Riverscape pavilion unveiled

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Right on time for the City Folk festival, downtown Dayton was ready to show off its brand new look.

After ten years of planning, the Riverscape project was finally open to the public.

The 17,350 square foot pavilion featured a stage for concert performances, sound and lighting equipment, and a bike hub.

The pavilion sat on what used to be a hot asphalt parking lot.

Many residents who came to check out the changes said they liked what they saw.

"I saw a really nice city on the river. I think this made it look very spectacular," said Dayton resident Leslie King.

Officials said they hoped the bike hub would encourage people to commute to work. It featured a facility where bikers could shower, change, park their bikes, and walk to work.

Officials said you could expect to see regular concerts in the pavilion. After Thanksgiving, the area would be transformed into a covered ice-rink. It would be 50% larger than the old ice rink.

Alan Pippenger, the President of the Board of Commissioners for Five River Metro Parks said, Dayton hoped to turn towards the river, instead of away from it.

"It soon became apparent that riverscape really was the front porch of downtown," said Pippenger.

Residents would also be able to rent roller blades, bikes, pedal boats, and hydrobikes at the pavilion, until Labor Day.

The federal government chipped in, providing more than $4 million dollars in funding for the project. The total cost of the construction was $6.2 million dollars.