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Year in review: 2024 at Hilliard’s new recreation and wellness campus

Posted: December 18, 2024
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Hilliard Among Top 21 Smart Communities in the World

February 23, 2023

The City of Hilliard has been named one of the world’s top smart cities, earning a spot in the Intelligent Community Forum’s (ICF) Smart21 communities.

Today’s announcement comes as part of the ICF 2023 Intelligent Communities of the Year Award program, which recognizes communities that demonstrate best practices in broadband implementation, workforce development, digital inclusion, innovation, advocacy, and sustainability.

Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall attributed part of the City’s success to its construction of the HiFiO fiber-optic network and consistent integration of smart technology into the city’s infrastructure.

The City has also partnered with Converge Technologies on the creation of Hilliard City Lab, a private-public technology testbed that leverages City resources to help high-tech businesses create, test, and launch innovative solutions.

The City hopes to be named one of ICF’s Top7 Intelligent Communities of the Year when that announcement is made this summer.

“Winning a place among this year’s Smart21 communities is an incredible badge of honor and puts the City of Hilliard in the global spotlight,” Crandall said. “Hilliard is connected, smart, and sustainable. We’re excited to show others how HiFiO and Hilliard City Lab are providing services that improve the quality of life for our residents and help companies turn their ideas into reality.”

Additionally, City of Hilliard Chief Information Officer Duane Powell served on a roundtable panel at the ICF Smart 21 conference, discussing how to attract broadband investment.
Learn more at https://hilliardohio.gov/economic-development/

The entire list of communities named in the 2023 Smart21 include:

  • Assai County, Parana, Brazil
  • Astana, Kazakhstan
  • Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
  • Binh Duong Smart City, Vietnam
  • Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
  • Coral Gables, Florida, USA
  • Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
  • Defiance, Ohio, USA
  • Doral, Florida, USA
  • Durham Region, Ontario, Canada
  • Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • Fairfield/Jefferson County, Iowa, USA
  • Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
  • Greater Geelong, Victoria, Australia
  • Grey County, Ontario, Canada
  • Hilliard, Ohio, USA
  • Pickering, Ontario, Canada
  • Ponta Grossa, Parana, Brazil
  • Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
  • Townsville, Queensland, Australia
  • Whanganul, New Zealand

City Launches Sidewalk Maintenance Program to Improve Safety and Accessibility

January 30, 2023

SAFE Sidewalks are coming to Hilliard as part of the City’s new sidewalk maintenance program that provides “Safe Access for Everyone.”

Starting this spring, the City is launching the SAFE Sidewalk Program to evaluate all 200 miles of Hilliard sidewalks, identify areas for improvement, and make repairs as necessary. This program will be an ongoing effort over the next decade to improve the image and livability of Hilliard.

The process began in May 2022, when the condition of sidewalks, trails, and curb ramps were surveyed and inventoried to prioritize repair and maintenance. This information was used to help the City prioritize where repairs are most needed and to ensure all City sidewalks are kept in the best condition. The first neighborhood to benefit from the sidewalk maintenance program will be the Avery subdivision.

In Hilliard (and most other communities), property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Exceptions include when the damage causing the repairs is created by roots from City-owned trees in the public right-of-way or defects caused by manhole covers or utilities. The City also is responsible for repairs and accessibility compliance on curb ramps. When the City identifies a sidewalk in need of repair, the property owner receives written notice of the required work, along with the estimated cost.

Ohio Revised Code Chapter 729.01 describes Ohio property owner responsibilities relating to sidewalks, curbs and gutters.

Hilliard property owners have two options when it comes to repairing their sidewalks:

  • Allow the City to perform the repairs and bill them for the work. (Opt-In) Most residents will benefit from this option because allowing the City gets cost savings based on competitive bidding for the large number of annual repairs in the community. Additionally, the City handles the coordination, scheduling and quality control related to the work. Property owners may elect to have the cost spread out over a 5-year, zero interest term through a special assessment on their property taxes.
  • Make the repairs on their own. (Opt-Out) This work must meet all required City of Hilliard code and standards. Should your sidewalk be identified for repair or replacement, you will be asked to make the repairs within approximately four months. If the work has not been performed by the provided deadline the City will perform the work, with costs billed or assessed back to the property owner. Opting out does not remove the requirement that the sidewalk needs to be improved, it only means that you do not wish to have the improvements made by the City’s contractor.

