“All things came together,” Schoeny says. While a third of the Kingsdale site will be devoted to the community center, the rest of the property will be developed into residential space for older adults and townhome apartments. This will create some synergy in the Kingsdale corridor, Schoeny says. True to Upper Arlington’s nature, residents and city officials wanted to ensure the community center fits in well with the city. Residents raised concerns that the new center would create overwhelming shadows or that it would infringe on the existing skyline, so the community center was designed not to exceed the height of existing neighboring buildings. After fielding feedback, the city also assured community members that no homes would be torn down in the development and that new parking structures will be built so neighborhoods don’t get flooded with community center visitors’ vehicles. Continental Real Estate Companies and city officials have assured residents that the plan – and its location – are ideal. “We love this location,” Schoeny says. while her child participates in a toddler’s program. “It’s very central within the community.” Previously, families had to visit multiple locations for their various programs and interests, but the community center The community center will become makes life much easier. the focal point of the city’s recreational “This is going to bring that all togethofferings. That means no more driv- er,” Schoeny says. ing to Columbus or other communities He adds there’s not much room for certain interests. Plus, families who for expansion as the facility, like Upvisit the center will be able to take ad- per Arlington, will be landlocked, but vantage of multiple programs at once the building is being designed in such a so parents can do what they want with- way that its many rooms and spaces can out worrying about the little ones. For evolve over time for new and changing instance, a mom can attend yoga class programming.
Work Ahead
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The detailed and final design will begin late summer and be completed before the end of the year, and construction will begin next year. The center is slated to open in 2024. Following the passage of the community center ballot issue, the Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation team took a field trip out to the future site of the center to celebrate. “The joke was they’re all ready to go … be there to start work,” Schoeny says. Brandon Klein is an associate editor. Feedback welcome at bklein@ cityscenemediagroup.com. July/August 2021 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
