Gahanna lays out nine major CIP projects, including Creekside plaza reconstruction and Westside utilities

At the April 14 Committee of the Whole meeting the administration presented the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan timeline, a revised phase nomenclature for projects, and nine large capital projects the city is prioritizing for study and potential funding.

The administration described a shift in the CIP document away from fixed multi‑year ‘phase 1/2/3’ labels toward terms meant to reduce implied start‑date certainty: “actionable” (projects in design or scheduled for construction), “assessment” (feasibility work), “identified” and “visionary.” Director Schultz told council the change aims to reduce public confusion about start years and to make the document more flexible when circumstances and funding change.

Nut graf: The presentation listed the nine largest capital investments the city is tracking and the administration framed them as a package for strategic funding conversations. Council will review funding strategies in June; no binding funding decisions were made April 14.

Highlights and estimates the administration presented (ranges shown on slides): - Creekside garage and plaza reconstruction, flood mitigation and related trail and streetscape work: $18.9 million–$22.3 million. The administration said FEMA‑required garage flood mitigation is the imperative element; other plaza/street improvements are discretionary. City staff said federal and private funding applications are being pursued to offset the garage mitigation costs. - Westside utility improvements (sanitary, storm, water) — Phase 1: $12 million–$16 million; staff said utility funds and TIF could fund portions and noted coordination opportunities where road reconstruction occurs. - Big Walnut Trail crossing and connections (including I‑270 bridge link): roughly $4.35 million–$4.59 million and may leverage LinkUS and other grants. - Link to Literacy Trail (Hamilton Road to Creekside): roughly $2.1 million–$2.65 million; staff noted NatureWorks grant funding of $500,000 has been referenced. - West Johnstown transportation improvements (design and construction for corridor upgrades) — estimates and coordination with gas utility work referenced. - Service and Parks garage relocation: land acquisition estimated at 10–12 acres; acquisition estimates shown at $150,000–$250,000 per acre plus building costs (total estimate range shown on slides includes land, design and construction). - Parks aquatics master plan rebuild at GSP (competition pool, zero‑depth entry, slides, other amenities): $21 million–$26 million; staff characterized this as an identified project requiring feasibility and planning next. - Stigler/Agler/62 intersection improvements: scope and preferred design not settled; study work under the comprehensive transportation and mobility plan is ongoing.

Administration said the total of the nine large projects sums to an approximate range of $85 million–$105 million in present‑day dollars and that staff will bring funding strategy options to the advisory committee and council, including multi‑year capital budgeting and grant seeking.

Ending: Councilors asked clarifying questions about phase naming, how projects move from “identified” to “actionable,” and whether specific grants carry deadlines. Director Schultz said actionable projects will keep a start year while identified items may not show a year; feasibility assessments will inform whether projects move forward.