Vacant Trotwood shopping center declared nuisance property

Mike Zhang, an investor with National Eagle, said in June the company plans to rehabilitate the weathered property with the hope of attracting new business to the city.

But half a year later, city officials are frustrated at the apparently sluggish pace of the renovation project, further asserting the 275,000-square-foot retail strip is a public nuisance.

“They had promised that they were going to revitalize and redevelop the property, and they’ve done nothing to date that makes me or the community happy,” City Manager Quincy Pope said.

The larger Consumer Square buildings set back from the road present a nearly quarter-mile long facade of empty, damaged and boarded storefronts. Only the ghostly outline of past signs for Office Depot, Shoe Carnival and others overlook a massive weedy parking lot.

According to Pope, the city has issued multiple property maintenance violations to the developer, dating back to August, to very little effect. The site has since been declared a nuisance property by the city’s property maintenance board, Pope said.

Properties can be declared a public nuisance based on several criteria, including for dilapidating physical condition and issues on the premises that risk the safety and wellbeing of the surrounding community.

Code violation documents issued by the city to Zhang and his development company, copies of which were obtained by this newspaper, indicate several areas of concern.

The city cited lack of structural integrity in windows, door frames, and roofs on the shopping strip, as well as unmaintained interiors, mechanical and electrical deficiencies, and an accumulation of garbage on the site.

But Zhang contends some work has been completed on the site and that he intends to complete the redevelopment project as originally planned.

“Work is still on going,” Zhang said in a recent email to Dayton Daily News. “Progresses have been made, (a)nd it would take a lot more time and effort to complete the work the ways it should be.”

Zhang said he’s had several business owners inquire about leasing space in the shopping center once the renovations are completed.

So far, confirmed businesses coming to the center include Royal Grand Health Care Services, Majesty Banquet Hall, and Ella Mae’s Broaster Hut, Zhang shared.

“It would be great if the city of Trotwood could have a special zoning variance for this center,” Zhang reflected. “We have people inquiring spaces for church, daycares, trampoline park, and many other usages and they are not allowed to be here for some reason.”

Yet, the city is firm in its stance that issues on the property are not being addressed in a timely manner.

“I don’t believe we’re getting the cooperation that we’re looking for and I’m looking to vigorously fight for and pursue getting this place either demolished or revitalized,” Pope said. “If Mr. Zhang wants to revitalize like he promised he would do, then yes, we’ll work with him. But, to date, that hasn’t happened.”

Pope said officials are also frustrated about community perception of the issue.

“People drive by there and believe that the city has something to do with the state of the site, when we are really doing everything we can to mitigate that property,” he said.