About the Forum

For more than 25 years eight Ohio universities have supported programs, research, and community efforts to advance the economy and social well-being of our state’s cities and metropolitan regions.

This year's conference brings together private and public sector visionaries who are focused on the rebuilding of Ohio's older metropolitan areas. They not only reject the idea that our best days are behind us, but instead point to what they are doing to advance Ohio.

The opening session “Developers’ Vision for Metro Ohio” convenes developers from across Ohio who are making substantial investments in the older downtown areas of Ohio's urban centers. First-hand experience with new initiatives—from Cleveland to Dayton and from Columbus to Toledo—will highlight why several private companies and entrepreneurs are “bullish” on Ohio. Their work and remarks will also help us to understand what more the public and private sectors can do together to propel Ohio to lofty economic heights.

The second panel “Universities as Developers” involves the UUP universities who are major players in the redevelopment of metropolitan areas. Learn about the substantial commitment Ohio's public universities are making to change the look, feel, and vibrancy of center cities and metropolitan communities. When we speak of Ohio's future and Ohio's public universities, no one is more confident in the future then these UUP institutions.

The third panel “First Suburbs and their State Agenda” focuses on the extraordinary accomplishments and plans of the consortium of organizations striving to make Ohio's First Suburbs the neighborhoods of choice again for America's businesses and families. Learn what a set of public and private partnerships across the state are doing to change the face of metropolitan Ohio.

Ohio's new Lieutenant Governor and Ohio Director of Development Lee Fisher is the luncheon keynote speaker. Hear first hand about the plans of the Strickland-Fisher administration to advance Ohio.

Conference Presentations

Developers' Vision for Metro Ohio: Dillin Corp's Vision for Metro Ohio
Larry Dillin, Dillin Corporation, B.P.E.

Developers' Vision for Metro Ohio
Ari Maron, MRN, Limited Partnership

Developers' Vision for Metro Ohio: Nationwide Arena District
Keith Myers, Principal, MSI Design

Universities as Developers: Campus/Community Planning in a Shrinking City
Hunter Morrison, Center for Urban and Regional Studies, Youngstown State University

Universities as Developers: University Park and the University of Akron: University as Urban Developer
Ken Stapleton, Senior Economic Develpment Advisor and Executive Director, University Park Alliance
Office of the President, The University of Akron

First Suburbs and their State Agenda: Ohio First Suburbs Consortium
Jack Jensen, Director, First Suburbs of the Dayton Region