HBAC 92: Our Hilliard Year in Review

In another year of covering our city-these were our most read articles of 2024Number 10In our first entry we took a detailed look at the City Council during their annual work retreat and got a better sense of the city’s online infrastructure.https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/hilliard-city-council-advance-andNumber 9Hilliard Council showed international interest by working with local residents to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the early stages of ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine.https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/a-call-for-peace-develops-locallyNumber 8In related events City Council President Vermillion chose to resign her post but remain a member after backlash to the ceasefire resolution drew in local Jewish groups’ opposition and complaints about religious sensitivity. https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/vermillion-resigns-council-presidencyNumber 7Noor Cultural Islamic Center acquired the former BMW Financial building with plans to develop it alongside their other Dublin and New Albany facilities to serve their growing community. We found out from representative Fadi Suleiman and Attorney and former Council President Nathan Painter…it hasn’t been exactly “smooth sailing”https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/beacon-audio-companion-89-with-fadiNumber 6Featured in a number of pieces this year, Lifewise Academy made a big purchase of the former Aquatic Adventures for 2.6 million with plans to make it their new headquarters and training center- attempting to grow the controversial concept of “release time for religious instruction” during the school day.https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/lifewise-academy-grows-influenceNumber 5Kevin gave us a great look at the high-stakes involved when Hilliard Schools came back to the ballot with new funding requests for physical facilities upgrades and ongoing operating costshttps://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/whats-at-stake-for-hilliard-schoolsNumber 4It’s easy to get carried away thinking about 165 empty acres in the middle of your city. We did and you all enjoyed it quite a bit! The retired rail corridor (which bisects a large portion of our city) is at the center of Community Plan infill potential and a critical part of the developing trails network. We hope the process features innovation as well as public centered thinking when the time comes to grow here.https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/one-hundred-sixty-acres-of-sunshineNumber 3Highlighting an early clash (with coverage extending back to 2023) between residents and developers under the new Community Plan guidelines for development Rock Run LLC ran headlong into the Scioto Property Owners Collective. Plans have been revised and construction has begun on the site but this instance makes clear the need for more resident involvement and dialog in the months and years leading up to these announcements- not after.https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/dublin-road-development-at-decisionNumber 2The era defining city project known as “The Well” has made huge strides this year after cost and time setbacks (due largely to Covid-19 related slowdowns) to remain largely on track. Residents are eager to learn more about rates, staff, program offerings and more but also jumped at the chance to see new flythrough video of the building and grounds when we ran this piece back in June. Look for more coverage of this massive city project in the new year.https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/the-well-is-risingAnd finally…Number 1With a high drama final vote in Council, litigation currently pending and a federal case potentially on the way- it’s easy to see why this story shot to the top of our stats for most viewed article of the year.https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/p/hilliard-council-denies-zoning-changeThank you again for the opportunity to serve our community with another year of stellar reporting from Kevin Corvo. In the years to come we hope to continue to grow the Beacon and thus our ability to get you the meaningful information you need and can trust.The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe