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Madison vs. Waynesville
Historic Arcade can be yours for a mere $615,106
The county's tax lien foreclosure auction is scheduled at 10 a.m. March 12.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Extras
Potential plan for third floor
Potential plan for second floor
Potential plan for first floor
Potential plan for basementDAYTON — Efforts to save the historic downtown Arcade continue even as plans move forward to put it up for bid March 12 in a Montgomery County sheriff's tax lien foreclosure sale.
Ten properties will be included in the sale. The Arcade carries the highest property tax debt.
Phyllis Hewitt, a tax lien program manager for Montgomery County, said the minimum bid on the five-building complex is $615,106, which covers back taxes, interest and attorney's fees. The price would go up in $100 increments should buyers get into a bidding contest.
"Typically, there has not been a lot of bidding on these tax lien foreclosures," Hewitt said.
The sale begins at 10 a.m. at the Montgomery County Administration Building, 451 W. Third St.
Downtown developer Bob Shiffler, who has worked more than a year to attract office, hotel and residential customers for the arcade, said he has gleaned interest from small developers, but has not found an anchor.
"It's going to take one person on the line for 25,000 to 40,000 square feet to make it happen," he said.
Shiffler said he'll likely attend the foreclosure sale, but won't be bidding.
Three local men, Terry Collins, Joe Patak and Robert Gregory, said they hope to prevent the foreclosure sale. They have collaborated on a development plan for the Arcade focused on family entertainment including restaurants, a hotel, aquarium, nightclub, museums, art galleries and much more. Start to finish, that plan would cost in the range of $20 million to $25 million.
Collins, a local special effects designer and amusement industry consultant, was hired by Arcade owner Brownfield Charities, Inc., in 2005 to come up with a redevelopment concept for the buildings.
Gregory said the trio has secured about $19 million in private financing for the redevelopment work, but lack seed money to buy the complex, make it structurally safe and get it ready for redevelopment.
Phase 1 of this project, to be completed in 13 months, would also include a fitness center, coffee shop, a stage for live entertainment, bowling alley, billiard hall, amusement rides and meeting rooms.
"We feel it would be a shame for this building to fall into the hands of someone who might tear it down and turn it into a parking lot," Gregory said. "We're going to be working over the next two to three weeks to turn this around."
Brownfield Charities also can opt to pay the back taxes and avoid the tax lien sale.
Tony Staub, president of Brownfield, said he's actively courting buyers, but has no deal in hand.
"I feel helpless. There is nothing I can do to stop any of this and there's nothing I can do to move it along," he said.
A second sale will be held on March 26 if no sale is made March 12.
Properties up for bid in the Montgomery County Sheriff’s tax lien foreclosure sale March 12:
- 301-309 Troy Street, Dayton:$ 29,209.15
- 1325 Lamar Street, Dayton: $ 17,160.52 •28-30 West Third Street, Dayton: $ 615,106.02
- 3625 Wayne Avenue, Dayton: $ 37,680.77
- 2649 Windlow Drive, Huber Heights: $ 14,358.83
- 31 Bluecrest Avenue, Dayton: $ 13,475.64
- 4982 Queensbury Road, Huber Heights: $ 13,914.36 •340 Gebhart Church Road, Miamisburg: $ 28,273.61
- 724 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton: $ 26,074.42
- 1025 North James McGee Blvd., Dayton: $ 9,371.50
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2362 or josmith@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Emily
February 20, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
John says: The arcade is a thing of the past… no young person is interested in it.
I say: Wrong! I’m interested, I would go, and I would love it. So sorry that I brought the sun out onto your rainy parade.
And to the other people who say that Dayton is a dump: Why do you live here? You’re part of the problem! Be the change you want to see in the world… or do you actually prefer a perpetually decaying city?
By Ann
February 18, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
I would like to see a preservation trust formed where money could be donated and could be used to restore the Arcade. If Piqua could finally restore the old landmark hotel to a new use, surely Dayton and Montgomery County can restore the Arcade. Where is your pride? We don’t need to develop properties like the Greene. Redevelop the downtown. If I am going to walk around streets to shop, let it be downtown.
By Ann
February 18, 2009 9:07 PM | Link to this
The Arcade should definitely be saved! It should become a focal point of downtown Dayton. It should again have small boutiques and other small business in the “arcade” area from Third St. to the “dome” area. I went to HS, college, and worked downtown for many years. I have brought people to Dayton to see plays or other activities and they are appalled by the lack of retail businesses and restaurants downtown. Where do downtown workers eat or shop anymore? No sports Please!
