The Future of Dublin’s Western Gateway: Balancing Opportunity & Community Input
Dublin stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey as City leadership works to implement the Envision Dublin Community Plan. At the heart of this transformation lies the West Innovation District—our western gateway and the largest tract of undeveloped land remaining in our city.The proposed rezoning of 370 acres within this district represents both opportunity and responsibility. Having evolved over two decades from the Economic Advancement Zone to hosting institutions like Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nestle Quality Assurance Center and OSU Wexner Medical Center, this area is poised for thoughtful growth that supports Dublin's economic future while respecting community character.Our planning process balances multiple priorities: private property rights for landowners (many who've held their land since the 1970s), economic development needs to attract high-growth employers who strengthen our tax base, and questions about traffic, infrastructure and land use compatibility. This balancing act doesn't happen by accident—it's the result of meticulous planning, multiple layers of review and genuine community engagement. Any development following rezoning would undergo Dublin's thorough review process that has consistently delivered the high-quality projects our community expects. Our transportation planning looks ahead to 2050, ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth before development occurs.City Council has extended the rezoning ordinance hearing process to gather additional community input, with another reading scheduled for August. This approach mirrors successful processes used for transformative projects like the Bridge Street District and The Corners development.Join the conversation at DublinOhioUSA.gov/west-innovation-district-rezoning/ where you'll find FAQs and resources or attend upcoming community conversations throughout July. Share your thoughts through the "We're Listening" button—because the best solutions emerge when we work together.
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Hold On Loosely: The 50-Year Journey of 38 Special with Frontman Don Barnes
The legendary Don Barnes, co-founder and frontman of 38 Special, takes us on a riveting journey through five decades of rock and roll stardom. With his signature raspy voice and warm storytelling style, Barnes reveals the fascinating origin of the band's name—a police standoff where an officer threatened to "shoot the lock off" their rehearsal space with his 38 Special revolver.Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida—what Barnes calls "the Liverpool of the South"—shaped the band's musical foundation as teenagers playing sailors' clubs alongside future members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers. This naval town connection forged their musical DNA and taught them the fundamentals of songwriting by covering popular hits.Barnes shares a surprising revelation about 38 Special's true influences. Despite being categorized as Southern rock, the band drew heavy inspiration from British Invasion artists like The Beatles and Jeff Beck. After their first three albums "went straight over the cliff," they discovered their winning formula: stripping songs down to what Barnes calls "muscle and melody"—powerful guitar work paired with strong melodies and relatable stories drawn from real-life experiences.Don also shares other passions with Lindsay and Bruce that include keeping sets of golf clubs on the tour bus. And speaking of that bus, it rolls into Dublin as 38 Special and Kansas headline another rockin' Independence Day celebration at Coffman Stadium!
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The First 100 Days: Dublin's New Deputy City Manager Mike Barker
What does it take to help lead a city where 99% of residents rate it as an excellent/very good place to live? In this illuminating conversation, we sit down with Mike Barker, Dublin's new Deputy City Manager, as he reflects on his first 100 days in this crucial role.Barker brings a wealth of experience from his 11 years as Public Service Director in New Albany and his earlier career in Westerville and the private sector. His engineering background and problem-solving mindset prove valuable as he oversees Dublin's daily operations, including public service, engineering, transportation, and mobility.Barker shares candid insights about his first Memorial Tournament experience from the city's perspective, noting the surprising scale of the event and the seamless collaboration across city departments that makes such world-class events possible. This sets the stage for his approach to other major initiatives, including the Capital Improvement Program, West Innovation District, and Sports Ohio Complex.What stands out most is Barker's servant leadership philosophy. "That's really the leader I want to be," he explains, recounting formative experiences watching leaders who worked alongside their teams through challenges. This approach, combined with his commitment to maintaining Dublin's exceptional standards, offers a glimpse into how the city sustains its remarkable 99% resident satisfaction rating.The conversation takes personal turns as Barker discusses his Youngstown roots, crediting his wife of nearly 24 years and colleagues as mentors who've helped him develop more open-minded perspectives. A father of two baseball-playing sons, he finds his greatest relaxation watching them play. Plus, stay tuned to hear Mike share with Lindsay and Bruce, his go-to karaoke songs!
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Barbara Nicklaus: From College Sweethearts to Golf Royalty
75 episodes is a milestone worth celebrating, and we've marked the occasion with quite possibly our most distinguished guest to date: Barbara Nicklaus, the 2025 Memorial Tournament Honoree and affectionately known as the "First Lady of Golf."Barbara takes us back to 1957 when she met a young Jack Nicklaus on the steps of Mendenhall Lab at Ohio State University – a meeting that would change both their lives forever. With refreshing candor and warm humor, she shares how their relationship blossomed despite her initial unfamiliarity with golf. "I didn't know golf existed when I met Jack," she reveals with a smile, before recounting her first golf lesson that left her wondering why Jack practiced so much after she made several pars on her first outing.Throughout the conversation with Lindsay and Bruce, Barbara offers fascinating glimpses into life beside one of sports' greatest champions. She speaks of their mutual commitment to family, with Jack vowing never to be away for more than two weeks at a time so their five children would never say, "I wish I knew my dad." She recalls Jack's extraordinary awareness of her presence, sharing the astounding moment when he noticed her missing from one specific hole among 40,000 spectators at the US Open. These stories reveal the deep connection that has sustained their partnership through decades of triumph and challenge.Most moving is Barbara's account of their daughter Nan's health crisis. Sitting beside an oxygen tent, praying for their child's recovery, Jack and Barbara made a promise back then: "If we're ever able to help someone, we want it to be children." That commitment has since transformed countless young lives across 120 countries.As Dublin prepares to celebrate the 50th playing of the Memorial Tournament with Barbara as the 2025 Honoree, we invite you to listen to this remarkable conversation that spans golf history, family values, philanthropy, and the growth of Dublin to the community we love and cherish today!
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Dublin's Real Estate Edge: A Conversation with Columbus REALTORS CEO
'In a word, our real estate market is wonky' says Brent Swander, CEO of Columbus Realtors and proud Dublin resident. From eye-popping statistics to practical advice for buyers and sellers, this episode delivers valuable insights for anyone interested in our community's real estate landscape.Swander reveals surprising data about Dublin's position in the regional market, including our average home price of $642,000, our remarkable 34.8% condo market share (third highest in the region), and what makes our community so desirable. "I came to Dublin kicking and screaming," Swander confesses, "but now to get me out of Dublin, I will go kicking and screaming." His personal transformation mirrors what many residents discover – once you experience Dublin's exceptional quality of life, it's hard to imagine living anywhere else.The conversation with Lindsay and Bruce also takes a fascinating turn as Swander shares stories from his previous career in politics, working in the President George W. Bush White House and on presidential campaigns – including a memorable encounter involving frosted tips, braces and a presidential quip. Whether you're considering buying or selling property, curious about Dublin's economic health, or simply want to understand the forces shaping our community, this episode delivers valuable insights wrapped in engaging conversation. Listen now and discover why Dublin's real estate market defies conventional wisdom while consistently delivering exceptional value.
The City of Dublin, Ohio is home to nearly 50,000 residents and more than 4,000 businesses at the forefront of technological innovations and advancements. Our City is full of energetic problem-solvers who make a difference and provide a broad source of expertise and talent. Join Dublin City leaders and passionate Dublin residents as we connect conversations from street to street, neighbor to neighbor and business to business. Together, we'll link our commonalties, our shared experiences, and highlight Dublin programs and services that support us all. Welcome to the Link Ahead podcast!
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