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A Look at the Past, Present, and Future of the Gem City

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Historic Preservation in Dayton, Ohio

Dayton has lost a staggering portion of its historic built environment through a variety of circumstances from large-scale urban renewal to "demolition by neglect."

Nevertheless, a number of exciting adaptive reuse and restoration projects in recent years, from historic homes to the massive Dayton Arcade, are helping to revive many previously vacant and endangered properties.

To see all of the articles we've published that relate to the preservation of historic Dayton buildings, click the links below.

K-12 Tejas Gallery Aims to Rehab Historic Carriage House

January 24, 2024 By Andrew Walsh

According to a Dayton Regional Priority Development and Advocacy Committee (PDAC) funding request, the K-12 Tejas Gallery is looking to purchase and rehab a building adjacent to its current home. A Dayton Business Journal article stated that the group "looks to purchase … [Read more...] about K-12 Tejas Gallery Aims to Rehab Historic Carriage House

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: Alfred Iddings, Alfred Iddings House, Carriage Houses, Downtown Dayton, Fire, Fred Cappel, Furniture Stores, K-12 Tejas Gallery, Preservation, Preservation Dayton, Woodard Development

“Ice House” Building Downtown to Be Demolished

October 20, 2023 By Andrew Walsh Leave a Comment

An industrial building complex dating to the 1920s near the edge of downtown is set to be demolished to support the future expansion of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School's campus. The school calls it a "reimagining" of its campus meant to center around Emmanuel … [Read more...] about “Ice House” Building Downtown to Be Demolished

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: Chaminade-Julienne, Dayton Frozen Solutions, Emmanuel Church, Industrial Buildings, Preservation, Terminal Cold Storage, Union Station

Dayton’s Courthouse Square: Its History and Future

July 28, 2023 By Andrew Walsh 2 Comments

It houses one of the Dayton region's greatest architectural treasures. It's a vital public space in the center of downtown, linking key hubs like the Dayton Arcade and Schuster Center. But it's said to be a shell of what it once was and what it could be again, sparking … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Courthouse Square: Its History and Future

Filed Under: Historical Dayton Tagged With: Courthouse Square, Demolition, James McSwiney, John W Galbreath, Keybank Tower, King Cole Restaurant, Mead, Preservation

Oregon District Buildings to See New Investment, One Is Razed: Some History

June 28, 2023 By Andrew Walsh 1 Comment

A major developer in Downtown Dayton's renaissance recently acquired several buildings in and near the Oregon District. Woodard Development, which has completed major projects throughout downtown and Webster Station including both adaptive reuse and new construction, will … [Read more...] about Oregon District Buildings to See New Investment, One Is Razed: Some History

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: City of Dayton, Commercial Buildings, Features, Jason Woodard, Lily's Dayton, Oregon District, Preservation, Woodard

The Lost Calvert Apartments on Wilkinson St

April 22, 2023 By Andrew Walsh 1 Comment

Downtown Dayton west of Wilkinson Street is an area that's lost many beautiful buildings over the years. In fact, its transformation from dense residential neighborhood to large complexes for government and educational institutions was so complete that I wrote an article … [Read more...] about The Lost Calvert Apartments on Wilkinson St

Filed Under: Historical Dayton Tagged With: Alfred W. Rothenberg, Calvert Apartments, Curt Randolph, Downtown Dayton, Fire, Lily M. Sharp, Nicoletta Karas, Preservation, Sanborn Maps

Renovation Will Add Commercial Space to Historic Salem and Grand

March 13, 2023 By Andrew Walsh 3 Comments

The Salem Ave Corridor has seen some activity in recent years, with the Gem City Market opening in 2021 and the upcoming redevelopment of the Longfellow School site. Now a new $14 million project will upgrade housing at Salem and Grand Avenues and also reestablish 6,300 … [Read more...] about Renovation Will Add Commercial Space to Historic Salem and Grand

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: Drug Stores, Gem City Market, Longfellow School, Miller-Valentine, Preservation, Retail, Salem Ave, Salem Ave Peace Corridor, St. Mary Development Corp

Major Development Could Revive Historic Downtown “Power House”

December 20, 2022 By Andrew Walsh 2 Comments

Photos for this article were taken by Alex Parks, professional photographer/videographer and drone pilot. See more of Alex's work at parkspromedia.com. According to recent reports and funding requests, Infinity Labs, a "fast-growing defense contractor" is planning a … [Read more...] about Major Development Could Revive Historic Downtown “Power House”

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: Davis Sewing Machine Co, Dayton Power and Light, Downtown Dayton, Electricity, Preservation, RTA, Transportation History

Redevelopment of Longfellow School Site Makes Progress

December 12, 2022 By Andrew Walsh 2 Comments

Salem Ave is an important Dayton thoroughfare that declined over the latter decades of the 20th century due to suburban flight and disinvestment in the surrounding neighborhoods. Recently, however, there has been better news. The Gem City Market has been open since 2021 and … [Read more...] about Redevelopment of Longfellow School Site Makes Progress

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: CareSource, Dayton Motor Car Company, Gem City Market, Longfellow School, Preservation, Salem Ave, Salem Ave Peace Corridor, Schools, Weyland Ventures

New Fund Can Boost Historic Business Districts

November 14, 2022 By Andrew Walsh Leave a Comment

In late September, the City of Dayton announced a new program to help activate vacant and underutilized commercial spaces impacted by the pandemic. The First Floor Fund, administered by CityWide Development, aims to provide low-interest and forgivable loans to small … [Read more...] about New Fund Can Boost Historic Business Districts

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: City of Dayton, CityWide Development, Preservation, Salem Ave, Santa Clara, Twin Towers, Walkability, Wright-Dunbar, Xenia Avenue

Dayton Looking for Developers for Gem City Ice Cream Property

February 8, 2022 By Andrew Walsh 1 Comment

gem city ice cream building

With the new Third Street Bridge once again connecting downtown to innerwest Dayton, several projects are underway on West Third in Wright Dunbar, most notably a food hall. But one historic property associated with the Wright Brothers is still languishing in limbo with … [Read more...] about Dayton Looking for Developers for Gem City Ice Cream Property

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: City of Dayton, Demolition, Demolition Watch, Gem City Ice Cream Building, Preservation, Preservation Dayton, Wright-Dunbar

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