Central Ohio Weekly News Brief — June 22-27, 2026
Quick teaser: Sunbury’s June 25 data center forum revealed the proposed Amazon facility could use 10 to 30 times the city’s current electricity and 7-8% of Del-Co Water’s total capacity. Worthington’s Crawford Hoying 17.6-acre West Wilson Bridge Road redevelopment (400 units, hotels, 250K+ sq ft commercial) got its first Planning Commission review, while the Columbus Zoo formally unveiled its $175M John F. Wolfe Aquarium and 130-room hotel in Powell.
Sunbury
The June 25 special community forum at Big Walnut High School delivered hard numbers: Del-Co Water’s Brian Coghlan and Go Sustainable Energy’s John Seryak said the proposed Amazon data center could require 10 to 30 times more electricity than the entire city of Sunbury currently uses and could consume up to 7-8% of Del-Co’s total water system capacity (Delaware Source). The project remains under moratorium through January 2027, and a citizen group is now organizing to put a data-center measure on the November ballot (NBC4).
The Board of Zoning Appeals held its June 22 hearing on the 37 E Granville Street variance (Brad Hall) for apartment square footage.
Ordinance 2026.19 approving the Local Provision mixed-use site plan at Granville Street and Sunbury Meadows Drive remains under review after first reading.
A public hearing on a new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is scheduled July 1 (City of Sunbury).
Worthington
The Municipal Planning Commission gave Crawford Hoying’s 17.6-acre West Wilson Bridge Road redevelopment its first formal review June 25, with the Bridge Park developer proposing roughly 400 residential units, boutique hotels, and over 250,000 square feet of retail and office space to replace an aging office corridor (Columbus Navigator).
The Charter Review Commission finalized its 37 recommendations on June 23 — including a proposal to merge the Municipal Planning Commission, ARB, and BZA into a single Municipal Development Commission and to shorten the referendum signature window to 30 days (Worthington Area Chamber).
Citywide mosquito spraying ran early June 23 after West Nile-positive tests; Worthington Enterprises reported its Q4 FY2026 results and a dividend increase (GlobeNewswire).
Powell
The Columbus Zoo formally unveiled the $175 million John F. Wolfe Aquarium and an accompanying 130-room upscale hotel, anchored by a record $50 million gift; the aquarium will include 27 immersive exhibits and the state’s largest open-ocean tank when it opens in 2029 (WOSU, Columbus Business First).
The Powell Development Corporation reported a 79% surge in new-business growth for 2026 (Delaware Source).
The 26th annual Powell Festival wrapped up early in the week at Village Green Park with Vertical Horizon as the headliner and a fireworks display.
Grove City
The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority on June 24 unveiled a $125 million, 230-unit mixed-use development as a follow-on to its newly opened Cobblestone Manor senior community, aimed at the region’s persistent housing shortage (Columbus Business First).
The Hoover Road pedestrian bridge over I-71 is now confirmed at $2.2 million as the first project funded under the regional LinkUS initiative; northbound Hoover Road will be closed through August 19 (WOSU).
The South-Western City Schools Board of Education considers its “resolution to proceed” June 29, which would lock in a no-new-millage bond for the November 3 ballot to replace Grove City and Westland high schools.
The Grove City Board of Zoning Appeals held its regular June 22 meeting on local variance requests.
Hilliard
City Council on June 22 approved contractor recommendations for renovations to City Hall and the Public Service Building, authorized a land transfer for a new Norwich Township fire station, and issued a proclamation designating June as Gun Violence Awareness Month (Hilliard City Council).
Council also announced the suspension of the city’s ALPR camera network during the same meeting (City of Hilliard).
The police investigation into the mid-June spree of 35 vehicle break-ins in Heritage Preserve and Wexford Green neighborhoods continues (ABC6/WSYX).
“Celebration at the Station” featured Shucking Bubba Deluxe June 25; the Summer Spray Down was held June 23 at Hoffman Trails Elementary.
Galena
The Village Council on June 22 passed an emergency resolution authorizing up to $75,000 to select a contractor for repairs to the Walnut Creek bridge, and approved a separate emergency measure joining the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) to launch a community electric aggregation program (Village of Galena).
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigation into the fatal June 16 crash at SR 3 and Galena Road that killed Teresa Moore remains active.
Gahanna
The opening of the $59 million Civic Center has been pushed to mid-July after the city discovered faulty electrical work performed by a previous contractor that requires remediation before City Hall and the Division of Police can occupy the facility (City of Gahanna).
VIP tickets for the July 3 “250 Years of America” Independence Day celebration went on sale June 22; July 4 parade registration closed June 27.
The Agler Road “McDonald’s Classic” demolition continues to move toward a modern drive-thru-only rebuild (614Now).
“Explore Our Ecosystems” outdoor education ran at Woodside Green Park with guided hikes and kayaking.
