Columbus Monthly Special Section: Westerville Suburban Section

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A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

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A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section

Welcome to Westerville Dear reader, If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my first six months as City Manager and as a resident, it’s that there’s something special about Westerville.

You could attribute it to the classic charm of the historic Uptown area with its brick façades, coffee shops, local goods and friendly merchants, or the enduring community traditions that even a global pandemic couldn’t completely halt.

Perhaps it’s the fact that we are truly a “city within a park,” with 51 miles of easily navigable recreation trails and 650 acres of parkland, offering signature spaces that play host to our most precious moments.

Then there’s the thriving business community and an incomparable workforce that attracts investment and enriches our lives. It leads to existing and new amenities that are yours to enjoy, including dining, entertainment and retail, and specifically Westerville’s first rooftop bar coming soon to the booming Westar area.

“Something” is special here. And it’s OK if it’s tough to put your finger on exactly what it is.

Westerville exists, quite intentionally, at the intersection of history and progress.

It was once a prominent stop on the Underground Railroad, and as home to Otterbein University, has utilized its position for years to inspire advocacy and action around issues that matter. Today’s students in Westerville speak more than 80 languages and represent cultures across the globe. Westerville organizations, the City included, are making real investments to be a distinctive community of action, recruiting leaders to actively help us better promote and achieve gender, generational, racial, religious and ethnic diversity.

Our goal is simple: Everyone should feel welcome and at home in Westerville.

Westerville is certainly having a moment; you’ll read about it in the pages that follow. My hope is that the stories herein spark curiosity and a desire to venture our way. Grab an ice cream, cup of coffee or an Uptown-crafted microbrew (in what was once the epicenter of Prohibition) and truly experience Westerville.

Sincerely,

Columbus Site Manager

Alan Miller Publisher/General Manager

Ray Paprocki

EDITORIAL Special Sections Editor

Emma Frankart Henterly Columbus Monthly Editor

Dave Ghose contributors

Nancy Byron, Chris DeVille, Nicholas Youngblood Interns

Marlie Griffith, Dana Randall

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Craig Rusnak Art director

Alyse Pasternak Associate art director

Betsy Becker

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Julanne Hohbach

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Tim Johnson Associate Photo Editor

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Monica Irelan, City Manager

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Lauren Reinhard

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BUSINESS

This businesssavvy community welcomes small and large companies alike.

Editorial/Advertising Offices

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Resiliency and amenities position the city for a speedy pandemic recovery.

A range of options for all ages continue to develop across the community.

LIFESTYLE

CASE STUDY HOUSING Westerville leaders manage crises and opportunities with finesse.

ON THE COVER: Westerville's City Hall at night | Photo courtesy City of Westerville

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Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

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EDUCATION

The city welcomes and works with students from kindergarten through college.

62 E. Broad St. P.O. Box 1289 Columbus, OH 43216 614-888-4567

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section is published by Gannett. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © Gannett Co., Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited.

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Photo: Courtesy City of Westerville

Inside

AUTHENTIC

Charm.

Westerville is genuine, from its rich heritage to its modern day amenities. The City is alive with culture, commerce and history.

PURPOSEFUL

Spirit.

We’re generating new investments and staying ahead of the curve with projects and partnerships in technology.

KEEPING

Quality of life is what matters most to you.

It’s all available in Westerville.

We Invite You to Discover Westerville Learn more at www.westerville.org

Promises.

Business

Taking Care of Business Westerville is more than business-friendly; it’s business-savvy, and companies both large and small reap the benefits.

Photos: Left, Robb McCormick Photography/Courtesy City of Westerville; Right, Courtesy City of Westerville

By Nancy Byron

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Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

special advertising section With its own, independent power company, miles of fiber-optic cable to ensure strong internet connections, a one-of-a-kind secure data center and a strategic location straddling the high-growth areas of northern Franklin and southern Delaware counties, Westerville has a lot to offer businesses of any size.

“Westerville has always been steadfast in executing its vision: to connect every

Uptown Westerville

business to every opportunity,” says Scott Sureddin, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, the international logistics company that’s been in Westerville for 30 years and chose the city for its 10-acre, $20 million corporate headquarters in 2019. “We are part of a growing list of corporate leaders benefiting from Westerville’s forward-thinking approach to infrastructure—from efficient and reliable municipal utilities to investment in a unique, city-owned data center.”

