Back to the Future

“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. “It’s very central within the community.”

Work Ahead

The community center will become the focal point of the city’s recreational offerings. That means no more driving to Columbus or other communities for certain interests. Plus, families who visit the center will be able to take advantage of multiple programs at once so parents can do what they want without worrying about the little ones. For instance, a mom can attend yoga class while her child participates in a toddler’s program.

Previously, families had to visit multiple locations for their various programs and interests, but the community center makes life much easier.

“This is going to bring that all together,” Schoeny says.

He adds there’s not much room for expansion as the facility, like Upper Arlington, will be landlocked, but the building is being designed in such a way that its many rooms and spaces can evolve over time for new and changing programming.

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.

Back to the Future

Time capsule included in new school

By Sarah Grace Smith

Grandview Heights is building a new intermediate and middle school with a surprise inside.

The new building for Edison Intermediate and Larson Middle School (EILMS) includes a time capsule, set to be locked until 2071, 50 years from now.

Colleen Cross, project engineer for the construction firm Corna Kokosing, originally approached Principal Quint Gage with the idea.

Gage loved the proposal and did what he could to bring the plan to fruition.

“I think it’ll be important in 50 years when they go and retrieve it,” he says. “(They)’ll look back and see what people were thinking and feeling in this pandemic. … It reaches into the future and pulls back to the past.”

At first, Gage struggled to get the time capsule project up and running with the school being in hybrid mode, but by winter 2020, the school was on board.

A box was set up in the office to collect artifacts. Many students brought in notes, including quotes about racial justice and what interests them at this

Corna Kokosing Project Engineer Colleen Cross places the time capsule into the new front lobby wall.

Making a difference in Cancer Care

Sonia Abuzakhm, M.D. Scott Blair, M.D. Jarred Burkart, M.D. Shabana Dewani, M.D. Christopher George, M.D. Andrew Grainger, M.D. Joseph Hofmeister, M.D.

Elizabeth Kander, M.D. Peter Kourlas, M.D. Kavya Krishna, M.D. Erin Macrae, M.D. Nse Ntukidem, M.D. Emily Saul, D.O. Thomas Sweeney, M.D.

Patricia Bordner, CNP Jennifer Seiler, CNP Lauren Sockrider, CNP Brittany Sweigart, CNP Rebecca Frustaci, CNP

810 Jasonway Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43214 6700 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43016

All Physicians are Board Certified

coainc.net / tel: (614) 442-3130

4590 Knightsbridge Blvd. Columbus, OH 43214

614-451-6793

At The Forum at Knightsbridge, health and safety have always been our top priority. We are here to provide exceptional care to our residents and neighbors, and even though being together looks different right now, we are always here for you. MAKE EVERYDAY A FIVE STAR DAY: • Resort-style living with activities, events, fitness programs and outings • Five Star Dining, with Signature Recipes • Excellent rehabilitation outcomes • Award-winning memory and skilled nursing care

Call 614-451-6793 to schedule your personal tour today!

www.TheForumAtKnightsbridge.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY CARE • REHABILITATION point in their lives. The seventh-grade team created a three-foot surgical mask with notes stapled to it. One student offered up a hockey puck.

Gage placed a copy of his dedication speech for the time capsule inside.

“Whoever opens it up will know the words that were spoken the day it went into the wall,” he says.

Luc Mathes, a sixth-grader at EILMS, added a face mask from his family’s restaurant, Due Amici, and a drawing.

“(The future students) will think the face mask is weird, and the drawing is cool,” Mathes says.

Cross donated various trinkets that her team found underground during the excavation including a horseshoe.

The capsule, which is about the size of a briefcase, is set in the wall of the new building. A plaque will be placed over it detailing what it is and when it’s to be opened.

The New Build

Grandview Heights Schools is currently working on its facilities master plan to build a new fourth through eighth grade building for EILMS and renovate the high school.

After construction, the two buildings will appear as one unit, with the same brick façade and architectural style.

The new build will be attached to the high school, allowing EILMS students with classes in the high school to easily navigate between buildings. Previously, students had to walk outside, despite whatever challenges the weather posed.

“Hopefully, it’ll allow our students to feel more connected with the high school,” says Gage.

The structure and layout of the new build will allow for efficient learning as well as a sense of unity among the fourth through 12th grade students.

“My hopes are that we’ll continue our tradition of excellence,” says Gage, “and that we’re able to continue to support and grow our students to become the best learners they can be.”

Sarah Grace Smith is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.