Construction Begins on Hilltop Police Substation

Published on September 09, 2025

Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and city leaders today broke ground on a state-of-the-art police substation in the Hilltop neighborhood. Scheduled to open in November of 2026, the new Columbus Division of Police Substation serving 8 Precinct will be a two-story, 13,500-square-foot facility located at 1860 Sullivant Ave.

“Columbus is the safest it’s been in more than a decade, with violent crime down significantly and our case-closure rates leading the nation. This is thanks to exceptional policing, improved community engagement and access to new crime-fighting tools and technologies,” said Mayor Ginther. “This substation will continue our progress by helping Hilltop officers connect frequently with the residents they serve.”

The $13.9 million substation is funded by voter-approved municipal bond sales that help make up the city’s Capital Improvement Budget. The new substation will be nearly seven times larger than the existing facility and will feature a 1,500 square-foot community room, expanded parking and office spaces and work by local artists. It also will serve as the area’s emergency storm shelter. 

The new substation will be the first city substation to include dedicated space for detectives with interview rooms for investigation. It will be home to as many as 84 sworn officers across all shifts, including the Zone 3 commander, detectives, lieutenants, sergeants, officers, a community response team and a community liaison. In support of officer wellness, the facility also will include an officer fitness room, police bicycle storage and maintenance and a mothers nursing/decompression room.

“This building will be so much more than brick and mortar,” said Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant. “It’s an investment in stronger police-community collaboration and a space where officers and neighbors can solve problems together. It’s the space our officers and our dedicated Hilltop community partners deserve.”

Local firms will lead the 15-month construction project, with BBCO Design serving as the architect of record and Smoot Construction building the substation. The four-acre site was purchased from the State of Ohio.

The interior of the current Hilltop substation is under renovation and will continue to serve both the Hilltop and Franklinton.