Fire Prevention Priority:
Uptown District Suppression System in Design for Long-Term Preservation Uptown Westerville is one of the most well preserved town centers in Ohio and is the City of Westerville’s centerpiece. The scenic area includes a wide array of shops, restaurants, galleries and other businesses that attract longtime residents, university students and visitors. As part of its five-year capital improvement budget, the City is in the early stages of design for a district-wide fire suppression system to help safeguard Uptown for future generations. A comprehensive fire suppression system would operate to prevent catastrophic fire spread, damage and loss. Access to exterior water lines and interior sprinkler systems will be part of the design. “Repairing older fire-damaged buildings is cost prohibitive, so the system is a great way to protect
Uptown properties,” said Westerville Division of Fire (WFD) Deputy Fire Chief David Williams. “No one ever thinks a fire will happen, but there have been many downtown areas in Ohio that have been damaged beyond repair.” The system will also ensure that all buildings meet certain standards and necessary building and fire code requirements. The updates will provide more flexibility for repurposing business spaces and will reduce conversion costs in the future. The multi-phase plan includes personnel from the WFD and City of Westerville Economic Development, Building, Engineering and Public Service Departments. The team is currently holding bimonthly meetings and will include Uptown business owners in the process as the project progresses.
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The Shrine Changes Ownership
The Kyoto Tea House and Shinto Shrine closed in 1978 when Mr. Henderson died but reopened under his son Charles’ ownership in 1982. Tours ended again in 2002, when Charles, who then lived in Washington state, could no longer maintain the property from the West Coast. The property was listed for sale in 2004, which was the beginning of historical preservation efforts. Friends of the Japanese Tea House & Shrine, a group of Westerville citizens dedicated to finding a suitable owner, advocated for the property as it sat and eventually went into foreclosure under new ownership. The property was later sold, and the Kyoto Tea House was demolished due to its dilapidated state. However, the shrine and artifacts did not transfer in the sale. In 2004, the shrine was moved into storage at the Franklin Park Conservatory.
The Shrine Returns to Westerville
In 2018, the City of Westerville began researching the best way to reconstruct the Shinto Shrine in Westerville and restore the structure to its former glory. “COVID-19 delayed that work, but it never left as one of our goals,” said Councilmember Blair. “We are happy to report there is plenty to rebuild, although it will need some tender love and care.” In 2023, the City issued a request for proposals for the design of the reconstruction of the shrine, and selected Schooley Caldwell, an architectural firm that will focus on reconstruction and preservation efforts. The City is currently seeking grant funding to support the project. When the Shinto Shrine is reconstructed, Westerville residents and visitors will have a lasting reminder of Westerville’s rich, inclusive history. “Learning to forgive, listen to, and care for each other is part of what makes Westerville great,” said Councilmember Blair.
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