Uptown Improvements
Create Space for Visitors of All Needs
This holiday season may be extra merry for shoppers with adaptive mobility needs with the completion of the Uptown Improvement Project. Years in the making, crews put the finishing touches on the program in fall 2020.
After a tough year immersed in a pandemic, local merchants are eager to welcome the extra traffic to shops and restaurants.
“The primary upgrade made through the Uptown Improvement Project is widening the sidewalks and to bring them into compliance with regulations outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” said City Engineer Scott Tourville. “We’re proud to make the heart of Westerville more accessible for visitors of varying needs.”
“Uptown businesses have unique inventories and one-ofa-kind items not found at the big-box stores, and you are sure to find something for everyone on your gift list,” said Lynn Aventino, Executive Director of Uptown Westerville Inc. “Throughout the pandemic, the small, locally owned businesses of Uptown Westerville have appreciated the support of the community.”
Other improvements include traffic signal updates and new button-operated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) in front of City Hall (21 S. State St.) and the Westerville Public Library (126 S. State St.). These buttonactivated, flashing light signals make it safer for pedestrians to cross State Street.
Social distancing, mask and handwashing protocols will remain in place through the holiday season as recommended by public health agencies. However, Uptown merchants will continue cherished holiday traditions for visitors to enjoy like ice sculptures and festive window displays.
“Uptown is a bustling area of the City, we’re always interested in anything we can do to make it safer for pedestrians to enjoy the heart of Westerville,” Tourville said.
To learn more about the Uptown Improvement Project, visit www.westerville.org/uptown. Information about holiday plans in Uptown can be found at www. uptownwestervilleinc.com.
Westerville Retains
Aaa Credit Rating The City of Westerville has again earned the Aaa bond rating from Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s for debt to be issued for the construction of voterapproved Westerville Police/Court Facility. This distinction is the 11th-consecutive Aaa rating, representing the highest achievable bond rating available to cities, and reserved for organizations that meet the highest-quality, lowest-credit risk criteria for investors. Bonds with Aaa ratings are considered the best quality by all standards and comprise what are generally known as high investment-grade bonds. The Aaa rating designation provides access to the best interest rates available for debt issues. Westerville City Manager David Collinsworth says this sustained Aaa rating is rare in municipal government and endorses the City’s commitment to responsible financial stewardship. “For the taxpayer, this means the City will pay less for the amount of debt financed, just like the amount of interest
paid in home ownership with a mortgage,” said Collinsworth. “With this project, we’ve been able not only to secure the best funding options, but we are also reusing an existing commercial building, lowering overall development cost by taking advantage of site improvements already borne by the original developer, not to mention the reuse of about 28,000 sq. ft of existing office space.” The reports from each agency highlight Westerville’s strong financial management practices as part of the basis for the Aaa rating. The City’s substantial tax base and healthy reserves also support the rating. City of Westerville Director of Finance Lee Ann Shortland said issuing $15 million in bonds for the construction of the Police/ Court facility is a process of assuring the City is carrying out the voters’ wishes in the most fiscally responsible manner. “When we pursue a major capital development like this, we take advantage of this year-over-year rating, so we’re really keeping our promises to residents who said ‘yes’ to this project,” said Shortland. “There are few cities in Ohio capable of meeting the standards we meet, and that speaks to the commitment to excellence in our financial management strategy.” The full reports from each agency are available on the City of Westerville website at www.westerville.org/finance.
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