This week, Mayor Kessler and City Council condemned the terrorist attacks on Israel, and expressed a deep and continuing commitment to ensuring the safety of Bexley’s Jewish community.

“Tonight I joined our Columbus Jewish community in vigil, mourning those lost and calling for peace in Israel,” said Mayor Ben Kessler on Monday evening via his official Facebook channel. “There is no justification for the taking of innocent lives. We stand in solidarity with our Jewish community, and redouble our commitment to their safety and security.”

At the Tuesday, October 10 Council meeting, President Troy Markham called for a vote to re-affirm the City’s resolution condemning anti-semitism, which was again unanimously approved by City Council. “There’s no justification for the horrible actions that we saw this weekend,” said President Markham. “Although there is very little we can do in the middle east during this time, it’s important that we as a city stand up to continue to decry hatred and violence in the name of religion and nationalism. It’s important that we don’t back down in the use of our power and our voices to stick up for those important ideals. We must add our voices to the side of decency, and mercy, and condemn the messages of hate and violence and fear. As little as we can do, we must do it, as many times as necessary.”

During the council meeting, Mayor Kessler and Chief Lewis also discussed the City’s continuing and deepening efforts to work closely with the Jewish community to ensure the security and peace of all residences and places of worship. “The security and safety of our Jewish community – our friends and our neighbors – will always be front and center,” said Mayor Kessler.

Saturday, September 30, 5:00 pm and on, Capital’s Lawn

The Main Event is an outdoor summer movie series located in the heart of Bexley, East Main Street. At each Main Event, there are featured musical performances, family activities, crafts, and food trucks to enjoy before the movie begins. Join us for a movie and some fun on the lawn. The best part? It’s free to attend!

PRE-MOVIE ENTERTAINMENT:

• Drone Races
• Rockets
• Volleyball
• Bounce Houses
• Crafts

LIVE MUSIC BY The Fair Weathered

FOOD TRUCKS

• Ninja Bowls
• Pitabilites
• J-Pops
• Pittsies

Movie at Sunset! (7:15 pm)  More info at bexley.org/mainevent.

Here are a few things happening in Bexley that aren’t otherwise covered in this week’s Blast. Have a great weekend! – BK

Homecoming game tonight is versus Columbus Academy, where both teams vie for the Mayor’s/Headmaster’s Cup.  The cup is a decade’s-long tradition, going every year to the winning team of the Bexley/Academy rivalry.  Come cheer on our team to victory!  Tickets are available online at this link for the 7:00 pm game at BHS’s Carlton Smith Stadium.  Go Lions!

On Saturday night we close out our Main Event season with drone races, stomp rockets, paper airplane crafts, food trucks, and a showing of Top Gun: Maverick at sunset.  I’ll be joining The Fair Weathered briefly on stage during the live music portion of The Main Event, where we’ll be (sort of) recreating a scene from the movie… want to know which one? Come check it out!

Sunday evening, Drexel Avenue at Main Street will be closed for a few hours for the One Bexley Gathering community dinner. About 200 registrants signed up to join in a chance to share a meal and get to expand the circle of people they know in the community. Thanks to the hosts for hosting tables and bringing meals. If you missed the sign-up window, keep an eye on bexley.org/onebexley for future events coming up!

You might have noticed the banners on Main Street for our launch of HEARTSafe Bexley –a campaign to raise awareness, provide training, and support the purchase of AEDs for homes, businesses, and institutions throughout Bexley.  This is a big campaign, organized and rallied by virtue of the tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and persistence of Bexley resident and perennial volunteer Lee Nathans.  Thank you Lee for the passion you bring to our community, and for caring for all of our hearts!  To learn more about the program, visit bexley.org/heartsafe.

Aaaaand a Bonus thing….

#DogsOfCityHall has a new addition – welcome Opal!  Opal assists with HR Coordination, and is a die-hard Maryland Mallard.  You may know that we love our canine friends here at City Hall – if you’re walking your dog past 2242 E Main, stop in and say hi and grab a treat or a drink of water for your furry family member!

In honor of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month this October, the City of Bexley; Bexley Police Department; Bexley Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association; and the Columbus Division of Fire – along other local and national organizations – are partnering to launch HEARTSafe Bexley!

HEARTSafe Bexley is designed to improve survivorship of sudden cardiac arrests through community CPR and AED training. The program encourages the implementation of an emergency action plan involving calling 911, starting CPR, and using an AED. Elements of HEARTSafe Bexley include community-based CPR and AED training as well as AED acquisition by Bexley residents, businesses, and institutions.

Beginning in October, free CPR/AED classes will be available to Bexley residents age 12 and over. To sign up or find more information about the program, including resources for your home about CRP and AED usage, please visit bexley.org/heartsafe. 

Thank you to the Bexley Community Foundation for supporting this program and helping to save lives in our community!

