Dayton officials announced Tuesday plans to create a task force to assess the condition of the Dayton Convention Center facility, its finances and future development potential. City Manager Shelley Dickstein said in a statement the task force would be led by City Commissioner Christopher Shaw and Chamber of Commerce President Phil Parker.
City leaders say the decision follows a feasibility study of the Seventies-era convention center conducted last year by Crossroads Consulting Services.
Dayton Deputy City Manager Joe Parlette says the Tampa-based company reported at the time that the convention center needed major renovations that could cost tens of millions of dollars.
Parlette says the task force will, "provide a thorough analysis of the facility's impact to the community,” and make a recommendation on its future.
"The finances of the convention center operation have not been good, requiring six-figure subsidies from the general fund on an annual basis over the last several years," he said.
The task force will bring together nearly two dozen community leaders from local organizations, including the University of Dayton, Kettering Medical Center and CareSource. The Dayton Development Coalition and the Downtown Dayton Partnership will also serve on the advisory committee.
Members of the Task Force include:
Anita Adams- Jenkins - Kettering Medical Center,
Col. Jack Blackhurst - WPAFB/AFRL retired,
Branford Brown - Dayton Miami Valley Urban League,
Michael Colbert - Montgomery County,
Kris Davis - Crowne Plaza Dayton,
Sandy Gudorf - Downtown Dayton Partnership,
Ben Haller - Marriott (University of Dayton),
Jeff Hoagland - Dayton Development Coalition,
Mike Maiberher - Premier Health,
David Mellen - PNC,
Bob Murphy - The Dayton Dragons,
Mike Parks - The Dayton Foundation,
Cathy Ponitz - CareSource Foundation,
Jacquie Powell - Dayton CVB,
Tom Ritchie Sr. - Dayton Miami Valley AFL-CIO,
Michael Roediger - Dayton Art Institute,
Colleen Ryan - Vectren Energy Delivery,
Dr. Eric Spina - University of Dayton,
Steve Tieber - The Dublin Pub,
Rev. Dr. Daryl Ward - Omega Baptist Church,
Jason Woodard - Woodard Real Estate Services.