The Dayton Arcade, located in the center of downtown Dayton, Ohio's business district, opened as a farmers market in 1904. Retail businesses, restaurants and apartments were added later. For decades, the multi-building, 330,000-square foot Arcade was a major attraction for Dayton residents and tourists.
But the Dayton Arcade declined during the city's economic downturn in the 1970s and 1980s. The main building has not been occupied since 1990.
Today, the City of Dayton has made revitalizing the Dayton Arcade its top priority. Financing is in place and plans are underway to develop the historic structure with a mix of retail, offices, public space and housing. The Arcade is part of the city's larger plan to bring residents, jobs and visitors back to downtown.
Joining Cincinnati Edition for a look at the history of the Dayton Arcade and what its revitalization could mean for the City of Dayton are architectural historian and Media Coordinator for the Carillon Historical Park Leo DeLuca; and WVXU politics reporter Howard Wilkinson, who spent much of his time at the Dayton Arcade while growing up in Dayton.
Tune in to Cincinnati Edition July 30 starting at 1 p.m. to hear this segment.