By Marko
February 18, 2009 5:16 PM | Link to this
It seems to me that Dayton has already destroyed much of its historical buildings, so why not destroy it all!
I take it as a given that the current administration was elected by the voters and they’re getting just what they voted for.
However, before its all gone, some of you good people might want to read/watch “The Flight of the Creative Class” by Richard Flordia (www.researchchannel.org)and ask yourselves “Why needs to be done?”
By Daytonology
February 18, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
In a perfect world yes it should be saved, and would have been by now if it was elsewhere. This ensemble is irreplaceable architecture, but unfortunatley it is, after all, in Dayton, where the economic capacity doesn’t seem to work too well for adaptive reuse at this scale.
By Sandy
February 18, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
Move the bus terminal out of downtown and revitalize the arcade. Then people might want to go there.
By Lynn
February 18, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this
If they turn the arcade into 50 apartments it will draw , let’s say…100 people to downtown. If they turn it into a family entertainment site it will have the potential of drawing several million people over the 1st couple years. Where will all these people park? In the city’s parking garages! Where will they eat? buy gas? sleep? This is just what Dayton’s economy needs!
By Donald Duck
February 18, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
An interesting little vid. Shows a lot of the old buildings now gone. Remember downtown Dayton in 1970. youtube.com/watch?v=5bOMWdP7xI8
By Carl
February 18, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
And who would go downtown to get mugged. Tear it down quit living in the past. Dayton is nothing but a dump. Why waste money on a slum. Get used to it in 10 years DFayton will be nothung but a memory and a poor one at that
By m
February 18, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this
Do the Arcade, then Memorial Hall…no, do the Schuster first…then you could afford to keep the others.
By Old Bus
February 18, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this
I to have many fond memories of downtown Dayton in the 50s and 60s. Those days are gone. If they tear down the Arcade they might as well teardown whats left of this old town.
By M. Lou
February 18, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
Yes!! Save the Arcade building. Dayton is my home (I no longer live there)Dayton has destroyed most of its historical buildings - Roosevelt High School and other schools, Rike’s, NCR, all the old movie theaters and maybe, soon Memorial Hall. There are few places I can drive by when visiting and say I use to go there and….. Remember, we don’t know where we are going, unless we know where we have been!
By Larry
February 18, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this
If so many people want to save the Arcade and revitalize it, WHY don’t they?
Actions are more important to results than talking about what they would love to see. Get a group of investors together and buy this gem and revitalize it!
By $140,000
February 18, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
dowtown would be a nice place to go if the riff raff would stop hanging at 3rd and main st. the police need to keep it clear, if you are not getting on or off a bus, you should get a ticket for loitering.
By Barry
February 18, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this
how much “throwing good money after bad” is someone going to do on this money pit? there have been all kinds of discussion on what to do with it over the years, I think the best bet would be to get a bulldozer, level it, and to palnt a tree. maybe turn it into a parking lot for the new train system
By carol
February 18, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this
Yes it should be saved. Dayton has torn down to many nice old building already. The new center in town is nice but it does not represent the personality of Dayton. We are not a modern city by any means. What should be done is turn the upstairs areas back into apartments. The bottom area could house facilities for the tenants in the apartments, places to eat, small grocery store, hair dresser, dry cleaners. Thank smart other people that work in the Dayton downtown could use them also
By 2nd Shift
February 18, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
I worked on the 2nd floor in the office area for a Realty/Management company back in the early 80’s on 2nd shift!I loved the Arcade! Arcade Security & Dayton Police looked out for me working alone & so did the vendors working there! Made lots of great friends! & will never forget the fun times at Charley’s Raw Bar after work too!! Save this beautiful historic building!!
By John
February 18, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
The arcade is a thing of the past… no young person is interested in it.
No one will shop there because of the crime and unruley kids.
It is an old structure that has not been kept up… and it’s easy to say lets keep it and fix it… but the economic reality is that who ever puts money in it will loose it.
Its best to move on.
By Lynn
February 18, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this
An ice rink will only attract hockey fans. Instead of creating a “beacon of false hope” w/ a casino, this new plan will create hundreds of jobs and attract families and schools from Ohio, Kentucky and not to mention, become a tourist attraction. If we want to save Dayton we can’t think one dimensional!
