The State of Our City: Strong, Supportive and Shaping the Future

A city built with care can feel both rooted and forward-looking. That’s Dublin.
A city familiar to those who grew up here and exciting to those just arriving. That’s Dublin.
A city defined by civic pride, volunteerism and a shared commitment to community. That’s Dublin.

You’ll hear how those qualities shape our future in this episode featuring Dublin’s annual State of the City Address.

The first voice you’ll hear is Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes, whose pride in Dublin reflects both her role as mayor and her family’s long ties to the community. From there, City Manager Megan O’Callaghan walks through the State of the City, highlighting the ideas, investments and partnerships helping Dublin plan, connect and prosper.

Infrastructure plays a major role in that story. Projects like the U.S. 33 and S.R. 161 interchange help keep our region moving, while the city’s 30th roundabout continues Dublin’s leadership in improving traffic safety.

Innovation and economic growth are also front and center. The West Innovation District is emerging as a hub for research, higher education and high-quality jobs. At the same time, the Metro Center Revitalization Plan is reimagining legacy office space as a vibrant mixed-use district designed for today’s workforce.

Community health and well-being remain a priority as well. The Dublin Wellness Alliance gathers insight from residents about mental health and belonging, while expanded hospital capacity from Mount Carmel and OhioHealth reinforces Dublin’s growing role as a regional health care hub.

And of course, there’s the fun that brings the community together. Signature events like the Dublin Irish Festival, the Dublin Independence Day Celebration and the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday help create an events calendar that draws visitors from near and far.

If this vision resonates with you, subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a quick review too.   We think you'll agree - the State of Our City is strong!

Transcript

Foundations And Civic DNA

SPEAKER_03 0:03

Good evening. It is really a joy to be together. So thank you for being here and thank you for choosing to spend some time with us. This evening's theme is Foundations for the Future. A year-long celebration that City Council has supported and it is a as a as an official America 250 community. Dublin's heritage is especially meaningful to me. My roots are here, just as many of yours are. I grew up with stories of how this community came together and built something lasting, often out of very little. Dublin's growth has unfolded alongside the growth of our country, with many of our defining milestones emerging alongside our nation's bicentennial. The success of our community must be credited to the leaders who came before the seven of us. In taking that responsibility, many, many made significant contributions, including my own dad, Dave Amrose, served on the both the Planning Commission and on City Council. Because of the example of countless people that have gone before us who have served, Dublin has grown with intention and with purpose. And that purpose has always been people. The job of the Dublin City Council member is to serve the people. We work alongside our professional staff to engage residents and set a clear vision for our community. And at the end of the day, every decision we make is about building a community that endures. As we mark 250 years of our democracy, a remarkable milestone in the life of any nation, we are reminded that we are yet still a very young country, continuing on the journey to become a more perfect union. Growth is an ongoing process. The work is never finished, and in many ways, Dublin reflects that same journey. We continue to refine, we continue to improve, we continue to build on the foundation laid by those that have gone before us. We are a city built on traditions, but the traditions that define Dublin have always centered on service and bringing the community together in a world that often feels divided. That is part of our DNA. You see, DNA doesn't change. It gets passed from generation to generation. And we see that here in Dublin. We grow, we learn, we it we adapt, but our commitment to service, to community, and to the long-term vision remains constant. There is something powerful about a place where generations choose to stay, to return to, or to plant new roots. Where civic pride is not just something we talk about, it is something that we practice.

SPEAKER_05 2:57

Please welcome to the stage City Manager Megan O'Callaghan.

