Dayton is giving $6.5 million to the Land Bank to help remediation and revitalization work on the Centre City building

In today’s Morning Briefing, we look at the scope of the project and how the project will benefit all of downtown Dayton. We also give you the latest about Vice President-elect JD Vance’s resignation from the Senate and who might replace him.

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The newsletter should take about 4 minutes, 9 seconds to read.

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Group that saved Dayton Arcade gets $6M from city to revive downtown landmark

A couple of the lead developers of the Dayton Arcade plan to rehab one of downtown’s most recognizable skyscrapers, which has long languished despite a series of previous proposals to revitalize the building.

• The Centre City Building: The 21-story office tower is located at 40 N. Main St. It is one of downtown’s most prominent skyscrapers that is a big part of the city’s skyline. The vacant building, which essentially is three combined structures, was the tallest reinforced concrete building in the country when it was completed more than a century ago.

• The project: Model Group, in partnership with Cross Street Partners, has spent about four years working on a plan to convert the tower into about 217 new residential units. The project also would create 11,000 square feet of new ground-floor commercial space.

• The cost: The developers say they hope to close on financing this spring with city government recently approving $6 million in funding to help remediate and redevelop the building. Total cost is estimated at more than $100 million.

• What they are saying: “This is a big day for Dayton,” Tony Kroeger, Dayton’s planning division manager said. “It’s a big day for the history of Dayton, for the architecture of Dayton, for downtown and for addressing the need for housing.”

Vice President-elect JD Vance resigns from the Senate

Vice President-elect JD Vance has resigned from his seat in the U.S. Senate, effective yesterday.

• Vance’s letter: Vance made his intentions known in a letter Thursday to Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.

“As I prepare to assume my duties as Vice President of the United States, I would like to express that it has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the people of Ohio in the Senate over the past two years,” Vance wrote in the letter.

• His replacement: DeWine has the sole duty of appointing a successor to Vance and has said he would make the appointment once Vance vacated the seat. DeWine has not said ecactly when he will make that announcement.

• Candidates: A long list of elected Republicans in the state has expressed interest in the seat, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Treasurer Robert Sprague, U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, state Sen. Matt Dolan, former Republican state chair Jane Timken and GOP attorney and strategist Mehek Cooke.

However, speculation has most recently zeroed in on Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who accompanied DeWine on a recent trip to Mar-a-Lago to speak with President-elect Donald Trump.

What to know today

• One big takeaway: Nearly 150 employees will be impacted by the closure of Piqua auto components manufacturer, Nitto Denko Automotive Ohio.

• Tip of the day: Are you driving with snow on top of your car? If so, you could be in trouble with the law.

• Person to know today: Vicki Seiler-Cushman. The Beavercreek Twp. woman will be one of the seven final judges at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February, a responsibility she calls the “highest honor” of her career.

• Big move of the day: The Humane Society of Greater Dayton has announced the upcoming launch of “a luxury resale boutique designed to combine affordable, curated shopping with a mission to make a difference.”

• Quote of the day: “Every football season this is the expectation. Although we haven’t achieved it. But there’s also a lot of things that this university does for these young people that will carry them throughout the rest of their lives.” — Marcus Freeman, the Wayne grad and Notre Dame coach, on playing for the National Championship.

• Stat of the day: The Macy’s anchor department store at the Mall at Fairfield Commons is set to close early this year, one of 66 that the department store chain announced closures for Thursday. Macy’s announced that it would shutter 150 Macy’s stores across the country last February.

• Dayton Flyers: Where do the Flyers play their best, and worst, on the road in their conference?

• Things to do: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which celebrates the legendary Civil Rights Movement leader, is on the third Monday of January each year. Check out our list of local events.

• Photo of the day: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, center, and members of the team celebrate after winning the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Penn State. See our gallery of Dayton native Marcus Freeman through the years.