“We love our city. Our location is very unique,” says Mayor Justin Harsha, highlighting the city’s historical role as a crossroads, with Route 50 once spanning coast to coast and Route 62 connecting the northern and southern borders of the country. “I know that there’s some other cities that have claimed they’re the crossroads of America, but our location is very important, especially with all the new plants and factories that are being built up north. It makes us very unique and not too far away for commuters.” A MULTIGENERATIONAL LEGACY Harsha, a sixth-generation Hillsboro resident, embodies the city’s deep historical roots. With a family business dating back to 1854, the mayor’s commitment to Hillsboro’s future stems from a personal desire to make the city a place where future generations will thrive. “I want to make sure that Hillsboro is going in the right direction, and make sure it is a place that my children would want to come back to, to make their lifetime home,” he shares.“In the last five years we’ve had more growth than I’ve seen in a long time, but we still hold that small town feel, where you feel like you know a lot of the people that you see. It’s very important to keep that, even though there’s lots of development going on.” PARKS, COMMUNITY PROJECTS, AND DOWNTOWN REVIVAL At the heart of Hillsboro’s transformation is the Crossroads Park project, a $5 million investment that includes an amphitheater, splash pad, walking trails, and natural green spaces.“We’re trying to highlight our downtown, and get people out walking, which will help businesses,” explains Harsha.“All of our city events will be down there. We are hoping to have concerts and plays throughout the summer, early spring and fall.” Complementing this is Railroad Street Park, home to new pickleball courts, which have revitalized a once neglected area of the community. In addition, Hillsboro has recently reclaimed Shaffer Park after years of external management, marking a renewed focus on community spaces.“We’re always looking to build our parks up,” details the mayor. “ So, we have hired our first parks director, and that’s been working 165 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 HILLSBORO, OH
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