Ascend Innovation is a data shop that seeks to address unmet needs in health care and beyond. GDAHA is a trade association that represents more than 29 hospitals in Montgomery County and 10 surrounding counties. GDAHA is also one of the founding organizations of Ascend, with Premier Health, Kettering Health and Dayton Children’s Hospital.
“It’s exciting,” said Marty Larson, CEO and president of Ascend. “As we moved in a couple of months ago, just being able to get the space into the shape it’s in now. ...We wanted this to be a part of the community.”
Larson marveled at being able to walk from his 12,000-square-foot office on Third Street to the Oregon District, to Flying Pizza and to many other locations.
“We’re thrilled to be here,” said Sarah Hackenbracht, president and CEO of GDAHA
This new space is part of a sprawling, long-term redevelopment project in what is being called the “Fire Blocks District,” around East Third and Jefferson streets. Spearheaded by the Windsor Cos., the company has been able to bring new commerce to the area where previous developers had been frustrated.
After years of disuse, buildings in the district have welcomed businesses like the Salt Block Biscuit Co. and Third Perk Coffee House and Wine Bar. Windsor is also finishing up work on new loft apartments in the Graphic Arts Building on South Ludlow Street.
GDAHA is moving more than 20 employees into the space. The association wanted its employees at “the heart of the action.”
“We wanted our employees to be where we would just be a short walk away from the energy of what’s happening in downtown Dayton,” Hackenbracht said.
The fourth-floor office was designed with spaces for hospitality and conferencing areas; individual workspaces; a café; and huddle rooms for small meetings of employees.
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