Westerville’s WeConnect Data Center, which assistant city manager Jason Bechtold says “makes Silicon Valley jealous,” is the first and only one of its kind in the country. It provides secure, 24/7-monitored, dedicated servers, as well as managed cloud hosting, custom colocation services and IT consulting to area businesses.

“We have the tools to make businesses competitive,” Bechtold says. “It’s our intentional focus to make this a thriving environment for businesses to grow.”

Even in a pandemic.

When the spread of COVID-19 forced businesses across the country to temporarily close in March 2020, Westerville city leaders were able to declare a one-month “bill holiday” that gave all local businesses—and residents—a month of free utilities.

“We wanted to give some relief to our businesses and community when we had all that uncertainty,” Bechtold says. “People want to be part of communities that help when times are challenging.”

Along that same vein, city leaders also developed WeCAN—the Westerville COVID Assistance Now—program, which provided grants up to $3,500 for small businesses

facing unexpected costs associated with COVID-19.

“We did it as recovery assistance or to cover income loss,” Bechtold says. “We supported 192 small businesses with that program. More than $615,000 in grants were dispersed. That was pretty impactful.”

But that wasn’t all. A third initiative aimed to address businesses’ need to offer outdoor sales and dining options while indoor dining was prohibited during the pandemic.

“From a permitting perspective, we provided a means for businesses to expand their footprint outside on a temporary basis.”

Bechtold says.

The city is taking it one step further now.

Westerville is among a handful of Central Ohio suburbs establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA; Westerville’s is slated for its Uptown business district.

“This will allow patrons to purchase a drink at any of the 11 participating Uptown establishments and sip, stroll and shop throughout Uptown,” says Lynn Aventino, executive director of Uptown Westerville Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening and supporting this historic area. ”It’s another tool to encourage small business activity, and we’re excited about it,” Bechtold says of the DORA. “Uptown is the heart and soul of the community.”

To maintain Uptown’s charming look and feel, the city also offers a program to provide matching grants of up to $30,000 for commercial property owners or tenants wanting to improve building façades, signage, landscaping or parking in the area.

“Uptown Westerville is a great destination spot,” says Jennifer Blaser, owner of Good

DHL Supply Chain at Westar Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

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Clockwise from top left, Uptown Westerville; bags of Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn; apparel at Megan Lee Designs; Good Vibes Winery

“These are popular business-to-community events,” says chamber president and CEO Janet Tressler-Davis, noting the Taste of Westerville typically sells out. “We had the Music & Arts Festival electronically last year, but usually it’s three stages of bands. Typically we have approximately 135 artists and crafters, and we typically attract an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 people over the two-day event.”

For business executives who are new to Westerville, Tressler-Davis also offers a

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

personal concierge service to help acclimate them to the community.

“I will drive them around and show them the area to help them get familiar,” she says.

Throughout the year, the chamber offers dozens of educational and networking programs to help local business owners and executives thrive. That was particularly important when the pandemic hit in 2020 and good information and programming were in short supply.

Photos: top left and right, Courtesy City of Westerville; Bottom right, Courtesy Good Vibes Winery

Vibes Winery on State Street in the heart of Uptown. “And the owners of the Uptown businesses support each other.”

Blaser, for example, sells neighboring Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn at her winery. Her shop’s Good Vibes T-shirts were ordered from Megan Lee Designs, just around the corner, and her Westervillethemed chair pillows came from Pure Roots Boutique, a few doors up the street.

“I survive on coffee from Java Central, and the owner of Java stops in for my wine,” she adds. Ditto for the owner of Déja Vu clothing store, where Blaser likes to shop.

“This is why I love having a winery in Uptown,” she says. It’s also the reason she left a 20-year career as a public finance attorney to purchase Good Vibes roughly three years ago. “I loved the location. You cannot do better than Uptown Westerville.”

A handful of community events, such as the Saturday farmers markets, a craft beer festival and Ghost Story Tours, also draw on the natural synergy of the area, which was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.

“Other popular events we bring to attract people to Uptown are the Uptown Cookie Walk and the Westerville Art Hop,” Aventino says. “We are currently also working on a podcast series about Westerville that will continue to raise awareness of the charm and character of Uptown.”

Events such as the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Westerville and the annual Music & Arts Festival involve businesses from all over the city—not just Uptown.

special advertising section “During the stay–at-home [order], we did 62 programs via Zoom on various things like the CARES Act, how to apply for relief, working and selling remotely, family leave, employees working from home, taking care of your health, taking care of the mind—all at no charge to our members,” Tressler-Davis says.

