Central Ohio Weekly News Brief — July 13-18, 2026
Quick teaser: Sunbury’s citizen-led 25-megawatt data center cap officially heads to the November 3 ballot after Delaware County certified 351 signatures. Reynoldsburg unanimously passed a strict short-term rental ordinance July 13 ($225 permit, three-night minimum, owner-occupied). Gahanna police are investigating 50+ vehicle break-ins in Rose Run, where a suspect fired at a resident, while Hilliard is working a separate July 13 spree of 35 break-ins near Alton and Darby Creek Road.
Sunbury
City Council voted unanimously on July 15 to place a citizen-led charter amendment on the November 3 ballot that would prohibit data centers with aggregate power demand exceeding 25 megawatts, after the Delaware County Board of Elections certified 351 valid signatures from Big Walnut for Responsible Growth (172 required) (Delaware Source, 1808 Delaware).
A four-week closure of Cheshire Road began July 13 for realignment and signal improvements at Kintner Parkway, prioritized for completion before the school year.
Ordinance 2026.20 (DORA, 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday) and Ordinance 2026.19 ($10M Local Provision mixed-use) remain active on the agenda.
Reynoldsburg
Council on July 13 unanimously passed a strict short-term rental ordinance requiring a $225 annual permit, a three-night minimum stay, and that the property be the owner’s primary residence — a direct response to resident complaints on noise, parking, and safety (WOSU, Columbus Dispatch).
Southbound lanes of Waggoner Road reopened July 17, though the multi-phase improvement project continues.
The city is now evaluating responses to its Broadband and Fiber Network RFI that closed July 6.
The $30 million CMHA “Heights on Main” affordable housing project is moving into the funding application phase following the recent $1.5M land sale approval.
Gahanna
Police are investigating a wave of more than 50 vehicle break-ins targeting the Rose Run neighborhood and surrounding areas, and in one incident a suspect fired a handgun at a resident who discovered intruders in their garage; no injuries were reported and the suspects fled in a stolen vehicle (ABC6/WSYX).
The $59 million Civic Center opening has been pushed further into late July after a water leak was discovered on top of the previously reported electrical remediation (The Pennant).
The city finalized a new residential waste service contract with Rumpke of Ohio, following July 6 legislation introducing the deal.
Hilliard
The Division of Police continues to investigate an early-Monday July 13 spree of about 35 vehicle break-ins in the Heritage Preserve Apartments and nearby neighborhoods near Alton and Darby Creek Road, with thieves smashing windows around 5:30 a.m. to grab credit cards, purses, and clothing (ABC6/WSYX).
Council advanced a plan July 13 to allocate 75% of proceeds from the sale of the roughly 104-acre “Grener” property toward parkland development, following resident pushback against data center expansion (Hilliard Beacon).
Roberts Road bridge and Norwich Township’s $11.2M Fire Station 84 construction continue; Leppert Road remains restricted to a single lane through mid-August (City of Hilliard).
Worthington
Council held a July 13 joint public hearing with the Sharon Township Board of Trustees on adding the Tree of Life Christian Schools property on Proprietors Road to the Joint Economic Development District, and continued reviewing the Charter Review Commission’s 37 recommendations — including merging the Municipal Planning Commission, ARB, and BZA into a single Municipal Development Commission (City of Worthington, Sharon Township).
Council reviewed a liquor permit transfer for Blind Tiger Hospitality (dba The Nine) at its July 13 session.
Worthington Night Market returned to Old Worthington on July 16 as part of the “Third Thursday” series.
Groveport
Council on July 13 swore in Mark McDonough as the new Chief of Police, approved a zoning variance for Ardent Environmental Services at 4601 Homer Ohio Lane, proposed the creation of a full-time Assistant Finance Director position, and indefinitely postponed two Madison Township annexation petitions (Groveport Legistar, City of Groveport News).
The 2026 Street Maintenance Program advanced onto downtown alleys (Buckeye, Raver, Hilly, and Shoemaker) and Madison Lane, plus the Groveport Park parking lot.
A July 16 community meeting at Groveport Plaza gathered resident input on redevelopment of the neighborhood shopping center.
ODW Logistics’ 864,000-square-foot facility and VanTrust’s 1.08M sq ft Park 762 both remain active nearby.
Genoa Township
Trustees conducted a public hearing on the Maril Luna final development plan, a 150-unit residential project proposed west of Rome Corners Road, following the Township Zoning Commission’s unanimous 5-0 recommendation for approval in June (Genoa Township).
The $2.5 million roundabout at Big Walnut Road and Tussic Street Road remains on schedule for July 31 completion; Lewis Center Road west of SR-3 remains closed through late July (Delaware County Engineer).
Grove City
Hazardous air quality reported by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission forced closure of “The Big Splash” water park and the Fryer Park splash pad on July 17-18, while the city published a report celebrating its inaugural Book Festival, which drew over 10,000 attendees to the Town Center and Southwest Library earlier this month (City of Grove City, ABC6/WSYX).
The 11th annual Grove City Town Center Bourbon & Spirits Festival was promoted this week with a July 15 update.
South-Western City Schools continues advancing its $220 million no-new-millage bond for the November ballot to replace Grove City and Westland high schools (South-Western City Schools).
