UD and Premier do not yet have specific plans for the property but will gather community feedback and will be thoughtful and deliberate as they develop a vision and revitalization proposal for the site, officials said.
“This is an important — but by no means final — step in the redevelopment of this landmark property,” said UD President Eric Spina in a statement.
RELATED: Fairgrounds purchase approved
In December, UD and Premier announced they would join forces to buy the county fairgrounds.
The institutions later signed a purchase agreement that provided a due diligence period to allow them to inspect the property and make other inquiries and preparations.
The groups opted to extend the due diligence period past the original Feb. 28 purchase deadline.
On Monday, UD and Premier announced they are moving forward with buying the property.
RELATED: Deal struck to sell fairgrounds to UD, hospital system
County records indicate they will each pay about $5.25 million for the fairgrounds.
The Dayton-Montgomery County Port Authority will chip in $2.5 million in state grant funding. The county also has agreed to give $2 million to the buyers to preserve and restore the fairgrounds’ historic roundhouse building.
UD and Premier for months have insisted that they were moving forward with buying the fairgrounds, even though at least one unusual issue cropped up.
The state commission with authority over the former Miami-Erie Canal property at the fairgrounds no longer exists, and transferring the canal lands required the signatures of Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Secretary of State Jon Husted and Auditor Dave Yost.
RELATED: Kasich approves fairgrounds land transfer
But all three state leaders signed and the issue has been resolved. UD and Premier are committed to developing a vision for the property that serves the missions of both institutions while being “mindful” of community needs, said Spina.
The partners will ensure the property contributes to the rebirth of Dayton’s core, said Mary Boosalis, president and CEO of Premier Health.
“Whatever the ultimate plan for the property, we know its use will be consistent with our organization’s mission to improve the health of the communities we serve,” she said.
RELATED: County fairgrounds finds new home in Jefferson Twp.
UD and Premier will not take possession of the property until October in part to avoid interfering with the final Montgomery County Fair at the site, which will be held July 10 to 15.
The Dayton Horse Show’s final event at the fairgrounds is scheduled for Aug. 2 to 5.
The annual fair’s new home is the 130-acre Judge Arthur O. Fisher Park in Jefferson Twp. The county fair board hopes to host the fair at the new location in the summer of 2018.
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