Another way Westerville strives to help businesses is by paying close attention to hiring trends and anticipating future workforce development needs.

“Talent is key for businesses to survive and thrive,” Bechtold says. “And we believe talent is local.”

To that end, the Westerville WorkWISE Collective—comprising representatives from the city, schools, chamber, library and Otterbein University—was established in 2019 to discuss current and upcoming job needs in the business community.

“We meet every other month to talk about workforce development issues we could collaborate on, and we have different business leaders at the table,” Bechtold says.

“The city is able to provide us with access to a highly skilled technical workforce while providing our employees not just a place to work but also a place to live and play, with a

strong public school system, well-maintained city parks, an outstanding public library and stable residential neighborhoods,” DHL’s Sureddin says.

“We’re well-positioned to have a lot of success over the next several years because of the opportunities with workforce development,” Bechtold says, noting Westerville also prides itself as being a “city in a park,” which helps attract workers to the area. “Our residents have access to great jobs, great health care, great parks, great city services, great neighborhoods, and [they] can prosper here. We can be the rock stars of this next chapter we’re in.”

That chapter will include the construction this year of a new, 80,000-square-foot headquarters for Orthopedic One, which will be located along Westerville’s Medical Mile.

This area, where three hospital systems and dozens of medical offices have operations, is one of the largest suburban medical districts in Central Ohio.

This year will also see the development of Meridian Place, a three-story, 40,000-square-foot building with retail shops on the first floor, office space on the upper two floors and a rooftop bar. This building will be located in front of the Renaissance

UNEXPECTED HAPPENS HERE

Hotel and within walking distance of DHL, the Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC) headquarters and specialty food manufacturer and marketer Lancaster Colony Corp.

“A lot of incredible developments are going to be kicking off this year,” Bechtold says.

The city will also begin working toward a plan to repurpose three properties in Uptown Westerville that will be vacated once a combined police and courts facility is completed on Huber Village Boulevard in 2022.

“That’s a potential opportunity that I’m sure we will have strong interest in,” Bechtold says.

“We’ll be working on that over the next 12 to 18 months. I’m looking forward to that.”

“There’s an environment for businesses to succeed in Westerville,” Tressler-Davis says, noting the city is home to some unique brands such as Indianapolis-based Bru Burger Bar, which chose Westerville for its only Central Ohio location.

“Residents in Westerville love to support local businesses, and it shows,” Blaser says.

“We’re not just another pretty face around I-270,” adds Tressler-Davis. “We have a lot going on with Otterbein, three hospitals, a wonderful library. There’s a little bit of everything here.” 

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Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

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Lifestyles

A Return to Normalcy Despite the challenges that came with last year, Westerville is persisting through difficult times and looking toward an eventful 2021.

Field of Heroes

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Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

Photo: Robb McCormick Photography/Courtesy City of Westerville

By Marlie Griffith

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The Westerville community is resilient above all else. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of any sense of normal life, the city has adapted to accommodate the safety of its residents.

However, prioritizing health and wellness does not come at the expense of entertainment and liveliness in Westerville. Through socially distanced events, curbside-pickup takeout and online shopping from local retailers, Westerville residents supported their city. The return to normalcy is running smoothly thanks to the community’s willingness to do its part.

Lynn Aventino, executive director of Uptown Westerville Inc., credits the viability of small Westerville businesses to the proactiveness of the city’s residents during last year’s shutdowns.

“The public was very aware of the need to support small businesses,” says Aventino. “I just think they really understand the value of small businesses in America, and they want to support it, and they don’t want to see anybody close their doors because of this pandemic.”

Business owners themselves also contributed to Westerville’s ability to weather the storm. Rob Rishel, Westerville’s economic development coordinator, believes the city’s small businesses were well-equipped to handle the rapid changes the pandemic brought. In addition to assistance provided by the City of Westerville, which included a utility billing holiday and grants up to $3,500 to purchase personal protective equipment, space dividers and technology to support increased carryout orders, the creativity of the city’s stores and restaurants to improve safety by reducing points of contact made the difference. Uptown’s Northstar Café was no exception to this phenomenon.

