Your Neighbors Showed Up. Now It's Your Turn
Vol. III, No. 275 - After Council Member Madison Hickman's Third Ward Event Saturday, the At-Large Community Meeting is This Saturday
Last Saturday morning, something worth noticing happened in Troy.
Thirty residents gave up part of their weekend got together to talk about the city’s Third Ward — a point of passion for those living in the neighborhood. Four city council members, the council president, and two Miami County Commissioners were in the room. That kind of turnout — from both residents and officials — does not happen by accident. It happens because someone is doing the hard work of building trust and showing up consistently. Third Ward Council Member Madison Hickman organized the meeting and deserves credit for making it happen. If you live on Troy’s south and east side, she is your representative — and she was listening, along with other elected officials.
The conversation covered a lot of ground, and nearly every topic that came up is something we will be digging into further here at Civic Capacity.
The South Crawford Street trail has been a source of frustration for many residents. The project, which would add a shared-use path along South Crawford Street connecting east side neighborhoods to the Great Miami River and Herrlinger Park, has been in the works for some time. It is becoming clear that residents are understanding this project and the more they know about it, the less they become enthused about it.
The abandoned grain elevator on South Mulberry Street sits as a visible reminder that not every piece of property in Troy has found its next chapter. What happens with structures like this — and who makes those decisions — is exactly the kind of issue that benefits from public attention.
Tree plantings at McKaig and Race Park may sound like a small thing, but green infrastructure investments in neighborhoods are often the first sign of deeper commitment to a corridor. These decisions add up. This publication covered this discussion yesterday.
The potential redevelopment of Kyle and Van Cleve Schools is tied to a $154 million Troy City Schools construction project that will demolish both buildings and convey the cleared, shovel-ready property to the city’s Community Improvement Corporation. What the city does with that land will shape those neighborhoods for decades. Residents should be paying attention now, not after the decisions are made.
You Have Another Chance This Saturday
If you missed last week’s meeting, there is another one this Saturday, March 7th at 9:00 a.m.
The three At-Large Council Members will hold an open community conversation at Commission Chambers, Miami County Safety Building, 201 West Main Street, downtown Troy.
This is not a formal hearing. It is an open discussion — a chance to ask questions, raise concerns, and hear directly from the people who represent you.
There is also a major topic on the agenda that affects every Troy and Miami County resident: the proposed new jail.
The Miami County Board of Commissioners has been working on plans to replace the current downtown jail and consolidate operations with the current incarceration facility north of Troy. At Saturday’s meeting, residents will hear a presentation on why a new facility is needed and how it would be financed. Tours of the current jail will also be available.
This is the kind of decision that involves significant public dollars. Before a plan is finalized, you have an opportunity to learn the facts firsthand — not from a headline, not from a Facebook post — directly from the officials responsible for it.
Why This Matters
Local government decisions about trails, old buildings, school properties, and public safety facilities are not made in a vacuum. They are made by people who are influenced by the conversations happening in the community — or by the silence when those conversations do not happen.
Thirty people showed up last Saturday. That is a good start. But thirty people is not a full picture of what Troy residents think and want.
Saturday, March 7th at 9:00 a.m. is your opportunity to be part of that picture.
Announcing our March Community Survey!
Every other month, this publication takes time to ask our readers how they feel about the happenings in their hometown! What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? Is your hometown headed in the right direction? Our survey is the easiest way for you to express your thoughts. Next month, this publication will report out on the results.
Thanks for your time and your participation! It is greatly appreciated!
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