By Michelle Vroom

New City Manager Terry Foegler recently returned to work for the City of Dublin after 12 years, having served as assistant city manager and director of development from 1990-1996.

In-between working for Dublin, Foegler served as president of The Ohio State University’s Campus Partners for Urban Redevelopment until 2008. He then worked as vice president of development for Pierce Education Properties until he was selected by Dublin City Council to become city manager. Dublin Life recently sat down to talk with Foegler about his return, his plans and his ever-changing hobbies.

Dublin Life: You’ve lived in Dublin for 19 years. What attracted you to the city manager position?
Terry Foegler: Dublin has a fond spot in my heart. My wife and I have raised three children here -- two daughters and a son. It's a fantastic community, so when I saw the kinds of things Dublin City Council was looking for, I was particularly attracted to the position. The challenges and opportunities facing the city are very much in line with my areas of professional interest.

DL: What do you plan to do first?
TF: I plan to listen and learn first. I want to meet with members of the community and grow my knowledge about projects and major initiatives the city is undertaking.

DL: How is Dublin’s fiscal health?
TF: We are fortunate to be in a position to continue our progress and embark upon a number of catalytic projects. The city is in good financial health due in large part to the leadership of past and present councils and administrations, which have established and followed sound, conservative fiscal policies. In 2008 the city’s income tax revenue increased by 4 percent. Our 2009 budget projects a 3 percent growth for 2009. Historically, actual growth has exceeded our conservative projections. With that said, we are not an island. These are uncertain economic times, so these income projections will be updated as needed. We have to look closely at everything to ensure we are the best possible stewards of our community’s resources.

DL: What are some of the city’s major initiatives?
TF: One area of anticipated development is to the northwest along the U.S. 33 corridor. This comes through the creation of a next-generation technology park known as Innovation Park, which is situated at the gateway to the Central Ohio Innovation Corridor. The project will involve intergovernmental cooperation in terms of infrastructure, economic development and annexation – all important to Dublin’s long-term future.

Revitalizing Historic Dublin continues to be a major area of attention. The mixed-use BriHi Square project will open this fall and will bring 22,000 square feet of office, dining and retail space to the area.

The Parade of Homes is returning to Dublin this summer and will showcase properties in the new Tartan Ridge development off Hyland-Croy Road. Builders continue to be attracted to the city, and home value stability compares favorably to other housing markets. Our overarching goal is to continue to make Dublin a desirable place – and a sustainable community – with the facilities, amenities and services that encourage responsible growth.

DL: How can the city continue its success?
TF: We have to understand what has made Dublin competitive in the past and make sure we continue to do those things – such as our adherence to sound fiscal policies – well as fully prepare for changing future conditions. The city must continue to invest strategically in infrastructure, and continue to foster and seek out appropriate types of economic development activities.

DL: How will the city accomplish that?
TF: The kind of corporate office space we have here today and the amount of income tax revenue it’s provided to sustain the delivery of public service have really been extraordinary. We’re fortunate, too, to have such a diverse tax base where we are not reliant on any one industry.

We have to continue to seek out new opportunities and strategies to foster the next generation of entrepreneurial and economic activities for Dublin to remain competitive. Innovation Park, a vibrant Historic Dublin, and other potential mixed-use projects will provide these environments and help draw the next generation of businesses to the area. We will continue our focus on regional relationships to secure future economic opportunities.

DL: What do you do in your free time?
TF: I enjoy spending time with my family. My hobbies have varied as I have gotten increasingly ‘grayer.’ I’ve had my motorcycle phases: I sold that last summer. (I had) my home theater phase. For a period I was interested in refinishing antiques. I even had a community theater phase. I had done traditional film photography and developing when my children were younger, and am now getting into digital photography.

DL: What is your favorite thing about Dublin?
TF: From a planning perspective, the quality of the city’s built and natural environments is what strikes everyone. It is a desirable place to live and work. We have 96 miles of bike trails which connect neighborhoods and allow people to take walks and enjoy the true beauty of the community. The quality of life that has resulted from that planning has become perhaps our greatest asset.

Michelle Vroom is a contributing writer for Dublin Life.