County pauses Hillcrest reopening; renovations continue, officials say

Liz Igoe, court administrator for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court, told the Wyoming City Council the county has paused local funding for reopening the Hillcrest Training School while uncertainty remains over federal and state funding.

"The county has made a determination that Hillcrest will be paused until a determination related to the Children's Services levy in November of 2026 can be made by the voters," Igoe said. She added the court would continue pursuing other funding and state options in the meantime.

The pause follows Hamilton County's decision to place levy funding on hold amid uncertainty about federal support and while the county pursues a potential state designation as a community corrections facility under recommendations from the governor's juvenile justice plan. Igoe said Hamilton County submitted a bid with other large Ohio counties and will present to state officials on May 8 as part of that process.

Reika Thacker, project manager with the Hamilton County Facilities Department, described ongoing construction on the Hillcrest campus. "Thus far, we've began demolition within nine of the buildings on Hillcrest Campus," Thacker said, and she said work includes…