The City is keeping an eye on the incoming storms, which are forecasted to include high wind gusts this evening and rain throughout the weekend. If you have property prone to surface or foundation flooding, make sure to keep an eye on the weather and perform any preparation beforehand. At this point the rain forecasts aren’t showing anything close to what occurred during the flooding of, for example, March and May of 2020, but we still encourage keeping an eye on your property and being aware of the upcoming forecast.

– Mayor Ben

The City of Bexley will be launching the Commercial/Streetscape Design Guidelines update this spring. This process seeks to re-envision the current Main Street Design Guidelines by establishing overarching guidelines for core commercial areas in Bexley and providing specific standards tailored to the unique contexts of East Main Street, North Cassady Avenue, and East Livingston Avenue. 

These guidelines will enhance and maintain the vitality of the City’s commercial areas. Guided by a Design Guidelines Steering Committee and following a well organized public engagement process, the planned outcome will result in a reader-friendly and highly-illustrative Commercial Design Guidelines document that will establish standards for future redevelopment. Guidelines will be contextually appropriate to Bexley and align with the City’s long-term vision and goals.

This process will kick off on April 23 with a walkability study and community keynote by Jeff Speck, author of Walkable City, around the theme “Building a More Walkable Bexley.” Keep an eye on bexley.org and the Bexley Blast for more info soon!

This afternoon, Capital University requested the assistance of the Bexley and Columbus Police Departments for a suspected threat on campus. Police have detained several individuals for questioning, at this time believe that no weapon was involved, and have given an all-clear without further incident. Any calls or inquiries should be directed to the Capital University Police Department. Updated 5:23 pm

A message from Mayor Kessler on the passing of Mayor David Madison, Bexley Mayor from 1976 through 2007:

The breadth and scope of Mayor David Madison’s contribution to our community cannot be put into words. As Mayor for 32 years, David was Bexley personified, quickly lending a helping hand in a time of crisis, and meticulously tending to the needs of the city and its residents over a rich and tireless career. Above all, he was an amazing friend. Full of sound advice and authentic encouragement, his helpfulness was only outpaced by his quick wit and side-splitting humor, always delivered at the most unexpected times. Mayor Madison never stopped giving to the community, serving in a variety of roles throughout his career and into his well-deserved retirement, including as an active Charity Newsie into his 90’s. Our community has lost a brilliant light, and will always be a better, brighter place because of the gift he gave us in his service. This week flags throughout our City are flying at half mast as we honor David’s memory and unite in remembering a legend who gave his heart and soul to our Bexley community. May his legacy forever inspire us to serve with the same dedication, love, and humor that he so generously shared with all of us. We miss you, Mayor.

To view Mayor Madison’s obituary, click here.

Girl Scout Troop 6514 is working with the City for their Bronze Award project to repaint the Montrose Elementary Alley so they are safer for pedestrians and students.

Due to the weather conditions, this project, which was originally scheduled for May 5th, is being postponed. Keep an eye on the Blast for a reschedule date, and feel free to email Sarah Zechiel-Long with questions. 

On Thursday, April 4, the City received notice of a Referendum Petition for Amended Ordinance No. 04-24. If you’re approached to sign the petition and looking for information on the Ordinance, here’s a summary of the intent:

• Unify the City’s Zoning Code across our three major commercial corridors (Main Street, North Cassady Avenue, Livingston Avenue); 
• Rezone the existing commercial area along Livingston Avenue from Commercial Service to Mixed-Use Commercial. This is in line with the Southwest Bexley Strategic Framework and the Joint Livingston Avenue Plan, as well as the federally funded $18.3 million Bexley/Columbus infrastructure and streetscape improvement project forthcoming. The Livingston Avenue overlay specifies a safer, wider sidewalk interface with ample room for street trees and a higher level of architectural detail, shielded parking, etc.
• Updating the residential Conditional Use provisions of the Zoning Code in line with the original intent of the code and recommendations arising from a recent legal challenge to the City’s Zoning Code language. Specifically, the prior code was found to have conflicting provisions, and without this amendment many conditional uses throughout the City would be subject to challenge. Conditional Uses are commonplace throughout Bexley’s districts, and the Conditional Use review process provides a valuable tool for setting additional standards for uses that could be harmonious in a district depending on the context of the use. Examples of conditional uses in Bexley include The Alexander Condominiums; City Hall; the Bexley Bed and Breakfast; the Kollel; the Kitchen of Life; Piada Restaurant; the Bickford Nursing Home; Moo Moo Car Wash; Bexley Car Care; Peking Dynasty restaurant; the Woodyard Funeral Home, the Bexley Police Station; among others. A Conditional Use is different from a Variance in that a variance has a higher standard of review and is a use that is not permitted in a district. In contrast, a Conditional Use is permitted in a district subject to additional review.
• Minor clean-up of code (i.e. material of planter curbs on Main Street improperly specified in prior code)

