City Of Dayton: Historic West Third Building: Why Is Demolition The Best Option?

Press release from the City of Dayton:

December 1, 2021

The City of Dayton recently won a board of zoning appeals petition to allow demolition of the former Gem City Ice Cream Building (1005 W. Third St.). Because the property was the site of a Wright brothers bicycle shop, the proposed demolition has attracted public and media attention. Unfortunately, loss of the building has become inevitable.

Following the 1995 closure of the structure's last occupying business (H&H Utility Company), the structure was purchased by the City of Dayton (1998). The City subsequently turned over the site to a developer in 2000, but that effort halted after determination of significant structural damage, resulting in the building's return to City ownership. A 2007 evaluation by Shell + Meyer Associates noted a number of serious concerns including water infiltration, separation of brick walls, foundation failure, concrete spalling, rusting steel and a western wall in danger of collapse. The City's Dept. of Building Service's declared the structure a public nuisance in 2008. A City RFP in 2012 again sought redevelopment proposals. Preservation Dayton, Inc., the only respondent, was chosen. After several years of on-and-off negotiations, lack of funding and the building's condition were barriers to successful redevelopment. Another structural evaluation in 2019 by John L. Geiger P.E. LLC did not deviate from the 2007 report and added that the front facade was in danger of separation. Geiger concluded the building cannot be salvaged under any circumstances. 

The two-story commercial structure was built in 1892 and purchased by the Gem City Ice Cream Company in 1902 (Gem City closed in 1975). The Wright business occupied a small portion of the building for a period of several months (1892-93). The historian of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park (Edward Roach) concluded in 2017 that the structure's historic significance results from its location on the West Third Street corridor, not the Wright brothers short-term use of a part of the building. 

In 1914, major modifications to the building removed its entire facade, taking away any distinguishing elements of the then-existing structure. An Ohio Historic Inventory form indicates "heavy modernization" of the building at that time. In effect, the essence of the original structure has been gone for more than 100 years. 

The City of Dayton--working collaboratively with numerous local, state, federal, public and private partners--has a demonstrated commitment to preserving the city's aviation and Wright bothers legacies. Most recently (2018), the City purchased the historic site of the Wright Company Factory, the world’s oldest airplane manufacturing facility. The site is currently in the planning stages as a Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park site and is being managed by the City of Dayton. Since the 1990's, the City has dedicated significant resources and efforts to preserve and develop the historic Wright-Dunbar district (including a restored Wright Cycle Company shop). 

The City of Dayton will seek a signature redevelopment of the property at 1005 W. Third St. with a goal of incorporating elements of the building (including bricks if feasible) and signifiers of the original Wright brothers shop and Gem City Ice Cream facility.

This press release was produced by the City of Dayton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.