Archives for December 2022

Top 10 of 2022 Countdown

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As we look back over a year full of activity and progress, we can’t help but spend time reflecting on what we’re grateful for. The health of our families; the ability to learn, grow, and thrive in our close-knit neighborhoods; and the gift of our community. Thank you for your part in making Bexley what it is, and in helping to move our wonderful community forward. Here’s to a busy and energetic year behind us, and bright roads ahead.

Cheers and Happy New Year to you and yours!

– Mayor Ben

  1. Pop-up Senior Center opened on N. Cassady Avenue: In February of this year, we celebrated the ribbon cutting at the Bexley Senior Center! This space allows for older adults to engage in both socialization and physical activity, which are two crucial factors for maintaining strong cognitive health. For years the City has worked to identify space to home a dedicated senior center. The interim use of the space allows us to learn more about the programming and spatial needs for a senior center and to work to identify a long-term, permanent location for this very popular new use. Thank you to Bexley Recreation and Parks staff for the hard work and creativity that went into transforming this space for our community!
  2. Livingston Avenue Plan: After a robust public engagement process, the Joint Livingston Avenue plan was adopted by Bexley and the City of Columbus, with short term results already paying off on the stretch of Livingston between College Avenue and James. The new lane configuration has resulted in slower speeds and a much safer environment for motorists, pedestrians, and those living along the street. Long term plans are already underway to install more impactful elements of the plan, with Bexley and Columbus having applied for federal infrastructure for the project. For more information, visit bexley.org/livingston. Keep an eye out for the Blast for future updates!
  1. Year of the Parks is Underway: While the “Year of the Parks” technically kicks off in January, projects are already under construction! Current projects include the Havenwood Park refresh, Schneider Park Natural Dog Park, and the recently completed DGB Kindness Park on Main Street. Keep an eye out for exciting new improvements at Commonwealth Park, Schneider Park, as well as new public park spaces along Main Street to come in 2023! For more information on this series of park projects, visit bexley.org/YOTP. 
  2. Welcoming Chief Lewis: Following the retirement of Chief Larry Rinehart, we set out on a nationwide search for a new chief. Facilitated by excellent feedback from the community going into the search, there were four finalist candidates who participated in a town hall forum. In September, Chief Gary D. Lewis, Jr. was sworn in as the city’s 10th Chief of Police. Chief Lewis has a depth of experience and has already proven to be a fantastic addition to city leadership!
  3. Busiest Event Calendar in City History: Following two impacted summers due to the pandemic, this summer welcomed a historical influx of community events! The Main Event returned to Capital’s lawn, Jazz in the Park was more popular than ever, and it seemed like every weekend there was something happening around town. A huge thank you to the Bexley Community Foundation and the 2022 Bexley Celebrations & Events Sponsors for helping make these events possible!
  4. City Council took action on a number of important topics, including providing protection for poll workers; enhancing environmental protections for contaminated sites; confirming appointments of new board and commission members; and approving a budget for 2023 that includes funding for a dynamic community-wide parks improvement program, lower pool membership rates, eliminating resident billing for sidewalk replacement program, new mental health services for employees and residents, and much more!
  5. Sustainability Initiatives Advanced in 2022 included a landmark mosquito control pilot program that studied alternatives to chemical spraying; the introduction at City Council of an ordinance to provide recycling at all commercial and multifamily properties in the City; the announcement of the Alley of the Future program; a comprehensive city-wide recycling education and data-collection campaign; the phase-in of the straw and cutlery provisions of the single use plastics ban; a restaurant and condominium food waste recycling pilot program; and another fantastic year of Love Your Alley! Keep track of the City’s environmental programming, events, and resources by visiting greenbexley.org.
  6. Bexley Community Foundation awarded over 30 grants totaling $300,000 in 2022: Grants include improvements to the North Community Garden, summer food assistance for DARN families, the Bexley Farmers’ Market, the annual Arbor Day tree giveaway, Jeffrey Mansion Camp Scholarships and Counselor Scholarship, the Splish, Splash & Dash Youth Triathlon, a baby grand piano at Jeffrey Mansion, Art and Wellness programs at Bexley Public Library, and much more. Thank you to the Bexley Community Foundation for another great year of resident-inspired programming, events, and scholarships!
  7. State Capital Fund Grant for Alum Creek bike/pedestrian bridge at Schneider Park: The City was awarded a $350,000 grant to help cover the cost of the proposed bike and pedestrian bridge over Alum Creek at Astor Avenue. The bridge will connect Schneider Park to the multi-use Alum Creek bike trail, and to points beyond!
  8. Businesses opening and expanding in 2022 included the new Tropical Smoothie in the former Jeni’s space; Clean Title moving into the Ohio State Bank building; Cherbourg Bakery opening a new cafe space on Drexel; Kitchen of Life opening a teaching kitchen in the former Bexley Premier space; Chambers Music Studio opening their cafe space; the new K Gallery art gallery at 2776 East Main; and Green Meadows Schoolhouse opening on North Cassady.

