Construction on one of the largest development projects in downtown Dayton nears completion. Although daunting considering its scope, the developers are taking it in stride and making fast progress in helping create even more buzz in the city center.
The project — titled The Delco — will provide apartments, parking, retail and office space. The Delco is poised to become one of the key spots downtown, located in the heart of the Water Street District at 340 E. 1st Street.
The development, which represents a nearly $100 million investment upon its expected completion by the end of 2024, encompasses 515,000 square feet. In addition to the parking garage, the project includes a 160-unit apartment building; over 77,000 square feet of office space; and almost 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Dublin-based Crawford Hoying Development Partners LLC and Dayton-based Woodard Development are developing the project.
The original Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) building was constructed as the second plant for the Delco company in 1915. It served the Dayton area for decades until it was abandoned in the 1980s.
Sandy Mendelson purchased the seven-story building and converted it into Mendelson Liquidation Outlet, which closed in 2020. In 2012, Crawford Hoying, Woodard Development and the city of Dayton partnered and birthed a vision to upgrade and renovate the Water Street District – including the Delco building.
In 2019, Crawford Hoying purchased the building from Mendelson and announced plans for the renovation of the historic building.
Michael Hoying, vice president of Brackett Builders, which works on The Delco, described the unique needs that go into a redevelopment project of this size, and one with historical value