State of the City - City Manager Terry Foegler

"In 1970, before the Memorial Tournament began, Dublin was a city of 600 people. Today it is 40,000, with 60,000 during working hours. These exciting decades of growth and expansion presented challenges-challenges that will only increase as demographics, available land, and the economy continue to shape us and we manage our city to keep it a great place to live."

With these words, Dublin City Manager Terry Foegler launched a clear and insightful overview of Dublin's favorable condition. "That Dublin has been managed well, especially in light of its quick growth," noted Terry, "is proven by its residents' extraordinary response to the 2009 National Citizen Survey, in which Dublin finished first among 306 communities. Dublin finished in the top five of all 50 categories, as well as rated first overall," suggesting that residents have every reason to be proud of our quality of life (see

"We have also managed that growth in a fiscally responsible way," Terry explained, "even in a recent time of tax revenue decreases. With the health of our revenues and our ability to manage cuts, we have grown our reserves to be 65 percent of our expenditures. The forward-thinking leadership of our City Council and our conservative, sound approach has produced fiscal health unparalleled in the area."

In light of Dublin's success in maintaining quality of life while creating solid economic growth, there might be some temptation to continue business as usual.

"We need to be forward-facing when managing Dublin's modern development, which will change so radically in the next decade that we cannot afford to rest on the past," said Foegler. Several unprecedented factors impinge upon Dublin today. One such factor is demographics, with a profound change in "population age related to residential housing."

Terry explained, "In the last 40 years, 24 - 64 years olds, who are net buyers, have dominated Dublin's market, while those 65 and older, who are net sellers, have not been a force. Seventy-five percent of our population has been net buyers in the past. In 2010 the demographic ratio changes. By 2025, the buyer/ratio flips with more  sellers than buyers."

Another factor is immigration. "Unlike countries like Russia, which may have half its current population by the year 2050, the US will add 30 to 40 million people. Eighy percent of this growth will come from immigration. Without immigration, the US's workforce would be 7 million smaller than it is, with a corresponding decrease in productivity and revenues. Obviously, we face increasing diversity. What will Dublin be like when the majority of the population is non-Caucasian? Certainly, most real estate buyers are likely to be non-Caucasian."

Other demographic changes are in evidence: "People are getting married later and having fewer children. The single family unit will no longer be the primary driver of real estate here, and the implications for how we collect revenues and provide services are huge."

An important question is how will Dublin respond effectively to these trends.

"We may not remain viable if we do not change," said Terry. " All of these trends have implications for our Bridge Street Corridor plan. We will be looking at more multi-family units, with a denser population and more mixed-use areas. We will need to attract numbers of singles and young childless couples as well as find attractive places for retirees who will want to be in the area without the upkeep of a single family home. Attracting the mobile 25 to 35 year olds, and especially the 25 to 30 year olds, is essential. We also need to explore ideas of sustainability. These groups see a mixed-use and walkable area not only as more attractive and livable but also more environmentally sound and sustainable. And there will be serious fiscal and developmental impacts as fuel costs rise, as they certainly will. We must anticipate these changes and act so that Dublin maintains its quality of life and economic vitality."

A lively question and answer session followed. Terry's fascinating presentation gave Rotarians a glimpse of Dublin's future, the challenges we will face to maintain our community's quality of life, and the rewards we might reap through careful planning and management. Your humble correspondent is certainly eager to hear more.

I hope all Rotarians will join me the evening of Monday, June 21st, at Wendy's International on 161 to hearthe consultants from Goody-Clancy discuss the the Bridge Street Corridor Plan. Come hear about the future of our City!