“This really is a gathering, a conversation, a grass roots movement. Anybody concerned that our cities don’t die is welcome,” said Benkendorf, executive director of Involvement Advocacy and a co-organizer of the event. “You don’t have to be from one of the cities on the list to attend.”
The Dayton event marks the one-year anniversary of a Forbes.com article that declared Dayton; Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown; Buffalo, N.Y.; Charleston, W. Va.; Detroit; Flint, Mich; Scranton, Pa.; and Springfield, Mass., as the 10 fastest dying cities in America.
The event is free and open to the public. To register or volunteer, visit: www.tenlivingcities.org.
Benkendorf said the symposium has attracted representatives ranging from city officials to community activists. They’ll be discussing a variety of challenges to urban living: public health, education, non-profits, vacant land management, housing.
Michael Gainer, founder and chief of operations for the New York-based, non-profit Buffalo ReUse, will make a presentation on a creative way to deal with blighted housing that also grows jobs.
“We’re eager to get there and share what we are doing and hear what is working for other communities,” said Gainer, founder and chief of operations for Buffalo ReUse. “We hear all the bad stories from outsider perspectives who don’t understand the treasure Buffalo is. It’s reassuring to know there are others struggling with the same things.”
Buffalo ReUse focuses on ways to rid the city of some 12,000 to 15,000 vacant structures. The organization not only demolishes buildings, but reclaims and resells materials from the structures, in addition to using the experience for job training. The venture has resulted in a start-up demolition company and a low-cost materials supply store.
“I can assure you, there are strong efforts going on in all the communities to go down a new path,” Gainer said.
One of the event organizers, Damon Sink, believes the arts are a great way for cities to show they are vibrant.
“We just want to meet people, share ideas,” Sink said. “The arts are a great way to show people we’re not dead.”
The symposium-sponsored photo contest has gleaned more than 100 entries, all featuring unique perspectives from the 10 cities. Organizers would like to frame winning photos, but will more likely feature them in a slide presentation during the symposium to limit the cost.
On Saturday night, participants and the public have an opportunity to sample poetry and music from the “living cities” at events in Dayton’s Historic Oregon District.
Jazzy Java, 438 E. Fifth St., will host the symposium’s 7 p.m. poetry slam with the theme “Give Them Something to Talk About.”
“All the poets will present original work. A lot has to do with issues we’re all facing as a city, the economy, politics, race, urban life,” organizer Teresa Perretta said.
The Poetry Slam will be followed by live music beginning at 9 p.m. at Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.
Dayton musician Ben Rivet of BJSR will kick off the entertainment that also features the Youngstown band ZOU and Canton-based Sasquatch Can Sing.
“This is the beginning of something,” Sink said. “We hope this will be a kickoff for a Living Cities artists tour.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2362 or josmith@Dayton DailyNews.com.
About the Author