Nothing in the Ordinance would allow any previously proposed redevelopment project to move forward without zoning and site plan review and a complete public input process. Any multi-family residential building with no commercial component along Livingston would still need to secure a Conditional Use permit.

For more information, including a FAQ, background on the Joint Livingston Avenue Plan, and a recap of the review process for Ordinance 04-24, please visit bexley.org/livingstonzoning.

Updated October 16, 2023 – originally posted October 12, 2023

We are aware of concerns for the safety of our community in light of threats made internationally to Jewish populations throughout the world. We take any potential threats to the safety of our Bexley community with the utmost concern. The Bexley Police Department is a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and continuously monitors potential threats to our community in partnership with state and federal agencies. Over the past week, BPD has been in regular contact with the FBI, as well as other local, state, and federal safety officials, and at this time there are no increased security risks or threats to the Central Ohio area that are deemed to be credible.

Additionally, on Sunday, October 15, Bexley Police took reports and began investigating a case of an individual using threatening, anti-semitic language at two properties in the city. Bexley Police take any threat to the security of our residents with the utmost seriousness, and have immediately responded with an investigation and charges against the identified suspect.

The Bexley Police will continue to monitor risks to the Bexley community in conjunction with their law enforcement partners and will immediately notify community stakeholders if a credible threat is established. 

Furthermore, there are many gruesome images online, especially on social media. As always, parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss social media use with their children, who should be aware of the unpredictability of whether or when they may see something horrific. It is also important to not rely on social media for security information.

We take the safety of our community very seriously, and we appreciate your partnership in maintaining a secure environment. Please continue to communicate any safety concerns you may have. Together, we can ensure our schools and community remain safe and welcoming places for residents and visitors to our city.

Original Post (October 12, 2023):

We are aware of concerns for the safety of our community in light of threats made internationally to Jewish populations throughout the world. We take any potential threats to the safety of our Bexley community with the utmost concern. The Bexley Police Department is a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and continuously monitors potential threats to our community in partnership with state and federal agencies. Over the past several days, BPD has been in regular contact with the FBI, as well as other local, state, and federal safety officials, and at this time there are no increased security risks or threats to the Central Ohio area that are deemed to be credible.

Based upon that assessment, the Bexley Police encourage members of the school community, including the students, faculty, and staff of our schools, to continue tomorrow as a standard school day. We must remain vigilant at all times. In essence, if you see something, say something and contact local law enforcement. 

As a proactive measure, there will be increased police patrols tomorrow and Saturday, throughout Bexley, to include visibility around schools and synagogues. This is not because there have been any credible threats, but because we know many are anxious and concerned, and we are committed to maintaining the highest level of service and care for our community. 

The Bexley Police will continue to monitor risks to the Bexley community in conjunction with their law enforcement partners and will immediately notify community stakeholders if a credible threat is established. 

Furthermore, there are many gruesome images online, especially on social media. As always, parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss social media use with their children, who should be aware of the unpredictability of whether or when they may see something horrific. It is also important to not rely on social media for security information.

We take the safety of our community very seriously, and we appreciate your partnership in maintaining a secure environment. Please continue to communicate any safety concerns you may have. Together, we can ensure our schools and community remain safe and welcoming places for all students, staff, and citizens.

Sincerely,

Mayor Ben Kessler

Dr. Jason Fine, Superintendent of Bexley City Schools

Chief Gary D. Lewis, Jr., Bexley Police Department