Urbanist Jeff Speck to present walkability findings after Bexley preview; consultants say city already follows many best practices

BEXLEY, Ohio — City officials introduced consultants Jeff Speck and a colleague for a walkability study and commercial design guidelines update, and the consultants asked residents for input ahead of a public presentation scheduled for Wednesday evening at Drexel Theater.

Jeff Speck, a widely known urbanist, told the council and audience that his firm’s work looks at “the shape of your streets” and the user experience of walking. “I like to joke that I have the best job in America, which is I get to show up in cities and walk around, tell them what's wrong with them, and then leave,” Speck said, adding that the team saw opportunities in Bexley and “a lot that is already in the best practices that we recommend to other cities.”

Speck and a colleague said the firm had met with local stakeholders earlier in the day and planned to present both national best practices and “things we found here — opportunities we see and suggestions we have for you.” The presentation was scheduled for 7 p.m. at Drexel Theater; city staff said more stakeholder sessions will follow as the commercial design guidelines and streetscape updates advance.

Council members and staff emphasized sidewalks and bikeway concerns in the preview session. Councilman Ty Marcelino, who participated in the working group, urged consultants to keep in mind that many Bexley streets already have sidewalks nearby but that a small number of streets lack sidewalks. The consultant team and city staff said existing sidewalk coverage, bike lane integration and maintaining the city’s walkable character would be part of the review and recommendations.

Speck encouraged public comment and said the forthcoming presentation would include more detailed ideas and illustrations. City staff directed residents to the scheduled meeting and to follow-up community outreach.