ROCK PIQUA CONCERT SERIES:
June 14: Eric Jerardi Band
June 28: Clark Manson
July 26: Nashville Crush
Piqua city officials hope a new summer concert series will bring awareness to the Great Miami River coordidor, an area local leaders believe is prime for economic growth in the region.
“We think Piqua has some really special things to offer and want to be able to celebrate that and highlight it for all the people who might be interested,” said Chris Schmiesing, city planner for Piqua.
Rock Piqua!, which will take place at Lock Nine Park over a series of dates in June and July, will feature up-and-coming musicians and aims to bring a variety of people to the region.
“I think it’s a game changer for the city of Piqua,” said Joe Drapp, who said he owned two buildings the city recently purchased as part of the city’s riverfront redevelopment project. “I’m hoping that people who do have the means will step up and realize this is a great opportunity for the city.”
City leaders have plans to redevelop the Lock Nine Park area by re-purposing several vacant buildings and surrounding properties along the waterway.
Schmiesing said the city hopes they can bring a restaurant, living areas and other recreational activities to the redeveloped part of the city.
Piqua City Manager Gary Huff said the city has acquired grants totally $400,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to assessments at sites in the riverfront area and at other locations in the city.
Schmiesing hopes local, regional and national developers will see the riverfront’s potential and join the city’s efforts to revitalize the section of land.
Montgomery County leaders said they are excited for what the river could bring to the region.
“We have an urban community that’s built out on the river,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Foley. “We think this 99 miles of corridor from Sidney down to Hamilton is really going to drive jobs.
The riverfront redevelopment project in Piqua is just the latest river-based project occurring in the Miami Valley.
The city of Dayton broke ground on its latest riverfront development in March with the start of construction for the Water Street District on the corner of Patterson Blvd. and Monument Avenue in downtown.
Officials said 190 residential units, two commercial buildings and a parking structure are part of the Water Street District plans.
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