Dayton looks to keep millennials here

Many say they are likely to leave soon; city says it needs their talents.

Many millennials in Dayton say they’re likely to leave in the city in the coming years, which is a problem for a city that says it needs young talent to become what it aspires to be: a hub of tech, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Experts say that millennials often are concerned about job opportunities, quality of life, affordability and recreation options, among other amenities. If the city wants to avoid los- ing members of this age group, it will need more affordable housing downtown where millennials want to live and more lifestyle choices, some residents say.

About 29 percent of Dayton’s millennials (residents ages 18 to 34) say they are unlikely to stay in the city in the next five years, according to the city’s annual survey.

That compares to 21 percent of Gen-Xers who say they are unlikely to remain here, 13 percent of baby boomers and 5 percent of seniors. About 30 per-

cent of millennials say they are not sure if they will stay in the city.

The issue has come to the forefront recently. Earlier this month, Darryl Fairchild, Dayton’s newest city commissioner, hosted a town hall at the Dayton Metro Library at which visitors were encouraged to ask questions and share their concerns about conditions in the city.

Multiple speakers said the city needs to do more to attract and retain millennials. Many millennials who are starting out in their careers and who want to live downtown cannot afford the condos and homes for sale, said Jamie Rippey, a local resident.

Few homes are for sale downtown, and some cost more than $300,000. Most of the new housing that’s opened downtown is apartments, some of which could be out of the price range for many millennials.

Many people live in those neighborhoods, but the lack of jobs and things to do will make it hard to hold onto young residents, said Chris Goodwine, 32, who lives in the Dayton View area.

As an example, she said she can’t get a salad after 7 p.m. anywhere near her.

“Everything ... that’s going on downtown is pretty awesome, but as a millennial myself, and after the big hit that we took with (Good Samaritan Hospital closing), it’s really hard to stay in Dayton when there’s nothing on my side of town,” she said.

Millennials and first-time homebuyers are needed to help revitalize the city’s deteriorating neighborhoods, said Monica Snow, an Oregon District resident.

The city, Snow said, should research best practices in other communities to improve local neighborhoods.

She said the private sector and nonprofit organizations hopefully can help provide resources to offer incentives and programs for things like rehabbing homes.

At the end of the town hall, Fairchild said the city needs to focus its efforts to better engage the youth and offer programming for young people.

“I think that’s the biggest resource that we squander,” he said.