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Archives for November 2022

Community Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 4

November 26, 2022 by smetcalf@bexley.org

Recreation and Parks Director Michael Price has been working closely with Santa Claus to iron out all of the details for his grand appearance in Bexley next weekend. Join us as we light the tree!

The fun and festivities start at 4:30 pm with performances by Jeffrey Mansion Preschool, Bexley Middle School Choir, and the High School Vocal Ensemble Choir. We’ll have hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes before Mayor Kessler lights the tree with Santa Claus. Stick around afterwards to talk with Mr. Claus himself!

Filed Under: Recreation

Affordable Housing: Why Does it Matter to Bexley?

November 18, 2022 by bkessler@bexley.org

This Op-Ed is written by Mayor Ben Kessler

After graduating from college, I moved into a small one bedroom apartment in Arlington while doing some post-grad work at OSU, and later into a two bedroom townhouse in Worthington for a few years. I was lucky – privileged – to have a grandfather (“Poppy”) who owned apartments in town and who graciously allowed me and my young family to rent at half the going rent for those apartments. Poppy was one of those larger-than-life characters, whose graciousness and love defined him and inspired everyone around him; I owe so much to him and the lessons he gave me early on in life. During those years, I was making scant apprentice salary in the first years of a real estate and finance career, yet because of the generosity of family we were able to tuck away enough to, in a few years, move back to Bexley and into a fixer-upper on Stanwood Road that was a perfect starter home for a couple on a tight budget with an irrepressible enthusiasm for DIY. 

Poppy’s apartments were my “affordable housing”, and they gave me the leg up to work hard, save, and eventually grow in my career, become a home owner, and begin to build equity. In a community like ours, my story isn’t very unique. A lot of us have been fortunate enough to have a hand up in our lives, and it’s those gifts and that help that have not only gotten us where we are today, but taught us a spirit of giving and empathy for those who, like us, benefit from a village of support around us.  

The untold story is that Bexley has affordable housing today, apartments that in size and basic form are similar to what many of us started out in. But beyond this most basic comparison, they bear no resemblance to the housing that most of us would feel comfortable calling home. The majority of Bexley’s affordable housing was constructed in the 60’s on a former landfill that wasn’t licensed or regulated or properly closed, with buildings that even in the immediate years after their construction began to show ample signs of structural decay. One environmental expert told us that he believes it to be the only active apartment property in Ohio on a landfill. The heaved lower unit floors; the stair step cracks on the outside wall; the damp that comes from cracked concrete; and the crooked walls and sloping walkways throughout, all betray evidence of generations of underinvestment and neglect. It’s affordable, sure, but it’s housing of last resort, and it’s housing that doesn’t meet basic human needs for safety, quiet, and sanctuary.

As a City, we’ve spent the past decade working to unpuzzle the mystery of how the apartment buildings on Ferndale and Mayfield came to be constructed on an improperly closed landfill, and what can be done to improve conditions for residents in the area. We’ve commissioned environmental studies to understand the scope of contamination in the soil from the former landfill as well as the risks that contamination poses to residents living on top of it. With our Community Improvement Corporation we’ve purchased a couple of the buildings, more deeply studying the environmental ramifications of contamination in and around the units themselves – a long term project that wasn’t possible without ownership and that has helped us gather adequate data to understand how to address the adjacent properties in the area. When we learned that our randomly selected units exceeded safe parameters for human habitation and that even the most extensive remodel could not cure their fundamental environmental and structural defects, we crafted a voucher and relocation program to help residents in those units find safe and attainable housing before shuttering the units and, with the assistance of the Central Ohio CIC, tearing them down. In the past couple of years, we’ve tweaked our nuisance laws to allow us to enforce against environmentally contaminated housing conditions, and we’ve successfully advocated (with many other cities and entities) for a return of meaningful state remediation funding to assist with environmental cleanup.  