By George
February 18, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this
I work downtown. I would live downtown if I could afford to. While the bus transfer area at 3rd and Main seems scary at times, the rest is relatively safe. Security was so intense in the Arcade the last time it was opened that you were questioned upon entering as to where you were going. The people who clean up and help around downtown are helping be the eyes of the police. Keep the Arcade alive! Can’t wait for the next Urban Nights!
By Anna
February 18, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
I’ll donate and probably others will if a Save The Arcade Fund is started.
By Ron in San Francisco
February 18, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this
Dayton MUST save the Arcade! It is a unique treasure that should be a cornerstone of downtown’s comeback. You don’t need fakery or faux classicism a la The Greene or Easton. Dayton has the real thing. Downtown was desolate during several visits (including with my family last year) and I keep reading about companies abandoning the city. Restoring the Arcade offers an opportunity to create a special attraction in a downtown sorely lacking a focus, let alone energy and excitement
By Anna
February 18, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
Yes, save the Arcade! America quit tearing down your history sites and history. Europe preserves its historic sites and just plain everyday living quarters. Its history for the next generations. Nothing can bring it back once its gone. It can be restored to its beauty. Dayton is a historic city. What will be left of the past if we let old buildings one by one get torn down. The Rike’s store building is down. Roosevelt School, Old first Dunbar High, Wogaman, E J Brown School.
By Dennis Kirwin
February 18, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
Absolutely! Save the arcade.
By ironmyke
February 18, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
It’s silly and completely inappropriate to be dealing with this problem in a tax lien auction. This isn’t some abandoned gas station. One might conclude that the area lacks visionary civic leadership willing or able to get together and build a plan and find and apply resources to reuse this unique architectural and historic gem. I wonder what John H. Patterson, Colonel Deeds, and Charles F. Kettering would think.
By gail
February 18, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
I say save the building, put apts in it and downstaris they can put in a groc store that reasonbile for the folks that live in there. thier is alot they can do. it would make great apts and give downtown what it needs. Its history and should not be destroied. Thats my opinion. they can put a movie theather in there that folks could go to and watch old movies at a cheapier price. they could put a dance place there. use your head. thier is lots they could do. not just use a wrecking ball
By Eve
February 18, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this
Jim (successfull downtown means people living downtown)???Huh??? Have you not seen all of the psuedo ‘downtowns’ popping up all over the place?? Easton, The Greene, Short North just to name a few. The Greene offers less than 8% of the functionality as housing, Easton and Short North 0, Zero, Zip Nada!!! It is the attractions not the living space that creates success (as measured in dollars). Housing only creates income once!! THIS Mom would bring her kids downtown for affordable activities.
By greener
February 18, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
first:put in a card playting casino only no slots no machines then one good eatery then all kinds of small shops,top off with schuttles for patrons from welcome stadium,and old patterson schl.lot split revenues with city,build the street vendors. sit back watch the city start to grow again.
By Frank
February 18, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
Jim, I am glad you responded. With the exception of Dragon’s Baseball (which is a seasonal attaraction)How many families participate in the things you mentioned? How many families can afford to load their children in their minivan weekly to visit the Schuster or the Victoria? The plan in the aforementioned blog reveals a plan to get FAMILIES (which are the foundation of ANY city) downtown consistently. Also, look at how many jobs will be created…Jim, I am sure you will be impressed.
By DsR
February 18, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this
Get rid of the bus stop at 3rd and main and dayton will be safer and people might spend an eveing downtown.
By Jim
February 18, 2009 10:55 AM | Link to this
Frank, There’s plenty to do downtown if you take the time to look. Victoria Theater, DPO, Human Race, Gillys, Dragons, DAI, Dayton Ballet, DCDC, etc…… The key to having a vibrant downtown is getting people to live downtown. It’s really that simple. I don’t know what the solution is for the Arcade, but the Casinos in Motown have been very successful.
By Eve
February 18, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
Zorya,
There is a way! For all of the things that you mentioned… and more!!
Check out the plan for it all here: thenewarcadedayton.blogspot.com/
By Zorya
February 18, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
The Arcade is a beautiful building and deserves a real chance for renovation and reuse. I think it would be a great multiuse building - small shops, apartments, office space and maybe a museum of the history of Dayton.
