regional businesses and groups such as the Victoria Theatre Association and the Downtown Dayton Plan. This event is set to take place at the UD Arena from 3:30 to 5:30, so if you can spare a few hours and this is your sort of thing, have at it.

While I can appreciate the sentiment, I'm not entirely clear on how something like this is supposed to increase confidence in the Dayton economy. Speaking personally, I'm more interested in seeing results rather than hearing speeches, albeit I can easily see the value in tidin people over with a little hope until things kick back up. To put that more plainly, even if things are going well, people have to be convinced that they're going well, and vice-versa. I can't say I know if this will have the effect they intend, but I suppose it's better than doing absolutely nothin.

The Dayton Port Authority

The Dayton Daily News reports that, despite hard times all around, things are starting to look up for the Dayton Port Authority. Roy Parker, the director of the Authority, has stated that there have been four proposals ranging from 3 to 50 million dollars. This is in start contrast to a time not that long ago when, according to the article, his phone was essentially dead.

For those not in the know, the DDN article states: "The port authority can make loans to companies or local governments, receive grants and purchase assets such as buildings or land for economic development purposes." Frankly, before reaading that I hadn't really known myself, so I won't pretend that I'm some kind of expert.

So -- and here's the constant question -- what's it mean for Dayton? Well, you can see my earlier articles for my thoughts on this stuff in a more general sense. But from a more...casual standpoint, it's nice to see the old girl getting some business going on. Oh, it's nothing like GM coming back or anything -- it's not going to be a shock to get the heart pumping again -- but it's always nice to hear that things are looking up SOMEWHERE. And further, what's good for them is good for everyone else, I suppose.

With the PA doing better, that means that (presumably) it's more likely that other businesses can get in on the loan action. I'm in absolutely no way suggesting this is the end-all-be-all-super-amazing-revive-Dayton spiel, but...well, beggers can hardly be choosers, alright?

Casino Royale

The Dayton Daily News published a recent article covering a hot topic in Ohio right now (which is, to be fair, their job) -- casinos. Savvy readers will recall that in the not-too-distant past, voters were asked to raise their voices on if we wanted to bring them into the region (Argosy, I believe, was the company...although I appreciate the who doesn't strictly matter for the purposes of what I'm writing.) Men and women armed with clipboards could be found on and around campus and the surrounding region, asking people left and right to sign petitions and support the proposal in any way they could.

As stated in the article, if Issue 3 makes the grade, it will allow for the construction of a casino in Cinci, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. If you've been paying attention -- and I hope you have -- you'll be thinking that this is a blog about the DAYTON economy, not those other chumps. Dayton jobs; Dayton stimulus; Dayton profits and boosts are what this thing is all about, at least until the quarter is finished, when I fancy this will be about nothing at all. So I'll admit that it begs the question of why I've bothered to make this the topic of my weekly post, if it doesn't strictly deal with Dayton.

Well, I could say that what's good for our neighbors is good for us -- a positive ripple effect, no matter how small. I could say that if the previously-mentioned railway system becomes a reality, then it could have some interesting effects come casino time (assuming, as ever, that it passes.) I could say that the DDN website just didn't have much else that hooked me, and that would be true. Really, let's just go with a combination of all of the above: they're all true and all worth consideration in their own rights.

You know, it's times like these I question why people write these, barring my present situation. This, ultimately, is my opinion -- and all things considered, a middleman between the reader and the newspaper site. It's a bunch of window dressing that doesn't bother to include all of the facts of the matter; just enough to give you a general idea in the exact same amount of time it would take you to read the DDN piece, since that paper is nothing if not concise. So really, the most of what I'm offering is my opinion on something...and for the life of me, I can't imagine why you'd care about that. I do, for very obvious reasons, but it's ultimately a matter of (in this case) blue-skying about what might or might not happen if it does or does not pass, capped with a subjective end-note (CASINOS: WOO; CASINOS: BOO; CASINOS: EH.) You can find that anywhere, because...well, just look where the world is today in terms of who can say what in which medium.

Anyway: like it or loathe it, it's out there. Vote yes or no as you please, and we'll just have to see what happens as a result. I'm not anywhere near trained enough to give you an idea, after all, so it's all up in the air as far as I'm concerned.

Empty Houses

In an article on October 17th, the Dayton Daily news brought up a new trend that's risen in the face of our current economic times -- "walkaways." Former owners of foreclosed properties in the Dayton area have simply begun to walk away from their old homes, leaving them to stand abandoned. According to the article, these homes are subject to being broken into and "stripped" of their components (presumably such as copper piping, which numerous television shows assure me can be sold for reasonable money.)

What's more, the city's footing the bill. Boarding up, demolition, and even keeping the lawn trimmed: it's all coming out of Dayton's budget. Combine that with declining property values, and you have a slew of new sores on the face of the city.

This...well, there's no nice way to explain that this is a real shame. Hard times all around, but it's just sad for the people and it's sad for the city. But hey, you didn't come to a blog about the Dayton economy expecting happy news -- and if you did, well, wow, I have a bridge to sell you. Some of the other articles have put a positive spin on things, but that's more because you need a spin of some nature, and it's easier to write 'here's hoping' than 'it's doomed.' Easier to back it up, too.

But you know what? No: let's do this. Positive spin, if you're ready for it. Because the city of Dayton has to pay to have these things maintained and eventually torn down, that's going to mean some amount of business for associated industries! More work!

