Dayton Development Thread (Columbus, Cincinnati, Warren: automobile, single, hospital)

[RDriesenUD]

Yeah, there would obviously be some good and some bad with that idea.

[hensleya1]

Originally Posted by SWOH

^True. Very true.

Would have been interesting if Kettering would have merged with Moraine post-GM AND taken on schooling responsbility from West Carrollton and Jefferson Twp.

Then there would have been developable land, but the flip side would have been the uphill battle of making Moraine viable.

I'm not so sure this would be viable.... Historically speaking, Moraine (aka "West Kettering" or "Van Buren Township") incorporated as a discrete entity with the specific purpose of its residents not becoming part of Kettering. I don't know if this attitude still persists, but it's definitely something that those in power in both cities would likely oppose, and loudly.

What isn't told is that Kettering, because of its' aging housing stock and high taxes, is declining. It isn't as measurable yet as say, Trotwood, but it's definitely still there.It's population has declined from a 1970 high of 69,599 to its current 55,990 (2012 estimate), or about a 20% drop. A lot of people I know who live in Kettering regularly groan about the city or property tax rates and several have voted with their feet (one family to Jamestown, another to Centerville, and two to Beavercreek).

Yes the city does enjoy a high level of services - the rec center, the Fraze, good schools, and a good police department - but the tax dollars are being stretched to the limit. If a merger happened, Moraine - with its lower property values - would become a tax liability for the city of Kettering and all its departments. Then comes the issue of integrating the school districts/transferring a whole city over. You don't turn Pirates into Firebirds just by running a few bus routes... it would probably require infrastructure upgrades, hiring new teachers, etc.

That said, the net effect on Moraine may be positive - property values would rise since Fairmont is measurably better than West Carrollton, and it may give Kettering the room to build... which is something they haven't had the luxury of doing in decades?

I wonder if the real solution for Kettering, instead of building out, is to begin building up. It allows them to tear down the old and outmoded buildings while still increasing the property tax base (with higher-valued buildings). By doing that they can position the city as a viable third alternative in the "Dayton versus Austin Landing" debate?

[RDriesenUD]

I've always wanted them to build up. I am not sure if that will ever happen though.

[IDtheftV]

Originally Posted by RDriesenUD

As a person who lives by there, I don't.

I'm confused ( but then I'm easily confused ).

First you said :

Originally Posted by RDriesenUD

I am so happy about this. It is something Kettering really needs.

Housing development proposed for Dorothy Lane and Kettering - Dayton Business Journal

Then there was this statement :

Originally Posted by SWOH

That it is! Sorry I missed this earlier...

Just wish they would have gone for the 100+ apartments instead.

To which you responded :

Originally Posted by RDriesenUD

As a person who lives by there, I don't.

So are you happy with a smaller development, but 100+ is too big(?)

Or are you on different pages? The article said that they were going to put in single family homes and SWOH was looking for apartments.

Is it that you would rather not have renters in that location?

[RDriesenUD]

I don't want apartments. We don't need apartments. We need more new, quality homes in Kettering. Too many people are moving south of Kettering because of the housing. Kettering has everything else a family could want.

[RDriesenUD]

UD launches $17M student housing project | www.mydaytondailynews.com

[RDriesenUD]

I know some don't like this (I am 50/50 on it), but it is something Dayton needs to do to compete with other cities. Ideally, no one would do it, then no one would be forced to do it to keep up.

New strategy: Commercial developers to get tax breaks | www.mydaytondailynews.com

[RDriesenUD]

City to rebuild Warren Street near Miami Valley Hospital | www.mydaytondailynews.com

[Amandarthegreat]

Originally Posted by RDriesenUD

I don't want apartments. We don't need apartments. We need more new, quality homes in Kettering. Too many people are moving south of Kettering because of the housing. Kettering has everything else a family could want.

People are moving south of Kettering because of Kettering's proximity to Dayton--it's the standard white flight expansion to the land of box stores. I've heard people talk about how Kettering's becoming dangerous. Building more subdivisions won't keep those kind of people there, so cities need to stop chasing them.

[RDriesenUD]

Lived in Kettering my entire life. We will just have to agree to disagree. And part of the reason for what you state is the small/cheap houses.