Miamisburg’s downtown revitalization creates its identity
Surrounded by swathes of sycamores, Miamisburg's vast suburbs cushion a vibrant downtown filled with historic architecture and small businesses. Known as the Star City, the community is home to 20,000 residents. While the origin of its nickname is debated, the city lives up to the title by continuously bolstering its economy and overall identity. "Putting feet on the street is our goal. It's taken us decades, but now we draw more visitors than people who live in our city limits every year," says Doug Sorrell, a city native and board member at the Plaza Theatre Association. Within walking distance of downtown's bustling atmosphere is a brand-new $5 million park and the steady waters of the Great Miami River.
The city also has multiple industrial hubs for top employers, like Yaskawa America, United Grinding and Wurth Elektronik, while maintaining room to grow. Healthcare is another prominent industry, with Kettering Health Miamisburg and Dayton Children's Hospital South Campus inside the city.
Downtown Miamisburg is known as "Star City" and is the heart of Miamisburg.
Downtown Miamisburg has plenty of attractions such as the Cars and Coffee event.
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Colorful downtown and The Miamisburg Hamburger Wagon
Miamisburg has several commercial centers within its limits, including Dayton Mall, the largest mall in the Dayton-Springfield area. However, the city's downtown revitalization has made it the primary hub for shopping, dining and entertainment. "The suburbs around Miamisburg are spending money feverishly to duplicate our downtown," Sorrell says. "We really started this revitalization back in the 70s, and we did a lot of strategic things that are paying dividends now." Brightly muraled mom-and-pop shops, locally owned restaurants and historic venues line two-lane, one-way streets. "It's like something out of It's a Wonderful Life," says Lisa Goris-May, former resident and Realtor with Glasshouse Realty Group.
Downtown has several attractions, and the Miamisburg Hamburger Wagon is among the most famous. What started as a volunteer effort after the Miami Valley's infamous 1913 flood became one of the city's most beloved eateries. "They just sell boatloads of those burgers. Just thousands of them weekly," Sorrell says. The Plaza Theater is another notable spot. Hollywood-style stars line the sidewalk leading up to the cinema, which sells $5 movie tickets to over 24,000 annual visitors.
Miamisburg residents walking their dogs throughout the downtown area.
Downtown Miamisburg has exciting events you can explore such as Oh Hoppy Day.
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Green suburbs hold a mix of historic and new
Historic houses are common downtown. Most are multi-generational, dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Houses along South Main and South First streets have been repurposed into storefronts and restaurants, while homes on smaller roads are strictly residential. Two-story duplexes, American Foursquares and Colonial-inspired houses sit by the occasional bungalow or Queen Anne.
Moving away from downtown means larger lot sizes and newer construction. Neatly designed subdivisions feature sprawling lawns and stately brick homes in Colonial, split-level and ranch styles. Houses built within the past decade have more contemporary and New Traditional designs. While prices vary significantly throughout the city, the city's median home price is $255,000, below the national median of $406,000.
Newer construction is becoming popular within the Miamisburg community.
Homes throughout Miamisburg show residents the different types of architecture.
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Native American history preserved at Miamisburg Mound Park
Miamisburg hugs the river, so the Great Miami River Recreational Trail passes through the heart of downtown. The trail connects the Miami Valley, including Dayton and several counties. Riverfront Park, also along the river, is well-known for hosting concerts at its outdoor amphitheater. Its proximity to downtown makes it an easy-to-get-to venue for city events.
Miamisburg Mound Park is the city's most historically relevant park. Its 65-foot-tall mound was excavated in the late 1800s. It is believed to have been constructed by the Adena culture, an early ancestor of Ohio's Native American tribes. Previously used as a cemetery, the park is now a historic landmark where people can picnic or spend time outside.
Miamisburg Mound was the work of the prehistoric Adena culture.
Families enjoy days outside at the newly built Riverfront Park in Miamisburg.
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Full-day kindergarten and smaller class sizes
The Miamisburg City School District scores a B on Niche, ranking seventh-best out of 16 Montgomery County school districts. The district has taken several steps to provide educational opportunities beyond the standard offered by the state. "Ohio doesn't require a full-day kindergarten for our students, but we offer it at no cost," says Laura Blessing, superintendent of Miamisburg City Schools. "We see that as a value for families but also a return on investment for our students." The district has multiple elementary schools but only one middle and one high school. "We chose Miamisburg for our kids because it doesn't have a graduating class of 5,000. It's small enough where kids can get to know each other and grow up together," Goris-May says.
Bear Elementary School educates grades 1-5 in Miamisburg.
According to Niche, Miamisburg High School in Miamisburg has a B+ rating.
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Free downtown parking
Traffic within the city is low, and most roads have no more than two or three lanes. However, the city has access to Interstates 75 and 675, which connect to larger cities like Dayton and Cincinnati. Bike lanes and bus stops line downtown streets, where street and public lot parking is free. Dayton International Airport is about 22 miles away.
Events in the Burg
The city hosts several "in the Burg" annual events. Spring Fest in the Burg is the largest, with a highly attended downtown parade. Attendees enjoy fair food while admiring chalk art and live wood carving demonstrations. Cruise in the Burg lets people show off their classic cars, while Boo in the Burg draws hundreds of costumed ghouls to haunt downtown. Ghost tours are popular year-round because of the city's history, and the Star City Concert Series in Riverfront Park is a highly attended summer activity.
Low flooding, low crime rates
Miamisburg experiences four seasons, with moderate temperatures throughout the year. Although the city is along the Miami River, a flood protection system minimizes annual flooding.
The FBI reports that in 2023, property and violent crime rates in Miamisburg were lower than the national average.
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