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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.
Scott Elliott is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He writes about education, city and suburban issues, politics, business, workforce and consumer issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > March > 24 > Entry
Editorial: Let’s see business plan for the Arcade
The new owners of the Arcade say they’re looking for $5 million worth of help from the Dayton community.
Totally not shocking, but they have the cart before their horse.
Gunther Berg, one of the two owners, dropped that expectation recently, even before he has shopped around his business plan.
Officials at the City of Dayton, CityWide Development Corp., Montgomery County and the Downtown Dayton Partnership
haven’t seen his financial calculations and projections. Without that information, they can’t possibly entertain putting up public money, offering other forms of help or even vouching for the project’s viability.
Making matters worse — from a public-relations perspective — Mr. Berg and his partner, Wendell Strutz, haven’t paid their property tax bills on the complex since they bought it at a sheriff’s sale a year ago. They now insist that debt will be paid.
Mr. Berg is unquestionably dedicated to creating a workable development plan. Passionate and sincere, he deserves to be taken at his word that he’s making progress lining up investors.
That said, Mr. Berg and Mr. Strutz have to be sensitive to the fact that the architectural showpiece is in their hands today because the last owner didn’t pay his taxes. The wider public doesn’t have a clue if Mr. Berg and Mr. Strutz are in as far over their heads as the last owner, or if they’re the right people showing up at the right time.
The two men have bitten off a risky, immensely complicated project. If bringing the Arcade out of mothballs were a simple proposition, it would already have happened. Others before these developers have been as impressed about the complex’s craftsmanship and the place it holds in Dayton’s history.
Assume for a minute that Mr. Berg and Mr. Strutz have arrived at the right formula for success, but they’re $5 million short. Everyone who’s ever looked at the Arcade has said that making the numbers work would require a public subsidy, and $5 million matches some previous estimates.
More important, if they’re successful in lining up out-of-town or out-of-country investors, those people, of course, will want to know that the Dayton community is also committed to the project. If individuals outside of Dayton are going to assume financial risk for making over downtown’s so-called living room, this community should be springing for something.
The skepticism that Mr. Berg and Mr. Strutz are encountering is not personal; ironically enough, it’s historical. The best of intentions and bold plans have gone badly multiple times before.
The men also happen to be coming along at possibly the worst time for risky economic development projects, even as this also is a time when there’s a resurgence of interest, especially among the younger generations, about working and living in downtowns.
Denying that resurgence or assuming it’s not relevant in Dayton because we’re not Washington, D.C., New York or Chicago is a mistake.
Dayton is, indeed, lucky to have the interest of Mr. Berg and Mr. Strutz. They could take their investor contacts and their time and engage elsewhere. Though they obviously have an eye — and heart — for remarkable historic architecture, there is no shortage of places that need the attention of people who believe in the power and worth of such buildings.
Still, with all due respect, Mr. Berg and Mr. Strutz have more work and more disclosure to do before they can insist on community partners ponying up.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: City of Dayton, Editorials, Ellen Belcher
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By karon
March 24, 2010 9:19 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to have a downtown to visit! Suburbs are boring and nothing to do!
By r
March 25, 2010 1:51 AM | Link to this
very outdated specialized building..tear it down..you cannot afford the memeories
By David Esrati
March 25, 2010 7:29 AM | Link to this
Amazing- almost a week later- the DDN editorial board agrees- business plan first- then money: http://esrati.com/another-5-million-for-arcade-nope/4576/ But, what I’d still like to know is how Tom Danis got to buy our investment for only $36K so many years ago? It’s time we started really digging into things like this.
By Paul
March 25, 2010 8:05 AM | Link to this
Why would anyone invest in Dayton? Just look at all of the news taking place in the City of Dayton recently. The biggest advocate of downtown investment, anti-sprawl and the declaration that South Park is the greatest neighborhood has had his house AND business broken into TWICE in the past year. No wonder the arcade investors are having problems raising money.
By David Esrati
March 25, 2010 9:27 AM | Link to this
Amazing- almost a week later- the DDN editorial board agrees- business plan first- then money: http://esrati.com/another-5-million-for-arcade-nope/4576/ But, what I’d still like to know is how Tom Danis got to buy our investment for only $36K so many years ago? It’s time we started really digging into things like this.