Okay, so that's not exactly the happiest ending, but it's (once again) at least a very thin silver lining on a smog cloud.

Soul Train

As it's wont to do, the Dayton Daily News reports that Dayton may well be getting in on that new, exciting railroad craze that's been sweeping the nation. A proposed downtown station, located on 6th and Ludlow, would be just one stop on a line that would connect Dayton, Cinci, Columbus and Cleveland. An additional stop would be constructed in Riverside, complete with a hotel and eatery. This wouldn't be coming out of the city's pockets, either: the cost of the 5.7 million dollar project would be eaten by the whopping eight billion federal bucks put aside for rail funds.

From the standpoint of business and impact on the economy -- because that's the subject of this blog and I'm sticking to it -- you don't exactly need to be a genius to see how this is a good thing. More travel and tourism? A new industry that is expected to, according to Amtrak's projections, ferry nearly half a million people a year? The ripple effect -- what what a nice effect it is -- that touches on other types of regional businesses when you drop something of this nature in local waters? It's good news...provided it ever goes through, and provided people use it.

You know, on that note, let's have an aside from my own personal experiences. A heap of people take the Grayhound to Columbus from Dayton -- those busses are seriously always packed full. Some people can't afford cars, but they can afford the ten bucks to shoot up north to visit the Buckeyes; it's not exactly a market with no customers. Those big things aren't exactly slow, but they're hardly speedy either: call it two hours, two and a half to get to Columbus if you're running a little behind, as opposed to the one and a quarter hours it might take you by car. The nice thing about trains is that they shoot a much straighter line than any bus could, they don't have to deal with traffic, and they don't have to deal with the same set of speed limitations imposed on other vehicles? So ultimately, do people want to get to their destinations faster? Well...yeah, of course.

I've never thought of Dayton as much of a train town: that's probably because the rails shut down, in the respect I'm thinking of, before I was even born. But I expect I could be persuaded to change my mind. I've got a car -- I don't NEED to take a train...but it might be nice, and (what's more) should gas ever get back to nearly five bucks a gallon, it might be a whole lot cheaper.

Dayton Exposed

A recent Dayton Daily News article reports that the Dayton Expo Center has been leased to the city from United States Air & Trade Show board. So what does this mean for the city? According to the director of the convention center Bart Shaw, about $225,000 in projected revenue in 2010, that's what.

As stated in the article, the Expo Center appeals to an entirely different crowd of people than a more high-profile location like the Dayton Convention Center. Fittingly described as "essentially four walls", Shaw intends to bill the site for "consumer-goods shows", as opposed to the more complex events that its sister site is equipped to cater to. It's good business sense, really: not every structure can -- or should -- be a perfect ten; sometimes, you need a five.

The fact aside that we're leasing this structure from the USATS (at $15,000 a year, which isn't too shabby if the projected income turns out to be right), this seems like a good move for the city's budget. I've always said that a dollar is a dollar (or five bucks is five bucks, etc.), and although 225k a year isn't exactly big bucks by the standards of what it takes to finance a city...well, from pretty much any perspective, it's nothing to be sneezed at, either. What with the recent damage to our county's pocketbook from the windstorms of last year (see previous articles), it's a nice boon.

Of course, the fact that we have this resouce available to us is going to lend a hand to the appeal of the city itself. It's an attraction, plain and simple: a reason for people to come here and check Dayton out. Although it's not really a headline act, every little bit counts. With luck this can offer a nice leg up for the economy and produce future trade at the Expo Center for years to come.

Arcade's Revenge

The Dayton Arcade has, for many years, lain empty. Located in the heart of downtown Dayton near Courthouse Square, it's something that's always interested me. Look at the pictures -- even in disrepair, it's absolutely gorgeous. I'm not often one to gush over this kind of thing (or, indeed, over a great many things) but I've been constantly impressed with the photography both on-site and off that's offered glimpses into the plaza's interior.

Quite recently -- this year, in fact -- the Dayton Daily News reported on a surprising turn of events: the complex had been purchased by two men from out of state, backed in part by German investors. The men -- Gunther Berg and Wendell Strutz -- intend to renovate the 250,000 square foot complex, which dominates a whole city block. This is slated to begin in 2010. Though they admit that this is the largest project they've worked on thus far, they state that their affiliates have worked bigger, and their expertise will be vital in the process.

For me, this is an interesting turn of events, although I'm not sure if I'm quite as optimistic as the Arcade's new owners. According to Photowoody, the plaza is comprised of office space, retail space, and appartments. Conceptually, if you build it then they'll come, but as I've heard it put, there's a reason why you don't see many restaurants (or, at least, nice ones) in that part of the city. Although the idea of the Arcade re-opening in full glory is certainly a nice one -- and one which would provide a much-needed boost to the Dayton economy -- I have to wonder if it would really fly. Dayton isn't New York and it isn't Chicago: a number of people see it as a dead town, or one on its way there. Sinclair does much to help and lend credit to the city, but...well, I could hem and haw for quite a while, but (as it usually is) the only thing that'll decide it one way or the other is time.

For now, though, take a look through those pictures and try and imagine it without the water damage and dust. If they can make it work -- IF -- I think the Arcade (and all the economic stimulus that goes hand in hand with such a place, both in the construction and in the completion) will be a boon.