Bexley council adopts resolution setting public process on possible BRT station at Pleasant Ridge

The Bexley City Council on June 10 adopted Resolution 2-25 by a 6–1 vote, directing a public process to decide whether the city should host a LinkUS/COTA bus rapid transit (BRT) station and to assist with locating a preferred station site.

Council President Lampe said the resolution “does not decide if a bus rapid transit route ... will pass along East Main Street in Bexley,” and framed the measure as asking two narrow questions: whether there should be a BRT station in Bexley, and if so, where it should be located.

Nut graf: The vote follows months of staff briefings, a council working group and public outreach tied to the regional LinkUS transit levy approved by Franklin County voters. Supporters described the resolution as a way to secure grant-funded infrastructure and future mobility; opponents urged caution about neighborhood impacts and final design authority.

Council members outlined the scope and limits of the resolution. Lampe said the council working group — which included Councilmembers Marcelino and Saad — had recommended East Broad as a preferred route but that the regional decision placed the BRT alignment on East Main. The resolution, she said, creates a city-level process for station siting and public input.

Councilmember Saad said she supported “the infrastructure tonight” and emphasized grant funding: “This is not coming from our taxpayers’ dollars. This is grant funded.” Councilmember Marcelino described initially opposing the regional levy but said meetings with COTA and staff had convinced him the updated COTA leadership and project design warranted support.

Several residents spoke during the public-comment period in favor of the LinkUS investment and a Bexley stop. Architect and planner Dan Furlan said Bexley is “one of the largest city regions without a rapid transit form of public transportation,” and urged the council to support the station process. Resident Evan Franke said BRT “can move more people faster than traditional buses” and called it a commitment to a “sustainable, modern transportation” network.

Council members and the mayor said they expect additional design-level reviews and a use agreement that will return to council before construction. Mayor Kessler said the resolution language authorizes negotiation “subject to future council approval,” and that the city would receive design updates from roughly 60% engineering through 100% engineering stages.

The roll call on the motion to adopt showed Councilmembers Silverman, Marcelino, Markham, Saad, Bridal and Hurley voting yes and Councilmember Lamke voting no. The mayor and COTA staff attended the meeting and showed design renderings of a 60% station concept for a platform in the median at Pleasant Ridge and East Main.

Ending: The resolution sets a formal local process and public engagement timeline; final station design, use agreement and construction will depend on future council approvals and engineering work.