NATO IN DAYTON

For NATO questions and concerns, contact:

NATOquestions@daytonohio.gov

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More information and latest updates can be found at:

www.natopa-dayton2025.org

NATO Information

The 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly will hold its Spring Session in downtown Dayton May 22-26. It’s the first time a NATO Session will take place in the U.S. since 2003, and it’s happening in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords.

This international gathering offers an incredible and unique opportunity to showcase our community, highlighting Dayton’s historical significance and cultural contributions on the world stage. Preparations for the event have been made over the last year and beyond, not only by officials at the local, national, and international level, but also by hundreds of Daytonians from organizations, nonprofits, businesses, residents, and volunteers. Now it’s here, and we’re ready to welcome the world to Dayton and show off what makes our city special.

Details You Should Know

As a partner organization for NATO in Dayton, as well as an advocate for our downtown constituents, the Downtown Dayton Partnership has been working over the past several months to make sure downtown businesses, residents, property owners, and others know what to expect through regular email communications, public information meetings, and other methods. In case you have missed those communications or would like a refresher, we’ve compiled many of the details listed here in one place:

Restricted Access Downtown

Much of downtown Dayton will become the “NATO Village,” a restricted, secure zone (shown at right in pink). Pedestrians and vehicles will be heavily restricted inside the zone: only NATO Assembly participants will be allowed to enter this zone, and vehicle traffic will not be allowed in the zone (other than official vehicles for the Assembly and delivery vehicles approved by security at designated times). Restrictions for this zone are slated to begin on May 21 and end on May 27.

Click here to enlarge the NATO Village secure zone map.

Access to Businesses

Most businesses within the NATO Village are choosing to stay open during the NATO security measures. Pedestrian access to any open business will be maintained via fencing pathways constructed to allow customers to visit the business.

Building Access & Parking

For those working in offices and other buildings, pedestrian access will be maintained via a series of entry points at the NATO Village perimeter. The Dayton Police Department has released a map showing planned pedestrian entry points, including which entry points will provide access to which buildings, and where the closest parking will be for each entry point. That map can be found at: www.natopa-dayton2025.org/parking-information

The secure zone also will impact parking in downtown lots and garages, and it will be necessary for those who typically park within the zone to find alternate parking. For businesses whose usual parking access will be interrupted by the NATO security perimeter, the City of Dayton and Montgomery County will offer complimentary alternative parking on a first-come, first-served basis in the Oregon District Parking Garage, City Hall Garage, and Reibold Garage. To learn more about how you can take advantage of one of these options, please get in touch with Syron Townsend at townsend@downtowndayton.org or 937-224-1518, extension 231.

Residential Access

Residents who live within NATO Village will have access to their residential building throughout the session. Residents have been or will be advised on specific procedures regarding their individual buildings, including parking restrictions, identification requirements, and access points.

RTA Information

The Greater Dayton RTA will expand weekend hours for The Flyer to run from 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, to enhance access to downtown businesses and restaurants. Due to the security perimeter set up for the NATO event, The Flyer will be rerouted beginning May 20 and continuing through May 26, traveling through Wright Stop Plaza from Jefferson Street to Main Street instead of turning left down Third Street. A map of the Flyer reroutes can be found here. During the NATO event, RTA’s downtown transit center will remain open and services will continue to run with minor re-routes downtown around the NATO Village secured area.

Who to Contact with Questions or Concerns

Any questions or concerns regarding access, parking, or other NATO-related issues can be sent to NATOquestions@daytonohio.gov. Multiple people monitor that email address and quickly route questions to the most appropriate person to promptly respond.

How You Can Participate

While only NATO Assembly participants will be able to access the secured NATO Village zone during the Assembly and attend its sessions, many efforts have been made to ensure that the activities and installations created for NATO can be enjoyed not only by NATO Assembly attendees, but also by the local public. A variety of cultural events and activities will be open to the public, art installations and exhibits will have public hours, and a “Local Love” event is planned to encourage everyone to get out, see installations, and support local businesses.

Events open to the public include:

“Think Freedom” installation in the Dayton Arcade

“The Dayton Dialogue: Conversations about Peace & Security in the Balkans” at UD Roger Glass Center for the Arts

“Dayton Around the World” exhibit in the Old Courthouse

“Concert for Peace” at Schuster Center

“Local Love” Art Stroll & Business Blitz – May 31: Stroll at your own pace to take in the new murals, sculptures, ArtWraps, and more. Give our local businesses some love by buying a meal, getting a DORA drink to-go, and shopping downtown’s unique retail options! This is a day for the community to get a closer look at all of the new art and improvements made in preparation for the NATO PA, and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords

Thank You

Thank you very, very much for your flexibility and understanding regarding the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Dayton. While it’s an incredible opportunity for our city, we know that it comes with many changes, inconveniences, and disruptions to your normal routine. Officials have done their best to minimize those issues, but we know it will still bring challenges for our business, residents, and property owners. We appreciate the accommodations you’re making to help Dayton shine on the international stage. More information, including the latest news and updates, can be found at www.natopa-dayton2025.org.