A new rooftop bar on North State Street will give patrons a new view of the Uptown skyline.
The Uptown Review Board unanimously approved plans Thursday for Uptown Deli and Brew to expand into the former Edward Jones offices at 37-39 N. State St. and add what city staff says will be Uptown’s first rooftop patio.
The project would further expand the Cabilovskis’ already sizable Uptown presence. Tony and Amy Cabilovski now have businesses in all but one storefront on the block, including Uptown Deli and Brew. Amy Cabilovski owns Stone & Sparrow at Main and State streets and Edwin Loy Home next door, as well as Little Sparrow across State Street. Tony Cabilovski also owns Westerville Grill several blocks south and the West Main Street building known as Corbin’s Saloon.
Cabilovski told the board the project would add to changes he has seen in Uptown over the past two decades.
“I think it’s a really impressive change in Uptown in the last 15, 20 years,” Cabilovski said.
The rooftop patio would be built above the 37-39 N. State St. portion of the building, not above the existing deli at 41 N. State St. Plans show a wood bar, metal cabana, string lights, planters and glass railings around the perimeter. Access would be provided by a new interior stair and a black metal exterior stair at the rear of the building.
City staff told the board that rooftop patios do not currently exist in Uptown, leaving no similar local project for comparison. Staff nevertheless recommended approval, saying the project could positively impact Uptown and that the rooftop improvements would have limited visibility from State Street.
Board members also noted the lack of precedent. Chairman Pecchio said the board would, in effect, be setting one by approving the project. Another board member responded, “But this is a good one.” Later, Pecchio called the proposal “a great improvement” and said, “Can’t wait to sit on the rooftop.”
The board approved the project 6-0 as submitted, with no conditions.
The city administratively approved several Uptown property improvements after determining the projects met applicable requirements and did not require additional action by the Uptown Review Board.
Governor’s Cigar Lounge, 33 E. College Ave., received approval for a sandwich board sign displaying the business’s logo.
Generations Performing Arts Center, 11 W. College Ave., received approval to replace an aging storefront fascia board. The replacement will retain the existing dimensions, materials, and colors.
White Raven Tattoo Parlor, 14 N. State St., received approval to repaint the rear exterior staircase leading to the business, along with storefront elements, using Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore. The dark gray color is already used on the building and was previously approved for other portions of the property.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 30 E. College Ave., received approval to replace the two faces of its existing ground sign. The replacement will retain the sign’s size, materials, and colors while updating information, including the church’s website and Sunday service times.
New signage was approved for the apartments above Ampersand restaurant at 32 W. College Ave. The exterior directional and address signs are consistent with the building design previously approved by the Uptown Review Board.
Residents at the Zeta Phi fraternity house, 48 W. College Ave., will see roof repairs that include replacing the existing asphalt shingles with dimensional shingles in the same black color and repairing the roof sheathing as needed.
Library Brightens Entrances With Murals
The Westerville Public Library received approval from the Uptown Review Board to add colorful murals at its east and west entrances.
At the east entrance, where most visitors enter from the parking lots, two murals are planned: one above the walkway near the doorway and another on an adjacent overhead panel leading from the parking garage. At the west entrance, the mural will partially wrap around a brick column facing State Street and continue across the ceiling toward the doorway.
The colorful designs draw inspiration from Westerville’s natural surroundings and Tree City designation, while dragon-scale patterns reference the library’s dragon mascot. The word “welcome” will be incorporated in 10 languages. The murals will be made of self-adhesive vinyl rather than painted directly onto the building.
Construction continues at the west entrance, where the former lawn is being transformed into a more open, accessible space for programs and performances. The library has not set an exact timeline for installing the murals.
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