Our strategy for addressing the environmental contamination and overall housing conditions in the area extends beyond gleaning environmental data and holding owners to a standard for occupancy. It has included improving overall infrastructure for residents who live there today; extending Schneider Park to encompass a portion of the former landfill, now remediated, which serves as a wonderful amenity to residents in the area and beyond; and moving forward with the Joint Livingston Avenue Plan and its recommendations for improving the safety, beauty, and infrastructure and development standards for the corridor.

It’s not enough for us to identify defects in troubled housing, and upon learning that they are unable to be remediated in place, tear them down.  And it’s not appropriate for us to, in general, segregate our starter apartment inventory into one distant pocket of our community, literally not even connected to a single other Bexley street.  We know that we can and must provide better options for the young professionals, the working moms, the 55 and older population, and all manner of folks in between.

All of this brings me full circle back to young Ben Kessler, starting out in the world and working hard to make ends meet. The alternate multiverse version of me, without the loving grandfather with means – where would he have lived in Bexley for those first, critical years? The best solution – best tool in our toolbox for addressing this gap for those who don’t have the same privilege – is a federal financial program called Tax Credit Housing. It’s a program that provides financial assistance to developers of apartments, in exchange for them renting those new units at a below-market rent to tenants that meet income criteria. It’s a highly regulated program that doesn’t end when the units are built. Landlords have strict management and investment criteria, and are required to make upgrades and refresh properties as the years pass. Tenants are generally required to have a source of income and, as with most mainstream apartment operations, are carefully vetted to ensure they’ll pay the rent reliably and that they don’t have a concerning criminal background.  

Several years back we issued an RFQ, asking for developers competent in tax credit housing to help us identify opportunities to elevate the state of affordable housing in Bexley. A proposed multi-site development – with 27 units proposed in a three story building at Francis and Livingston, and 18 units proposed in a three-story building at Cassady and Columbus Avenue – is an early result of that RFQ. There’s more to come, as we rehabilitate and reimagine the areas of our community whose residents have been too long forgotten.

I’ve heard from some residents that they don’t understand why Bexley cares about affordable housing, and that they’re concerned that we’re going to negatively impact our community by working on better housing options for our lower income residents. And whenever I hear that, I know that there’s a lot of information to relay to the community and for the community to take in. The City of Bexley routinely holds forums and workshops to learn more about affordable housing, and about the importance of rehabilitating Bexley’s existing housing stock, and exercising environmental justice in our communities. To keep an eye on these programs and these projects, make sure to sign up for the Bexley Blast weekly e-newsletter. And if you speak to someone who has the same questions I referenced above, feel free to point them to this article as a starting point, and to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

This is a big challenge for our community, but our community has a big heart, and I know we’re up to the challenge.

– Mayor Ben Kessler

Filed Under: Newsletter

Fall/Winter 2022 Newsletter Article: Make it with the Mayor – Bexley Clam Chowder

November 18, 2022 by bkessler@bexley.org

First off – let’s be clear, staff put me up to posting a recipe to our Bexley Times Newsletter! But I do love a good, simple chowder, and this recipe is perfect for these late autumn evenings. Developed over several cool summers at our family’s lake cabin in downeast Maine, it’s a perfect Thanksgiving starter. Enjoy!

Mayor Ben’s New England Clam Chowder

Makes 6-8 hearty servings

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. Olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 shallot, diced (optional)
1 carrot, peeled, halved, and diced
1 stalk celery, cut in half lengthwise and diced
1-2 cloves of garlic, diced
Kosher salt, to taste
2, 8 oz. Bottles of clam juice (such as Snow’s)
2-3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped in 1/2 to 1 inch cubes
1 sprig of fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
4 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. flour
1 pint cream
Ground black pepper
3, 6.5 oz. chopped clams in juice (such as Snow’s)
Chives or spring onions, for garnish

Directions:

1. In large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium to medium-low heat, adding diced onion and sautéing for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add carrot, celery, and shallot (optional) and sauté for an additional 5-10 minutes until soft and lightly carmelized, stirring occasionally and taking care not to overly brown.