Photo Highlights

Severe Winter Weather: What You Need to Know from AEP Ohio

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AEP Ohio is continuing to monitor the potential for a major winter storm throughout our area, including extremely cold temperatures, snow, and winds over 50 mph expected Thursday night through the weekend. For snow and road condition updates from the Bexley Service Department, scroll to the bottom of this article.

Quick Links:
  • Power Outage & Restoration FAQ: Click Here
  • AEP Ohio Outage Map: Click Here
  • To Report a Power Outage: Click Here
  • Check Your Outage Status (Account Login Required): Click Here
  • A safety hazard is a condition that poses an immediate risk to the public. To report a safety hazard, call AEP Ohio’s Customer Operations Center available 24 hours at (800) 672-2231.
Severe Winter Weather: What You Need to Know from AEP Ohio

AEP Ohio crews are at the ready, preparing equipment and supplies — and are encouraging customers to be prepared for the possibility of outages, too. Crews will work to restore any power outages as quickly and safely as possible — however, road conditions, lingering wind gusts and extreme wind chills could delay some restoration efforts. Updates will be provided throughout the weather event at AEPOhio.com and other communication channels.

Before the Storm 

  • Decide now what you’ll do if there’s an extended power outage. Check with those who are elderly or have medical conditions to ensure they have a plan in place.
  • Charge phones, laptops and other electronic devices.
  • Prepare an emergency kit with essential items.

Stay Connected

Important Safety Reminders 

  • Remember, all downed lines are dangerous — they carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. Stay away, stay alive. If you encounter a fallen wire, keep yourself and others away, and call 911 and AEP Ohio immediately.
  • If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your circuit box. Portable generators “backfeed” electricity up the line and risk the lives of repair workers and the public. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully, and plug essential appliances directly into the generator. Find important details here.

Vehicle accidents are often a cause of power outages, especially with snow and ice-covered roads. Stay safe and avoid driving until road conditions are favorable.

To learn more, visit aepohio.com.

Snow/Roads Update – Dec. 23 @ 8:00 am:

City crews have been out since 11:00 pm last night salting and then plowing. Due to the low temperatures and low traffic, the salt has not been able to melt the snow effectively, so roadways continue to be covered with snow despite having been plowed and salted (especially at lower temperatures salt requires traffic to help drive it into the snow). If you need to drive, please use extreme caution. Our crews will continue to salt and plow; please be patient as we wait for the salt to take hold. A huge shout out to our crews for getting out early and staying on top of the roads!

The Bexley Ice Rink is Back at Jeffrey Park!

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The Bexley Community Ice Rink is back in for the winter of 22-23. A special thank you to the Bexley Community Foundation for their support of this community program. Get ready for some fun on the ice, free hot chocolate, and music! We will promote available time slots 3-5 days in advance if the forecast permits.

For Ice Rink Rules, Please Click Here

Registration Information

  • Registration must be done in advance online and is by time slot per day.
  • Maximum per time slot is 40.
  • If you happen to be in the middle of registering and only get half of your family in because it closes out, please reach out to us at (614) 559-4300.
  • Registration will close at 11:59 pm the night before each skating day.
  • Refunds will take place if an advertised time slot needs to be canceled due to poor weather conditions.

Program Name: Community Ice Rink WI 22-23: Open Skate (located under All Ages Activities. Visit www.bexleyrec.com to view available ice rink time slots.

Refund Policy

  • It is very possible that time slots may be forced to cancel if the weather forecast changes after registration opens.
  • If this happens, all payments will be fully refunded.