“Many of the things that feel normal to us now were innovative last spring,” says Kevin Malhame, co-founder and CEO of the Central Ohio fast-casual chain. By upgrading the ventilation system to add a virus-killing air cleaner and partitioning tables with walnut and glass dividers, the restaurant promoted safety in style.

As the weather clears to summer and following the rollout of the vaccine, the café is returning to business as usual—and then some. “Northstar in Westerville is setting new records for the busiest we have ever been,” says Malhame. Northstar leadership has used that additional revenue to give back to employees affected by the pandemic. For example, this year’s Earth Day, which is typically celebrated at Northstar with free veggie

New, Modern, Amish Crafted 38 N State St, Westerville, OH 43081 amishoriginals.com Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

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Top, State Street in Uptown Westerville; above, left to right, a woman enjoys a DORA beverage; the Uptown Westerville Saturday Farmers Market; a Ghost Story Tour guide

which allows citizens to access free wellness, artistic and educational resources from the comfort and safety of their homes. The Great Pumpkin Glow, typically a major walkthrough event, was reconfigured to a drive-thru experience last fall. In December, Uptown merchants sponsored an ice sculpture tour of approximately 30 pieces, which provided festive photo opportunities for the community.

As vaccination rollout progresses, Westerville officials hope to continue orga-

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

nizing opportunities for community gatherings that the city is so accustomed to.

The Westerville Sunrise Rotary unveiled its 13th Field of Heroes, an outdoor veteran’s memorial, for Memorial Day. Last year, the Field of Heroes was also reconfigured into a drive-thru format; it returned to its traditional, in-person exhibition at the Westerville Sports Complex this year.

“The flags are naturally spaced 6 feet apart, so people can be in the field and kind

Photos: Clockwise from top, Courtesy City of Westerville (2); STEPHEN TROUTNER; Courtesy City of Westerville

burgers, was instead used to fundraise for Northstar’s Team Member Relief Fund. The Earth Day menu was offered at regular price, and 100 percent of sales went toward the fund. Created last year to provide short-term financial support during the pandemic, the relief fund has helped over 25 team members with expenses.

“What we have found, for the most part in Uptown, is that our business owners were extremely resilient, extremely intelligent, and that they were prepped for something like this,” says Rishel. “And real credit [goes] to our citizenry; they really stepped up and helped local businesses.”

In addition to adapting the flow of everyday businesses, community events were also reimagined to accommodate safety.

The Westerville Parks & Recreation department created a virtual recreation center,

Photo: Robb McCormick Photography/Courtesy City of Westerville

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Pumpkin Glow in 2019

of give each other social distancing,” explains 20-year Rotarian Larry Jenkins.

Past events involved different programs such as concerts and 5k runs, which aren’t yet possible due to social distancing guidelines; the regular flag dedications that were put on hold last year, however, will return this year.

Coming soon to Uptown Westerville is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. Increasingly popular in Central Ohio suburbs, DORAs are exempt from open container provisions, allowing patrons to purchase and drink alcoholic beverages inside their boundaries. The goal is to drive

foot traffic by giving residents a reason to linger Uptown. Rishel refers to it as a “sip and stroll” concept and an option to interact with the community for those who are remaining COVID-conscious.

The DORA provides patrons with the mobility to take advantage of everything Uptown offers at a distance. “You can always get [a meal] to go, maybe grab a sandwich and eat on our community green. Have a drink, and then finish that as you walk around,” Rishel suggests.

“It’s really taking everything that’s great about Uptown and combining it into an opportunity to be able to stroll and go into shops or to enjoy events and Uptown with an adult beverage,” adds Christa Dickey, Westerville’s director of community affairs.

Dickey believes the sense of authenticity and charm in Westerville sets the city apart from other communities. Preserving this is the next most important focus, following safety.

“If you look at Uptown, it’s really old generation meets new generation,” Dickey says.

“There are a lot of communities that are trying to build that. And we found a way to kind of preserve it and make it interesting and attractive.” By juxtaposing Westerville’s historical

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architecture with the modern appeal of small businesses and community events, the city maintains a unique, authentic charm.

Resident Mindy Drayer was thankful for the city’s parks throughout lockdown and believes the ability to be outside helped prevent her from feeling truly isolated.

“Westerville is blessed,” says the 610 WTVN radio host and former NBC-4 news anchor.

“With all the different parks and the different pathways, if you are trying to be socially distanced, Westerville is for you because you can space yourself out all over town.”

