Wright-Dunbar Business Village News

Wright-Dunbar Hosts Dayton's Visionaries

Business Village Invites Group to Envision the Possibilities

DAYTON, Ohio - August 26, 2005 - The Wright-Dunbar Business Village hosted "A Summer Gathering of Visionaries" on Thursday evening inviting Dayton's top visionaries to envision the possibilities in the district. The organization used the event to present its vision and garner support for funding the revitalization of the area.

The event, held at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, attracted many of the most influential philanthropic donors in the Miami Valley. Attendees were encouraged to stroll through the museum, which center on the neighborhood's rich cultural and aviation history with exhibits highlighting the relationship between the Wright Brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Emcee Judge Walter Rice kicked off the evening welcoming guests and sharing with them the theme for the evening - seeing the possibilities in one of Dayton's most precious jewels. Fifth Third Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Wright Dunbar, Inc. Board of Trustees Eric Cluxton invited attendees to consider the Wright-Dunbar Business Village as the launching pad for innovative endeavors. Cluxton also introduced two new businesses in the district - PriMed Physicians and the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission's Center for Regional Cooperation.

U.S. Congressman Mike Turner shared the excitement from a recent visit to the district with several other Washington delegates. In addition, he updated the crowd on the federal interest in historic preservation and urban development.

In her presentation, Idotha Bootsie Neal, executive director of Wright Dunbar, Inc., shared her vision for the future of the area. She thanked attendees for coming and recognized the businesses already in the district.

"Our fund-raising efforts will allow us to ensure that the vacant properties in our possession are tenant-ready," said Neal. "It will give us the funding necessary to attract new businesses to the district - businesses that provide needed services and a safe and supportive neighborhood for the nearby families. Wright-Dunbar has an incredible history. We want to give it an incredible future."

To end the evening, Neal introduced two of Dayton's contemporary visionaries - Bing Davis and Clay Mathile. Davis, whose gallery is located in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village, thanked the attendees, stating that "so many of you have made my vision a reality." Mathile stated that more than $7 million dollars has gone into renovations in the district, but that much still needs to be done. He encouraged the crowd to continue to embrace the possibilities for Wright-Dunbar and to live the legacy inspired by Dunbar and the Wright Brothers.

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