Gahanna’s Creekside District, which is slated for major redevelopment, will face the demolition phase in the second half of this year—so long as everything goes according to plan.
There are a number of boxes to be checked first, including public engagement, finalizing plans and reaching agreements. Construction would then follow.
Four acres of property within the Creekside District, along Mill Street and North High Street, have been purchased by the Gahanna Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), a 501c4 organization that helps to facilitate economic development and initiatives city officials wish to pursue, but is separate from the city itself.
With the acquisition now complete, city leaders have publicly released which parcels are involved:
- 130-140 Mill St.
- 152 Mill St.
- 153-155 Mill St.
- 161-167 Mill St.
- 169 Mill St.
- 170 Mill St.
- The parking lot adjacent to 130-140 Mill St.
It’s still undecided as to what specifically will be demolished within those listed parcels.
“We are evaluating strategic demolition throughout the area,” said Dan Pearlman, Gahanna’s public information officer.
Restaurants, retail, experiential and hospitality businesses could all see their space within the expansion of the district.
There will also be a housing component, which Gahanna Mayor Laurie Jadwin hopes will be an asset to Gahanna.
“Our ability as a city to be able to offer new and diversified housing stock is going to be extremely important to the city’s future success and vibrancy,” she said, adding that she wants to appeal to a variety of homeowners—from young professionals to empty nesters.
“We’re not just a single-family dwelling community,” the mayor continued. “We have to have all those options available to attract a wide variety of people to our area.”
Jadwin said that city leaders are still in negotiations with a potential developer. Once a deal is finalized, the company’s identity will be announced. The hope is that all parties will have signed on the dotted line by the end of February.
What’s also yet to see the light of day: additional details on the massing of the businesses and housing that will stand once the project is completed. Those particulars will be made available at a later date.
The city partnered with MA Design to craft the redevelopment strategy. That process began in July 2021 and wrapped up in June 2022. During this time, public input was welcomed, and there were reviews and the incorporation of additional studies and plans that were previously completed by city officials.
This includes Gahanna’s land use plan, their economic development strategy, and their “GoForward” strategic plan for the city, said Jadwin.
Before becoming mayor, Jadwin was the executive director of the Gahanna Ohio Convention & Visitors Bureau. Some of her experiences there stay with her as they relate to this redevelopment effort.
“We would have people come from out of town all the time and talk about how unique Creekside was and how beautiful it was with the Big Walnut Creek and the trails that meander along the creek and all that it offers,” she recalled. “There really isn’t another community that offers what we have to offer, so we’re making sure we best position that area to be as successful as possible. That’s what this project does.”
For more information, visit gahanna.gov.