Randy Auler, director of Westerville Parks & Recreation, credits the community’s strong sense of togetherness to the trust and integrity that was built over the course of the city’s history. For example, the 2014 renewal of a dedicated income tax helped the Parks department accelerate many projects crucial to the community’s development. Such advancements include the expansion of the community center, which involves an interactive waterslide, and development of a performance fitness course.

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Cyclists take advantage of a multiuse path.

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

Auler explains that having a park within a quarter-mile of every residence or business was an intentional design of the city. This proximity to parks and trails gives residents the opportunity to get out and engage with neighbors. According to Auler, 90 percent of the community utilizes Westerville’s park and trail system. As much as the city trusts its residents to support it, its residents trust the city to reciprocate the same care.

Auler says more projects are in the works, such as an adventure park featuring tree houses and zip lines, as well as a year-round veteran’s memorial site to honor veterans, active duty members and supporting family members. Though the projects are still early in development, Auler believes they represent Westerville’s compassionate attitude toward its residents. “[The projects] really speak to how Westerville is,” says Auler. “The authenticity and honoring our heritage and being progressive toward our future. But it’s really about caring about people at the end of the day, and that’s what Westerville does.” 

Photos: Top, Courtesy City of Westerville; Bottom, Robb McCormick Photography/Courtesy City of Westerville

Westerville Community Center

special advertising section Case Study

Running with the Big Dogs How this Central Ohio suburb handles national attention

By Nicholas Youngblood

Photo: Courtesy City of Westerville

Although Columbus often takes center stage in Ohio headlines, Westerville, its unassuming neighbor to the north, is no stranger to the spotlight. The suburb has seen outsized public exposure in recent years. City officials credit Westerville’s strong community as a driving force in their ability to secure successes and weather storms.

“It’s all about the partnerships we have in this community,” says Christa Dickey, community affairs director for Westerville. “When we all work together, we can succeed.”

These partnerships were put to the test when Westerville’s Otterbein University was selected to host a Democratic presidential primary debate in October 2018. Dickey says the event was executed with help from the city school district, regional law enforcement, local businesses, the FBI and more.

Dickey acknowledges that Westerville relies on Columbus and Otterbein University for much of the infrastructure to manage large events, saying such partnerships allow the city to maintain a welcoming, safe atmosphere. Still, the city’s officials always have

to think big. “We’ve trained for this; we know what we’re doing,” Dickey says. “And we’re covering all the bases, from how to minimize the disruption for the residents to how to really put on a good show so that maybe these events want to come back someday.”

Not every headline out of Westerville is a positive one, however. Dickey says the city has faced various issues in recent years, but each time it has taken these setbacks as an opportunity to prove itself. In February 2018, Westerville police officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli were killed in action while responding to a domestic violence incident. Chief Charles Chandler, then a lieutenant at the department, says that the strength of the community was essential during a difficult time for the department.

“You still see signs in support of the police and signs in support of Eric and Tony around the community,” Chandler says. “And really, the way the community responded to us made it much easier for the officers and the other folks that work here to deal with that tragedy.”

Both Chandler and Dickey say the outpouring of support in the aftermath of the

shooting helped the city project a message of unity and perseverance as the deaths gained the attention of national news outlets, thenGovernor John Kasich and then-President Donald Trump.

The department’s strong community relationships have continued to benefit Westerville as recently as last summer, when the city saw protesters come out in droves after a police officer killed George Floyd in Minneapolis. “Working with the organizers and the leaders of the various organizations that wanted to exercise their First Amendment right to speak out, I think just our willingness to cooperate with them and their willingness to cooperate with us really made those events go off well,” Chandler says.

No matter what comes Westerville’s way, Dickey says the key to the city’s success lies in its relationships inside the community and across the region. “It’s all in the planning,” she says. “It’s in the collaboration with our partners, and just taking a strong look at, ‘OK, how can we do this so that our residents feel safe and our visitors feel welcomed?’” 

Uptown during the Democratic presidential primary debate in 2018

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

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Bigham Ridge Overlook

Housing

Room to Grow As Westerville matures, its residents find more opportunities to age in place without outgrowing the city.

Westerville has always been a great place to raise a family. Nestled to the northeast of Columbus just beyond I-270, the suburban city was plotted out with a specific vision in mind: plenty of singlefamily homes, each of them within a quartermile of a park. That plan has played out in neighborhoods across Westerville, from the outerbelt up to Maxtown Road, from Annehurst Village on the city’s western edge to the many subdivisions along Sunbury Road to the east. It was one of the first things

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Carolyn Thurman noticed when she became Westerville’s deputy director of planning and development about a year ago.