By Dayton fan
March 25, 2010 9:39 AM | Link to this
Paul - I agree with you. For someone who yells at the DDN for being so negative - he proudly broadcasts and details his multiple break-ins in his City of Dayton neighborhood. Take care of the basics Dayton and stop promoting taxes as the answer to everything and maybe people will come back and support City of Dayton assets like the arcade. People just seem to want to ignore reality, logic and the basic belief that people can actually choose where to live and work. People are increasingly choosing not to live and work in Dayton.
By David Esrati
March 25, 2010 9:46 AM | Link to this
Correction to “Paul”- house broken into once- Office broken into once, vandalized 2x- one major- front window break- other- minor - spray paint on windows. Note- cops caught burglars at office within 2 hours.
By Steve Alstott
March 25, 2010 11:26 AM | Link to this
Lived in Butler Township for 16 years - 0 break-ins. Worked in Vandalia for 10 years - 0 issues of vandalism. Just saying. Thanks for keeping us updated on the random and consistent crime in Dayton. I do hope Dayton turns it around and gems like the Arcade and Courthouse House Square area are successful.
By Thanks for clarifying....
March 25, 2010 3:25 PM | Link to this
I am glad that the definition of multiple break-ins is less than three. For Dayton to ever have a chance, people need to be certain that they are safe in a community. Two break-ins in a year is very disturbing. Thanks for bringing the crime issue to our attention in astonishing detail and also the added bonus of video! It are scenes like this that make it difficult for the City of Dayton to even have a chance to be successful on projects like the Arcade.
By David Esrati
March 25, 2010 5:56 PM | Link to this
Maybe if the politicians stopped spending our tax dollars on helping their “Developer” friends- we’d not have sprawled, not be financing billion dollar companies like Teradata and Cintas- and actually be able to afford to take care of what we have. Up until last year- never had a problem in Dayton. Maybe when you take 100 cops off the street- and keep electing a prosecutor who doesn’t do his job- you start having a crime problem? Is not publicizing the problem the solution? I hardly think so. If you think this won’t spread to the suburbs, you are highly mistaken. The arcade is NOT a place for tax dollar investment- not until basic services are taken care of. Note- Oakwood had a rash of burglaries too-
By fortressdayton
March 26, 2010 9:01 AM | Link to this
Until Dayton gets itself under both fiscal and physical control (crime issues) any large business investments are premature and most likely doomed. Asheville, NC underwent a downward spiral until they took drastic measures, many of them very controversial, including moving a lot of ‘undesirables’ out of the city limits, as well as aggressively tackling housing issues. It will take extreme measures here as well.
By Washington Township
March 27, 2010 2:26 PM | Link to this
Ashville aslo managed to sucessfully redevelop their downtown Arcade. If a relatively small city like Ashville can do it, so can Dayton.
By Washington Township
March 27, 2010 2:28 PM | Link to this
Ashville aslo managed to sucessfully redevelop their downtown Arcade. If a relatively small city like Ashville can do it, so can Dayton.
By Riverside Fool
March 29, 2010 8:05 AM | Link to this
Funny how alot of comments come from the “burbs” and not from people who work or live downtown. The “burbs” have contributed in a large way to alot of perceptions about Downtown.
By RICHARD FLORIDA
April 2, 2010 9:10 PM | Link to this
DDN SUCKS @ss!!
By RICHARD FLORIDA
April 2, 2010 9:10 PM | Link to this
DDN SUCKS @ss!!
By -IT'S GREAT IN DAYTON
April 3, 2010 8:19 AM | Link to this
Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————
By -IT'S GREAT IN DAYTON
April 3, 2010 8:19 AM | Link to this
Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————Downtown Dayton is a financial abyss. Money goes in, nothing comes out. Bulldozers and wrecking balls are the only answer.———————————————
By GladImGone
April 22, 2010 11:42 AM | Link to this
David: Tom Danis got the building for 36k because no one (let me repeat that) NO ONE wanted it. After he was vilified enough, he folded his tent and went to Naples. Tom invested in the downtown (Riverplace), the community (Trailsend) and basically was only cr@pped on. You’ve done so much better in his absence, huh?