[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6653838,"mediaKeyId","2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8","parentId",2477736,"title","Consultant recommends Riverside Crossing Park for Dublin Christkindl market; city to buy booths and hire operator","audioSeconds",1876,"startMs",8936000,"endMs",10812000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8&start=8936&end=10812","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8/thumbnail_8936000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653838/Ohio/Consultant-recommends-Riverside-Crossing-Park-for-Dublin-Christkindl-market-city-to-buy-booths-and-hire-operator","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653838-257c6d4c6826b31848e28ed9e1a96154/orig.mp4?Expires=1769703356&Signature=cPmnFsgiUzuAx-Ty1IQGS3cX2jIZuDGdvfs3a3Xj-TDnarZG5MNljtRblKM-T2QnsypquvNesfZcSwSdPnQfLhtHo6JEHGl8augeHMQMsjW~B6YClKUsZrqSAxUrRNW~Ty2FIUyH-4ljJ434OsvbiwDMPQ-2O0j9-mYbcqVakKzfwex9gmcDtgDIHCFhzMFavtDJUrm8q5X-xqFra~C5buBfnldzRgdCrvnTSnXCAVOnON-tVkd~wtxwKLLwEa3oYdDl8gcfgi68MYrp-Yojk93LVGgVFfYlVEIhqwbXmEJQZjXKpg1va4S131V7NN3ZGNc9FeItzKPQH~Gl12NvdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dublin","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","DUBLIN, Ohio — A consultant hired to study a holiday market for Dublin presented a final feasibility report to City Council on March 3 recommending Riverside Crossing Park as the primary location for a Dublin Christkindl market that would emphasize German market traditions and a Dublin identity. The consultant, Town Square, advised the city to invest in reusable booth infrastructure and decorative assets while selecting a specialist operator to run vendor selection, daily operations and marketing.

Jerome of Town Square and Emily Goliber of city staff told council the market should open between Thanksgiving and Christmas and run a minimum of about 20 days (Thursday–Sunday), with a possible expansion to as many as 28 days to take advantage of school holiday recess. The study recommended launching with roughly 40 to 50 vendor booths, a mix of larger food booths and smaller retail booths, and to phase booth additions over the first five years as demand grows.

The consultant's conservative pro forma assumed an initial city capital (preopening) investment to purchase booths, seasonal structures and decor and projected operating revenues from vendor rents, a corporate sponsor and event rentals. The presentation said operating revenues could grow from roughly $235,000 in year one to about $642,000 by year five; operating expenses also rise with market size. Town Square summarized the five-year pro forma as showing an initial investment followed by increasing net positive annual results in later years but a five-year cumulative shortfall of about $500,000 driven largely by phased booth additions and ongoing capital reinvestment early in the program.

Key consultant recommendations presented to council:

- Location and scale: Use Riverside Crossing Park as the initial location and open a 20- to 28-day market with 40–50 booths in year one, expanding the footprint and booth count as the market establishes itself. The site benefits from an existing ice rink and park amenities.

- City role and capital: The city should own durable booth infrastructure and some decorative capital so an operator does not have to commit large upfront capital. Town Square said city ownership of booths lowers operator risk and attracts experienced market operators.

- Operator model: Hire a specialist third‑party operator by RFP to manage vendor selection, operations, marketing and day-of-event logistics. The consultant proposed a fee-sharing approach where the operator keeps sponsorship and certain event revenue lines and pays an increasing share of net operating receipts to the city as the market matures (an example ramp from 7.5% to 15% over several years was shown).

- Timeline: Propose RFP development and candidate outreach in Q2 2025, selection and contract negotiation in the second half of 2025, design and vendor recruitment in 2026, and a market launch in Q4 2026.

Council members asked about aesthetics, storage and staging for booths, sponsorship potential and the city's role in helping the market reach a “high-quality” look. Jerome said booth construction design and decorative choices would affect costs but that the market typically matures visually over several seasons; he and staff said council could seek to reserve additional capital funding or sponsorship revenue for enhancements. Town Square also recommended a city‑led selection committee and left open the option that the city retain some vendor‑selection oversight in early years.