Happy Hour Office Hours – October 2, 5:00 to 6:00 pm, Bexley City Hall

Have a question or an idea for your city elected officials? Drop by City Hall on Monday, October 2 between 5:00 and 6:00 pm for an Open Office Hours event with Mayor Ben Kessler and City Council Member Matt Klingler, who are, among other initiatives, cooperatively helping to steer the City’s Land Use Strategy update. During Open Office Hours events, elected officials are on site to chat, answer questions, or brainstorm ideas. Drop by to say hello! For this session, beverages will be provided on a first-come, first served basis : ). Learn more here.

Connect the dots between climate solutions and climate actions to help reverse climate change with Drawdown Ecochallenge and Green Bexley! 

Drawdown Ecochallenge is a team effort to cooperate over the month of October in a global challenge to alter our individual actions to be more sustainable.  The Green Bexley team historically ranks in the top 15% of participating teams from cities across the globe, and your teamwork will help make the dream work.  This year let’s aim to be in the top 5%!  Sign up hereto join the Green Bexley team.

Tuesday, October 3, 6:00 pm at City Hall

The Recreation and Parks Department, as recommended in the City’s Strategic Plan, is working to develop a Jeffrey Park plan and forest management plan with an emphasis on preservation and enhancement.  As part of that effort, the City will host the first public workshop on Tuesday, October 3 at 6:00 pm at City Hall.  We are encouraging the public to join us to talk about Jeffrey Park, as we work to create a plan that will allow this community asset to thrive for generations to come.  This initial public workshop will be an open-ended community discussion on what we love about the park, and what we envision the future of the park to be, providing valuable information that will help frame the direction of the plan.  

August 23, 2023

Development Update Regarding Trinity Apartments Site: At tomorrow night’s Board of Zoning and Planning meeting (Thursday, Aug 24, 6:00 pm, City Hall), there will be a “preliminary review” of the proposed site plan options for the Trinity Apartment site. At this preliminary review, board members will hear the developer’s initial site plan concepts and provide feedback on them. The site plan is still in draft form, with multiple options being brought forward. This is a great time for board members and residents impacted by the development to provide initial feedback to help craft the early plans as they continue to evolve.

Here are some upcoming dates / touch points*:

August 24: BZAP (zoning and site plan)

September 14: Architectural Review Board (architectural design review)

September 20: Tree and Public Gardens Commission (landscaping, trees)

September 28: Board of Zoning and Planning

October 12: Architectural Review Board

October 18: Tree and Public Gardens Commission

October 26: Board of Zoning and Planning

Note: The BZAP meeting focuses on site plan and zoning issues; architecture is discussed at the Architectural Review Board, whose next meeting is on September 14. We’ll continue to post hearing dates and hearing information to the Bexley Blast. You may also view upcoming agendas at anytime at bexley.org/meetings. Here’s a direct link to the application packet for tomorrow night’s BZAP meeting:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7tcgn5pp6oea0w7/AAC0RkzbdBfVGf8bdE7h15n5a/2023-08-24%20Board%20of%20Zoning%20and%20Planning?dl=0&lst=

If you don’t receive our weekly email, sign up now at bexley.org/blast!

*Assuming applicant’s materials are ready for these agendas. Application could be tabled or delayed depending on the progress of development concepts for review.

Project traffic management and timing updates 

As Columbia Gas’ pipeline and service replacement project on College Avenue and Pleasant Ridge Avenue continues, we wanted to share some updates regarding the project and traffic management around it.

Project Timing Update
Columbia Gas indicates that their current focus is on College Avenue, with the plan to complete work by mid-August, at which time crews will transition over to continue work on Pleasant Ridge.

Traffic Management Update
Due to the high volume of traffic on College Avenue and the intense nature of this project, we have asked the contractor to adjust their traffic management plans to further route traffic away from work areas in order to ease traffic management concerns.  Beginning tomorrow, July 28, a detour route will be signed, with College Avenue posted for local access only during construction.  As part of this detour, Sheridan Avenue will be posted as no parking during work hours.  City staff will continue to monitor the function of traffic and provide additional requirements as appropriate.

Overall Project Information
This project is managed by Columbia Gas.  The project involves installing a new gas line in the right-of-way, and providing new gas lines and meters to properties.  The project is part of Columbia Gas’ ongoing infrastructure upgrades.  If you have questions regarding the project, Luka Papalko is the Public Affairs Manager for Columbia Gas and is overseeing the community contact and communications of this project. He can be reached at lpapalko@nisource.com or (614) 420-1376. More information about Bexley’s current street projects can be found here, with additional details about this specific project in this special presentation. 

We are aware of the significant disruption this project can present to residents, and appreciate your patience as we work with Columbia Gas to facilitate their infrastructure upgrades.