The right bike would have no problem with curb hopping - decent MTBs can cope with 250lbs riders taking 8 foot drops. Instead of telling the guy to get a road bike because y'all have them and to change the way that he wants to ride to fit, why not tell the guy what sort of bike he needs to ride the way that he wants to?

The poster who suggested a 29er is correct. Fit it with Big Apple slicks and attack those curbs, if that's what you want to do. You can probably buy a suitable 29er from Bikes Direct for around $600. It will be a lot more fun that a hybrid, even on the road.