Coalition, foundation ready to move south to new UD building

The entrance to the new building at 1401 S. Main St., Dayton. THOMAS GNAU/STAFF

The entrance to the new building at 1401 S. Main St., Dayton. THOMAS GNAU/STAFF

Move-in time has arrived for the new home of the Dayton Development Coalition and the Dayton Foundation.

In coming weeks, the foundation, the coalition and the University of Dayton’s (UD) Fitz Center for Leadership in Community will move into their new shared building at 1401 S. Main St.

The process will unfold beginning Friday through mid-September, the university said in a joint release with the other organizations.

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“Collaboration is the way the Dayton community gets things done and our hope is that the new building can be a front porch where the entire community, can gather and come together to create exciting new opportunities for community and economic development,” UD President Eric F. Spina said in the release.

The foundation plans to move in starting Friday and will be ready for business the following Tuesday, while the Fitz Center will follow in September.

The coalition plans its move in next week and will be open for business the day after Labor Day.

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The new building places coalition offices near the $51-million GE Aviation EPIScenter and the $35-million Emerson Helix Innovation Center.

“The DDC will join some of our region’s best success stories in greater downtown,” said Jeff Hoagland, the coalition’s president and chief executive. “As we work to recruit businesses to the Dayton region, our new location will give our clients, our economic development partners, and our local community a place to collaborate and shape our region’s future.”

Both the coalition and the foundation are leaving Stratacache Tower downtown.

The 38,000-square-foot, brick two-story office and academic building offers increased office space and shared meeting space and is on track to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver accreditation, according to Joe Mitolo, project manager.

Mitolo said a solar array on the roof will boost the building’s energy efficiency and help power the building and its mechanical systems, such as its light-harvesting system. The landscaping is composed of Ohio and native plants.

“The entire building is designed to be open, light-filled, welcoming and encourage collaboration,” UD said.

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