Multiple relocation plans stalled since the county's talks of a sale beginning in 2013 became reality. Sites were floated in the communities of Brookville, Huber Heights, Trotwood and Vandalia.
The Montgomery County Agricultural Society board voted on Tuesday, March 14, to move the fairgrounds from Dayton to Arthur O. Fisher Park in Jefferson Twp.
Here’s a look at some of the sites and when they were considered and other key dates:
PHOTOS: Scenes at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds
2013
Summer - Talks begin regarding possible sale of the Dayton fairgrounds site. Investment arm of Miller-Valentine Group begins working with Board of Montgomery County Commissioners to evaluate possible new sites.
December - Montgomery County Agricultural Society Board votes to move the 37-acre fairgrounds from its South Main Street location to site in Brookville.
2014
January - Fair enters into two-year purchase agreement with Miller-Valentine.
April - Brookville rezones nearly 70 acres to host fair at site off Arlington Road, in the Northbrook Industrial Park.
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2016
January - First Brookville plan falls through as developers leave the project. Miller-Valentine option on current Fairgrounds property expires.
March - Unidentified buyer backs away from purchase of fairgrounds site.
April - A Trotwood official says the fair board visited at least three locations there, including Hara Arena site.
May - Montgomery County commissioners issue a request for redevelopment proposals and authorize the county to seek bids for the sale of the fairgrounds, setting the minimum bid at $15 million.
July - Fair officials negotiate with Huber Heights to acquire an 80-acre site near I-70 near Gander Mountain.
November - Two development proposals for the current fairgrounds were rejected by the county. The plans by Thompson Thrift and Miller-Valentine Group were rejected for not meeting certain criteria.
December – A fair official confirms that three Brookville parcels were considered but would no longer be pursued.
Vandalia City Council rejects a plan to relocate the fairgrounds to an 80 acre-site on Webster Street north of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center. The council objected to inclusion of an event center in the plan.
2017
January - Premier Health and the University of Dayton agree to purchase the 37-acre South Main Street property in Dayton for $15 million.
February - Huber Heights officials announce the Montgomery County Fair Board is no longer considering moving the fairgrounds to property inside its city limits.
Montgomery County Agricultural Society President John Yancik said the fair board is still looking at several sites — possibly including land in the Trotwood area — but said the Hara Arena site not being considered.
The Vandalia City Council rejects a second proposal to relocate there in a special meeting Feb. 18.
March - The Agricultural Society board votes 15-5 to move the fairgrounds to Arthur O. Fisher Park in Jefferson Twp. on March 14.
"This is the best news that Jefferson Twp. could have in a long time,” said James McGuire, a Jefferson Twp. trustee. “This is a great opportunity for us to rebuild the community, the citizens worked for two years, having meetings … this is the fruit of all their work.”
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