May 19th Meeting Notes

 

Welcome to our two newest club members, Kaitlyn Gushue and Steve Schmidt!  Kaitlyn is a small business owner focused on children's parties and corporate events and is the daughter of our own Grace Gushue.  Steven is retired from Battelle but continues work there occasionally and is an active volunteer. We are trilled to have both of you as members of Dublin AM Rotary!

 

The principal and librarian from Daniel Wright Elementary School received a $500 donation from our Club. They reminded us of the unique needs of the school, which has more than half of the 700 student population on free or reduced lunch, 37 different countries of heritage and more than 20 primary languages that are spoken with English being learned as a second language.

 

The annual installation dinner will be held on Friday evening, June 23rd, at the home of Bonnie and Rick Malir.

 

David Bentz would like any family volunteers to contact him if they are interested in hosting an 18 year old exchange student from Thailand during the weeks of June 19th and June 26th.

 

Julie Rinaldi reminded us that there is a Miracle League league game tomorrow that will include a balloon launch to honor one of the past participants who recently passed away.  Those members who can volunteer as buddies for tomorrow's game should arrive around 12:00.

 

The Interact Club at Dublin Coffman High School is hosting its Drive in Movie on Saturday evening - featuring Back to The Future. Proceeds support Strides for Sobriety.

 

 

 

Terry Foegler, Director of Special Projects and Initiatives for Dublin, provided historic context and an update on the Bridge Street Corridor project and the Bridge Park development.

 

Terry first came to Dublin in 1990 when the city had 16,000 residents and lacked the infrastructure or planning to support a growth strategy. Today, Dublin has 47,000 residents and has become a nationally recognized example of the importance and great results of in-depth planning.  Dublin continues to invest in long-range planning for infrastructure and improvements that are aligned to the changing needs of the population and the City's growth goals. 

 

While Dublin's growth plan two decades ago was based on the baby boomers coming of age and desiring larger homes in a suburban setting, the planning that s occurring now is centered on those boomers becoming empty nesters. The changing desires of the under-30 mobile workforce is also requiring changes in what Dublin offers and employers and prospective companies are driving the City's plans going forward as well.  82% of the housing requirements in Dublin's future will be for empty nesters.  Also, the young, mobile workforce of today is attracted to dense, walkable, mixed use communities such as what Bridge Park is going to offer. 

 

As Dublin's leaders examined the potential for the Bridge Street Corridor, they realized that Dublin had some excellent but under-utilized assets. including the Scioto riverfront, the historic district, and the visibility and access of the area with Rte 161, Riverside Dr. and I-270.

 

Bridge Park is taking shape ahead of schedule. The AC hotel will include a rooftaop bar, and Cap City Diner is expected to open this July.John Shields parkway is open now from Riverside to Tuller.

 

The improvements in the historic district on High Street should see construction ending in November.

 

The pedestrian bridge construction site is being prepared, and the bridge will be complete in 2019. Completion of the park space on both sides of he river will be done after completion of the bridge.  The park space on the east side of the river will include green space, a landing plaza for the bridge and room for activities and events.  The space on the west side of the river will be naturalized and include walking paths.

 

The landing plaza for the bridge on the west side will be surrounded by the buildings that are new to the development, with restaurants opening to the plaza.

 

Road improvements and additions on the west side of of the river, along with a 540 space parking garage, will improve access considerably. The new library site will also enable expansion and improvements to the veterans' memorial park.

 

Planning is underway for the difficult improvements that are needed for the 161-Post Rd-Frantz Rd. intersection as well as development plans for West Bridge Street. 

 

Today's presentation was a fascinating reflection on how much Dublin has changed and grown, how much more change and improvements are coming, and how much planning and consideration have made our community such a great place to call home.