2. Stir in diced garlic and sauté for a scant minute, adding a pinch or two of salt.

3. Pour in clam juice and add potatoes, bring to a simmer, add the sprig of thyme and the bay leaf and another pinch or two of salt, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, covered, until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.  As the potatoes simmer, fill one of the empty clam juice bottles with water and add as needed (maybe about half of the small bottle) to keep broth hydrated.

4. As potatoes are cooking, melt butter in a small saucepan on low heat and, once melted, whisk in flour and keep whisking until flour and butter are smooth in consistency. Keeping the heat low, slowly whisk in cream until fully incorporated, forming a thick sauce. Once potatoes are cooked, slowly stir the cream sauce in with the potatoes and base until fully incorporated. Add another pinch or two of salt and crank a few healthy grinds of black pepper into the mix.

5. Add chopped clams and the clam juice into the chowder and heat until simmering gently, being careful to stir and not boil. Salt and pepper further to taste – at this point I might add a healthy several pinches of salt and grinds of pepper, stirring and tasting between pinches until well seasoned.

6. Garnish with finely chopped chives or spring onions and serve with warm crusty bread and a side bowl of oyster crackers. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Mayor's Journal, Newsletter, Recent News

Gift a Mini Poinsettia: BCPAAA Fundraiser

November 17, 2022 by smetcalf@bexley.org

Bexley Police Department and Bexley Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association Poinsettia Program | Gift a Mini-Poinsettia to a Loved One – Click Here

The Bexley Police Department and the Bexley Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (BCPAAA) are hosting their Poinsetta fundraiser again this year! This is a great way to surprise a neighbor, family member, or friend. Requests will be accepted for two weeks starting November 21 through December 5. Deliveries will take place on December 13 and 14, and can only be delivered to residences in 43209.

Poinsettias cost $6/piece and payments can be made in-person at the Bexley Police Station (559 N. Cassingham Road) or by mail/check. Proceeds benefit the Bexley Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association – please make checks payable to BCPAAA. If you have any questions, contact Sergeant Overly at doverly@bexley.org or by calling (614) 559-4444. 

Gift a Mini-Poinsettia to a Loved One – Click Here

Filed Under: Police Department, Recent News

DARN Helping for the Holidays – ‘Adopt a Child’ Opportunities Available!

November 15, 2022 by smetcalf@bexley.org

Developmental Assets Resource Network (DARN) is looking for your help this holiday season! DARN strives to meet the needs of Bexley community children and families through the allocation of community resources, funding of camp scholarships, and engagement in policy-making efforts to assure these groups have access to necessary resources.

There are four ways you can help: 

  1. Adopt a child for the holidays, a gift of $125 per child
  2. Donate $25 gift card(s) to Amazon, Giant Eagle, Kroger, Target, or Walmart
  3. Donate $10 gift card(s) to Main Street Eateries (e.g., Chipotle, Jimmy Johns, Penn Station, Piada, Starbucks)
  4. Donate gift wrap, tape, ribbons, or bows 

If you’re able to assist DARN in their efforts this holiday season, please fill out this form. Sponsors will purchase the requested gift card and deliver them to DARN. Drop offs for gift cards and wrapping supplies can be at Bexley City Hall, the Bexley Community Foundation Office, Jeffrey Mansion, or at 822 Pleasant Ridge Avenue!

Alternatively, you can donate to the ‘Bexley Cares Fund’ of the Bexley Community Foundation by clicking here. Donations received will support DARN directly to serve Bexley families in need. You will be directed to the Columbus Foundation’s website, and from there you will be able to specify your donation amount and pay with a credit card.

Filed Under: Recent News

Temporary Road Closures and Detours on S. Drexel Avenue Begin November 16

November 14, 2022 by smetcalf@bexley.org

There will be a temporary road closure during the daytime working hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm beginning Wednesday November 16. On Wednesday and Thursday, the block between Dale and Elm will be closed and traffic will be detoured to Dawson Avenue. There will also be No Parking signs posted along the detour route to allow for the flow of traffic.

Beginning on Friday November 18, S. Drexel Avenue will be closed between Dale and Powell during working hours. This temporary closure will also be in effect on Monday November 21 and Tuesday November 22. 

