SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section
Family owned and operated in the heart of Downtown Powell for 31 years When you’re on the hunt for a new jeweler, what’s the first thing you look for? Price? Honesty? Reliability? At Kimberly’s Diamond Corner we offer it all and more! Established in 1985, our longevity and awardwinning service have made us Columbus’ shiniest kept secret! Located in the heart of downtown Powell where we guarantee you’ll find something truly unique for you! We can do all custom work, repairs and appraisals. Our inventory ranges from sterling silver gifts, to fine diamond and gemstone pieces. So no matter the occasion, we have something for you! “Kimberly and Chelsea helped me to custom design a 25th Wedding Anniversary ring for my wife. They were the most helpful and delivered the ring as promised!! Excellent quality and price!! Looked at other jewelers before stopping at Kimberly’s on a recommendation. Kimberly’s offered a far superior quality ring at a lesser price than the other jewelers I shopped!! They aren’t just sales people, but experts on their jewelry and gladly take the time to share their knowledge with you!! My wife is glad I stopped in!! We will see you again!! Many thanks!!” —Jim O.
1 N. Liberty St. Powell • 614-436-4653 Mondays 11-4 Tuesday-Friday 10-6 Sat 10-3
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Greetings
A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section
THERE’S A CERTAIN CHARM that area or to one of our award-winning parks. surrounds you in Powell, no matter where They can bond with their children while you are or what you’re doing. Our people enjoying the music of a Lolli-Pops Chilare kind. Our neighbors are dren’s Concert, or watch the thoughtful. Our downtown is fireworks show that concludes lively. Our shops are welcomthe annual Powell Festival. ing. Our parks are active. For our businesses, Powell The city of Powell prides offers a thriving community of itself in being the perfect place local merchants and artisans to raise a family and grow a intermingled with upscale business. We have paired a restaurants and progressive safe, charming, small-town businesses. Powell is comatmosphere with all of the mitted to the city’s economic Frank Bertone modern-day conveniences and development and supports amenities of a growing city. local businesses with a wide Our driven, welcoming and range of resources to help family-friendly atmosphere them grow and succeed. don’t go unnoticed. Money We have seen tremendous magazine recognized Powell growth in the city over the past as one of the best places 20 years. In fact, in 1990, our to live in the United States. population was only 2,154. Powell was also named the Fast forward to today, we have ninth best suburb in the U.S. more than 14,000 residents. by Business Insider, and This growth is just one indicaMovoto Real Estate ranked tor of how desirable Powell is Andrew White us as one of the safest small as an area to raise a family or towns in Ohio. open a business. For our families, Powell features beautiWe invite you to come see why Powell fully manicured neighborhoods, a highly is one of the best places to live—not only in rated school system and a supportive, Ohio, but the United States—in the following active community. On a warm day, our resipages of this special suburban section of dents can walk or bike along scenic interColumbus Monthly. connecting trails to our vibrant downtown You’re at Home in Powell. Welcome Home.
COLUMBUS SITE MANAGER
Alan Miller PUBLISHER/GENERAL MANAGER
Ray Paprocki ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Rheta Gallagher
EDITORIAL SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
Emma Frankart Henterly COLUMBUS MONTHLY EDITOR
Dave Ghose CONTRIBUTORS
Heather Barr, Nancy Byron, Brooke Preston, Peter Tonguette INTERN
Tatyana Tandanpolie
DESIGN & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION/ DESIGN DIRECTOR
Craig Rusnak ART DIRECTOR
Alyse Pasternak ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Betsy Becker
DIGITAL EDITOR
Julanne Hohbach ASSISTANT DIGITAL EDITOR
Brittany Moseley
PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR
Tim Johnson ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
Rob Hardin
ADVERTISING SENIOR MULTIMEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES
Susan Kendall, Holly Gallucci MULTIMEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES
Tia Hardman, Jackie Thiam
City Manager Andrew White
Mayor Frank Bertone
SALES ASSISTANTS
Veronica Hill, Lori Lester, Heather Smits
MARKETING
Inside
PHOTOS: COURTESY CITY OF POWELL
4
LIVE AND PLAY IN POWELL The growing suburb attracts visitors and residents alike.
MARKETING MANAGER
Lauren Reinhard
7
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
The new city manager arrived just in time to handle the COVID-19 crisis.
8
10 12
Municipal support of small businesses reinforce Powell’s charm.
Diversifying housing stock provides staying power for residents.
GROWING TOGETHER
CREATING THE CONTINUUM
ONE OLENTANGY
Learn how the school district’s brand pillars support success.
ON THE COVER: A bird's-eye view of downtown Powell | Photo courtesy City of Powell
EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING OFFICES
62 E. Broad St. P.O. Box 1289 Columbus, OH 43216 614-888-4567
Powell: A Columbus Monthly Suburban Section is published by Gannett. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © Gannett Co., Inc. 2020, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials.
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
3
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
The splash pad at Village Green Park
Lifestyle
LIVE AND PLAY IN POWELL Once a bedroom community, this growing suburb now offers myriad amenities for residents and visitors alike.
ALTHOUGH POWELL IS A WELL-KNOWN stop for those visiting the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, more than 14,000 residents have chosen to call the city home. Located about 20 minutes from Columbus and full of lush greenspace, parks and multiuse paths, Powell offers visitors and residents the best of both the city and the suburbs. Powell’s outdoor recreation spaces are among the city’s points of pride and make perfect spots to allow for socially distanced activities, says Megan Canavan, communications director for the city.
