Immigrant Freindly Program makes the NYT.... (Dayton, Riverside: real estate, 2014, hotels)

[Dayton Sux]

...with pix.

Ailing Midwest Citys Extend a Hand to Immigrants

Oct 6 2013.

DAYTON, Ohio — Fighting back from the ravages of industrial decline, this city adopted a novel plan two years ago to revive its economy and its spirits: become a magnet for immigrants.




The Dayton City Commission voted to make the city “immigrant friendly,” with programs to attract newcomers and encourage those already here, as a way to help stem job losses and a drop in population.

In north Dayton — until recently a post-apocalyptic landscape of vacant, gutted houses — 400 Turkish families have moved in, many coming from other American cities. Now white picket fences, new roofs and freshly painted porches are signs of a brisk urban renewal led by the immigrants, one clapboard house at a time.

...more at the link.

Good press for Dayton at the national level.

[Ohioan58]

"Post apocalyptic"... I love it. The thing is, all of this dead Dayton real estate is totally dirt cheap. At some level, demand has to kick in again. Immigrants seem to have flocked to the most expensive real estate in the country.

[CarpathianPeasant]

At least someone had that much of an idea that resulted in that much....

[SWOH]

One of the city's best and most common-sense initiatives to date.

Glad it has been a success so far, because I can't wait to see the future of this initiative.


Quick question though - where is the "Islamic Center of Peace" referenced in the article?

[motorman]

Originally Posted by OHKID

One of the city's best and most common-sense initiatives to date.

Glad it has been a success so far, because I can't wait to see the future of this initiative.

Agreed. This initiative by Dayton leadership is a major step in the right direction; kudos to all concerned--and welcome to the city's Turkish immigrants!

[ohio_peasant]

This is good news indeed! There was a related article in the Dayton Daily News last year. Unfortunately numerous comments online were rather less than jovially receptive, shall we say.

Typically one hears that immigrants are more attracted to the “glamour cities”, avoiding the smaller ones. High-skill immigrants are eager to build their professional networks and to chase the best employment opportunities, while the lower-skilled ones gravitate to the wealthier cities where there are more service-jobs (lawn care, house maintenance, hotels, etc.). Hopefully the new arrivals can find a remunerative niche, drawing more arrivals by word of mouth. It would be nice to see more ethnic restaurants in Dayton (Turkish, Ethiopian and so forth).

[Natural510]

Great article, thanks for posting it. For as much criticism as Dayton endures (especially on this forum), this is an example of them pro-actively injecting new blood to the city without the risky "build it and they will come" projects which often have added to other cities' woes.

[weatherphotographer]

Originally Posted by OHKID

One of the city's best and most common-sense initiatives to date.

Glad it has been a success so far, because I can't wait to see the future of this initiative.


Quick question though - where is the "Islamic Center of Peace" referenced in the article?

Are they possibly referring to the "Temple Israel" on Riverside Drive?

[hensleya1]

Originally Posted by weatherphotographer

Are they possibly referring to the "Temple Israel" on Riverside Drive?

There's a new building going up in Sugarcreek Township. It's on Alpha-Bellbrook Road, if I recall correctly. I don't know about the construction status, only that they spent five-plus years on planning and permitting.

[SWOH]

Nice article this week in the subscriber content of the Dayton Business Journal about the Ahiska Turkish community in the city:
The rise of Dayton?s Ahiska Turkish community - Dayton Business Journal

There are 10,000 Ahiska Turkish in the US, and 2,400 live in the Dayton area. They are currently persecuted in their homeland of Georgia (the country, not the state haha), and now are finding acceptance here in Dayton. Many work as truck drivers or in other logistics-focused industries. They are also big players in the community, from owning and operating Salar (and its building) in the OD and Pasha at the Greene to creating a Turkish community center in Huffman on 5th St in a former recreation center.

Grocery stores in the area are starting to take note, and are offering more products to cater to their needs. And more restaurants, like Shish Wraps, are opening up as well as a variety of other businesses. They are renovating homes in Old North Dayton and making the community better.


I'm beginning to think Welcome Dayton is the best initiative this city has ever pursued!