Westerville Puts “Mighty” Foot Forward
for “Intelligent Community”
VIRTUAL TOUR IMPRESSES NEW YORK-BASED FOUNDER AND NORWEIGEN JUROR When Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) co-founder Louis Zacharilla asked the City of Westerville delegation to offer a single word about Westerville in its October 21 interview for consideration as “Intelligent Community of the Year,” two common words emerged: innovative and authentic. The next word was a less frequently used or expected adjective: “Mighty.” Zacharilla, a New Yorker who has worked in media and marketing most of his career, talked to City Manager David Collinsworth, Economic Development Director Jason Bechtold and Community Affairs Director Christa Dickey to explore the idea: “What makes Westerville mighty?” Westerville is a city of 50,000 people, but repeatedly shows its capabilities are in the same “weight class” as a major metropolitan city. From the national spotlight during tragedy, to the international stage for the October 2019 Democratic Presidential Debate at Otterbein University, Westerville has handled major events while planning for and executing world-class amenities for its residents, visitors and businesses. That level of planning, partnership and productivity is simply mighty. “We can show examples of innovation, connectivity, advocacy and digital inclusion over and over again, but what’s in the special sauce?” said Todd Jackson, Chief Information Officer for the City of Westerville. “We have that something special here and ICF has recognized that sense of capability in naming Westerville to its Top7 cities in back-to-back years.”
Zacharilla said all three descriptors make sense when looking at programs like WeConnect, Westerville’s municipally owned data center and fiber network and The Westerville Partnership, a cooperative working group of the City, Otterbein University, Westerville City Schools, Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Westerville Public Library. “So Westerville is not a big city, but its team of leaders are highly professional and courteous and really hard working. The results show from it’s second consecutive appearance on the Top7,” said Zacharilla. ICF conducted a similar interview with each of the Top7 communities, including Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Tallinn, Estonia; Hudson, Ohio and Markham, Ontario, Canada. Tallinn was announced “Intelligent Community of the Year” on Oct. 29. Since part of the goal was to leave a strong impression, the Westerville team feels good about the interview and future steps with ICF. “Westerville is like a postcard,” said Zacharilla. “It has a palpable moral compass, having served as a station on the Underground Railroad…(Westerville) took political risks, becoming one of the first communities in America to adopt the Council/Manager system of local governance. There’s a temperament in Westerville that seeks both decency and modernity.”
New Pedestrian Signals
Put Focus On Safety
The City installed new pedestrian traffic signals in place to increase safety at several non-intersection crossings in 2020. Be sure you know what to look for when driving near one of these crossings or using these signals. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) have been found to reduce pedestrian crashes by 69%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. These signals are typically placed at high-volume, high-speed crossings. Located at the Towers Trail and County Line Road crossing, this new signal is designed to bring maximum visibility to bicyclists and pedestrians attempting to cross busy County Line Road at Towers Trail. The signals are activated by the push of a button. Pedestrians must wait to receive the walk signal before proceeding. The overhead signal lights will begin flashing and then remain yellow to communicate the need for motorists to slow to a stop. Lights will turn red to signal that pedestrians are allowed to enter the crosswalk and then will flash red when it is safe for motorists to proceed forward with caution. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) have been in use in the City for some time, with the newest locations at City Hall and State Street, Westerville Public Library and State Street, College and Juniper Avenues. The U.S. Department of Transportation says, these signals can help reduce pedestrian crashes by 45%. RRFBs are installed at shorter crossings with a smaller volume of pedestrian and motorist traffic. When a pedestrian or bicyclist actuates the signal, drivers are alerted by bright flashing LED lights. While the signals are made to create safer conditions, they do not replace the need for cautious, defensive driving and hypervigilance for all involved. Learn more about PHBs at www.westerville.org/phb.
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