He certainly doesn't seek the spotlight, but, for the second year in a row, Sean Hodgins has found himself as the Optimist's Newsmaker of the Year.
The proposal put forth for the Southlands by the understated Century Group president was so innovative and ultimately its approval by Delta council so historic that it would make almost anyone behind it an instant news figure. However, this story goes well beyond just a development proposal.
It's overstating it to say the debate over the future of the Southlands was a referendum on Hodgins and his vision, but there's no denying the public hearing became a personal affair. Speakers, both pro and con, routinely referenced the developer by name and even many of those with contrary views acknowledged his personal and professional integrity as well as the legacy his company has created in this community.
I've long maintained that developers are at a disadvantage during the public hearing process because people are much more apt to come out to oppose something than they are to rally behind it. How many people are going to take the time out of their life to speak in favour of a proposal just so a developer can put a few more bucks in his pocket? The fact Century got the level of support it did, even if opponents outnumbered supporters over the course of the five-day hearing, suggests Hodgins is no ordinary developer.
It started with a revolutionary approach to developing the property but the more compelling piece of the equation was a willingness to engage the public like no developer had done before. And by doing so over the better part of eight years it allowed many to feel like they had, in some small way, taken ownership of the project.
With Hodgins and his team at the forefront, it also made it abundantly clear that Century wasn't some faceless entity looking to plunder our community for the almighty buck. Yes, the company is out to make money, there's no getting around that fact, but you don't have to talk to Hodgins long to realize this goes well beyond the monetary for him.
He wants to build a neighbourhood that's truly a neighbourhood, not simply pad the bottom line with more urban sprawl. Get him talking about garages and you'll hear the disdain in his voice, how he desires to create a development that's inclusive, functional and, if he has his way, the model for subdivisions moving forward.
In my books, that's Newsmaker of the Year material.