The Hoover Road $2.2M pedestrian bridge project continues with northbound Hoover closed through August 19.
Powell
Police unveiled memorial license plates on cruiser 11 for the late Sgt. Travis Dennison on July 15 — National Glioblastoma Awareness Day — honoring the 18-year veteran and car enthusiast who died of glioblastoma (City of Powell News).
The Powell Development Corporation approved more than $56,000 in facade improvement grants July 13, catalyzing $360,000+ in private investment at COhatch’s Middlebury House, Espresso 22, and Local Roots.
The Halverston-Rutherford pedestrian bridge remains closed after severe storm damage; the city has filed an insurance claim for full replacement while evaluating temporary repair options.
Columbus Zoo $175M John F. Wolfe Aquarium and 130-room hotel continue toward 2027 groundbreaking; NOPEC electric aggregation goes live September 1.
Obetz
Council held a formal 2027 tax budget public hearing July 13 on Ordinance 34-26, while the city began enforcing residents-only access at the Junction Park splash pad on July 14 (Obetz Black Card required), sparking community debate (City of Obetz, ABC6/WSYX).
The Police Department launched an officer recruitment drive July 17.
Progress continues on the $1 billion Buckstone mixed-use development, including nearly 700 Fischer Homes single-family and paired-patio homes.
Sharon Township
The Board of Trustees held its joint public hearing with the City of Worthington July 13 on the Tree of Life JEDD amendment, and a separate hearing that morning on the 2027 tax budget; the regular July meeting was rescheduled from July 15 to July 13 to coincide with the morning hearings (Sharon Township).
A July 16 special meeting addressed upcoming Mission Hills and Singing Hills Lane road closures required for a waterline replacement project (Sharon Township Blog).
Harlem Township
Trustees at their July 15 meeting approved a contract for the Green Cook Road improvement project and set a July 22 hearing date for the 5-acre Bailey/Gloeckner rezoning request on South State Route 605 (Harlem Township, Harlem Township Facebook).
The township hosted the America 250-Ohio “Sizzle” Girls Softball All-Star Game at the community park on July 18.
The Center Village Road / South County Line Road roundabout closure has been extended through September 14 (Delaware County Engineer).
West Jefferson
The Police Department launched its inaugural “Safety Sprouts” preschool safety camp with interactive play alongside officers, headlining the July 17 “Friday Night Uptown” festival that featured live music, food trucks, and a “Cram the Cruiser” school-supply drive (Village of West Jefferson, Madison Messenger).
Semi-truck driver Bekhzod Asrarov, charged in the July 5 I-71 fatal crash that killed a 21-year-old Gahanna man, was released with an electronic monitoring device after a July 15 Madison County court appearance.
Council finalized November ballot items including charter amendments and the temporary bow-hunting resolution with ODNR.
Mifflin Township
The Gahanna Civic Center delay directly affects Mifflin Township — the department is scheduled to relocate its police operations there and is currently operating with limited staffing following the recent police levy failure (The Westerville News).
Michael Watkins, 40, remains in custody on $1.5 million bond in the July 1 blunt-force-trauma death of a 7-week-old on Divot Place; Daveonte Dixon’s sentencing in the 2025 officer shooting remains delayed (ABC6/WSYX).
Lockbourne
Village Council on July 13 adopted the 2027 estimated annual tax budget via Resolution 31-2026 and passed Resolution 30-2026 authorizing the mayor to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission grants for local road repaving (Village of Lockbourne).
ODW Logistics’ 864,000-square-foot automated distribution center is fully operational, and VanTrust’s Park 762 (1.08M sq ft) targets Q2 2027 delivery (Columbus Chamber).
Dublin
The city announced start of construction on the Avery Road Shared Use Path on July 16 — an 8-foot-wide path between Cramer’s Crossing Drive and Woerner-Temple Road — while Planning and Zoning reviewed a Dublin Senior Living concept plan for 4178 Bright Road that same evening (City of Dublin).
The Dublin Connector transit service integrated the Flexigo app July 14 for real-time trip booking; Resource International commenced citywide pavement testing.
Franklin County Public Health announced mosquito spraying scheduled for the Dublin area on July 20 (Dublin Chamber).
Quiet this week
Galena: Hosted the Bicentennial Pickleball Tournament on July 18 as part of the 200th-anniversary celebrations, alongside a Delaware County-wide tire disposal event; village leaders publicly acknowledged the Sunbury data center petition certification (Village of Galena, Galena Bicentennial).
Watch next week
Worthington public hearing on five charter ordinances (July 20)
Franklin County Public Health mosquito spraying in Dublin (July 20)
Harlem Township Bailey/Gloeckner rezoning next hearing (July 22)
Gahanna $59M Civic Center opening (late July target)
Genoa Township Big Walnut / Tussic roundabout completion (~July 31)
Hilliard Roberts Road and Leppert Road (mid-August reopenings)
Grove City Hoover Road northbound reopening (~August 19)
Harlem Township Center Village / South County Line roundabout (through September 14)
Sunbury 25MW ballot campaign begins in earnest
Dixon and Watkins case follow-ups in Mifflin Township
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