City News

Mayor Becky Stinchcomb Issues Emergency Declaration to Ensure Public Safety

On Wednesday, June 25, 2014 Mayor Becky Stinchcomb issued an emergency order for individuals to stay out of the waters in and around Gahanna's Big Walnut Creek floodways.

The executive order was issued at the request of emergency responders due to concerns with high-water and fast currents. The order will remain in effect until it is lifted by Mayor Stinchcomb.
Gahanna Police will be monitoring the area. Failure to comply with the lawful order of Gahanna law enforcement could result in an arrest.

Individuals are being asked not to enter closed park areas, including Pizzurro Park, Shull Park, Creekside Park, Gahanna Municipal Golf Course, portions of the Big Walnut Trail and the front pool at Gahanna Swimming Pool. Also, individuals should use extreme caution in high-water areas such as Academy Park, Woodside Green Park or Friendship Park.

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Leaders Mull Update to Spark Growth in Revenue

Original story by Marla K. Kuhlman, ThisWeek Community News

Gahanna's leaders are considering an update of the city's 2007 Economic Development Plan in an effort to fulfill revenue potential.

During a June 23 council committee meeting, development director Anthony Jones presented a case to update the plan as part of a sustainability planning effort the city has been working on during the past several months.

Jones said a plan was done in 2007, but that was a growth year like Gahanna hasn't since experienced.

"The goal of an updated plan would be to do market assessment," he said.

Jones said the plan would identify priority development areas, potential redevelopment areas, retention strategies and where the city could find the most return on investment.

"At the end of the day, it would provide a fiscal assessment of revenue potential," Jones said. "This would give a framework."

Council member Michael Schnetzer said the common thread about pursuing some sort of plan, whether it's a comprehensive plan or another, is that more revenue is needed in the city.

"We talk about what kind of city we want to be," he said. "At the end of the day, the crux of it is revenue. I think our priority should be on economic development to increase that revenue."

Jones said the original economic development plan was created to provide the city with two things: a fiscal impact model, which calculates the cost and benefit of real estate development projects, and a plan that summarized market conditions and made recommendations to attract jobs and capital investment.

Click here to read the full story.

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Grow Zone Usage Expanded to Fleet Run Reserve

The City of Gahanna parks and open spaces are going back to nature with the implementation of Grow Zones through the city parks and open space system. The latest Gahanna Grow Zone is being introduced to Fleet Run Reserve.

The Fleet Run Grow Zone program began in the fall of 2013 and then restarted as the grass growing season began in 2014. Over time, the area will revert to a wooded state and provide numerous environmental benefits as well as a cost savings of more than $2,000 per year.

Grow Zones are designated areas where crews stop mowing to allow these spaces to return to their natural state. Grow Zones are environmentally friendly and provide a cost savings. Currently, similar zones are located in Friendship Park, Woodside Green Park and along recreational trails and stream corridors.

Click here to learn more about Grow Zones.

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Soft Scale Causing Ornamental Tree Die Back

Homeowners with crabapple or pear trees may want to take a closer look at tree branches with the rise of soft scale insects causing die back on these and other ornamental trees throughout the city.

Soft scales are immobile insects that live most of their lives attached to ornamental trees and feed off the vascular system. They are difficult to identify if the homeowner is unfamiliar with how they look. To many homeowners, scales may just look like bumps on the tree branch.

Soft scale infestations are usually accompanied by the presence of honeydew and sooty mold. Bumps on the branches may be smooth or cottony in texture.

According to researchers at Michigan State University, symptoms of scale are most apparent in the spring and summer. Delayed leaf expansion or early leaf drop on at least part of a tree are common indicators.

Soft scale is a native insect often spread by birds and squirrels jumping from tree to tree. Natural predators include lady bugs and lady bug larva. Often, homeowners can plant flowers to attract these natural predators.

Click here to learn more about soft scale infestations.

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Best Hometown Photo -- Deadline July 5, 2014

There is still time to submit your "Best Hometown" photos of Gahanna. The deadline for photo submissions is Saturday, July 5, 2014.

To enter, just upload your photo to our Facebook wall or tag us in it, with the caption "2014 Best Hometown." Contest is limited to one entry per person.

Winners will be announced via Facebook on Monday, July 12, 2014.

For more information, including contest rules click here.

Community News & Events

Creekside Live
June 27, 2014

Creekside Live returns this Friday, June 27 on the Rotary Stage at Creekside Plaza beginning at 6 p.m. This week the John Schwab Duo and the Phillip Fox Band will take center stage beginning at 8 p.m. Enjoy dinner at Creekside and bring your lawn chair for an evening of friends and music!

The concert series is made possible once again through partnerships with the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation (GPRF), Strathmore Development Co. and Yuengling. New partners this year include Gahanna Rotary, Funtrail Vehicle Accessories and Lew Griffin Insurance.