Surely there has to be a way.
By Frank
February 18, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this
For the people who want more living space downtown, who moves to an area where there is NOTHING to do?? And have you given thought to lugging your groceries to your value-priced apartments?? For the pessimists, don’t CHOOSE hopelessness and a lack of vision. Embrace the vision of the few who have it if you’re not capable, or move someplace else! Eve, saw the blog - WOW!! This could change the face of Dayton. They’ve thought of everything! Hooray for The New Arcade Dayton!
By Dixie Lady
February 18, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
Could it be an infrastructure project under the Stimulus? Know Shifler and others have expressed interest in saving the Arcade, but lack money.
It is a unique building- an indoor shopping mall way before that concept became popular- I have fond memories and would hate to see it torn down.
By Anne
February 18, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
I grew up in Dayton although marriage and the economy has taken me away, but my parents are still in Dayton and my father was a partner in the architectural firm for the renovation of the Arcade. I was thrilled to watch the Arcade return to a great place and am ashamed that Dayton let it fall into ruin again. Yes Dayton needs new things to bring the downtown back, but please keep site of the character that the old buildings provide. The Victoria was saved successfully save the Arcade too!
By Wordell
February 18, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
Daytonians: tear it all down. Start with The Arcade, then Courthouse Square, the Dayton Art Institute, Masonic Temple, move out to Carrilon Park, any surviving NCR buildings, The Wright Brothers House, remove the statue of John Patterson at Community Golf Course, the list is endless…so much fun for you all to remove the horrors of where you came from! Don’t lift a finger, in any way, to preserve your heritage. Remember that “change” consumes you, and it is good!
By mike
February 18, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
take down the arcade.its an eyesore.put in its place aoartments,with shops on the 1st floor.it would not be good idea to use it for ice hockey team,or anything else,due to the high maintance costs of operating an old building.
By Carl
February 18, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
And who would go to a crime infested downtown? Time moves on for crying out load. Tear it down and put in another parking lot or vacant lot. Dayton has plenty of both so it wouldn’t be different. Forget downtown already and move on and out.
By Eve
February 18, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
Some of us really want to see the city become an even greater place to live and work. Others are only offering lip service and comments intended to impress their friends, and themselves. Check out the blog these three guys have about their plans at thenewarcadedayton.blogspot.com See how this could really change Dayton!
By michaelndayton
February 18, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
Too bad there’s not a way to get an ice rink inside the arcade…or is there? I believe the only way to use the Arcade is for regional recreational (yes, maybe a casino) and value-priced apartments.
By ELW
February 18, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this
I was wishing I would have won the MegaMillions so I could have paid the back taxes and helped the guys who have plans for the Arcade. I remember it from when I was a 50-60’s child and when it reopened I took my children. I was privledged to be able to see the inside last year when they opened it and even in its present shape it’s still beautifulto me. An entertainment mecca is an excellent idea. Please save it!!
By daniel
February 18, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
they have wasted money before to save this! and it was a waste of money and most people dont like to go downtown its not safe when ever they control the blacks maybe things will change but look who runs the city and what is downtown and there is your answer !!!
By SAVETHEARCADENOW
February 18, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
YES, SAVE THE ARCADE! FOR IT’S HISTORIC VALUE. ALSO FOR IT’S BEAUTY! HELP TO DRAW PEOPLE BACK DOWNTOWN WITH THE PLANNED HOCKEY ARENA,5TH/3RD FIELD,RIVERSCAPE,& OTHER ARTS & ACTIVITIES.
By Luv-N-Dublin
February 18, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
And I forgot - Two words of Urban Salvation:
ICE RINK!!!!!
So long, God help you..
By Lynn
February 18, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
patty, maybe you should reread the article and look at the plans for the new arcade. These men ARE offering a SOLUTION! They aren’t asking for your money or the city’s money. Private investors most often obtain a greater return on their money from deals like this than from the stock market! Sounds like these men are offering this city life. I’m tired of driving to Cincinnati to get to the Childrens Museum and to Columbus to get to COSI. Dayton needs educational family entertainment!