“I think that the biggest strength that you see in Westerville, as far as why people want to live here, is where the house is located, how it interacts with the surroundings,” Thurman says. “You’ve got excellent trails and parks and these really well-planned neighborhoods. You’ve got some great infrastructure as far as our road network, the existence of sidewalks. … If you compare us to a lot of

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

other suburbs, we just have a lot more within a bike ride or a walk away.”

Rick Rano watched all this happen. “My dad was the parks director here for 30 years,” says Rano, a Realtor with Re/Max Affiliates and a member of the Westerville Sunrise Rotary. “We moved here in 1966 when I was 2. We came here when there were only 7,000 people in Westerville, so it was really more of a town.” Now the population is close to 40,000, and the region continues to grow and change.

Photo: Courtesy City of Westerville

By Chris DeVille

special advertising section Part of that evolution involves an increase in housing options for every life stage.

Westerville is becoming a place where someone who grew up in one of those family neighborhoods could happily spend their whole adult life, from college apartment to retirement community. “That has been the goal, to have all the different phases available within the corporation limits,” says Monica Irelan, the newly hired city manager.

“It’s available. The variety is here.”

The city government is trying to ensure the variety includes affordable options for a broader range of residents. A 2018 document summarizing city council’s strategic goals reads, “Westerville has good diversity in housing … as compared to most Central Ohio suburbs, but we recognize a gap. For example, families in Westerville note that their grown children may not be able to afford Westerville housing upon leaving their family home. In addition, older adults may not be able to age in place and may not have affordable downsizing options.” On March 9, council further discussed this attainable housing initiative.

“We talked about, ‘Where do we go from here?’” Thurman says. “What does it look like in Westerville when you talk about affordable housing? Roughly 25 percent of the population of Westerville is cost-prohibited or has some other housing problem, meaning there are folks here in the city who are struggling when it comes to affording housing. What does that look like as far as the types of units that are built?” Some potential steps forward include more walkable, mixed-use developments and making all new housing ADA-compliant.

Because the majority of Westerville’s 12 square miles is already developed, any significant plans will involve rezoning, redeveloping and infilling existing neighborhoods.

The City of Westerville intends to collect as much public feedback as possible this year as it considers how to proceed. “When you move in this direction you need a lot of public participation, because the discussion that we’re having is going to impact the way we move forward,” Irelan says.

Some recent builds have already started to diversify the city’s housing stock. Upon first moving to Westerville, Irelan lived in the Ravines at Westar apartment complex on the city’s northwest boundary. “I liked its walkability,” she says. “I could get a cup of coffee and a doughnut and not feel so bad because I was walking.” On the other end of town, Hideaway Apartments have long provided quick access to 270 and Easton, and there are more rental units just south of Huber Village Boulevard.

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Westerville leaders estimate one-third of the city’s population will be 55 and older by 2025. Several apartments and condos in the vicinity of Sunbury and Central College roads serve that population, including some with subsidized and restricted rents.

In a related development, Thurman says a newly enacted ordinance requires landlords to factor in financing from Social Security payments and housing vouchers when considering whether to rent to individuals based on their income.

Other programs abound for those who choose Westerville for their golden years. The Age-Friendly Westerville initiative has resulted in services like COTA picking up seniors at their doorstep. Newer condo developments are springing up quickly along County Line Road, where there’s an influx of new patio homes— senior-targeted, one-story condos providing services including lawncare and beyond—and the newly constructed Gables of Westerville, which offers senior apartment communities and assisted living. Several similar setups exist around town, including the Village at Westerville on Huber Village Boulevard.

Still, it’s hard to imagine Westerville ever completely losing its focus on single-family

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Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

homes. Every corner of the city includes both starter homes and larger structures, though in general the houses tend to get bigger and newer as you move farther north.

Want to be near Hoover Reservoir’s fishing, boating and outdoor exercise opportunities? Try the Spring Grove and Spring Creek subdivisions. Prefer to be close to the quaint shops and restaurants of Uptown Westerville?

The State Street corridor is lined with developments like Westerville Heights and Walnut Park. River Trace and the Overlook are situated near the Westerville Community Center and the Polaris shopping district, while Hillcrest and Freedom Colony are within walking distance of Highlands Park Aquatic Center.

