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EDA directs staff to ask utility companies to repair or remove damaged boxes downtown
Summary
The Dayton City EDA instructed staff March 18 to prepare a letter to utility companies asking them to repair or remove abandoned or damaged utility boxes; board members volunteered to help identify the correct company contacts.
The EDA on March 18 agreed to press local utility companies to repair or remove damaged and apparently abandoned utility boxes that board members described as unsightly and potentially hazardous.
Members discussed enforcement steps, including updating municipal code to create an enforcement mechanism, but the immediate next step agreed by consensus was for staff to prepare and send a letter to the utilities asking them to address the boxes. John said staff could prepare a letter; several members offered to help identify the appropriate utility contacts.
Some members suggested stronger steps if voluntary compliance is not achieved, such as removal of unused cabinets. The group discussed practical constraints: a utility box that still carries service cannot be removed without utility remediation. EDA members asked staff to assemble a short list of the responsible companies (candidates included telephone, cable and fiber providers) and to request remediation within a defined timeframe.
Next steps: staff will prepare an initial notice to utilities; EDA members volunteered to help identify appropriate company contacts. The board also noted that code updates to provide long‑term enforcement will require council action.