Watch the video above and visit https://hilliardohio.gov/sidewalk-maintenance/ to learn more.

Choose Hilliard: IC3D Printers

January 26, 2023

On this Choose Hilliard episode, we introduce you to IC3D, one of Hilliard’s newest tech companies and a partner with Hilliard City Lab.

This full-service 3D printing manufacturer started in a basement back in 2012 and now owns the largest 3D printers in Central Ohio.

Through Hilliard City Lab, Converge Technologies (a high-tech commercialization incubator) and the City of Hilliard are partnering to promote technology growth and innovation through Hilliard City Lab.

Through this collaboration, the Hilliard becomes a lab for testing new technologies and supporting start-ups that are ready to advance their innovative ideas and products. Using the City’s infrastructure, fiber optic network, sensor technology and real-time analytics, the City and Converge have already assisted several companies in moving from prototype to commercial product.

To learn more about how Hilliard City Lab can benefit your business, visit: https://hilliardohio.gov/city-lab/

Real People: Mike Metz, HPD Detective

November 22, 2022

The City of Hilliard has several employees who are alumni of The Ohio State University Marching Band, including Detective Mike Metz.

Metz has served in various roles with the Hilliard Division of Police for 36 years and played trumpet for The Ohio State University Marching Band from 1975-1980. Watch the video to hear his thoughts on this weekend’s big rivalry game and his time at HPD.

Thank you, Mike, for your service to the Hilliard community!

ADS Breaks Ground on Engineering & Technology Center

October 10, 2022

With the strike of six shovels, Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) broke ground on its new 110,000-square-foot Engineering and Technology Center in Hilliard on Monday.

ADS plans to invest $65 million into the center, which will allow the company to consolidate its product development and testing operations and manufacturing engineering development into one central location.

The 17-acre site is located at Lyman Drive and Davidson Road, west of ADS’ Trueman Boulevard headquarters.

It’s the latest chapter in the company’s “American success story,” said ADS President and CEO Scott Barbour, noting that the expansion will be “in Hilliard, our hometown.”

ADS was founded more than 60 years ago by two engineers who saw an opportunity to develop new ways to manage water in corn and soybean fields. Now, the company is a leader in storm water and septic wastewater management — creating systems under homes, businesses, agricultural friends, and roadways all over the world.

Additionally, the company is the largest plastic recycler in North America. Last year, ADS recycled 600 million pounds of plastic, said Barbour.

ADS helps cities throughout the country, including the City of Hilliard, achieve their sustainability goals, noted Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall. Nearly 40 percent of Hilliard lies within the Big Darby Watershed — one of the most bio-diverse waterways in the country.

“As we look to envision the development of this sensitive portion of our city, including our soon-to-be constructed 135-acre Recreation and Wellness campus, we are so extremely fortunate to have ADS as both a corporate resident and a corporate partner, helping to guide our efforts and realize our environmental vision,” Crandall said.

The new ADS facility is expected to open for operations in late 2023 and to be completed in early 2024. Two hundred new jobs will be created in the Hilliard community as part of the investment.

“We look forward to supporting the company’s growth over the coming years as ADS creates a cleaner, greener tomorrow from their expanded home in the City of Hilliard,” Crandall said.

Also in attendance was Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, who praised the company’s journey from start-up to national leader.

“Ohio is a state on the rise and it’s because of great companies like you,” said Husted.

Real People Spotlight: Dave Judson, Operations Administrator

September 27, 2022

This month’s “Real People” spotlight features Dave Judson, Operations Administrator, who’s been with the City for nearly three decades!

Judson has served residents in various capacities since joining the City of Hilliard Recreation and Parks Department in 1993. He went on to serve as Recreation Supervisor for the Hilliard Senior Center for 15 years before taking his current administrative role in the Operations Department.

No matter his role, Dave always displays a true “Heart for Service” in everything he does. Thank you for your dedication to the Hilliard community all these years!

