Memorial Without Ceremony

City Council, Planning and Zoning, and CoHatch

9/11 Remembrance

The shadow of Westerville’s World Trade Center steel memorial falls across panels listing the names of people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Despite no ceremonies marking the anniversary of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, a steady stream of people visited First Responders Park in Westerville most to see, study, and touch the World Trade Center steel.

Tom Ullom, right, explains details about C-40, the section of steel from the World Trade Center.

Many were fortunate enough to meet retired Westerville firefighter Tom Ullom who was integral to getting the WTC steel for display in the original firefighter memorial on West Main Street. Ullom took time to explain the steel, the park, and the statue of Westerville firefighter Dave Theisen whose death in a fire began Tom’s struggle to build a memorial to Theisen and other firefighters.

The attack on the World Trade Center happened during the planning stages and after almost weekly calls to authorities in New York for seven years, Tom got permission to bring a piece of the steel to Westerville for the memorial.

The memorial was redesigned and rebuilt following the deaths of two police officers.

The city’s decision to use a self-guided tour for the day brought a variety of comments on the announcement on Facebook.

Photo Gallery

Ryan Garcia carries the American flag across the Main Street Bridge as he begins his run marking the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. My Final Photo for September 11, 2023.

Firefighter cadets from Columbus State Community College stand in the shadow of steel from the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center during a visit on the anniversary of the attack to First Responders Park in Westerville.

A contrail marks the path of an airplane flying above the World Trade Center steel at First Responders Park in Westerville.

A firefighter who worked in the rubble of the World Trade Center brought a bottle of bourbon engraved with a dedication to the 343 firefighters killed in the attack to share with firefighters at the memorial, including Tom Ullom.

---

City Council Work Session

Westerville City Council meets in a work session tonight to discuss and hear ideas for the completion of the city’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging framework and the city’s updated Advance Westerville Economic Development Strategy.

Following an executive session, the meeting is open to the public and available at westerville.tv.

Planning and Zoning

The Westerville Planning and Zoning Appeals Board hears four requests for variance on land use and setbacks in its Thursday, September 14, meeting at city hall. City staff recommends approval for three of the requests and a caveat approval for the fourth.

---

COhatch Parking Completed

Workers completed pouring concrete for the COhatch parking lot and entrance as it prepares for opening on September 22 in the old armory building on South State Street in Westerville.

COhatch and apartments on South State