Hilliard: 5 top stories from 2020

The world changed in 2020, with the COVID-19 coronavirus, civil unrest in major U.S. cities and a polarized political climate as just a few examples.
Hilliard had its share of changes, too. Here’s a brief recap of five significant stories published in the ThisWeek Hilliard Northwest News during the past 12 months.
The land between Cosgray and Leppert roads, north of Scioto Darby Road and south of Hayden Run Road had been rezoned in July to allow for the construction of data centers. At the time of the rezoning, city officials said no end use had been identified.
Related story:Amazon Web Services identified as buyer for Grener land
Related story:Hilliard City Council authorizes sale of 104 acres to Amazon
City Council members at first questioned the administration’s early decision to cancel the pool season, but by Memorial Day, they had agreed with city officials' position that there was not a safe or cost-effective method to open the pools.
Related story:Council decision: Hilliard pools will remain closed this season
Though the timing of the opening left a lot to desire because of the pandemic, the venue soldiered through it.
The 16,000-square-foot Center Street Market is anchored by the Crooked Can Brewing Co., which makes a variety of beers locally and was the first business to open there in February.
The market's various vendors, including Meatball Mafia, the Cheesecake Girl, Dumplings of Fury, Bakes by Lo and Coffee Connections of Hilliard, started to open during the spring.
Related story:Vendors starting to open at Center Street Market in Old Hilliard
Crandall was sworn in Jan. 2, making history as the first person holding the job after Hilliard voters had approved a charter amendment in November 2018 to change the city’s form of government from that of a publicly elected "strong mayor" to council-appointed city manager.
Related story:Michelle Crandall weathers coronavirus storm in first months as Hilliard city manager
The show had 100 vendors and drew about 1,200 attendees, ranging from people who were inspired by Chuck Berry to plug into an amplifier to those not yet born when Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain helped define alternative rock.
Related story:Ohio Guitar Show in Hilliard plays up vintage instruments
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