COLUMBUS, Ohio — When 10TV discussed Hilltop residents' concerns with Mayor Andrew Ginther on Wednesday, he aimed a lot of his answers to the Envision Hilltop plan.
So we looked into that plan to see what progress has been made since its inception and what else still needs to be done.
In 2018, the city worked with the Hilltop community to devise a plan to address issues in their neighborhood.
Ginther said the city has invested nearly $100 million in Envision Hilltop to make it a reality.
Carla Carr moved to the Hilltop neighborhood seven years ago after living in Columbus for over 20 years.
“Hilltop is organically cheaper than other neighborhoods in the city,” said Carr.
Carr said one of the issues she sees in her neighborhood is crime.
“We seem to have lack of enforcement in our community. There is a very prevailing attitude that you can do what you want,” said Carr.
Envision Hilltop lays out plans for a new police substation in the Hilltop. Right now, there is a substation on Sullivant Avenue, but the plan said it's outdated.
“It feels disconnected. I hope the new substation makes it more local and in the community where we are,” said Carr.
The plan said the current substation “offers no opportunity for community police interaction.”
10TV asked Ginther about the plans for that substation.
“The new $15 million police substation is on track. Our plan is for that to be completed and opened in 2026. There’s a lot of work between now and then,” said Ginther.
Carr said she would like to see more development in the Hilltop that attracts people to come to the neighborhood.
Ginther said investing in the neighborhood will lead to improvements all around.
“We think by investing in infrastructure, by investing in childhood education, by investing in safety with the new substation, it will continue to make the community more desirable, safe and stronger. The private investment will take place,” said Ginther.
To Carr, Envision Hilltop is more than a plan. She hopes it makes a positive change in the place she calls home.
“We should be treated with the same dignity as other communities. If we need police officers, we should get one to come not just because shots are fired,” said Carr.
Read the full Envision Hilltop plan here.