Dublin City Manager addresses future planning

Posted by Susan Burness

Dublin City Manager Terry Foegler spoke to Dublin AM Rotary on Friday, June 12th. Foegler reported on Dublin's strong fiscal health despite the economic downturn. He also shared some profound shifts in demographics and consumer trends that will impact future residential planning for Dublin.

The Journal of the American Planning Association recently reported: for the past three decades 75% of the population has been ages 25-55. This population segment drove the economy and had the buying power that fueled the housing boom. In the next decade – the population demographics shift – 75% of the population will be 55+. Foegler asked, "What does that mean for our housing stock?"

Foegler said population and economic shifts are driving consumers to desire communities with more mixed-used, diverse density , walk-able and more urban-like neighborhoods. He said Dublin's housing stock has served the community well during the past decades of growth – but changes need to be made for the future to attract and retain the young professional entrepreneurial workforce and provide empty nesters with the kind of housing stock they desire.