Next steps: Staff said the report provides candidate operators and design guidance; council did not make a final funding commitment on the report at the March 3 meeting but asked staff to proceed with outreach to potential operators and to include the consultant's cost and timeline estimates in upcoming budget and CIP discussions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dublin - City Council - Mar 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town Square recommended Riverside Crossing Park as the site for a new Dublin Christkindl holiday market and advised the city to purchase booth infrastructure and hire a specialist operator; the consultant's five-year pro forma shows long-term growth but a projected five-year cumulative shortfall requiring upfront capital or sponsorship.","taxTitle","Dublin City Council, Dublin, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",72672,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653846,"Dublin council holds first reading on Bright Road PUD; debate centers on sidewalks, creek-side trail and stormwater maintenance",3278,142000,3420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8&start=142&end=3420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6653846/Ohio/Dublin-council-holds-first-reading-on-Bright-Road-PUD-debate-centers-on-sidewalks-creek-side-trail-and-stormwater-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653846-dd8c64e6e3232a02f6321174fe458952/orig.mp4?Expires=1769703356&Signature=fTMdwnUhpL4de~IMGVDEBpAQ0gLQk6VsSOa0zQrT9ri2vmgUrI-SlOEwNCfhuZCLUrznOemBh~NTHxB82Xt0rCPofH8vQTkNji-g9DfA~UL25koN7RgHI7DOhyNxgmNNidE9slg6nfnebl4aHz73NVCp5Bj8OBaIywgiltBSPYBq-2x1KIuDHUAlPb0aFaLVeAwvMtJUfqaxIz8A9S-1E~WhdoaHuzxYy6BMRCrlhJvj7A2qtdYrzMCMJ34KRVXcrnQ9UowuTfMg5alU4~5JXpZX~08DcMdhn8mNOMXHT6sPx808SikllF7tVhTRtQq5OW02xOFyUTRxbwEmwK2zPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DUBLIN, Ohio — The Dublin City Council on March 3 heard the first reading of Ordinance O-4-25, a request to rezone about 14.2 acres along Bright Road from R-1 restricted suburban residential to a Planned Unit Development to allow 20 single-family lots and about 5.8 acres of public open space. Staff presented the plan and council and residents spent more than an hour on questions about sidewalks, crosswalks, a proposed maintenance trail through a wooded area and long-term maintenance of a dry detention basin and waterways. No final vote was taken; staff set the ordinance for second reading and public hearing on March 17, 2025.

City staff said the two-parcel site would be developed at about 1.4 dwelling units per acre, consistent with the city’s Envision Dublin plan, and would preserve key natural features including a stretch of Billingsley Creek and mature tree lines. Bridal Singh, presenting the staff report, said the smallest lot would be about 0.22 acre and the largest near a half-acre, with four reserves totaling about 5.8 acres to be dedicated to the city.

The main policy disputes centered on pedestrian/bicycle connections and stormwater maintenance. Staff recommended that the subdivision provide six-foot sidewalks on both sides of future streets and two crosswalks to connect to a planned shared-use path on the south side of Bright Road. The applicant’s design and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation call for a single five-foot sidewalk on one side of the street to preserve a rural character. At the council meeting the applicant’s team asked council to weigh in on that variation from the city’s recently adopted mobility guidance.

Debate over the trail and basin focused on whether a hard-surfaced (asphalt) shared-use trail should cross the wooded “Westwood” reserve or whether a narrower, low-impact maintenance access would suffice. Bill Adams, managing member of Bright Road Partnership, told council his team “is adamantly opposed” to an 8-to-10-foot asphalt path through the woods and said the development intent is to “naturalize, not urbanize” the woodlot. Brian Kinzelman, the applicant’s design principal, said the developer will provide an aggregate or casual path for neighborhood access but does not want to encourage bicycle or heavy pedestrian traffic through the woodlot, which backs up to existing homes.

City engineering staff explained the operational and safety reasons behind their condition calling for a hard-surface maintenance path to access the proposed dry detention basin and outlet control structure. A city maintenance supervisor described a vac-haul truck — a combined vacuum and jetting vehicle used when outlet structures plug — and said crews need a stable surface that allows safe vehicle passage in all seasons. The city also recommended a continuous shared-use path within Reserve A to meet city standards for pedestrian connectivity. Councilmembers proposed compromises including a compacted aggregate maintenance track with a hammerhead turnaround and the use of grass pavers or heavy aggregate in high-traffic service areas to preserve a natural appearance while providing stability for heavy maintenance equipment.

Public comment included two nearby residents who said they welcomed the proposed homes but urged careful attention to runoff and percolation into the local aquifer. John Rahm, who identified himself as an adjacent property owner on Hannah Hills Drive, said the neighborhood “doesn’t have sidewalks” and expressed concern that increased paving near drainage areas could worsen backyard water issues. A representative of the local civic association thanked the developer and staff for outreach and noted the southeast corner of the property floods frequently; that speaker said moving houses away from the low area is a positive design choice.

Council members expressed mixed views. Several members said they were comfortable with the Planning and Zoning Commission’s support for a single five-foot sidewalk on one side given the site’s rural context and existing neighborhood patterns. Others said they would prefer sidewalks on both sides to be consistent with the city’s mobility standards, noting that adjacent neighborhoods currently lack sidewalks and raising questions about precedent. On the basin, multiple councilmembers said the city is commonly best equipped to maintain stormwater outlet structures, while others suggested the homeowners association should maintain the non‑stormwater open-space areas and landscaping.