Infrastructure Wins And Safety Gains

West Innovation District Vision

Reimagining Metro Center

Bridge Street Growth And Riverview Village

Regional Mobility And Signature Trail

Digital Connectivity And Dublink

Wellness Alliance And Community Health

Expanding Health Systems

SPEAKER_04 3:01

Good evening, and thank you all for being here tonight as we celebrate our nation's history and recognize Dublin's place within it. For decades, Dublin's elected officials, past and present, have made thoughtful decisions about land use, infrastructure, economic development, and fiscal management. And that foundation allows us to prosper today. Our success is shared with our corporate citizens, the businesses that chose to locate here, the entrepreneurs who invested here, and the employers who continue to grow here. Their commitment strengthened and diversified our tax base, creating a stable revenue structure that enables Dublin to deliver exceptional services, maintain our infrastructure to the highest standards, and prepare for the future. That discipline approach is visible in the projects we delivered just last year. Most notably the US 33 State Route 161 Post Road Interchange, a transformational reconfiguration at Dublin's Northwestern Gateway that was many years in the making, and it represents a strong show of state and regional collaboration in planning, funding, and execution. Today, it is improving traffic flow, reducing congestion, and enhancing safety along one of the region's most critical corridors. We also marked the completion of Dublin's 30th roundabout at Cara and Rings Roads. Roundabouts have become a hallmark of our transportation system because they reduce serious crashes, improve efficiency, lower vehicle idling and emissions, and support steady traffic movement. Reaching this milestone reflects decades of intentional infrastructure planning that prioritizes safety, sustainability, and long-term performance. Our story continues to unfold because we have remained committed to strategic economic development, prudent investment, and strong financial stewardship. With our financial foundation strong, we are positioned to press onward and we understand our responsibility to do so. One of the most significant opportunities before us is the continued development of our West Innovation District. This year, the city purchased nearly 350 acres along the State Route 161 corridor, extending into Madison County, a deliberate investment that strengthens Dublin's long-term economic capacity and regional competitiveness. It builds on the 240-acre acquisition in 2024 that includes the Sports Ohio complex. Together, these properties establish a footprint of bold scale, combining existing assets with new ground rich with potential. Expanding on the Ohio University Dublin campus, the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor, and planned infrastructure improvements, this district provides a powerful platform for private investment, research collaboration, and high-quality job creation. Just as importantly, it allows us to integrate gathering spaces, recreation, and connectivity, strengthening both our economy and our daily life for residents. This holistic approach includes planning for vital infrastructure such as utility services and street networks, highlighted by the extension of University Boulevard. This year we are advancing the design of this roadway connection as a key implementation step within the broader framework. Our work is guided by Envision Dublin, our community plan, and it is being implemented collaboratively. The transition from vision to action is rarely simple. It invites important questions and perspectives, all of which strengthen the outcome. We are navigating this moment with care and an unwavering commitment to community engagement. Working alongside residents, property owners, businesses, and regional partners, we are shaping the district's future together. We are focused not only on new growth, but on strengthening the legacy office spaces that have fueled our corporate tax base for decades. Metro Center is a vital economic engine for our community. But as the nature of work evolves, companies are seeking vibrant, mixed-use environments that support recruitment and retention. In 2025, Council adopted the award-winning Metro Center Revitalization Plan for the area. We are working with renowned planners at Sasaki to reimagine Metro Center with a flexible, forward-looking lens that supports the businesses of today and tomorrow. In the coming year, we'll focus on the public review and approval process for the area's zoning approach and design guidelines while also exploring strategic partnerships with property owners, businesses, and investors to help bring that vision to life. Dublin has already demonstrated that we are ahead of the curve in adapting to changing market dynamics. The Bridge Street District reflected a forward-looking understanding of changing demographics and workforce trends. Today, it is regarded as a model across the nation and stands as proof that intentional planning and long-term vision delivers results. The district continues to grow to meet demand with more than one and a half million square feet of development in the pipeline, including two new hotels and additional high-quality mixed-use projects, including the new U.S. regional headquarters of Senovis Energy. In the heart of our historic district, another transformation is underway. Along the west bank of the Soyota River, just steps from the Dublin Link, Riverview Village will break ground this spring. This two-acre site is being redeveloped as a vibrant space for local businesses, startups, and nonprofits, and will serve as Kohatch's global headquarters, creating a hub of innovation, economic development, and the arts. With an investment of more than$11 million in public infrastructure improvements, this project reflects the city's commitment to strategic capital planning that supports private development while enhancing community connections and quality of place. Connectivity will continue to divine our future. Regionally, we are advancing conversations about expanded mobility options, including passenger rail, and beginning the infrastructure improvements needed for Link Us. CODA's nearly$30 million investment will support key projects across Central Ohio, including completion of Dublin's Shire Rings Road Shared Use Path, one of the region's first transit supportive infrastructure projects. Another powerful example is