According to Rano, Westerville’s housing stock is becoming more well-rounded in part because the city has expanded its business sector, too. “They’ve put together the infrastructure to really make Westerville a viable place to live, work and commute into, rather than being a true bedroom community where everybody goes to Downtown Columbus,” Rano says. “Now you have a lot of people coming to Westerville, you have those who live and work in Westerville. I think that’s every city’s goal.” 

Photos: Courtesy City of Westerville

Top, Timbers Apartments; left, Westerville Senior Living

Explore Historic Uptown Westerville 44 N. State St. 614-823-8800 20 N. State St. 614-599-0308 A curated selection of midcentury décor, novelties & gifts. Plus a collection of over 2,000 new & used vinyl records.

A Twist on Olives is Central Ohio’s premier source for ultra premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

30 N. State St. 614-882-1015

12 E. Main St. 614-882-8863

We feature Ohio handmade. Our 100+ Ohio artists & artisans create beautiful works—many are one of a kind.

• Premium food, treats, toys and supplies for dogs and cats • Pet-related gifts for pet parents • Adoptions most Saturdays

11 N. State St. 614-890-1150 A boutique where preloved clothing and accessories for women find love again. Save money and shop sustainably at Déja Vu!

18 N. State St. 614-259-3515

2 N. State St. 614-882-2354 Not your average antique shop!

4,000 square feet of furniture, décor and treasures! Architectural salvage, farmhouse, industrial & more!

14 N. State St. 740-251-3472

Pure Roots is located in Historic Uptown Westerville featuring handmade goods & artwork from local Ohio artists & artisans.

A full-service, luxury portrait studio specializing in senior portraits, families, beauty, glamour, pregnancy and headshot portraiture in Uptown Westerville.

20 W. Main St. 614-400-5779

64 E. Main St. 614-890-2400

Your sustainable home + gift + more store! Lovingly curated eco-friendly home, gifts, lifestyle and natural foods.

Uptown On Main celebrates exceptional loose leaf teas and spices, many organic, plus accessories and gifts. It’s the good stuff!

Fouse Elementary School

Education

More than the Sum of its Parts In Westerville, students don’t just attend class; they become part of the fabric of the community.

From kindergarten through post-secondary education, the City of Westerville has a stake in students’ success. Officials work to support students, whether through technological innovations to improve connectivity for those schooling from home or through specific partnerships focused on innovation. Similarly, the City works to ensure that Otterbein University students view Westerville as home for the four (or however many) years they are here.

“I would describe Westerville as charming,” says Christa Dickey, the city’s director of community affairs. “We intentionally stay away from the phrase ‘small town,’ because the things we’re doing in Westerville are remarkable.”

One example is the strong connections that exist between agencies in the city. This

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is in large part due to The Westerville Partnership, composed of five entities including the Westerville City School District (WCSD), Otterbein, the Westerville Public Library, the Chamber of Commerce and the City.

“They work together on a regular basis to share information,” says Dickey. Every year, instead of a State of the City address, a State of the Community address includes performance updates from all five entities.

“We feel it’s our responsibility to report to the residents how all of these organizations work together and really make a community work," Dickey explains.

The region does not suffer from a lack of civic-minded leaders. “There is a large core of people here in all kinds of organizations, both formal and informal, that provide

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

leadership and create this civic activity here,” says John Kellogg, superintendent of the Westerville City School District. “That is a very important part of the experience, which I think is a bit unique to some other places.”

Together with the City, WCSD has worked on implementing safety initiatives having to do with communication tools. The school district partners with numerous community entities to enrich students’ experiences, from educational exchanges with Otterbein University and book delivery from the Westerville Public Library to community outreach and volunteerism via the Westerville Area Resource Ministry and Neighborhood Bridges.

“All of that makes Westerville a community that is rich in opportunities to tap into and collaborations to bring more resources to all

Photo: Courtesy Westerville City Schools

By Dana Randall

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Photos: Top, Courtesy Otterbein University; bottom, Courtesy Westerville City Schools

Otterbein University

our students and serve their needs, driven by leaders that have a real passion for continuing to evolve this community in a positive direction and make it a destination spot for Columbus, which regionally is a growing Midwestern area,” says Kellogg. “I think Westerville is on the front end of that wave.”

