Miami Crossing, centered around the Dayton Mall, is home to more than 400 businesses and remains one of the region’s most important commercial districts. In recent years, the area has experienced significant change, such as shifts in population and retail trends and new property ownership. Recognizing this moment of opportunity, Miami Township, the Miami Crossing Joint Economic Development District (JEDD), and area stakeholders have partnered with Planning NEXT, with support from Ninigret Partners, to develop a new master plan for the district. The effort will set a clear path forward to establishing a town center for Miami Township. This plan is being developed to recognize how conditions have evolved since the Dayton Mall Area Master Plan created a decade ago.
Many of the key properties in Miami Crossing are privately owned, which means the Township has limited control over what happens on individual sites. The Township often has to respond to changes rather than initiate them. As the plan begins to take shape, our team is creating a framework for recognizing and activating opportunities wherever they emerge.
Thinking of implementation from the beginning is critical to this plan’s success. Before drafting recommendations, the team is striving to understand the areas’ triggers and conditions. Each action is analyzed under the framework of whether the Township should act now, act when ready, or act when the time comes. Different situations produce different opportunities.
The plan will equip Miami Township with a clear set of strategies to guide investment, respond to change, and help Miami Crossing continue to become a dynamic and thriving town center.
