MORE: Demolition closer for Fairborn motels
“Ideally, we would love to have defense contractors who would like to locate there,” said Assistant City Manager Michael Gebhart. He said future Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, or BRAC, closures could bring additional missions — and employers — to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Fairborn.
“The purchase of these properties and the demolition of them allows us to have shovel-ready sites ready to go,” Gebhart said.
MORE: Burger King, motels to meet Fairborn wrecking ball
Fairborn has purchased and demolished four motels since 2014, including the Command Motel at 130 N. Broad St., Falcon Motel at 36 N. Broad St., and the Sunset Inn at 15 S. Broad St.
“Ultimately, the purchase of all four of those hotels — starting with the Command in 2014 — was to re-utilize those properties,” Gebhart said.
FOLLOW: Will Garbe on Facebook and Twitter
Demolition of the Falcon Inn and Sunset Inn began in late February and finished in June.
“They’ve been removed, graded and re-seeded,” Gebhart said of the lots. “We have grass already growing on those sites.”
The Broad Street demolitions are part of the city’s redevelopment plan. City leaders hope to revitalize the corridor as a mixed-use area with restaurants, retail and office space.
Read more coverage of Fairborn’s demolitions:
» Fairborn’s 100th anti-blight demolition slated this year
» Fairborn prepares for another round of residential demolitions
» Seven Fairborn homes will be demolished
» Fairborn to demolish six vacant homes
About the Author