Fairview Neighborhood Association

The Phoenix Project, established in 2004, is a public-private partnership that is investing millions of dollars in redevelopment activities in the greater Fairview neighborhood, located in the city of Dayton.

This urban neighborhood is home to Good Samaritan Hospital, one of the area’s largest employers, and an institution that has served families in the greater Dayton area for over 75 years. Over the last decade, the neighborhood surrounding the hospital had begun to decline and the impact of predatory practices and high foreclosure rates destabilized the housing market. The hospital was very concerned about the impact these declines had on its ability to recruit and retain staff, obtain patients, and protect the safety of visitors to their facility. This concern was shared by leadership of the City of Dayton who believe strong neighborhoods are vital to the city’s overall health and growth opportunities.

The Phoenix Project is a partnership between Good Samaritan Hospital, the City of Dayton, residents of the Phoenix area and CityWide Development Corporation, all whom have a stake in the revitalization of the Fairview neighborhood. As project manager, CityWide Development is responsible for the implementation of the project’s Strategic Plan, which includes acquiring property, building new housing and creating a new civic space, known as Fairview Commons.

Neighborhood Development Director George Snyder explains, “Much of the work that has gone on so far focuses on the civic and social aspects of community development, things you can’t necessarily see. Great strides have been made in reducing crime through community policing, strengthening neighborhood groups through community organizing and providing new opportunities for youth. Fairview has become a stable neighborhood filled with supportive residents.”