Rental Skates

  • Ice skates will be available for FREE as part of your registration, however sizes will be subject to availability.
  • If you have your own ice skates, we encourage you to bring them.
  • Any rented skates MUST be returned after you are done skating. 
  • Adult sizes run in men’s sizes, so women may need to go a 1-2 sizes smaller than normal.

Available Sizes

  • Y6-Y9 Adjustable (limited)
  • 10Y (limited)
  • 11Y (limited)
  • 12Y
  • 13Y
  • Kid/Adult (Sizes 1 – 13)

Changing Space and Accessing the Rink

  • Chairs will be provided for lacing skates. Please keep personal belongings (shoes, bags, etc.) in these designated areas.
  • When your ice skates are on, please stay on the black mats when not on the ice.
  • Enter and exit the rink on the steps. Please do not enter or exit on the edges.
    • Please be extremely careful when entering and exiting the ice.
  • After your session ends, please disperse to allow for the next group to arrive.

On the Ice

  • One person may enter/exit at a time using the steps.
  • Helmets are required for all participants age 11 and under.
  • Helmets are strongly encouraged for all participants.
  • Hockey sticks and additional sporting equipment are not permitted.

Thank you, Sponsors!

December Leaf Collection Update from the Bexley Service Department

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The second round of leaf pickup is well underway! Crews are working overtime to attend to the leafy streets scattered throughout our community. This year, we had a few windy days and storms which made the leaves drop around the same time. It has been a difficult year to stay on schedule, and we appreciate your patience as we try to keep up! 

The South Crews are expected to wrap up Round 2 of collection by the end of next week, with the North and Central Crews anticipating the second round will be complete by early-to-mid January. Our leaf pickup routes are posted to our website daily Monday – Friday at bexley.org/leafpickup!

Schedule for Monday, December 19

  • North Crews: On Columbus at Cassingham, heading east
  • Central Crews: On Brentwood between Remington and Cassingham, heading west
  • South Crews: On Astor at Chelsea, heading west

Bexley Schools Announces Pilot Breakfast Program for All BCS Students

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The Bexley Schools’ Board of Education voted last night to approve a pilot program to provide universal free breakfast to all students beginning Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 and lasting through the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Board members agreed with the plan proposal, which came about after district administrators met earlier this Fall to explore the possibility of free breakfast. Their discussions centered around topics of food security, the need to ensure all Bexley City Schools students have access to breakfast and lunch every day, and the recognition that food insecurity can hinder students academically, socially, and emotionally.

This pilot program will ensure all Bexley City School students have access to free breakfast through the end of this school year and will also allow the schools to collect data related to student food-security needs by tracking participation. The program also will provide an opportunity to properly survey the community at the district level to determine additional needs.

To read the full announcement, visit bexleyschools.org/FoodServices.

Bexley Police Department Collaborates with Central Ohio First Responder Agencies for a Full-Scale Emergency Drill at St. Charles Preparatory School

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The Bexley Police Department, St. Charles Preparatory School, and other public safety organizations will be conducting a full-scale training exercise on Monday, December 12 from 1:00-3:00 pm. This notice is for informational purposes only, as there will be no impact to city streets or operations.

As background, the Ohio Department of Education requires academic institutions to conduct a full-scale exercise once every three (3) years. St. Charles and the Bexley Police Department will conduct the controlled and simulated exercise for first response training purposes while working alongside Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Columbus Division of Police and Fire, Capital University Police and Athletics Department, COTA, and the American Red Cross.

Please feel free to contact Bexley Police Department at (614) 559-4444 with any questions.

Charity Newsies Returns to Drexel and Main on Saturday, December 10

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Over 300 volunteers will once again take to Franklin County intersections tomorrow, December 10 at 7:00 am, handing out special newspapers and fundraising for Charity Newsies and their goal of supplying adequate clothing to school-aged students in need. 

Donations can be made at each intersection throughout the county, and in Bexley, volunteers will be stationed at the intersection of Main Street and Drexel Avenue, a longstanding community tradition. This year, the organization’s fundraising goal is $300,000, or enough to clothe 2,000 children. Save your spare change and stop by tomorrow!

To learn more, visit charitynewsies.org.