Electric Aggregation 101: What Hilliard Residents Need to Know

September 21, 2022

Electric Aggregation (Issue 35) is on the ballot for Hilliard voters this November and is a program supporting sustainable energy that would offer residents and businesses that opt in, a bulk rate for electricity.

There are two main goals for this program.

  1. Promote the use and creation of electricity produced by sustainable sources, such as wind and solar.
  2. Secure the lowest-possible bulk rate by negotiating with sustainable energy providers.

Electric prices constantly fluctuate based on supply and demand, among other factors. But this program, if approved, would allow the City to act quickly on your behalf when the market is most favorable for sustainably-sourced electricity.

It’s important to know, it’s still your choice! Hilliard electric customers may always “opt out” of the program contract period and pay the market rate. Opting out will be as simple as completing an online form or returning a provided postcard informing us of your decision.

Even a “Yes” vote does not remove your choice. Everyone still keeps the same level of service, on the same power lines, and has the right to choose their provider.

The electric aggregation program just authorizes the City to negotiate a bulk rate for sustainably sourced electricity. You can then choose to “opt out” if you wish.

Voters in Columbus, Worthington, and Grove City have already made the commitment and authorized their municipal government to establish green-energy aggregation programs.

Now, it’s your choice to decide if this is the right step for the City of Hilliard. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8 and early voting begins Oct. 12. So get out and vote and make your voices heard this fall!

For complete information, visit our Electric Aggregation, Issue 35 page.

Bridging the Gap Over I-270 at Cemetery Road: Pedestrian Path Survey Results

September 7, 2022

We asked and you answered! Earlier this summer, the City of Hilliard asked for your thoughts about four possible designs for a bike and pedestrian path over I-270 at Cemetery Road.

The goal of such a path is to prioritize safety, recreation, and connectivity for people who travel on foot or via bicycles. This is part of the City’s long-range plan to improve the environment, promote alternate forms of transportation, support local business, and connect our community to Central Ohio’s multi-use path system.

More than 400 people provided feedback that ultimately informed our decision. The clear preference was for the City to build a crossing entirely on the south side of Cemetery Road, including a tunnel under eastbound Cemetery Road to the southbound I-270 entrance ramp. This path would loop up to the pedestrian bridge over the interstate.

This design would create a safe and user-friendly option for pedestrians, bicyclists, or anyone not traveling by vehicle to cross I-270 between Cemetery Road, Trueman Boulevard, and Mill Run on the east side of the interstate. Here’s why:

1. The multi-use path will be on a separate bridge on the south side of Cemetery Road. This means automobile traffic will not be affected by the new multi-use crossing. The new bridge also will not be affected by any future improvements to the existing interchange .

2. This option eliminates all free flow ramp crossings for path users. There will be only one ramp crossing at a signalized intersection.

3. It also results in fewer interactions between vehicles and path users.

4. Finally, there are fewer right-of-way impacts between Britton Parkway and I-270.

Now that you’ve helped us determine the best plan for Hilliard, the City will begin the process of securing outside funding from the federal government and other sources to pay for this needed improvement.

At this time, the City is in the process of applying for two grants – the MORPC Attributable Fund, and the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant.

About 80 percent of the funding for the I-270 trail project would come from these federal funds, with the remaining 20 percent funded by the City of Hilliard or other non-federal sources. The City should know more about the status of this funding in early 2023.

Choose Hilliard: Crooked Can Brewing Company

August 24, 2022

In just two years, Crooked Can Ohio has become a centerpiece of Downtown Hilliard for several reasons:

🍺 Award-winning craft beer

🍕 10 tasty food vendors at the Center Street Market

🐶 Family and dog-friendly atmosphere

☂️ Space for everyone, including a 7,000 sq. ft patio

For this month’s #ChooseHilliard feature, we tell the story behind Crooked Can, an idea forged by three college friends who have successfully implemented their concept in both Florida and Ohio. We discuss their secrets to success and how they weathered the early storms of the pandemic to become one of the premiere breweries in Central Ohio.

Thank you for choosing Hilliard, Crooked Can! Cheers to you!🍻

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