Clover and Orchard Grass for East of Africa.

Hay Planted on East of Africa Parcels to Maintain Farmland Status

Three plots of East of Africa have now been planted with clover and orchard grass to grow hay, which is expected to be first cut next summer, depending on the weather and soil conditions. When construction is finished next year and the original farmland is converted into a development project, the same seed mix will be planted in open areas of the field to keep the lower agricultural tax status.

This marks a transition from grading and preparation work to active farming on the development site. The parcels, located east of the new north-south roadway that divides the property, reached the completion stage earlier this year, with ground leveled to accommodate future construction. In the meantime, planting hay allows the land to stay in the Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) program, which significantly lowers property taxes by taxing the ground based on its use as farmland rather than its potential development value.

The land is planted in the late afternoon, after construction work for the day is completed.

The CAUV program applies to Ohio farmland of at least 10 acres used for commercial agriculture, or smaller tracts earning $2,500 or more in farm income. Owners must renew annually with the county auditor, and if the land is converted to non-farm use, they may need to repay up to three years of tax savings.

The soil in parts of East Africa no longer has the loamy topsoil, which was removed to level the ground for development. Here, the farmer removes large rocks that are exposed during soil movement.

The three eastern parcels—two of which were previously used for hay cultivation—are now replanted. The southernmost section, bordering Yarnell Farm, was once an overgrown wooded area that has since been cleared and seeded. These fields are expected to stay in hay until development progresses, thus maintaining their tax status and agricultural use.

The road through East Africa, connecting to Africa Road next to the Sharp house, is readily visible after concrete dust was mixed with the soil to create a firmer surface for when asphalt is laid.

Work continues on the two westernmost parcels. Construction crews are installing underground utilities, and the roadway is projected to be finished by late November.

Firefighters Complete Training at Starkey House, Demolition Next Step for Road Project

Westerville firefighters spent the past week at the Starkey house on Africa Road, turning the soon-to-be-demolished building into a classroom for roof-cutting exercises. Crews from each of the city’s three fire stations rotated through the site, with veteran firefighters guiding their younger colleagues on how to cut vent holes in roofs safely during an active blaze.

The training was one of the last uses for the Starkey property before it is demolished. The house, long a familiar sight along Africa Road, is set to be torn down to make way for a connector road linking the Westar area to the East of Africa development project across the street. Fire officials said the practice drills offered a rare opportunity to train in a real structure before its removal.

City inspectors have approved the site for demolition now that the training is complete. Although no date has been announced, the building will be torn down as soon as possible. The new roadway is part of a broader effort to improve access and traffic flow between existing developments and the large-scale East of Africa project.

& Then There Was Only One

Ampersand Asian Supper Club will close its Short North restaurant on Sunday, September 21, marking the end of a six-year run that began with strong crowds. Owners Megan Ada and Joshua Cook said the decision came after enduring “many challenges … over the last 6 years.” The restaurant closes just four months after the Westerville location opened.

The Uptown Westerville restaurant, which opened in May 2025, will remain open.

Ampersand’s closure reflects trends other Short North businesses have faced: rising commercial rents, increased labor and supply costs, declining foot traffic in evening or entertainment districts, and concerns about safety that deter some customers. A 2024 Short North Alliance study revealed that storefront vacancy rates in certain areas had climbed above 20 percent.

In February, The FIG Room, owned by John Brooks’ BTTS Holdings, closed. Brooks had decided to focus on his Vue Columbus venue, seeing it as a more sustainable model outside the pressures of Short North.

Brooks is also active in Westerville: his BTTS Holdings operates out of a Uptown Westerville location, and he played a role in converting the old post office, a block from Ampersand and his offices, into High Bank Distillery’s restaurant and speakeasy.

For Megan and Joshua, closing the Short North location marks the end of a chapter, while the Westerville restaurant represents the continuation of the brand in a location that may offer more stability. The couple also owns Asterisk Supper Club, one street away in Uptown Westerville, reinforcing their investment in the city’s dining scene.

The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.

Explore more hyper-local reporting by subscribing to The Hilliard Beacon, Civic Capacity, Marysville Matters, The Ohio Roundtable, Shelby News Reporter, This Week in Toledo, and Into the Morning by Krista Steele.