Mayor Brent Centers

08/13/2026

It’s a GREAT day to be a WILDCAT! 🐾

Wishing all of our Wildcats an incredible first day of school!

Make this a year to be proud of! Go Cats! ♥️🖤

08/03/2026

Residential Development!

We have all been hearing that the DeHart property owner has been working with different developers to come up with a residential development. They have reached an agreement that they have submitted to the City to bring before the Franklin Planning Commission (PC). This is where you as residents will bring you comments regarding the development to the PC so they can make a recommendation to the City Council. Once it goes to City Council, you will again have the opportunity to bring forward your comments so we can negotiate any needs with the developers, if it’s voted into effect.

This project demonstrates that the redevelopment work leading up to this application is working just as intended. Our desire is to protect our community character, while also solving some of the challenges that we have faced for many years. Franklin is striving to find the balance that allows property owners to maximize their property interests, along with strong development practices that benefit both the immediate and broader community, all with your input and guidance along the way.

It is important to note that no decisions have been made. Planning Commission (of which I am a member), will likely consider this proposal for the first time on September 9th at 5:30 PM.

Although the city has already met with many surrounding stakeholders, all interested parties and neighboring property owners are encouraged to participate in the public comment portion of this process. Notices will be mailed and provided in accordance with normal standard operating procedures (any property within 250 feet of the development in any direction).

We remain committed to open communication, which is why you all are hearing about this now- well in advance of our normal traditional timelines.

Planning Commission will offer a recommendation to council of either ‘approve’ or ‘deny’. Council will then consider that recommendation and any/all additional public comment at a later date- which will be published for all to participate.

Important to note that if approved, this won’t happen over night. This proposal will likely take between 10-15 years to build out.

A Cincinnati-based firm has submitted plans to develop more than 294 acres of Franklin into a 1,200-plus unit community offering townhomes, patio homes and single-family houses reaching the $1 million

07/17/2026

Riverfront Project Update!

In April, I flew to Washington DC with our City Manager Jonathan Westendorf, Assistant City Manager Karisa Steed, and Warren County Administrator Martin Russel to meet with both Ohio Senators (Husted and Moreno) and our member of Congress, Greg Landsman to explain the need for Franklin to be included in the Congressional Spend for infrastructure funding for the engineering costs and lay back of our Riverbank for the upcoming Riverfront project.

After negotiations and much discussion, both Senators and Congressman agreed to include our project in their list of projects to go to the floor for a vote.

This week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has officially approved its version of WRDA 2026 and our project was included in the committee-approved bill.

The next step is for this legislation to be considered by the full Senate.

If both the Senate and House pass their respective versions of WRDA 2026, the two bills will be reconciled through the conference process before being sent to the President for signature.

At this stage, (and I may be optimistic) it would be unusual for an individual project such as ours to be removed from the legislation this far into the process.

Another major step for our Riverfront project. Another step forward for Franklin!

Thanks to Martin Russel, Jonathan Westendorf, and Karisa Steed for their diligent preparation heading into these intense meetings.

07/15/2026

Proud to support Luke Kennard’s charity golf outing in support of St. Jude Children's Hospital.

I’m always proud of Luke and appreciate the awareness and resources he provides to St. Jude.

07/04/2026

From our family to yours, Happy Independence Day!

♥️🤍💙 ♥️🤍💙 ♥️🤍💙

Come out and celebrate our freedom with the following schedule in Franklin:

🎉 Today's Schedule:

🍅 Downtown Franklin Ohio Farmers Market - 8:30am - 12:00pm

🇺🇸 Fourth of July Parade – 10:00am (Downtown Franklin)

🎪 Festival at Community Park – Begins at 5:00pm: food trucks, live music, and much more!

🎆 Fireworks Spectacular – 10:00pm (this year in particular is a show you don’t want to miss!)

(Sponsored by The City of Franklin, Franklin Township, City of Carlisle, and Orioles Nest 263, Franklin, Ohio )

Happy Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙

07/04/2026

Earlier this year, we welcomed Camp Chautauqua to the City of Franklin through annexation. Tonight we got to highlight the partnership by joining the Camp for their AMAZING Independence Day celebration.

Thank you to Jason and his team for all they do for our community, surrounding communities, and specifically for all they do for our youth.

Great work! Great Partnership!

07/01/2026

Luke has been trying to be like me for 30 years and he finally did it! 😂

Congrats to our guy, LUKE Kennard for his move to the Phoenix Suns! We are always so proud of you!

06/23/2026

I am so proud of my dad!

My dad, Denny Centers, was named Franklin’s Citizen of the Year by the NWWC Chamber of Commerce.

While the award recognizes decades of service to Franklin as a City Council member, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Finance Committee Chair, Firefighter, and community advocate, those of us who know him best understand that his impact goes far beyond titles and accomplishments.

Growing up, I watched him lead with integrity, humility, and a genuine love for this community. He taught me that public service is not about recognition or credit. It is about showing up, doing the work, making difficult decisions, and always putting the people first. The projects he championed helped shape the Franklin we know today, and his greatest legacy is the example he set for all of us who have had the privilege of learning from him.

As his son, I could not be more proud. As Mayor, I am grateful for the foundation he helped build and the example he set. And as a resident of Franklin, I am thankful for the countless hours he has dedicated to making our city a better place for future generations.

Congratulations, Dad, on being named Citizen of the Year. This honor is well deserved, and our family is incredibly proud of you.

Thank you for showing all of us what servant leadership truly looks like.