Recovery Plan funds renewal, opportunity

Dayton has announced the newest investments of Dayton Recovery Plan funds, following approval of agreements by the City Commission.

An investment of $1.5 million for St. Mary Development Corp. will provide funding toward construction of 10 cottage-style senior apartments and a health clinic space. St. Mary Development is a nonprofit housing developer/provider serving low-income seniors in Dayton for three decades and is leveraging its experience and partnerships to build affordable housing in a Dayton Recovery Plan targeted area.

The project will be a continuation of the Hoover Campus in Dayton’s Little Richmond

and Residence Park neighborhoods. The Hoover Campus includes several phases of senior-focused affordable housing representing more than $28 million in development over the past 20 years. Cottage style apartments are the most sought-after type of senior affordable housing and will add to the variety of homes available on the Hoover Campus. Funding for St. Mary Development will be provided through the Dayton Recovery Plan as part of its Improving Our Neighborhoods initiative.

The City Commission has also approved a $75,000 award to Speedie Childcare. The locally owned enterprise will expand access to quality early learning programming by addressing space and health/safety concerns.

The project will complete the renovation of a facility on North Paul Laurence Dunbar Street through interior and exterior improvements and will purchase needed furniture and equipment. Within six months of completion of the project, Speedie Childcare expects to increase its client capacity by 50%, as evidenced by ongoing enrollment patterns, with the number of Black and brown children and families served increasing as well. Funding for Speedie Childcare will be provided through the Dayton Recovery Plan’s Supporting Black and Brown Businesses initiative.

Also approved is an enhancement to Bomberger Park. The Dayton Department of Public Works will oversee a contract with PlayCare to remove existing playground equipment and replace it with new equipment usable by all ages, including very young children. Bomberger Park is at the corner of East Fifth and South Keowee streets in the St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood. The playground upgrades are collaboratively funded, with $133,500 from the Dayton Recovery Plan’s Improving Our Neighborhoods initiative and a $33,500 donation from the St. Anne’s Hill Historic Society. The project will be completed by the end of the year.

The Dayton Recovery Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address infrastructure, economic and equity issues through investments made possible by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. For an overview and updates, go to daytonohio.gov/drp.