Uptown Review Board Says "No" To City Plan
The Westerville Uptown Review Board voted 1-5 to reject the city’s plan to add green-and-white vinyl panels to the fence along the north side of City Hall to honor Westerville Champions. Derrick McPeak of the city’s Community Affairs Division said after the vote, he would take the proposal back to the city to see what changes could be made for approval.
The request sought approval to modify the existing north via screen wall, which was originally approved as part of the 2015 City Hall improvements. The proposal described the change as a way to add Westerville Champions graphics to the current screen wall by replacing some existing boards with applied vinyl graphics.
The Westerville Champions program recognizes volunteers and civic leaders who have made significant contributions to the community. Honorees are currently recognized through standalone plaques placed around Westerville, with an award presented at the annual State of the City event.
Under the proposal rejected by the board, that recognition would gradually shift to the north side of City Hall, where McPeak said future Champions would continue to be added to the fence over time, while the existing plaques around the city would remain in place but would not be replaced once they wear out.
McPeak told the board the design was drawn from the city’s branding and from design elements planned for the renovated interior of City Hall. He said the panels were intended to match digital murals and other signage inside the building, so the inside and outside would feel consistent. He also said the proposed boards were relatively small, about five inches tall and three feet wide.
Board members, however, questioned whether the design fit its surroundings. Roxanne Anderson said the green-and-white treatment felt “visually jarring and inconsistent with the feel around the area,” adding that from the street it could read more like advertising or political signage than a subtle tribute. Other members also asked how the colors were chosen, whether alternative designs had been considered, and how the city would handle maintenance as the vinyl aged.
Laura Ball of the Parks and Recreation Department said the department would take over maintenance once the installation was complete and would budget for its upkeep. McPeak said no other design alternatives had been presented.
The city’s application said the vinyl option would make it easier to add names in the future and would allow the display to tell the story of the Champions program in a more visible and flexible way.
A motion to approve the application was made during the meeting, but initially died for lack of a second before eventually receiving one. When the roll was called, only one board member, Lia Casino, voted in favor. The proposal failed, 1-5, with board member Jeff Pecchio absent.
The board approved all but one other proposal on its agenda, including a vinyl mural planned for the wall facing the fence. The mural is part of Westerville’s America 250 celebration, which will feature a variety of murals throughout the city. The board also approved fabric panels for installation on the north side of High Bank Distillery, over the elevated patio added when the building was converted from the old post office into a bar and restaurant. A proposal to change the awnings at Generations Performing Arts Center was tabled.
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