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Bexley outlines land-use overhaul and large infrastructure push backed by federal grants
Summary
Mayor Ben Kessler and council leaders described a coordinated strategy to activate Main Street, expand housing options and invest in water, sewer and sidewalks, noting a $13.5 million federal grant package through the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler and City Council leaders onstage at the city’s State of the Community described a multi-year land-use and infrastructure program that officials say will target Main Street activation, expanded housing options and a major refresh of the city’s water and sewer systems.
Kessler said the city’s land use strategy “envisions new strategies to activate Main Street,” including work to bring “two-sided commerce” to West Main, expand a mixed-use commercial district at Parkview and support a revitalized Livingston Avenue commercial corridor. He said the plan will recommend accessory dwelling units for council consideration and that the city will update commercial design guidelines and commission a walkability study by planner Jeff Speck.
The mayor told the audience that Bexley has secured “13 and a half million dollars in federal grants through our partner, the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission,” a funding stream he said will help advance sidewalks, sewer and other projects. William Murdoch, identified in the meeting as director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, was acknowledged as a partner during the presentation.
On utilities, Kessler outlined several near-term investments: a planned 7,300 feet of new water mains this summer; a galvanized waterline replacement loan program pending council approval; the launch of AquaHawk to allow residents to monitor water use and receive leak alerts; and a large-scale update of the city’s sewer plan. He said crews will line 4,100 feet of sewers this summer as part of ongoing work to reduce flooding and improve regional water quality.
Kessler said the updated long-term capital plan will follow these projects and noted the city has been “very selective about what and how we’ve borrowed,” with the goal of strengthening reserves and reducing the general fund debt burden.
Why it matters: City leaders framed the land-use work and utility investments as coordinated steps to support development, improve walkability and protect public infrastructure. Officials said community engagement has been extensive and the funding from regional partners will move several projects from plan to implementation in the coming months.
What’s next: Staff will bring design guidelines, ADU policy language and recommended capital projects to council for formal consideration. The federal grant work will proceed in coordination with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and city departments, the mayor said.