By Luv-N-Dublin
February 18, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this
Wow, I’m glad I’m gone. Unfortunately, even in its heyday of redevelopment by Danis & 3D Arch, the arcade was only open about eight years with any vitality at all. Tony Staub is a great guy with a fantastic heart for Dayton (some say a sucker), but he bit off way more than he could ever hope to secure. Now, there’s an entire generation that have never been inside the place. Once again, the incompetence of city leaders drives another nail into the coffin that was downtown. Good luck folks.
By ken
February 18, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
56 year’s ago i used to pick up my paper’s on the 4th st. side of the arcade and holler them on the corner of third and main.later i got a journal herald route for frist st. and monument st. all the way to the water dept. all the way to the river at salem ave.I think i had 180 customer’s. i also picked the paper’s up on the east side of the arcade. It was a busy place then. Dayton destroyed itself by letting people go shoping out of the city .They called it progress b.s.I think it we should save
By Patty
February 18, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
“It’s too bad, but throwing money at a problem isn’t a solution.” That’s what TARP and the “stimulus” bill is. Get on board of course throwing money at the problem is the solution. Who cares if it works, it’s just the solution.
By jt
February 18, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this
I’ve been living in Dayton for over 35 years. I don’t think a year has gone by without some disccusion on the fate of the Arcade. Yes…open for a time. Yes…unique. No…of no value to anyone. Ah…the memories…take it down! The only application might have been a casino. It would make a great crib for all the “gangstas” in the Gem City…Take it down!
By Mike
February 18, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
A city is identified by many things. One which gives Dayton it’s personality were and are buildings like the old Arcade. By losing those unique facades so goes the city’s own unique design and history. I grew up in Dayton and having travelled throughout the US, few cities can match Dayton’s history and identity to such grand old structures. Please do not allow another piece of Dayton’s history to be lost.
By People, not buildings make a city!
February 18, 2009 7:52 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t wait to move to Dayton from Cincy on 4/6/2002 for a job, knowing that the city was dying. Why? Because it’s the people that makes a city, not the buildings. Greater Cincy, where I grew up has some beautiful architecture and more to do but, the people (regardless of race, color or creed) have such a “snooty” attitude. I love the people of Greater Dayton because to me, they’re basically just “folks” (regardless of race, color or creed). I have no intentions to move back to Cincy.
By johnny
February 18, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this
what a shame, the city of Dayton is the 5th emptiest city in the nation and if that is not bad enough. why not let the the mayor and her phony city workers bring Dayton to the no. 1 spot on the most emptiest city, they are doing a great job at it now.
By Duh
February 18, 2009 6:40 AM | Link to this
Yea it needs to be saved. How can the city continue to grow without old buildings that no one wants to occupy and are a maintainece headache and are a b***h to heat. I dont want to own a building thats cheap to occupy, I want something that my employees will love to look at as they walk inside. Take a picture, and knock it down and put something that will attract jobs. If you want to see old buildings, goto the museum.
By M.D. Austing
February 18, 2009 6:09 AM | Link to this
I grew up in Dayton where my father, G.L. Austing, and my uncle, LaMar Springer (the Arcade was HIS beat, were Dayton police officers. I can remember the excitement when I was permitted to ride the #7 bus from Kathleen Ave & Siebenthaler all the way downtown by myself as a young child to attend movies (there were 5 movie theaters at the time) and go shopping at Rike’s or just walk the streets. Wouldn’t even dream of trying that now as a 60 year old man.
By concerned_resident
February 18, 2009 5:29 AM | Link to this
What happened? Lack of adequate planning and cooperation with area companies. The Mayor’s comments on job losses - she couldn’t pronounce the company’s name, MeadWestvaco, second occasion, when two companies closed their doors, she talked how the coming year was going to be great because we have two bridges completed. Please, no job = no car = who needs a bridge? We need leadership that will actually lead by working with IT and green manufacturing companies to locate here. Just my 2 cents.
By Terry
February 18, 2009 4:25 AM | Link to this
I lived in Dayton also and remember the Arcade. The Forum cafeteria was there, I think, with counter and fountain service, (remember the phosphates?), many other interesting vendors. Went to Fairview. Dayton was a very busy place, but all is gone. There was lots of industry that gave people jobs, Frigidaire, Chrysler Airtemp, McCall’s, Precision Rubber, Delco. That’s what fueled the town, Rike’s, Beerman’s, Elder’s, all gone. Industry is in China now. Bye Dayton, I loved you….. Try and return.
By TheDonald
February 18, 2009 2:54 AM | Link to this
“What has happened to the GEM CITY??????”