When it comes to community involvement efforts, WCSD and the City have implemented several skill and workforce development programs to both excite students and prepare them for opportunities in the future. The Pathways Program was designed to highlight current and future high-employment-need areas: health care, logistics and engineering. The program is currently going through a middle school electives redesign process, which will include added courses in health, business and logistics, engineering, and computer science.

Additional resources available to students include access to Concord Counseling, a nonprofit that offers extended counseling services. Through the School Resource Officer Program, a police officer is assigned to each middle and high school. Their duties above and beyond keeping the schools safe include making connections with the kids they serve to create a positive relationship between students and the police.

An important characteristic of WCSD is that its footprint is much bigger than Westerville city boundaries, with district lines extending to Minerva Park, Blendon Township, Genoa Township, portions of Columbus and other nearby rural areas. But regardless of location or background, students at the K-12 level and beyond have a community of

civic-minded leaders working to support and encourage their success.

“We have growth, but I think it’s a balanced growth that doesn’t overburden a suburban school system,” says Kellogg.

“Sometimes you see that, where the growth is lopsided to the residential side, and that puts a different burden on the community and on a school system. Ours is very balanced here. I think that’s helpful.”

When the pandemic hit, it forced teachers to get creative. In response, some physical education teachers at Westerville City Schools collaborated to implement fun and engaging ways to have PE at home through recorded lessons with interactive components. One assignment included students

designing and completing their own obstacle courses at home.

“We wanted to provide quality instruction despite the challenges. We wanted to ensure all our learners had the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve,” says Michael Henderson, who teaches physical education to grades 1 through 5 at Hawthorne Elementary.

However, it wasn’t just the students who were positively affected by this collaboration. Henderson himself notes how impactful collaborating with other educators on a regular basis has been during the pandemic.

“Through this time, my relationships with other elementary PE teachers have deepened. I feel as if it helped us bond and come together,” he notes. “I’m excited to see how this period of collaboration will extend into future school years—how our curriculum changes in the long term and how we can continue to support each other as we and the world around us continue to change and grow.”

To help make college more affordable and local, a Dual Admission Program allows students to take Columbus State Community College courses for dual credit in high school. Students can earn an associate degree through CSCC, then transfer smoothly into one of the 2+2 programs at Otterbein to complete their bachelor’s degree. In addition, Otterbein works to ensure that no student is forced to forego a college education due to cost.

Walnut Springs Middle School Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

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“If your family income is $60,000 or less, we’ll meet your full need for tuition. That’s grown our student body, it’s diversified our student body, and is the only path forward, I think, in higher education in a state that is demographically shrinking,” says Otterbein president John Comerford.

“What I have seen, that may not be completely evident to people just moving in here, are all the connections between agencies here,” explains Comerford. “You’ve got a prominent Midwestern private college that is more connected to the community than any other university I have worked with.

Otterbein’s connection to the community, and the intentionality around that, are of immense value.”

One example of that is The Point, a unique building and program that intentionally builds a connection between educational institutions, corporations and the community.

“It is part classrooms, part labs, part makerspace, so art students and engineering students use it. All Otterbein students have free access; community members can buy a membership,” says Comerford. “Then there are community spaces, where normally there are a lot of events taking place. The Point

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also leases corporate spaces, so JPMorgan Chase and about a dozen other companies are there.”

In order to have a lease in the building, companies must agree to work with Otterbein undergraduates in internships and classes, relating to the focus on workforce development and giving companies who do a lot of research and development a campuslike vibe.

Regardless of where you grew up, it’s not difficult to see that Westerville has a set of ingredients that make it unique: the charming character, proximity to everything you need in the city, a university and a diverse community whose principles are reflected by collaborations between public spheres.

Westerville: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section June 2021

Left, Otterbein University; right, Emerson Elementary School

“We’re literally training the next generation right here in Westerville,” says Dickey. “The city has a vested interest in making sure that not only are we doing anything that we can to help encourage students or provide them access if they need city facilities or if they need support from public safety or whatever it might be, but also to make this a place where they don’t necessarily need to go to New York or Los Angeles or Chicago to get that job. They can do that job here in Central Ohio, if they choose to.” 

Photos: Top and bottom right, Courtesy Westerville City Schools; Bottom left, Courtesy Otterbein University

Pointview Elementary School

Sharing Joy and Delicious Food in Uptown Westerville since 2017

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