The report emphasized new collaborations, initiatives, investments and redevelopment activities, as well as positive economic trends. The report draws attention to the city’s priorities, including knocking down eyesores, providing funding to encourage private investment and engaging with community members to gather their input.
“It was a vision we had for the community, and so we wanted to give an update on how we’re doing with it,” Whaley said.
On the campaign trail in 2013, Whaley released “A Road Map to Growing the New Dayton,” a 32-page document explaining her plan as mayor for economic rejuvenation and revitalizing the city.
The road map called for leveraging community assets and forging more partnerships to grow the local economy.
It recommended focusing on removing blight, promoting an active lifestyle, improving safety, connecting destinations and neighborhoods, and offering incentives for rehabilitating and reusing vacant properties.
Whaley said there has been a lot of good news in Dayton.
The city’s unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in November, the lowest since at least 1983, according to the most recent state labor data.
Fuyao Glass America Inc. announced last year it was creating 800 new jobs at the former GM plant in Moraine, which could help some unemployed Daytonians find work. The company days ago committed to hiring nearly twice as many workers.
The $45 million Water Street development project broke ground last year, which will create more than 200 apartment units and new commercial space. A development firm in Kentucky announced plans to create a hip entertainment district near the Oregon Historic District, beginning with the transformation of an old manufacturing facility into housing.
In May, the Cincinnati-Dayton region was one of 12 communities nationwide to win a coveted “manufacturing communities” designation from the federal government, potentially worth millions in funding for high-tech industries.
The city also knocked down 540 abandoned structures in the last two years. The city spent $6.6 million to level 836 housing units and 170 garages, the report says.
Last year, the city transferred about 243 abandoned properties through its Lot Links program, which seeks to return the properties to productive use. That was up from 147 in 2013.
Whaley said her road map focuses on improving the quality of life in Dayton. She said residents need decent jobs and good homes or apartments. They need to feel safe and connected to the community, and they need to have fun things to do.
In regards to recreation, the city pledged more than $550,000 last year to resurfacing outdoor courts at eight parks. It also contributed $250,000 to help the bike-share program downtown, which launches in the spring.
And the city provided $50,000 for 14 neighborhood projects, including streetscape upgrades and greenhouse and garden improvements.
This year, the city has committed to investing $15 million in infrastructure upgrades, including repairs to Smithville Road, Keowee Street and some residential roads, as well as new bike ramps and bus stops, the report said.
The city is trying to clean up its neighborhoods by installing cameras in popular areas for illegal dumping, the report states.
The city supported sustainable living by providing water service lines to 10 community gardens and assisting with water payments for 22 gardens. The city also partnered with The Ohio State University Extension to support urban agriculture.
The road map said the city needed to capitalize on local assets to create and retain jobs. Assets included the Dayton International Airport, the underground water aquifer, the manufacturing base, the greater downtown, the health and education campuses and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Whaley admitted that the city needs to work on better connecting Wright-Patt to Dayton and attracting base-related jobs to Tech Town and other offices downtown.
Commissioner Matt Joseph praised Whaley’s first year in office, saying she has been a strong leader who has helped form partnerships with businesses and other jurisdictions to benefit workforce development.
Joseph said she went into the community to meet with residents and businesses to learn about their needs and start a line of dialogue.
“It’s been a good year,” he said.
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