These schedules are weather dependent and could be adjusted if we have delays due to inclement weather.

Access to local residences will be maintained as we are able. Please speak with the crew onsite if residents have questions or concerns regarding access to a driveway during the work day.

DETOUR MAPS

  • Drexel Detour Map Dale to Powell
  • Drexel Detour Map Dale to Elm

Filed Under: City Services, Recent News

Fall-Winter 2022 Recycling/Collection Events in Bexley

November 4, 2022 by smetcalf@bexley.org

We’ve teamed up with Green Bexley to host a handful of recycling events between now and the early start of 2023. Starting Tuesday, October 8 we’ll be collecting pumpkins and elections signs to properly recycle. Each of the events below are taking place at a different time, and some are drop-off events only available at the Bexley Pool parking lot on 2100 Clifton Avenue.

Fall-Winter ’22 Recycling Events in Bexley (Poster)

Filed Under: Recent News

Thank you, Bexley Bloomers!

November 3, 2022 by smetcalf@bexley.org

A special thank you to the Bexley Bloomers for another year of helping maintain and beautify the grounds of Jeffrey Mansion and Park. These volunteers work together on a weekly basis between May-October and spend their Thursday morning pulling weeds, trimming hedges, planting flowers, and working alongside Bexley Recreation and Parks maintenance staff. Their final day of the 2022 season was yesterday, October 27!

What are the “Bexley Bloomers”? Great question! Founded in 2021, the Bloomers provide gardening and maintenance support for city-owned properties. The group’s leadership has a wealth of gardening experience, including Master Gardener volunteers and many gardening enthusiasts. If interested in joining this group for next year, please let us know and we will put you in contact with the appropriate person!

Filed Under: Mayor's Journal, Recreation

Jeffrey Family to be Honored with Drexel Theatre’s Hero Award at the 2022 Gala

November 3, 2022 by smetcalf@bexley.org

News release provided by the Drexel Theatre:

“On Sunday, November 6, the Friends of the Drexel will present the Drexel Hero Award to the Jeffrey Family as part of the 2022 Drexel Theatre Gala. The award acknowledges individuals who have made exceptional contributions in support of the Drexel Theatre and independent film in central Ohio.

For generations, the Jeffrey Family has been a cornerstone of arts, humanitarian, and educational organizations in and around Columbus. Without the thoughtful leadership and tireless efforts of Tad and Nancy Jeffrey serving our community organizations, the Columbus landscape would look vastly different. In particular, the Jeffrey Family recognized the Drexel Theatre’s critical role in the economic vitality of Main Street, and Bexley as a whole.

“The Drexel has been a tremendous part of generations of the Jeffrey Family and an important resource for our community,” expressed Sally Jeffrey O’Neil. “Main Street would be incomplete without the Drexel and our goal in supporting it year in and year out is to ensure its future. We are deeply honored to be selected as the 2022 Drexel Hero Award winners and to be in such great company of the past winners.”

The 2022 Drexel Gala will be held at the Jeffrey Mansion Carriage Court at 6 pm on Sunday, November 6. In-person tickets are sold out, but donations can still be made at my.cbusarts.com/donate/q/dxgala22. Proceeds from the gala provide essential operating support for Friends of the Drexel, including programming for youth and families at the Drexel Theatre.

“The Drexel Board is thrilled to have the opportunity to honor the whole Jeffrey Family with the Drexel Hero Award this year,” said Friends of the Drexel board chair Bonnie Milenthal. “Their continued philanthropic support has been a sustaining force for the Drexel since it was saved after the recession of 2009. It is without exaggeration when I say that donations from our community mean the difference between success and failure of our non-profit theatre which serves as an important asset for the greater Columbus community.”

“For generations, both the Drexel Theatre and Jeffrey family, have been integral to the success of Bexley and Columbus overall,” stated Gala chair Kelly Casto. “I am grateful to collaborate with such a wonderful committee, to honor both at our Drexel Gala. The generous outpouring of support we have already seen, confirms what we believe, how important the Drexel is to our communities.”

Filed Under: Recent News

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