DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — Downtown Dayton Partnership spearheading beautification initiatives in preparation for NATO PA.

The City of Dayton is deep into a number of beautification initiatives in preparation for the upcoming NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session this May. Starting with a bit of spring cleaning in April, art installations will come to the area.

Katie Meyer from Downtown Dayton Partnership said they’ve been planning art installations and cleanups in preparation for the influx of visitors coming for the NATO Assembly, but she said Dayton has an opportunity to cement itself on the global scale.

In 1995, the Dayton Peace Accords were signed ending the Bosnian war. 30 years later, Dayton is getting the opportunity to be part of more peace talks on a global scale as the first American city to host the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

“We really want the visitors who come here to understand what Dayton is, who we are, what’s our story. We also want to leave the legacy and remind the whole world, not just the people who are here on that weekend, our history with the Peace Accords and as a city and a global, you know, community that can host these conversations and lead in this way,” said Meyer.

DDP is also planning a number of art installations in NATO Village to showcase Dayton’s historic involvement in global peace talks, including a fly-over sculpture and a mural in the area of the NATO Village.

“The sculpture is much further along and that is a partnership that we’ve been working on with Real Art. It’s a downtown creative firm. And then the mural is also a local artist. We were able to secure funding through the state department with support from Congressman Turner’s office in order to do those things,” added Meyer.

Before the art can be installed, DDP is hosting a volunteer spring cleanup April 26th called First Bloom where they will be planting flowers, mulching , painting, and cleaning under overpasses. Meyer said they are working to find local sponsors and donations wherever they can, in addition to DDP funds where state funds can’t be used.

Chuck Edmonson from the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce said these next two months, organizations across Dayton will be working to nail down their plans and enter the NATO Assembly with their best foot forward.

“It’s a lot of planning and a lot of getting together and talking to businesses, especially businesses in the area, around what to expect. A lot of just getting ready logistically and getting the details nailed down, and making sure that everything runs as smoothly as it can,” said Edmonson.

Dayton 24/7 Now will be continuing coverage over the next few weeks as Dayton prepares for the global spotlight.