Jail, water, parks on 2021 to-do list
In 2020, voters rejected a sales tax increase to help fund a new, bigger facility for inmates.
Greene County plans to spend 2021 focusing on finding a solution for the aging jail in downtown Xenia, upgrading the county water system and improving county parks.
The county hired consulting firm HDR to do a jail needs assessment that wrapped up in 2019.
Based on what the jail needs assessment found, the county asked Greene County voters for a sales tax increase to help fund a new, bigger jail. Greene County residents rejected the tax hike in 2020.
A new facility would have replaced the 50-year-old jail in downtown Xenia. It would have combined the jail and the sheriff’s office. The facility has had roof leaks, been inhabited by bats and has areas that are in danger of collapsing, Sheriff Gene Fischer said.
“We’ve had bats, we’ve had bugs, we’ve had mice,” Fischer said.
The proposed 500-bed facility would have cost an estimated $70 million to build. Fischer said a similar facility is currently being built in Warren County. And a smaller version of the facility was built in Fairfield County.
“This kind of facility is what I think we need in Greene County, and how we get there is all up to
phase would have created 119 units, and overall, 3.3 acres were targeted for redevelopment.
The plan board approved the original plans for The Flight in November 2019.
The second phase now will create 97 apartments spread across two new buildings. Combined, the three structures will contain 240 units and 612 beds.
The developer’s original general development plan called for 20 fewer beds.
But the plans were revised after the developer says it acquired the American Legion property along Obell Court.
The phase 2 buildings will be five stories (49 units) and three stories (48 units).
The larger structure will be behind Taco Bell. The smaller one will be erected on the American Legion site.
City planning documents say the revised project will reduce density: The number of beds will decrease
to about 139 per acre, down from about 179.
In the first phase, Fiorita says they also plan to build surface parking lots along Wyoming Street and on the American Legion property, offering 168 spaces.
The surface parking would go away in phase 2 and be replaced by a five-story parking garage (408 spaces), as well as the pair of new apartment
structures.
“The bed count is up very slightly,” said Tony Kroeger, Dayton’s planning manager. “Larger area footprint, lower density, and even the parking ratio per occupant has now increased.”
The revised plans have additional open space, a more finished look and create more of a setback between the surface parking,
Kroeger said.
The plan calls for street trees along the rights of way, new sidewalks, new on-street parking and other improvements.
“Even if there were only a phase 1 — and that’s certainly not anticipated ... you are going to have a finished-looking building,” Kroeger said.
The developer changed the Flight’s design plans multiple
times after appearing before the City Plan Board and receiving feedback.
Fiorita said the new plans spread out the buildings, which should help avoid traffic problems.
“Part of the reason this plan has much improved is because of the input (city staff ) has given us,” Fiorita said.
Fiorita in the past estimated the first phase of development would cost about $35 million.
He previously described the new housing as luxury apartments that are fully furnished.
Amenities are expected to include a pool, rooftop terrace, courtyards, a clubhouse, fitness center, Wifi cafe and a study room.
The units are expected to be marketed to UD students, Miami Valley Hospital staff and others.