Gahanna council authorizes supplemental appropriations to discharge CIC mortgage to preserve redevelopment options for Creekside parcels

GAHANNA, Ohio — Gahanna City Council on Sept. 15 adopted Ordinance 0040-2025, authorizing supplemental appropriations for the Gahanna Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) to discharge a mortgage on multiple parcels in the Creekside/North High Street area. Council debated grant deadlines, demolition timelines, property valuations and options for preserving a locally notable house before voting to approve the measure.

The action: The ordinance as adopted authorizes the mayor to provide supplemental appropriations to the CIC so the CIC can discharge a loan with Heartland Bank that is secured by a set of properties held by the CIC. Council first voted to waive the second reading on the ordinance, then reconsidered procedural votes after a city-attorney briefing on charter rules, and ultimately passed the waiver and the ordinance on final roll calls.

Nut graf: Administration officials and the CIC told council the step is time sensitive because the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) demolition and brownfield grants that fund demolition and remediation require that the grant-funded work be completed and funds spent by the end of the calendar year. If the buildings in the grant package are not demolished and the funds spent by the end of the year, the city and CIC risk forfeiting the grants and losing…