Workshop to detail vision for fairgrounds site

The Dayton community is invited to attend an interactive workshop detailing progress toward creating a community-minded vision for the former Montgomery County fairgrounds from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the fairgrounds Coliseum. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Premier Health and the University of Dayton purchased the 38-acre property on Dayton’s South Main Street last year, and launched a planning process to create a vision for its development to serve both anchor institutions’ missions, contribute to the region’s economic growth and address community needs.

At the event, planning NEXT, the Columbus firm managing the planning process for the two institutions will share more about the shape of the overall vision and key principles for the overall development of the site distilled from ideas contributed by community members last fall.

Premier Health President and CEO Mary Boosalis and University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina said they look forward to checking in with the community and hearing how well those principles capture what was heard from the community through the planning process. They said they are pleased with the process so far and the spirit of collaboration with community partners.

During the planning process, more than 42 community groups and more than 600 people generated more than 1,300 distinct ideas. The partners expect to complete the planning process this spring and begin working with development and community partners to put together the pieces necessary to begin the first phase, including financing, for a multiyear, phased development.

To RSVP for the workshop and learn more about the project, including input from community members, visit www.FairgroundstoFuture.org.