Pastor, developer urge Dayton to expedite demolition of blighted parcel near Greater Allen AME

Pastor Elmer Martin of Greater Allen AME Church asked the commission on July 8 to expedite demolition of a blighted building at 1700 West 5th Street, saying the church will host more than 1,000 visitors in September and the property’s current condition is an impediment.

"We are in the process...We will be bringing over 1,000 people here in September...We need your support," Pastor Martin said, noting the church has invested about $375,000 in improvements to its own property.

Developer Sylvester Gold, who said he has completed site due‑diligence work and Phase 1/Phase 2 studies, said he discovered records suggesting possible contamination reaching the aquifer and that Ohio EPA soil borings would be scheduled; he said the developer would pay for testing (about $36,000) to move the project forward and described plans for roughly 75 senior housing units adjacent to the church.

Residents asked whether the city could accelerate demolition timelines and perform interim cleanups such as snow fencing and landscaping to make the site less of an eyesore. Ms. Dickstein said staff would check whether the parcel is already covered by a demolition contract — which would allow a quicker timeline — and reminded the public that the nuisance/demolition process requires notice and prioritization when the city does not own the property.

The commission did not authorize emergency demolition at the meeting; staff said they would investigate the parcel’s status on the demolition list and consider interim measures to make visible progress for the church’s September event.