A major draw for homebuyers at Rubicon Square and Patterson Place is the urban setting. They love the easy access to fine restaurants and funky diners, special events at RiverScape, live music in the Oregon District, the Dayton Dragons, and world class theater, ballet and opera. 

After the brutal winter just past, however, everyone is desperate for a little bit of green. Luckily, living downtown doesn’t mean you’re cut off from nature. Last December, the city dedicated a charming little park adjacent to Rubicon Square. The simple landscape plan includes walking paths and seating, creating a natural pedestrian connector between our townhomes and Miami Valley Hospital. 

The park was the creation of The Genesis Group, a collaboration between the University of Dayton, Miami Valley Hospital, and the City of Dayton. Their mission is to enhance urban neighborhoods like the Fairgrounds Neighborhood. The one acre park provides a restful nature area for our urban residents, as well as a sight and sound buffer from traffic on adjacent streets.

This park is just the latest effort by the city of Dayton to enhance residential living in the downtown area. The centerpiece of the downtown experience is RiverScape Metropark. The bike paths, parks, skating, and event venue at RiverScape provides a focal point for residents to exercise, party, or just relax and enjoy the wildlife along the Great Miami River. 

In March, the city announced plans for a Bike Share program that will make available several hundred bikes at key locations around downtown. The idea is to encourage downtowners to reduce traffic congestion and enjoy a little exercise by using a bike for quick trips around the city. Renters will swipe a card at a docking station to rent wheels for a day or a month. The plan to remake downtown Dayton into a bike-friendly urban center now has $1 million in funding to purchase the heavy cruising bikes and rental docks to connect 22 locations in a network. Bike Share will launch in the Spring of 2015.

The pedestrian corridor from RiverScape to the Oregon District is now complete. Paid for with a federal infrastructure grant, the corridor centers around a broad paved boulevard with seating, fountains, areas for exhibits or events, and paths for bicyclers and skaters.

With all these options for connecting to the outdoors, it’s no wonder the demand for stylish quality housing in downtown Dayton is growing.