While the development, situated at the northeast corner of the new Austin Interchange at I-75 and Austin Boulevard, will include retail and restaurants, Sample said it is designed to convey economic progress in the Dayton area.
The commission approved the latest version of the plan, with the developer required to make minor modifications.
No timetable is set on its final approval.
Sample said project plans call for high-tech structures along the highway-facing side of the development to blend with the tree-canopy campuses of MetLife and Lexis-Nexis to the north and with development to the opposite side of I-75, where the new proton cancer treatment center and Motoman facilities are planned.
The plan also includes a hotel and entertainment venues on the site.
“We’re in a new market, in a new economy,” he said. “We’re not trying to steal tenants from the Dayton Mall and relocate them to our site.”
Sample said he sees Austin Landing as the “southern anchor to the Dayton Mall retail area.” He said RG Properties is meeting with retail users from outside the Dayton market.
“There won’t be any anchor retailers, because they don’t work economically,” he said. “We’re looking at shadow retailers. You won’t see any dollar stores or Holiday Inn Expresses or Speedways.”
He said RG Properties is seeking merchants in the same arena as a wholesale store such as Costco or Cabela’s, an outdoor store.
In addition to office buildings, some retail and restaurants, Sample said Austin Landing will have two or three parking garages instead of sprawling parking lots.
He said the site will connect with area biking trails and include a pedestrian plaza, green space, a gas station and possibly some residential development.
About the Author