Public questions mount over proposed Citywide New Community Authority; public hearing set for July 29

Multiple residents told the Dayton City Commission they need clearer, enforceable answers about the proposed Citywide New Community Authority (NCA), which is described as a financing tool that could support downtown development projects.

Alec Johnson, a resident, laid out a series of nine questions about the NCA's charges, bond authority, eligible projects, board appointments, audit and reporting requirements, sunset clauses and accountability measures, saying the tool "may create a dedicated revenue stream for infrastructure and services without immediately raising general citywide taxes," but only if restrictions are explicit and enforceable (Alec Johnson). The Commission announced a public hearing on July 29 at 6 p.m. in the chambers and invited citizens to submit questions in advance so staff can prepare responses.

Public speakers including Rodney Stark and Zakiya Sankara Jabbar warned of equity impacts and pointed to other cities' experiences: "I know for Cincinnati, particularly the Over Rhine neighborhood has been pretty much cleansed of its indigenous African American population" (Zakiya Sankara Jabbar). Commissioners and staff stressed the NCA is a financing tool under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code Section 349.03) and that the July 29 hearing will provide more detail.

City staff said some development projects—including a proposed $77,000,000 headquarters hotel to add roughly 200 rooms—are part of the context in which the City is considering using an NCA to fill financing gaps. Staff said the NCA could support an $8 million to $10 million financing gap for that project and that a closing and possible groundbreaking are targeted for later this fall and January, respectively.