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Over the past several months, the City of Dayton has worked with the owner of 29 W. First St. by providing written guidance, reviewing plans, issuing permits, providing follow-up reminders, conducting inspections, and granting multiple extensions to allow time for necessary repairs and improvements.
The City of Dayton recognizes the importance of building tenant Rabbit Hole Books to the community and understands the uncertainty experienced by the business, its employees, and customers. The City wants to see the building successfully rehabilitated, with lawful tenant occupancy as soon as possible.
We will continue working toward that goal, but the City has a legal obligation to enforce Ohio Building Code. Protection of public safety must guide every decision.
Recently, the City accepted a permit application for masonry repairs from the building’s owner. While this represents partial progress toward abating structural deficiencies, critical life-safety and structural repairs remain unresolved. City staff will meet with the owner and his professional team next week to discuss outstanding requirements and the steps needed to move the building toward compliance.
As a condition of the temporary occupancy granted in early May with an expiration of October 23, 2026, the owner was required to install a second means of egress for tenant Rabbit Hole Books, including a new exit door and garage opening. Although the plans were submitted and approved, the work has not been completed or inspected.
Because this required safety improvement remains unfinished, the City cannot continue to support occupancy under the existing temporary authorization. The temporary occupancy authorization will therefore be revoked on November 2, 2026. Occupancy will remain suspended until the required improvements are completed and successfully inspected.
Once the second exit is completed and passes inspection, the City will evaluate whether temporary occupancy can be restored while the approved masonry repairs and remaining structural improvements proceed. Any decision will be based on applicable code requirements, the building's condition, and the recommendations of the project's design professionals.
The City understands that additional time has been requested. However, multiple extensions have already been provided, and the issue is no longer simply administrative. A required life-safety improvement has been approved but not constructed. The City must make decisions based on the actual conditions of the building, not anticipated future work.
The City of Dayton's goals are straightforward: protect public safety, support the rehabilitation of the building, and restore lawful occupancy as soon as the necessary safety requirements are met.
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