Parking Lot Changes Approved. Santa Lights And Approves Tree.

Main to College Parking Lot To Get Upgrades Similar to City Hall

The Uptown Review Board has approved the city’s plan to upgrade the public parking lots between West Main Street and West College Avenue. The project will add parking spaces, remove two existing access points, eliminate a bank drive-thru canopy, build new brick walls and columns, and introduce landscaping and improved lighting that match the design of the City Hall lot.

As part of the approval, the board approved removing the drive-thru canopy at the back of 17 N. State St., a building now owned by the city after a land swap with Middlefield Bank for its new location near Polaris and Cleveland Avenue. Staff described the canopy as non-original, incompatible with Uptown’s pedestrian environment, and repeatedly struck by vehicles over the years. Its removal will make space for a functional drive aisle in the rebuilt lot.

The Middlefield Bank drive-through in Uptown Westerville sustained significant damage earlier this year when a rented 10-foot-6-inch box truck drove through the structure’s nine-foot clearance canopy. The impact peeled back the metal overhang, exposing beams, insulation, and lighting fixtures.

The board’s decision also covers the construction of decorative brick and limestone screen walls, gateway columns, new landscaping elements and a masonry dumpster enclosure. Lighting in the upgraded lot will match the fixtures used behind City Hall. The materials and patterning reflect those used at City Hall’s lot and provide a consistent look across the Uptown core, according to the applicant packet.

Beyond the architectural features, the overall project will move all overhead utilities underground and add six more public parking spaces, increasing the total from 60 to 66. The lots, which currently have no trees, will also include several 2-inch caliper shade trees and shrubs. Staff noted that greenspace is limited in Uptown, and these additions will significantly enhance the area.

Artist’s rendering of the parking lot changes shows the single access points on Main and College, as well as the reconfigured spaces. It also shows new trees to be planted in the lot.

The circulation changes are not part of the URB’s vote, but the city’s construction plan will remove two existing access points: the Main Street entrance closest to the Holmes Hotel and the one-way exit on West College Avenue. Removing both will leave one entrance on each street in the redesigned lot.

Construction of the parking lot improvements is scheduled to coincide with the city’s installation of new fire suppression water lines in the block just north of the site. City Engineer Nate Lang said traffic and parking will stay available in both lots, although drivers should expect temporary disruptions during certain phases. The URB approved the architectural changes with little discussion or questioning of city staff.

Santa and Ms.. Claus acknowledged the crowd after turning on the brightly lit tree in front of City Hall Friday night. A crowd gathered on closed State Street greeted the festive duo, where stilted performers, the Grinch, Buddy the Elf, carolers, and a brass trio played before their arrival.

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.

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