While Dayton is hemorrhaging jobs and residents, with a glut of vacant business space on the market, you would think anyone wanting to open a new business would be welcomed with open arms.
Not.
But, in Kettering, once known as a business unfriendly community- the red carpet is being rolled out (guess competition from the Greene woke them up).
Today, a client of mine went to inquire about putting a hip business in the Oregon district. The space is 10K sq feet on two floors, and has been empty for at least 2 years. The “One Stop” people immediately started talking about all the problems- zoning, use, requirements for architectural drawings. For a space that’s been a frickin pawn shop adding absolutely squat to the district.
Of course, this is just a small nail in a coffin that’s already in a sarcophagus and being back filled as we sleep. Take a look at the coolest building in the Oregon- just to the left of Newcom’s- with it’s beautiful bay windows, and the roller rink on the top floor. This building, which was where Morris Furniture got it’s start, can’t be occupied by anyone, thanks to zoning and building codes that don’t translate to old buildings in Historic Districts.
Instead of “Economic Development” people – the city really needs to hire some “Expediter/Ombudsmen” who will work tirelessly to cut through this unnecessary red tape that is killing off our community.
Yesterday.
So which state-mandated building codes is Kettering able to avoid without breaking the law? How do they know what state codes to follow without building plans?
Oh wait, it’s not really about the “red tape” at all. It sounds like what you really want is a cheerleader.
Well, permit people are essentially regulators. It is their JOB to talk about codes and zoning. Perhaps a more customer friendly approach would be helpful, but they can’t change the laws they are charged with regulating.
That’s like asking the DMV to give you an air freshner with your driver’s license. Sure, it would smell nice for a few minutes, but it doesn’t change the process.
If you want a cheerleader start with development people, not the regulators. By the way, Dayton already has an “ombudsman” in economic development with an office in the one-stop shop. Ask for yourself.
Maybe it has to do with the attitude the people at the “one stop” shop come across with-
maybe it’s because Dayton’s zoning laws don’t seem to be very flexible when it comes to working with old buildings.
Maybe it’s because the people in Kettering know where their paycheck comes from- and Dayton staffers take their cue from the Commission who refuses to respond to most citizens who come to speak at commission meetings?
Maybe if someone can start documenting specific examples there can be a collective push to get certain things changed. I’ve heard nightmare stories about Dayton’s permitting process and the One Stop Center was supposed to help alleviate that. Whether it’s unfriendly people or unfriendly laws, there should be a way to identify some concrete things to try to change. And then we should mobilize people to do something about it!
I absolutely agree that eliminating “red tape” and restrictions to doing business is something that should get attention from elected officials in Dayton.