the signature trail. This long-range plan lays the groundwork for a more connected future. Approved at the end of last year, this visionary, forward-looking investment will create a seamless east-to-west experience for people walking and biking across our city, linking neighborhoods and expanding recreation. Just as our shared use paths connect people to places, digital infrastructure connects people to opportunity, to work, education, healthcare, and one another. Over the past few years, through one of the first partnerships of its kind, Ulta Fiber in the City of Dublin have deployed future-proof fiber access to nearly every home in the city. This began with a group of residents seeking better access to reliable broadband and identifying gaps in the market. And your city council responded. I want to thank them for their vision of being the most connected community and for their commitment to seeing it through. I also want to recognize our Dublin staff for their diligence and oversight, and also all of our residents for your patience during this unprecedented effort. This initiative, coupled with Dublink, the 100 gig fiber optic network available to our businesses, makes Dublin the most connected city in the U.S. Even as we celebrate that milestone, we are mindful of real challenges related to human connection and belonging. Community health is one of the defining issues of our time. Mental health, access to care, and social isolation affect families in every community, including ours. That is why in 2025 we established the Dublin Wellness Alliance. The alliance builds on our community health needs assessment, bringing together residents, healthcare providers, nonprofit partners, and civic leaders in a coordinated effort to improve outcomes with and for the people. As part of that effort, we launched our first Good Neighbor Week in 2025, creating intentional opportunities for residents to connect, support one another, and strengthen the ties that make this an exceptional community. We look forward to building on that momentum this year. I invite each of you to get involved in this effort because we're all stakeholders in the health and well-being of our community. Stay engaged with your city. Watch this year for opportunities to help shape a healthier future. 2025 marked another major milestone in the evolution of health care in our community with the April opening of Mount Carmel Dublin, a 60-bed full-service hospital delivering emergency and specialty care. Along with it came critical public improvements, including a new roundabout and enhancements to Bright Road. At the same time, Ohio Health continues its commitment to Dublin through a$225 million expansion that will double the capacity of Dublin Methodist Hospital. This significant investment will ensure that the facility can meet the needs of our growing region. These additions, along with the Ohio State Outpatient Care Campus and nationwide children's facilities, make Dublin the proud home of four major health systems, reinforcing our position as a regional hub for high-quality, accessible care. A healthy community requires intention, partnership, and sustained investment. And it requires connection. One way we foster connection is through shared experiences. Throughout the year, our signature events create meaningful opportunities for engagement and civic pride. From the Independence Day celebration and the Dublin Irish Festival to the new Chris Kindle Mark coming to Riverside Crossing Park, along with the Summer Fun series and countless gatherings in our parks, these shared experiences strengthen Dublin's identity and reflect our diversity. These events also showcase the extraordinary work of our city team. Behind every stage and parade route are months of planning and coordination. Our police department ensures safety. Our public service team prepares streets and maintains public spaces. Our events, communications, and outreach teams, with the help of thousands of volunteers, deliver experiences that are welcoming, expertly run, and memorable. This year, many of those events will carry added meaning as we commemorate our nation's semi-quincentennial marking 250 years of American independence. The city, Dublin Historical Society, and many other partners will be hosting celebrations and educational experiences throughout the entire year. We will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Memorial Tournament. For five decades, this event has brought the world's best golfers to Dublin and fostered a spirit of volunteerism and civic pride that really defines who we are. Many events are being planned to commemorate this anniversary, including the dedication of SWING. The sculpture represents forward movement and balance, a reflection of community that values creativity alongside engineering excellence and tradition alongside innovation. Public art is an important form of placemaking. It shapes how we experience our shared spaces and reinforces our identity. That same commitment to placemaking guides our vision for recreation and active living. We are creating a premier athletic and recreation campus designed to support youth development, promote wellness, and strengthen community ties. When combined with Dari Fields, the Sports Ohio site represents one of the largest athletic complexes in the nation. The decisions that we make about this campus will shape how families experience this community for decades. And we are not taking that lightly. Last year at the State of the City, we introduced this initiative and hosted a panel discussion with key stakeholders to begin shaping a shared vision. Since then, we have made meaningful progress with the support of our Sports Ohio Steering Committee, who developed a clear set of guiding principles to direct this work. I'd like to recognize the members of our steering committee. Their collective leadership is helping ensure that this project reflects both community values and regional opportunity. So at this time, I'd like to invite a few members of the committee to join me in sharing the guiding principles that will shape the future of Sports Ohio. Please join me in welcoming Scott Kilgren from Dublin Youth Athletics, Ariana Tyler with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Chris Valentine, Dublin City Schools Board Member, Dr. David Lee with Ohio Health, Kim Wei, Chair of Dublin's Planning and Zoning Commission, Scott Dring, Executive Director of Visit Dublin, Ohio, and Dr. Bill Burke, Dean of Ohio University Dublin.

