Greater Hilltop Community Development Corp.

The Year 2000 In Review

Farmers Markets & New House are some of the CDC's year 2000 News

The year 2000 was not only the beginning of the new Millennium, but also a great year for the Greater Hilltop Community Development Corporation. Listed are some of the projects that the GHCDC was involved with this past year.

"HILLTOP HOUSE":
The "Hilltop House" at 99 Belvidere was built and sold this year. A model design for infill housing, it was designed to complement the surrounding housing stock. By providing new housing in a traditional neighborhoods, infill houses offer alternatives to suburban sprawl. They also help to stabilize and increase housing values in the neighborhoods where they are constructed. A second "Hilltop House" is being planned.

NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY:
The GHCDC was instrumental in working with the City of Columbus to obtain over $9,000 to help with a matching T-21 Grant to fund an Ohio Historical Society project to designate the National Road, Broad Street, as a National Scenic Byway. Hopefully, this designation will be in place for 2003, Ohio's Bicentennial. National Scenic Byway status could generate greater visitor activity for Columbus and the Hilltop and create economic development opportunities.


NATIONAL ROAD PLAZA PROJECT:
Together with 9 community groups, the GHCDC formed a consortium that was successful in obtaining a Columbus Foundation Neighborhood Partnership Program Grant to begin the first phase for the National Road Plaza, to be located between the old and new Fire Stations on West Broad Street. The Plaza project will help to document several important aspects of the Hilltop's history and provide a public outdoor space for community activities. The goal is to complete the project for 2003.

HILLTOP FARMERS MARKET:
A brand new Farmers Market came to the State office Complex on the Hilltop in August, and became an instant success. Fresh, Ohio-grown produce, vegetables and flowers were sold from stands set up in the complex parking lot each Thursday. Marketmasters Frank and Marcy Musson, of the Pearl Alley Growers' Association were extremely pleased by the amount of businesses the market generated and the community support they received. The market will reopen in July of 2001.



SULLIVANT TRACE TRAIL:
This walking and biking trail has been planned for several years since the demolition of the Former Central Ohio Psychiatric Hospital. Late this autumn construction was begun by the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department on the first leg of the trail that will begin in Glenview Park on North Eureka Avenue, wind its way along Dry Run Creek past the Centennial Stone then link up with the walking trail of the State Office Complex which begins at the retention basin and continues to Rhodes Park. Plans are to extend the trail across West Broad Street to Glenwood, Hauntz and Burroughs Parls.



"WOMEN OF CHARACTER"
10th Anniversary : The year 2000 was the 10th Anniversary of the "Women of Characterr" Awards program that the GHCDC co-sponsors with the WestSide Messenger newspaper. Over these past ten years, scores of women have been nominated by the community and 33 have been selected for their outstanding contributions to their families, churches and the community.



ENVIRONMENTAL COURT IN THE COMMUNITY:
For the first time ever, Judge Richard Pfeiffer held the Environmental Court in a neighborhood location in response to the code citation resulting from the Neighborhood Pride Project activities in the Hilltop. The day-long court session at the GHCDC was declared a success in reaching agreements to correct code violations. The community location, without the time and parking problems involved in going downtown created a less stressful, more cooperative and productive environment for the proceedings.


Senior Housing Under Cover


At long last, the first phase of the Hilltop Senior Village is sprouting out of the former corn field on Wilson Road. This first phase will consist of 50 single story cottages and 50 apartments units within a three story, mid-rise building. After the extended period necessary for underground utilities and foundations, the speed at which the framing has taken place seems almost magical. And just as the cold weather has begun to set in, the buildings are under cover and work can begin on the building interiors.

With an opening date projected for the early part of summer of 2001, the eleven year effort to develop Senior Housing in the Hilltop will finally be reaching its goal. And none to soon. The "interest list" for the new facility contains over 500 names of individuals who have expressed interest and requested information about the development. After the first of the year application information will be sent out to all individuals on the list, and the formal application process will begin within the following weeks. Anyone interest in having a name placed on the "interest list" should contact Van Ambrose at National Church Residences 451-2151.


Center Nears Goal
In addition to creating housing, the Hilltop Senior Housing Committee wants to create a new community center for senior activities to be located in the village. The 3,000 square foot, free standing facility will provide programs and services for seniors throughout the community. With a goal of $ 300,000 the committee has already raised $233,333, primarily through grants from private groups and foundations. It is now seeking donations from individuals and businesses in the community to make the project a reality. Donations for the community center can be sent to the Hilltop Senior Village Community Center Fund at National Church Residences...2335 North Bank Drive...Columbus, Ohio 43220

HILLTOP SENIOR VILLAGE:

Ground was broken and construction started on the Hilltop Senior Village, a brand new senior housing community on Wilson Road. The GHCDC has worked in conjunction with many local churches and organization and National Church Residences to see that this project would happen. Units will be available for rent in Spring, 2001.

Broad Street gets Attention from Historical Groups

NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY:
The GHCDC was instrumental in working with the City of Columbus to obtain over $9,000 to help with a matching T-21 Grant to fund an Ohio Historical Society project to designate the National Road, Broad Street, as a National Scenic Byway. Hopefully, this designation will be in place for 2003, Ohio's Bicentennial. National Scenic Byway status could generate greater visitor activity for Columbus and the Hilltop and create economic development opportunities.

NATIONAL ROAD PLAZA PROJECT:
Together with 9 community groups, the GHCDC formed a consortium that was successful in obtaining a Columbus Foundation Neighborhood Partnership Program Grant to begin the first phase for the National Road Plaza, to be located between the old and new Fire Stations on West Broad Street. The Plaza project will help to document several important aspects of the Hilltop's history and provide a public outdoor space for community activities. The goal is to complete the project for 2003.