Click here for the full schedule.

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Homes Slated for Demolition on Hamilton Road to Provide

Training Opportunities for Mifflin Township Fire

Ten houses along Hamilton Road in Gahanna will be demolished, but not before providing a treasure trove of training opportunities for the Mifflin Township Division of Fire. The homes are being destroyed to make way for the Shops at Rocky Fork.

Firefighters will take advantage of the local developer's need to remove the houses and use this opportunity for structural training. The training is slated to begin this weekend, June 28 - June 29, and will go through the last weekend in July.

During the training, firefighters will perform an extensive list of safety, rescue and escape drills and will set controlled fires in one room at a time before the final burning and extinguishing of the house. The training will begin with the northernmost structures and will involve only one house per day. The houses slated for destruction include 390 Rocky Fork Drive South and 361, 353, 345, 331, 325, 317, 311, 303 and 297 S. Hamilton Road.

"These hands-on, live training evolutions are an invaluable opportunity for the fire departments," Fire Chief Timothy Taylor said. "They give us a chance to practice a variety of drills in a safe, controlled environment, without having to incur the cost of creating a structure for the sole purpose of destroying it. Our firefighters do all the work needed to prepare a house for a variety of scenarios and we even have materials donated to stage the houses for the exercises."

The majority of the training activity will be hands-on exercises which take place out of the public eye. Residents may see fire vehicles in driveways, or small amounts of theatrical smoke may be used, but there will be no disruption to normal neighborhood activities.

Live smoke and fire training, which amounts to approximately 10 percent of the training will take place only on the weekends, and will involve one structure per day. Care will be taken to avoid disrupting traffic. Only the far west lane of Hamilton Road will be utilized for staging fire equipment, and as necessary. Weather permitting, all training will be conducted between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. During these times, the public is asked to maintain a safe distance, and a public viewing area will be established for the protection of both the residents and firefighters.

For more information, click here or contact the Mifflin Township Division of Fire at 614.471.4444.

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Boomfest Offers View of Three Fireworks Shows from One Spot

Original story by Marla K. Kuhlman, ThisWeek Community News.

Residents will have opportunities to enjoy three fireworks displays from the Golf Depot at Central Park, 789 Science Blvd., from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 3.

The Golf Depot is presenting the third annual Boomfest, along with sponsor Huntington Bank, featuring fireworks launched at the depot and views of Red, White & Boom! and of Whitehall's fireworks display.

Steve Renaker, Boomfest co-chairman, said the event that attracted 6,000 attendees last year will include music, a children's area and other attractions.

The cost is $5 to park, and donations will be accepted.

"It started with my family and me watching Red, White & Boom from our location, and it was unbelievable to see with no one around us," Renaker said. "Two years ago, I told the owner we should invite people out. We had almost 3,000 people. Last year, we got more word out and had some kid stuff. We had close to 6,000 people show up."

After Gahanna canceled a contract for a fireworks show because of financial woes, Renaker said, the Golf Depot took over the contract.

"The message is, you can see three fireworks displays from our facility," he said. "It's just spectacular. We're charging $5 to park. We will accept donations for a charity for kids whose parents use drugs.

Click here to read the full story. For more details about Boom Fest contact The Golf Depot at 614.861.8200 or visit depotgolfcenter.com.

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Gahanna Lions Club Host Annual 4th of July Parade

Friday, July 4, 2014

Join friends and neighbors as we celebrate Independence Day, Friday, July 4th! Bring the whole family, and don't forget to pack your folding chairs, blankets, and a picnic basket to enjoy this annual event. The parade will form up behind Clark Hall in the parking lot beginning at 9:00 am and will start at 10:30 a.m. from the Gahanna Lincoln High School parking lot on Havens Corner, head west onto Granville Street, and then west on U.S. Route 62 to Stygler Road. The parade will continue to head north on Stygler Road to the Royal Plaza Shopping Center parking lot. Come and join the fun!

For more information about this event, contact Don Quick at 614.284.0202 or Chuck Rees 614.475.5557.

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Coffee with Council

July 10, 2014

Gahanna City Council members invite you to join them for a public input meeting. The next "Council with Coffee" meeting will take place on Thursday, July 10, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. -

7:30 p.m. at Panera (91 N. Hamilton).

To view upcoming meeting dates and past meeting notes, click here. For more information contact the Council Clerk office at 614.342.4090.

June 27, 2014

Upcoming Events

June 27, 2014

Creekside Live
6:00 pm - 10:00 p.m.

July 3, 2014

3rd Annual Golf Depot
Boom Fest
6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

July 4, 2014

Annual 4th of July Parade
10:30 a.m.

City Hall will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Normal business hours will resume on July 7, 2014

July 7, 2014
City Council Meeting

7:00 p.m.