Morning Briefing | Massive onMain project should get underway next year

The massive onMain project should get underway next year.

In today’s Morning Briefing, we tell you about the first phase of the project and how much it will cost. We also tell you about a new Ohio bill that will regulate drone use.

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The newsletter should take about 3 minutes, 11 seconds to read.

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onMain phase 1: $133M for housing, workspace at old fairgrounds site in Dayton

The first phase of the massive onMain project to redevelop the former Montgomery County Fairgrounds south of downtown Dayton could cost about $133 million and should get underway in 2025.

• The first phase: Focus will be on the southern strip of the 38-acre site along South Main Street — 170 rental housing units and a large building for research and innovation are expected to be created. Phase 1 is expected to get underway this upcoming spring and last through 2030.

• Future phases: Two other phases of the project are expected to be completed over the next 20 years.

• Potential Project results: When finished, the project could create 3,000 jobs, 1,600 housing units, 900,000 square feet of work spaces and offices and some retail and community spaces.

• What they are saying: “This (is) an extraordinary opportunity that’s over 100 years in the making,” said Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein.

Ohio to regulate drone usage

Ohio lawmakers this week voted to regulate unmanned aerial vehicles — UAVs, or drones — in state law.

• Ohio House Bill 77: It would make “operating a UAV in a manner that knowingly endangers any person or property or that purposely disregards others’ rights or safety” a criminal offense, punishable by a $500 fine and/or six months in jail.

• What else it would do: It would also make it illegal to operate a UAV in a manner that disrupts law enforcement or emergency services; or to use a UAV to photograph, record or loiter over or near a critical facility — such as major utilities or a police station — “with purpose to further another criminal offense” or “with purpose to destroy or tamper with the facility.”

• Local governments: The bill also authorizes local governments to establish their own ordinances on private drone use in or above parks or other public property.

• Who sponsored the bill? H.B. 77 is sponsored by state Rep. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield.

• What they are saying: “With the likes of both Honda and Intel making their way into Ohio, the use of drones will soar,” Willis testified in committee. “This bill takes the necessary actions to facilitate this exciting frontier and ensures a safe sky.”

• What happens next: The bill is headed to the governor’s desk after passing Wednesday with bipartisan support.

What to know today

• One big takeaway: A new Ohio law allows for longer expulsions for school hit lists and dangerous threats.

• Person to know today: Bob Welbaum. The 75-year old and is doing a lot more than just staying physically active. He’s a writer, teacher and avid runner.

• Big move of the day: Six months after the sudden resignation of Vandalia City Manager Dan Wendt, Vandalia Police Chief Kurt Althouse has been selected to step into the position.

• Quote of the day: “We have too many taxing jurisdictions in this state...We have a spending problem in this state, in (Montgomery) county, and it’s got to stop.” — Tom Young, R-Washington Twp., on the need to dissolve some Ohio villages.

• Thing to do: Here are 10 great things to do in Dayton this weekend.

• Photo of the day: Amanda Gentry was officially recognized Tuesday as the first director of the Integrated Development Office, an integral part of Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). Read the full story.