Hilltop RISE

Our staff spent part of last week with our peers from around the state in economic and community development at the Ohio CDA’s annual conference, which was held in Athens. The conference’s theme was “Rooted in Place.”

Because our work is hyper-focused on the Hilltop, it’s easy to forget that our community’s challenges are being faced by similar communities all over Ohio (and elsewhere). Among many other things, we learned how other communities are addressing their challenges, about creative funding solutions for redevelopment projects, and the statewide advocacy the Ohio CDA is working on.

It was exciting to see examples of great work being done throughout the state, particularly in and around Athens.

With the return to school following summer break, we thought it would be appropriate that our next Historic Hilltop Corner highlight Highland Elementary School, located at 40 S. Highland Ave. Highland Elementary School was also featured as a stop on our recent Historic Walking Tour in July. 

Highland Elementary is one of the oldest schools in Columbus and one of several schools designed by noted Columbus architect David Riebel. He became the first head of the architecture department at Columbus Board of Education and the lead architect for Columbus City Schools in 1893. Through his career, Riebel designed roughly 35 Columbus schools.

The present Highland Elementary School was built in the late 1800’s, but the original school building started out as a one-room schoolhouse at the corner of W. Broad and Highland Avenue. The school was built in two phases. The north portion with the decorative columns at the entrance was constructed around 1895 at a cost of $18,000. The ‘addition’ to the south was built not too long afterwards, somewhere between 1899-1910. Both the addition and the original look nearly the same.

Order today if you want the Hilltop Heart shirt to ship in this batch!

Hilltop Heart | Bonfire Our mission is to facilitate mindful economic growth & development on the Hilltop.. We?re committed to supporting new and existing businesses, property owners, and the...

Dan Fagan joined the Hilltop RISE Board earlier this year. Dan is a longtime Hilltop resident with a career rooted in social work, public service, and affordable senior housing. A former leader on the Greater Hilltop Area Commission, he brings deep experience in aging services and community development to support seniors and strengthen connections across the neighborhood.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to a contractor issue, we need to cancel our tour at Broad & Westgate. We hope to offer community members another opportunity to see the space in the future

THIS SATURDAY is the Hilltop Hop!

Update: Due to a contractor issue, we need to cancel our tour at Broad & Westgate. We hope to offer community members another opportunity to see the space in the future.

We are hosting “hard-hat” tours of the commercial spaces at Broad & Westgate during the Hop. Please meet us at 10:30AM and 11:45AM outside Best Side Studio to see the spaces and hear our renovation plans!

Find all the designs in one place: https://www.bonfire.com/store/hilltop-rise-store/

THIS SATURDAY is the Hilltop Hop!

Update: Due to a contractor issue, we need to cancel our tour at Broad & Westgate. We hope to offer community members another opportunity to see the space in the future.

We are hosting “hard-hat” tours of the commercial spaces at Broad & Westgate during the Hop. Please meet us at 10:30AM and 11:45AM outside Best Side Studio to see the spaces and hear our renovation plans!

Looking for a way to support Hilltop RISE and show your love for the Hilltop? We have TWO new designs in our Bonfire store. Each purchase supports our mission with a donation!

The map is the original design, but we just added the Hilltop heart and Hilltop RISE logos as new options.

https://www.bonfire.com/store/hilltop-rise-store/

Join the Hilltop RISE Historic Preservation Committee for the Columbia Park Historic Walking Tour . The 1923 Columbia Park Addition includes West Broad Street to the railroad tracks from Westmoor to Orel. Please meet the group at the corner of Broad & Westmoor.

This tour is free, but registration is recommended: https://bit.ly/columbiaparktour

We are continuing our Board Introduction Series, next up is Paula Cosby!

Born and raised on The Hilltop, Paula Cosby combines personal connection with extensive nonprofit and public-sector leadership experience. A Certified Nonprofit Professional, she has led community revitalization and fundraising efforts and is passionate about strengthening families and neighborhoods through collaborative, community-driven investment.