Loss cause!! (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati: manufacturing, growth, services)

[Dayton Sux]

Because the impression I got was that apart from a few buildings (synagogues if
I recall correctly?) that were nicely maintained

These used to be synagogues but are now belong to predominantly Africcan American congregations.

The paradox of Salem Avenue is that it obviously was (and still somewhat is) a nice drive out of the city...wooded street, lawns, lined with what once were better quality houses and apartments and things like churches (sort of like Far Hills), with what was a fancy hospital (Good Sam was originally done up in Spanish Revival style) and a country club anchoring the northern end before you headed out into open country (this would have been in the 1920s, 30s, 40s). So it was like a north side verisioon of Oakwood.

But unlike Far Hills the postwar suburban development was pretty awful, not as tidy and planned as what happened south of town, so you eventually had the "driving down Far Hills" experience that ended up in suburban dreck, as far as Precious Blood convent.

And the conversion stuff that was happening in the 1960s and 1950s didn't help much. The character of Salem was being chipped away even before the real estate market collapsed due to white flight.

[SWOH]

^Interesting. And great observation - the quality of development along Salem past the country club was nowhere near as nice as the development on Far Hills out into Kettering and beyond. So it probably got "trashy" more quickly, leading to the downward spiral...

Just another good reason why quality needs to be the top concern when building. To put it simply (although the "translation" is stupid - House of Cards quote):

[RDriesenUD]

Good posts and discussion. I enjoy reading stuff like this.

[IDtheftV]

Originally Posted by Dayton Sux

Hah....I could be snarky and ....

I like it when you are snarky.

[Dayton Sux]

Despite current conditions the Salem corridor does (still) have the best housing stock within the city limits.

For bombed out..for me that brings to mind Brush Park in Detroit or the locations in Camilo Jose Vergara's New American Ghetto...The New American Ghetto: Camilo Jose Vergara: 9780813523316: Amazon.com: Books

....frankly, the lower reaches of Salem do get close to that book at times, and also the declining suburban area starting around Good Sam & heading out into Trotwood. But the stretch of the street between Salem & Grand and Good Sam is still mostly intact (aside from the afortmentioned conversion trend).

Salem DOES have the most unlikely historic preservation save in the city...the excellent Salem & Grand building and adjacent "Chicago-style" courtyard apartment building...remarkable terra cotta confections, and the Salem/Grand building is one of those neighborhood-defining landmarks, an urban set-piece that gives one the image of the city or helps set the character of the city since they are in such prominent locations.

Buildings like that are under threat all over Dayton (and we have recently lost one at Valley & Troy), so it is very good to see that building at Salem & Grand saved,...especially since it was damaged in a fire before it was restored. If by some miracle the real estate market comes back and we start seeing urbanistic infill (like we see in OTR or the close-in parts of Indianapolis), that building will be a good anchor to build around.

[Dayton Sux]

Anyone ever hear of this:

Salem Avenue Peace Corridor

Neat concept. They had a benefit at that country club on the north end of Salem around the theme of Belgian food and beer back this summer....something that I unfortunately did not attend (since I am a fan of Belgian cooking and beer), but sort of neat to see.

[SWOH]

^Very cool! Always wondered what the Peace Corridor was all about.

Sounds like exactly what is needed there though - a good way to build positive community.

[Amandarthegreat]

Originally Posted by Dayton Sux

Anyone ever hear of this:

Salem Avenue Peace Corridor

Neat concept. They had a benefit at that country club on the north end of Salem around the theme of Belgian food and beer back this summer....something that I unfortunately did not attend (since I am a fan of Belgian cooking and beer), but sort of neat to see.

Yup. All of those big churches that compose the Peace Corridor work very closely with FROC and what is called the Phoenix Project. You mentioned the declining housing stock around Good Sam--the Phoenix Project is a public/private effort that focuses on the Fairview neighborhood and that part of the Salem corridor. They built the awesome park and urban campus area around Fairview school and the nice green spaces at Catalpa. Good Sam also helps their employees buy homes in the neighborhoods with down payment assistance.

Grandview Hospital is pumping money into their area as well, so there is a push coming from both hospital campuses to reclaim Salem.

Also, the large church at 1516 Salem (First UMC) has been buying up some larger houses and fixing them up for student apartments since the United Theological Seminary is creating a campus for their Urban Ministry Program. United Theological Seminary Launches Urban Ministry Initiative

[weatherphotographer]

Salem is not a peace corridor when there are gun battles. I know the Peace Bridge is on West Third. Looks like the geography is all over the place

[Amandarthegreat]

Originally Posted by weatherphotographer

Salem is not a peace corridor when there are gun battles. I know the Peace Bridge is on West Third. Looks like the geography is all over the place

Please show me evidence of any 'gun battle' on Salem. We'd all love to see it.