Dayton Gets Real: Groundbreaking takes place to address food and health inequity
A major non-profit is investing millions in addressing food and health inequity and a groundbreaking was held Thursday afternoon in Dayton.
Homefull is building a needs campus called a Homefull Health Living, at a 16-acre site in the in the 800 block of South Gettysburg Avenue.
>>PHOTOS: Grocery store groundbreaking in Dayton to address food and health inequity
News Center 7′s Mike Campbell says this new project is expected to be make the space an asset to the community. It will include a grocery store, a Kettering Health Network primary physician office and pharmacy run by Zik’s Pharmacy.
The 16-acre site used to be the home of a Dayton Public elementary school and then sat vacant as a field for many years. Now, this project will again make the space an asset to the community.
City and county leaders were in attendance for the groundbreaking on Thursday.
Lisa Rucker, President of the Pine View Neighborhood Association, said this new grocery store will be in a place that sorely needs it.
“Again, man-made food desert in this area,” she said. “
She tells Campbell this full-service grocery store with health choices is very welcome.
“The grocery store marketplace is definitely needed, especially for those who are not able to travel,” said Rucker. “The transportation is limited. So, to get the food supply health food that they need, the marketplace will be just wonderful.”
>>Dayton City Commission votes to fund Homefull’s plan for grocery store, health facility
Judy Dodge, Montgomery County Commissioner, was in attendance with for the groundbreaking Thursday and agrees that this is needed.
“This area has been a food desert for too long,” she said.
Dodge told Campbell both the county and city contributed money to this project but there are private partners as well to address more than just food needs.
It is food, healthcare, and jobs. Kettering Health Network plans to build primary care physician offices here and a popular west side business, Zik’s Pharmacy, also plans to have a pharmacy location here.
“When it comes to our communities, we should never say never,” said Tim Dutton, Homefull board chair.
>>Dayton Gets Real: Second Chances
The board chairman said making positive changes requires the long-term approach and perseverance.
“The project represents more than 30 years of work and commitment in the Dayton community that Homefull has participated in,” Dutton told Campbell.
“They promise certain things and we want to see it,” Rucker told Campbell. “They have 100% support and we’ll encourage others to support it.”
Rucker said a minority community that has seen food and health inequities for long periods of time is always going to take a wait and see approach. She trusts Homefull and is optimistic.
>>Two Brookville women reported missing found ‘alive and well’ in New Mexico national forest
She also hopes other developers will take notice of what is happening.
“For those that are hesitant to invest in West Dayton to take a second look,” Rucker said.
Campbell said the ceremonial groundbreaking took place Thursday but construction is underway at this site.
It is expected to be completed and opened in about 18 months.
