Page 7 - 2020 DEED

Major investment under way
Riverway working to help grow communities’ economy
New investments in Great Miami Riverway cities are certainly impressive.
• In Hamilton, the former
Champion Paper Mill is being redeveloped by a private investor into a $144 million youth sports facility, known as Spooky Nook.
• In West Carrollton, Miami Valley Sand earlier this year opened a $4.3 million athletic complex with 17 volleyball courts.
• In Piqua, the city is investing $10 million into the redevelopment of Lock 9 Park, creating a concert venue, and space for restaurants and retail shops.
• In Franklin and Middletown, a new 1.4-mile trail extension is being built to connect the two cities. The nearly $2 million project is being paid for with federal, state, and local funds.
And Dan Foley, Great Miami Riverway director, knows it’s only the beginning.
“We’re beginning a strategic planning process with Aileron, a business management consulting organization, to identify strategies for the Riverway to really focus on how we can help our
communities attract more public and private investment,” Foley says.
The mission of the Riverway is to build a strong, vibrant network of communities connected by 99
miles of river. By increasing economic and community investment, the region can attract customers, jobs, and talented workers to southwest Ohio, he says.
“When cities improve public spaces
like Piqua is doing with Lock 9, it gives confidence to private investors,” Foley says. “As a result, there are seven or eight buildings that have good momentum for redevelopment near the park.”
While the economy is being challenged by COVID-19, Foley remains optimistic because of the assets the Riverway is working with.
“There aren’t many river corridors in
the country that have as many vibrant communities—with their authentic downtowns, cultural amenities, strong companies, and educational institutions— all connected by an amazing network of bike trails and a national water trail,” he says. “That’s a lot to work with, and we’re going to work hard to highlight these assets.”
COVID-19 impact
Trails see dramatic increase in use
Anyone who uses the paved trails in this region already knows their value. Some people use the trails for health and fitness, others for recreation or transportation. And still others to enjoy nature.
After Governor Mike DeWine’s coronavirus stay-at-home order in March, many more people discovered the power of the trails as they looked for things to do outside.
MCD’s automatic trail counters in Franklin, Moraine, West Carrollton and Dayton saw increases of up to 200 percent over a few weeks in March, says Don O’Connor, chief of construction and planning.
On average, several trail sections saw double the number of users in April and May compared to April and May of 2019.
“The coronavirus may have driven home the message, but the trails have always been a great way for people to get outside into the fresh air; improve their health; boost their immune system with exercise; and, most of all, have fun,” O’Connor says.
Order a copy of the latest regional trails map at bit.ly/MVmap20.
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Regional trails saw double the number of users in April and May 2020 compared to last year.
Improvements to Lock 9 Park in Piqua will create a concert venue, and space for restaurants and shops.