SPEAKER_02 18:32

Game day and everyday.

SPEAKER_00 18:54

Experience-driven, community-inspired. Deliver a unique and memorable experience for athletes, families, and visitors by creating a place that is distinctly Dublin, high quality, welcoming, and reflective of the community's character and culture.

SPEAKER_06 19:09

Smart layout, safe and family-friendly design. A well-organized layout enhances both functionality and user experience. Designed for a safe, family-friendly environment that accommodates large crowds and everyday use with clear circulation, intuitive hierarchy, and effective wayfinding.

SPEAKER_08 19:28

Connected and accessible for all. Improve connectivity, ensure mobility for all ages and abilities, and make it easier to walk and bike by enhancing walks and paths throughout the entire campus. Establish the signature trail as a central spine for mobility to further strengthen connectivity across Cosgray Road, creating a seamless, accessible network for all.

Civic Events And Semi-quincentennial

SPEAKER_09 19:51

Designed with nature, celebrate nature as a unifying feature, and make sustainability a focal point by growing Dublin's tree canopy, protecting native plantings, supporting the local ecology, and considering sustainability at every scale, from systems-level strategies such as stormwater, water reuse, and solar energy to finer grain pollinator meadows, rain gardens, water refilling stations, and recycling and compost receptacles.

SPEAKER_01 20:34

Rooted in the district, positioning the Ohio University campus as an integral element of the West Innovation District and the Greater Dublin community by building land use synergy with hospitality, wellness, sports medicine, and other mixed-use development. Foster partnerships with district and community stakeholders to activate adjacent parcels, amplify economic and community impact, and support innovation.

Sports Ohio Campus Guiding Principles

SPEAKER_04 21:02

My thanks to each of you and to the entire Sports Ohio Steering Committee. Your partnership has been instrumental in advancing this vision. Innovation has long defined Dublin. At last year's state of the city, we launched Go Dublin Text Notifications. Today, more than 2,500 residents have subscribed and are receiving timely updates directly to their phones. New technology is also strengthening public safety in Dublin. Our drone as first responder program has completed more than 400 flights, reducing response times and providing officers with critical real-time information before they arrive. And this year, we launched the first AI powered crosswalk in the state using smart detection systems to enhance pedestrian visibility and improve driver awareness. These are Practical applications that make our city safer, more responsive, and better prepared to meet future challenges. As we consider what will be required over the next 250 years, we recognize that the best ideas about the future may not come from this stage or this room, but from those who will inherit it. As we conclude this evening, I am proud to report that the state of our city is strong, our success is shared, our history is honored, and our future is bright.