Staff and the applicant reported agreement on most of the Planning & Zoning Commission’s nine conditions; the applicant said they have met all but the condition calling for an engineered continuous shared-use path in Reserve A. Staff asked council for direction on three items prior to second reading: whether to require sidewalks on both sides of streets, whether to require one or two crosswalks to the future shared-use path, and whether to require a continuous hard-surface maintenance path through Reserve A or allow a narrower naturalized maintenance access. Councilmembers asked staff and the applicant to work between now and March 17 to identify a material and alignment that would meet maintenance needs while preserving the woodlot character.

Next steps: council scheduled the second reading and public hearing for March 17, 2025. Staff asked the applicant to submit a plan showing adherence to the Planning & Zoning Commission conditions and to clarify the sidewalk and trail locations ahead of second reading.

","The Dublin City Council on March 3 held the first reading of a rezoning request (O-4-25) to convert 14.2 acres along Bright Road into a planned-unit development for 20 single-family lots and about 5.8 acres of public open space; discussion centered on sidewalk locations, a proposed trail through a woodland reserve and who would maintain a proposed dry detention basin.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653833,"Steering committee backs Sports Facilities Company to run SportsOhio; council directs staff to negotiate agreement",288,10800000,11088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8&start=10800&end=11088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8/thumbnail_10800000.jpg","/articles/6653833/Ohio/Steering-committee-backs-Sports-Facilities-Company-to-run-SportsOhio-council-directs-staff-to-negotiate-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653833-852a5c268a586366c2a78a7626d2d3ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1769703356&Signature=SiLPUYYjKrnqNZyiQzVq8Eixb-4uTndGmQwKeY36~JdyOTpqQDoGuNyoXrjaBE6w-ozTnPwpeeZN-kxtqEc9LTop~NUasLJcRqpetqou-iRVgO2yTnZRvVK5VcW9yZ6qA5kG1IEgMuceGNB12uVIg~ywE3UOKEEAhcw~O39-Xp6R-HeWlSeGcn7Q7e4iQ1M9jjzrJ9ZU9MgDloLoH8EhScEJtkuN8zBvsSzzlObFOkr8MecmXPZdUIK-AoHZ9r-Hb7znLcuRjp5vYPXMB6-em~aloh19SKzGHheld1mL81yZQaxOe4pwYUmmf2R~9dYQ8dveJT~eVns1kHWKU1cuZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DUBLIN, Ohio — After reviewing proposals and interviewing finalists, a SportsOhio steering committee recommended Sports Facilities Company (SFC) as the preferred manager for the SportsOhio athletic complex; the Dublin City Council on March 3 unanimously directed staff to proceed with negotiations.

City staff said the city closed on three contiguous properties comprising about 243 acres in the West Innovation District (Carter Farms, Shepherd Excavating and SportsOhio) in late 2024 and has been operating SportsOhio under a temporary management agreement with the prior owner. A city-appointed steering committee including city council representation, community members and regional partners reviewed three proposals and narrowed the field to two finalists before unanimously recommending SFC on Feb. 19. Council then voted to direct staff to negotiate a management agreement with SFC.

Kendall Blake, presenting the recommendation, said SFC manages over 65 venues nationally, typically as a service provider rather than an owner. SFC's leadership outlined a proposed 90-day transition plan and told council it would focus on a mix of core programming (youth and amateur sports), tournaments, fitness classes and community events; SFC said it would emphasize transparent financial reporting, strategic marketing to grow regional and national events, and data analytics to optimize operations.

SFC's representative, Jim Arnold, told council the company is experienced operating preexisting facilities and aims to balance community access and event-driven revenue. The steering committee's memo highlighted SFC's operational experience, strategic planning ability and a collaborative willingness to structure a financial agreement that meets the city's objectives. Staff said it would work with public finance advisors and legal counsel to evaluate using the Dublin Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) as the contracting and financing vehicle.

Council thanked the steering committee and committee members for extensive outreach and review. The unanimous motion directed staff to begin formal contract negotiations with SFC and to return to council with proposed contract terms and an analysis of CIC contracting options. Blake said staff would work with SFC on a detailed operating plan, clarify maintenance and capital-repair responsibilities, and report back to council as negotiations progress.

