Dayton/Miami Valley, OH

Client: Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC), COUNTY CORP (a regional housing intermediary), and the Greater Dayton Mayors and Managers Association

Team of experts: Joe Schilling, Virginia Tech’s Metropolitan Institute, Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, Jessica Cogan-Millman, Smart Growth Leadership Institute; Dan Kildee, Genesee County Treasurer and Director of the Genesee Institute

Description of work:

In October 2004, the NVPC study team made its preliminary site assessment of the vacant properties policies, programs, and laws of Dayton and its surrounding core suburban communities (e.g., Kettering, Trotwood, Fairborn, Riverside, West Carrollton). The assessment team met with over 50 different individuals representing key stakeholders in vacant property revitalization, such as city council members, department directors, inspectors, academics, CDC directors, bankers, and foundation officials. On the evening of the third day, the assessment team presented its preliminary findings to an audience of over 75 local residents and public officials.

In December 2004, John Kromer and Joe Schilling met with the Miami Valley assessment advisory group to review the team’s preliminary report outline. They also made a presentation about the team’s findings at the Miami Valley land use planning conference. Approximately 65 planners, local government officials, and nonprofit groups from throughout Ohio attended the conference session.

In March 2005, Joe Schilling returned to brief the MVRPC Board and staff (approximately 50 local elected officials) and the board and leadership of COUNTY CORP about the final report and its release slated for May. Schilling also made a presentation of preliminary recommendations to a newly formed regional network of community development and housing practitioners from throughout the region.

In early May 2005, the assessment team comleted the final assessment report, Reinventing Dayton and the Miami Valley through Vacant Property Revitalization and Reclamation.

Since the release of the report:

On July 13th, 2005, Joe Schilling, John Kromer, and Dan Kildee, presented the final assessment report at an official kick-off event before more than 75 public officials, business leaders, and civic/nonprofit groups.

Who might find this report helpful: Reinventing Dayton is the Campaign’s most in-depth assessment report to date, covering such topics as code enforcement, land banking, information systems, and revising comprehensive plans. The report provides public officials and practitioners with a policy blueprint for waging their own regional campaign against vacant properties. Beyond the actual report, the assessment team wrote seven supplemental chapters that correspond to the report’s six major policy themes. These supplemental chapters highlight several model programs and initiatives from other cities throughout the country.