Good Samaritan closing: Neighborhood group sees hope in hospital’s closure

ajc.com

Premier Health’s decision to close Good Samaritan Hospital may be the catalyst needed to revitalize a Dayton neighborhood that’s been on the decline for years, according to Dayton native and boxing promoter Tony Shultz.

Shultz said he speaks for a group of residents in the Dayton View Triangle neighborhood, which sits adjacent to the hospital on Philadelphia Drive, who have been working to reverse the trend of business closures in the community and have hopes of bringing in new retailers, restaurants and modern housing.

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“The hospital is part of this whole community of people who have lived here 30, 40, 50 years,” Shultz said. “Redevelopment is really what people want. I am one of many residents who are passionate about it.”

Premier Health announced last week that Good Samaritan Hospital would be shuttered within a year, with 1,600 employees being transitioned to other locations.

Premier’s plan calls for most of the buildings to be demolished to turn the property into a shovel-ready site.

Premier also plans to provide a $10 million donation toward the property’s redevelopment.

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Shultz said a lot of big ideas have been floated to bring in new development, but the streets and infrastructure wouldn’t be able to sustain much. But he said turning the hospital into condominiums with retail on the ground floor is one idea that makes sense.

“With Good Sam’s closure, there’s renewed hope,” he said.

The hospital’s closure and the property’s future will be the main topic at the neighborhood group’s next meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Omega Baptist Church, 1821 Emerson Ave.

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