The University of Dayton and Premier Health are taking big steps early this year to position the former Montgomery County fairgrounds for redevelopment. The transformed property will be known as onMain: Dayton’s Imagination District, a signature neighborhood to attract jobs, economic development and innovation.

The two anchor institutions, which purchased the 38-acre site at South Main and Stewart Streets in 2017, are forming onMain Inc., a new nonprofit corporation to guide development and oversee day-to-day management of the property. onMain’s inaugural board of directors recently held its first meeting.

A community advisory committee, comprised of representatives from key community stakeholders, also will be convened this spring.

“We’re making great progress in putting in place the organizational and operational pieces needed to start realizing our vision for onMain,” said University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina. “While we know that fulfilling the complete vision will take many years and many partners, we’re pleased with the accelerated pace we’ve kept since purchasing the property.”

“I’m pleased that we’ve brought together a strong governance structure and a group of highly regarded, community-minded individuals to help guide the onMain development into the future,” said Mary Boosalis, president and CEO of Premier Health. “This opportunity to reshape the southern doorstep to downtown Dayton is both inspiring and complex, and it merits considerable deliberation and oversight. This governance structure will provide both.”

In addition to forming the corporation and holding the first meeting of onMain’s board of directors, these activities are underway:

• A national search will be launched soon for a CEO for onMain. The partners are seeking a seasoned professional with experience in managing development of a complex, innovative project involving many partners;
• Engineering and design work for the overall site will start this spring, with a plan for the site and infrastructure completed later this year;
• Demolition is scheduled to begin this spring;
• Conversations continue with potential developers and funding partners.

The onMain Inc. board includes institutional representatives and three community directors with strong ties to the two institutions.

The board includes: Richard Omlor, retired president/CEO of YSI Inc., and UD trustee; Anita J. Moore, retired vice president of human resources for the Berry Company, and Premier Health trustee; Helen E. Jones-Kelley, director of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services for Montgomery County; Andrew Horner, executive vice president for business and administrative services for UD; Barbara Johnson, system vice president and chief human resource officer for Premier Health; Mary Ann Recker, vice president and general counsel for UD; and Buddy LaChance, system vice president for real estate for Premier Health. Omlor serves as board chair.

The two institutions purchased the 38-acre site in 2017 and have been working on a long-range vision for the property that builds upon their institutional missions and values, promotes economic development, and fosters a unique sense of place that serves broad community interests.

In October, the partners unveiled the new name and identity for the site — an identity that represents Dayton’s history and future as an innovation center.

onMain is envisioned as a place to attract businesses and entrepreneurs that will bring jobs and opportunities to the area as well as a sustainable and inclusive living environment with an emphasis on wellness.

For more about the vision and news about of the project, visit http://www.onMainDayton.com.