","Following a competitive RFP process, a steering committee recommended Sports Facilities Company (SFC) to manage the SportsOhio athletic complex. Council unanimously directed staff to negotiate a management agreement and asked staff to evaluate contracting through the Dublin CIC.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653841,"Dublin council approves multiple maintenance contracts, budget ordinance introduced; unanimous votes on bids and drone partnerships",640,2779000,3419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8&start=2779&end=3419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477736-1a020abbc5472edab8861a9816f417d8/thumbnail_2779000.jpg","/articles/6653841/Ohio/Dublin-council-approves-multiple-maintenance-contracts-budget-ordinance-introduced-unanimous-votes-on-bids-and-drone-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653841-2e826151a31ca64617fa1ae864187bbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1769703356&Signature=jJ6YVpPSGBhQ9lZPbtu6R5YwlwEmHjlaiySvD8cjwzsq-YjkTVx42Z2VGY1fdEuBlIkflkbB0dnP~OPI~nVV24TmdIkuu7XEL8vzJBPua9Qi8kgZJMZ~~1XrpJT-2gk2ASWCxbPb~UN9U2AkP53C0iuwedhhkAe0y6I6fGYW0mhb5-ot6SGlcpgJQqSjKJceHJyHiIRlebdCjSHQuAhAn7RVfKW4a2KRkcUsVZObY~9rd6uEAPIt7YF09YP9TSvCbcNuXRRjzmdgFxNZMKigaThrhoSvi7LROWl6K61xOe3duBCqXOKZJwL2QOcwm7~c-8PQV1oToO3uxL5Q~tBfzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DUBLIN, Ohio — Dublin City Council on March 3 accepted multiple bids for maintenance and capital work, introduced a first-reading ordinance to amend 2025 appropriations and approved intergovernmental agreements for the city's drone-as-first-responder program.

In roll-call votes council unanimously accepted the lowest and best bids on several projects included in the 2025-2029 Capital Improvements Program:

- Resolution 11-25: 2025 shared-use path and parking lot maintenance project — accepted the low bid from Byrne & Jones in the amount of $551,971.47; construction expected May–September 2025. (Recorded vote: unanimous.)

- Resolution 12-25: Streetlight improvements (Historic Dublin and Tuller Road) — accepted the low bid from Jess Howard Electric Co., $300,477; work expected spring–fall 2025. (Recorded vote: unanimous.)

- Resolution 13-25: 2025 street-tree pruning contract — accepted the low bid from Davey Tree Expert Company, $142,780 for pruning of 2,943 trees on 40 streets; staff said favorable bids will allow use of remaining funds to expand pruning. (Recorded vote: unanimous.)

- Resolution 14-25: Dublin Community Recreation Center pool ultraviolet sanitation system replacement — accepted the low bid from OP Aquatics (amount reported in staff memo); project replaces UV systems in three pool bodies; staff rebid after an initial solicitation exceeded budget and said the rebid was approximately 4% under budget. (Recorded vote: unanimous.)

Council introduced Ordinance 5-25 (first reading) to amend 2025 appropriations (the Q1 supplemental). Jamie Hoffman, presenting the staff report, said the ordinance reappropriates prior-year capital project balances and adjusts project budgets; most changes are reappropriations rather than net new dollars. Council asked for more detail in the ordinance memo about prior design spending on monuments and about the fiber-to-the-home line item, which staff said is a reappropriation to align with a revised contract. Staff scheduled second reading and the required public hearing for March 17, 2025.

Council also approved two companion intergovernmental license agreements for the city's drone-as-first-responder (DFR) program. Deputy Chief Lattanzi said the city will permit DFR docking stations on partner rooftops and that partners will provide power and internet at launch sites. The resolutions authorized the city manager to enter agreements with Washington Township (Resolution 15-25) and Dublin City Schools (Resolution 16-25) to host drone docking stations at public facilities; both passed on unanimous roll calls. Lattanzi said the system would allow a drone to respond within roughly 90 seconds to most locations in the city and that recorded video will be stored by the vendor on a secure platform with an audit trail for public-records or evidentiary requests.

Council also unanimously approved Resolution 17-25, declaring the city's support for preserving the federal tax exemption for municipal bonds, and Resolution 18-25, adopting the final Community Health Needs Assessment Strategic Action Plan.

Finally, council unanimously directed staff to proceed with negotiations to finalize a management agreement with Sports Facilities Company for the SportsOhio complex, following a recommendation from a steering committee that reviewed proposals and conducted interviews.

","At the March 3 Dublin City Council meeting council accepted several lowest bids for maintenance and capital projects, introduced a first-reading budget amendment ordinance, and approved agreements for the city's drone-as-first-responder program with township and school partners. All recorded roll-call votes on resolutions were unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Consultant recommends Riverside Crossing Park for Dublin Christkindl market; city to buy booths and hire operator

Dublin council holds first reading on Bright Road PUD; debate centers on sidewalks, creek-side trail and stormwater maintenance

Steering committee backs Sports Facilities Company to run SportsOhio; council directs staff to negotiate agreement

Dublin council approves multiple maintenance contracts, budget ordinance introduced; unanimous votes on bids and drone partnerships