Harlem Township
The Delaware County Regional Planning Commission on June 25 recommended approval of text amendments to Articles IV and XXXV of the township’s zoning resolution and a 5-acre rezoning of the Bailey/Gloeckner property, refining development standards as the township absorbs growth pressure near the Intel site (Delaware County RPC).
The Center Village Road / South County Line Road intersection remains closed through July 30 for the new roundabout (Delaware County Engineer).
A “squatter house” contract dispute on Woodtown Road remains under monitoring by neighbors and the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office (Fox28).
Reynoldsburg
City Council on June 22 approved the 2027 tax budget (Ord. 37-2026) and authorized right-of-way purchases for upcoming construction projects (Ord. 40-2026), and unveiled a new security policy requiring residents to obtain wristbands at City Hall for entry to the July 3 fireworks at Civic Park (City of Reynoldsburg).
Birchview Drive between Eastgreen Boulevard and Baldwin Place will be repaved; no full closures are expected.
Groveport
Council adopted an emergency service resolution June 24 providing police and fire services to a newly annexed 1.07-acre territory on Sims Road, just as ODW Logistics’ 864,000-square-foot next-generation distribution and fulfillment center came fully online (Groveport Legistar, ODW Logistics).
The City issued a lead-in-plumbing advisory June 24 for homes built before 1986.
ODOT’s $128.4 million US 33 widening between Refugee and Diley Roads is slated to begin this summer.
Lockbourne
ODW Logistics’ 864,000-square-foot automated distribution facility at 6780 Schieser Farms Road is now fully operational, using autonomous mobile robots and advanced conveyor systems and expected to employ up to 300 people at full capacity (ODW Logistics).
The village’s regular administrative meetings continued this week (Village of Lockbourne).
Dublin
City Council on June 22 advanced an economic development agreement with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and formally launched 2027 fiscal year budget planning, while Dublin City Schools was highlighted as a regional leader in developing state-mandated AI policies (City of Dublin, ABC6/WSYX).
The District will present new redistricting maps June 29 — now including elementary boundaries.
June 27 community events included Circus Saturday in Historic Dublin, the city’s first Community Repair Café at the Rec Center, and the Dublin Market at Bridge Park.
West Jefferson
Severe thunderstorms swept Madison County on Monday June 22 with 60 mph wind gusts warned by the National Weather Service, causing widespread tree damage and power outages through West Jefferson and London that kept emergency crews busy on cleanup most of the week (Madison County Sheriff’s Office).
Tolles Career & Technical Center was awarded $400,000 in the 2026 Ohio state capital budget to build a four-story Regional Fire & EMS Training Facility serving roughly 20 area agencies (Madison Messenger).
Madison County Sheriff’s K9 Medo received a donated bullet- and stab-protective vest from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. (Madison Messenger).
The “Lunch and Learn” summer program continued with free meals and STEAM activities at the Community Center.
Obetz
City Council on June 22 introduced Ordinance 37-26 regulating recreational vehicle parking and Ordinance 38-26 prohibiting parking on narrow streets, and formally presented the proposed 2027 tax budget for public review (Obetz Council Agenda).
The Statements of Qualifications deadline for engineering services on the new USDA-funded water tower at 2465 Stegner Street closed June 25 (Obetz RFQ).
Fortress Obetz hosted Full Throttle Thursday June 25 and a Columbus Eagles FC match June 27.
Quiet this week
Genoa Township: The Big Walnut/Tussic Street roundabout closure continues through July 31; the township launched recruitment for paid election inspectors for the August primary and November general election, and held the final Citizen Enrichment suicide-prevention session June 22 (Genoa Township).
Sharon Township: The July 13 public hearing at Worthington City Hall on the JEDD amendment to add the Tree of Life Christian Schools property was confirmed (Sharon Township).
Mifflin Township: No new township-level news; the 2027 tax budget public hearing is set for July 6 and Daveonte Dixon’s sentencing remains on track for July; Mifflin Cemetery will close to vehicle traffic July 3 at 2:00 PM for Gahanna’s fireworks
Watch next week
South-Western Schools’ “resolution to proceed” vote (June 29)
Dublin schools redistricting community map, now including elementary (June 29)
Dublin Ballantrae ID-6 industrial rezoning final vote (July 1)
Sunbury DORA public hearing (July 1)
Gahanna “250 Years of America” July 3 + July 4 parade
Reynoldsburg July 3 fireworks at Civic Park (wristbands required from City Hall)
Mifflin Township 2027 tax budget hearing (July 6)
Sharon Township / Worthington JEDD amendment hearing (July 13)
Gahanna $59M Civic Center mid-July opening
Hilliard Roberts Road bridge reopening (mid-August)
Dixon sentencing in Mifflin Township shooting case (July)
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