In a nutshell - Dayton’s demise was caused by globalization and offshoring. Plus a hardened attitude in the Dayton area of “remembering” the past but doing nothing for the future. A city has had to be nimble and progressive in the past 30 years to even tread water. And Dayton’s people and local culture are neither of these things. Dayton couldn’t compete, due to local mediocrity of thought, plain and simple.
By MAC
February 18, 2009 2:37 AM | Link to this
My only knowledge of Dayton was from 1996 until 2000 while stationed @ WPAFB and on return trips since then. By & large I remember downtown Dayton & the surrounding area as a crime infested dump. However, I really liked attending the Dragons & Children’s theater. And, redevelopment of the river,Wright Bros bicycle shop,new performing arts center & Sinclair CC is nice. It’s a shame more can’t be done to grow these areas together. Dayton + invention patents=Dayton COSI?
By sidekick
February 18, 2009 12:49 AM | Link to this
Dear Joan: When you were growning up in the Gem City. Dayton was real, the real old school. Over the past 40 years, the leadership has changed. Now, downtown is no longer the world we remember. The so called leaders of our Gem City have sold us out long ago. What do they care, all they know is the local, state and federal pay check. That is their world. Sorry to the one to tell you Joan. But, things change… what happened to the Gem City… I guess I am to blame, for letting it fade away
By humm
February 18, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this
well looks like a new parking lot soon ? but wait this city is dieing hummmm ??
By Realistic
February 17, 2009 11:11 PM | Link to this
Once again the discussion of saving the arcade has come up again. It failed when it was reopened in the late 1970s & early eighties & things are worse down there now than they were then. What are they going to do, kick all the riff raff out of downtown. Other than the Dragons, downtown Dayton offers nothing. The Schuster & the Victoria don’t really offer relevant & affordable entertainment for the average family. Opera, ballet, broadway? Give me a break!
By Mark W
February 17, 2009 11:01 PM | Link to this
I moved to Dayton in 1986. Downtown had Lazarus, Elder-Beerman and several stores. There was talk then about how to save the Arcade, but I didn’t really know anything about it. Today, most downtown retail is gone, Dayton has lost lots of people and jobs, there’s no spare money, and yet folks are still fretting about the Arcade. I have no memories of the Arcade’s heyday. To me it is a symbol of the city’s inability to get much of anything done. Dayton has bigger problems to address today.
By urban_girl75
February 17, 2009 10:44 PM | Link to this
I believe the Arcade should be saved, but the taxes should also be forgiven. If someone with a vision can buy the Arcade without having to pay someone else’s back taxes maybe then can the Arcade once again become the beautiful building it once was.
By Stacy Law
February 17, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this
Whoops…I meant Paul Leonard, who was mayor of Dayton, not Dick Celeste. (Minnie Fells Johnson worked for Gov. Celeste, when she did her dastardly deeds before coming to Dayton to wreck the RTA.)
By Stacy Law
February 17, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this
Memories. I love memories as much as anybody, but memories are not going to save Dayton. We have nothing but memories because no one has charted and led us to the future. We became the city of Dick Celeste, Rhine McLin and Minnie Fells Johnson - people who spent our surpluses and allowed the core of the city to rot. We need to stop driving by looking in the rear-vie mirror.
We need to start with a new Mayor and new City Commission.
By Hugh Nuts
February 17, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
Just let it go people, time keeps going.
By painfultruth
February 17, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this
My father was manager of the arcade in the early 1960’s. Even then, he saw the beginning of the end of downtown Dayton. It’s too bad, but throwing money at a problem isn’t a solution. Downtown Dayton is a ghost town at best. The flight to suburbia sealed its fate, and this is a natural progression. Dayton isn’t New York or Chicago or San Francisco. It’s not a “destination town”. The death of industry has caused the death of Dayton. Game over…
By doug
February 17, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this
AS THE DAYTON PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM DECLINED, SO DID THE CITY’S WEALTH AND PRESTIGE!!
By Joan
February 17, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this
Yes, downtown Dayton was a destination when I was growing up. We would take the bus down town and spend the day at Elders and Rikes and go to the movies at Keiths or Lowes and walk thru McCrory’s to the Arcade. Such good memories. I worked in the DP&L Bulding at 25 N. Main. I drive thru town now and cry. What has happened to the GEM CITY??????