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A new plan for Arcade promotes optimism
Sunday, November 04, 2007
DAYTON — A budding proposal to revive the Arcade complex downtown would convert the cloister of five buildings, and others in the neighborhood, into residences, a boutique hotel, offices and parking.
It would not be the Arcade of old with retail shops and restaurants, a concept that failed twice in downtown Dayton.
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The key difference in this proposal that makes Preservation Dayton President Dave Bohardt believe it can happen is the man driving it.
"After all these years, the stars are finally starting to align," Bohardt said. "Bob Shiffler is key."
Shiffler and his wife, Nancy, redeveloped the Kuhn's building at Fourth and Main streets. The office complex, in an 1882-era building, in now fully leased. The Shifflers have now redirected their energy to the McCrory building, next to the Arcade.
"At the end of the day, whatever the Arcade space becomes, you've got to be able to lease it. Bob Shiffler is a lean, mean, leasing machine," Bohardt said.
Arcade owner Tony Staub, president of Brownfield Charities Inc., said he doesn't know the details of the plan, but Shiffler has asked to speak with him. Staub said he will listen.
"I think if anybody can make this happen, Bob Shiffler can," Staub said.
Shiffler says it will take several developers who can wait for completion of the project to see a return on their investment. Each would tackle a different type development.
"There's a plan and that's more than we've had for the Arcade," said Dayton City Manager Rashad Young, adding that he's optimistic.
Planning is just beginning and no developers have signed on. Ultimately, Shiffler, a small developer, may not be one of them.
"We'll plug in where ever we fit, but if we need to bow out that's OK. Getting it done is what matters," he said.