4
“Powell has very extensive greenspace and parkland in the city,” she says. The city features 29 miles of multiuse paths that connect its residents to the outdoors. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Powell’s paths have become a destination for local cyclists craving a quick and refreshing trip into nature. “We have a very active and healthy community in Powell, so we see a lot of usage of our shared-use paths,” Canavan says. “Throughout the pandemic, when many people have chosen to go outdoors for rec-
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
reational activity, we have seen an increase in the use of our shared-use paths, as well as our parks.” Along with space for biking, the city has eight parks and 114 acres of greenspace for residents and visitors to enjoy. A ninth park is set to open sometime this year along Seldom Seen Road as part of the city’s 10-year capital improvement plan. The Park at Seldom Seen will comprise 23 acres and be home to five soccer fields, two baseball diamonds and a nature preserve featuring an educational wetlands area.
PHOTO: ADAM CAIRNS /THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
BY HEATHER BARR
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
The park will also include a natural playground that’s built without the typical plastic and metal playground equipment, something that few parks in Central Ohio offer, Canavan explains. “There’s rocks, a tree tunnel—there’s no manufactured equipment on the playground site,” Canavan says. “It’s a neat layout. … We’re really proud to have that included as part of the park.” Also in development is a new branch of the Delaware County Library, which will be opening in Powell along Home and Steitz roads. The new building will replace the current branch at Library Park, which Delaware County Library director George Needham says the city has outgrown. At three levels and 42,000 square feet total, the new building will offer plenty of space for reading, as well as community spaces for large groups and meeting rooms for smaller groups. Needham says many of the design elements came from meetings with community members during the planning phase of the project. “[The community] also told us that they wanted tie-ins between the building and the natural spaces around there, so we’re looking at having a reading garden,” he says. “We also have a courtyard within the building. … It will be available for people to just sit, read and enjoy the space.”
EXPERIENCE CLUB PILATES WITH A
FREE INTRO CLASS
CLUB PILATES POWELL 4024 POWELL RD, POWELL , OH 43065 | 614.245.0300 CLUBPILATES.COM/POWELL
OUR MISSION
To Provide the Highest Quality CANCER Care & Specialized Treatment
Sonia Abuzakhm, M.D.
Scott Blair, M.D.
PHOTO: COURTESY CITY OF POWELL
Kavya Krishna, M.D.
Jarred Burkart, M.D.
Erin Macrae, M.D.
Shabana Dewani, M.D. Christopher George, M.D. Andrew Grainger, M.D. Joseph Hofmeister, M.D. Elizabeth Kander, M.D.
Nse Ntukidem, M.D.
Emily Saul, D.O.
Thomas Sweeney, M.D.
Patricia Bordner, CNP
Jennifer Seiler, CNP
Peter Kourlas, M.D.
Lauren Sockrider, CNP
For general cancer information please call OhioHealth’s Cancer Call (614) 566-4321 ALL PHYSICIANS ARE BOARD CERTIFIED
An artist works on a public mural during the annual Powell Festival.
Tel: (614) 442-3130
810 Jasonway Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43214
coainc.net
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
5
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Needham says one of the most exciting things about the new space is being able to plan events such as author visits, kids’ story times and discussion groups, which have been challenging to host in the smaller building. “We’re excited about being able to be a literary center for the community and for people who are interested in continuing their education and continuing their intellectual adventure with great authors and great programming,” Needham says. If you’re just making a quick stop in Powell after a trip to the zoo or one of the parks, Canavan says downtown Powell is a mustsee. The area is full of local shops and places to grab a bite to eat or a drink with friends. “Powell has a lot of charm, especially in the downtown area,” Canavan says. “We have a lot of boutiques, and we also have great restaurants. We have a great dining scene that is only continuing to grow.”
6
If you’re interested in grabbing a drink with friends and checking out the shops downtown, plan to visit during the weekend when the city’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is in effect. The DORA allows customers to take alcoholic beverages from participating establishments with them as they walk around the downtown area. The city implemented the first DORA in June, but has since voted to implement it each weekend through the end of 2020 at least. Canavan says this is partly to help downtown businesses that have been affected by the pandemic. “While many [downtown restaurants] have outdoor seating, this provides another way to sell a beverage and also allows the patron, if they’re waiting on a table, to still be able to walk around and see Powell, and then go back when their table is ready,” she says.
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
For those looking to move to Powell, Canavan says there are several reasons residents love their community. Along with being named one of the best places to live in the U.S. by Money magazine in 2017 and one of the safest communities in Ohio by CreditDonkey.com, the city is home to the highly-rated Olentangy Local School District and is close to Columbus. “I think what makes Powell a great place to live is that it still has a small-town feel, but it also has the amenities of a community that’s close to a metropolitan area,” she says. The city is also home to several fun events for visitors and residents alike. The city typically hosts its last event of the year—Holidays in Powell, featuring a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus—in December. Although many of this year’s events have been postponed due to the pandemic, Canavan said the city is still hoping to celebrate the holidays in the safest way possible.
PHOTOS: TOP LEFT, COURTESY OF THE DELAWARE COUNTY DISTRICT LIBRARY; RIGHT AND BOTTOM LEFT, COURTESY CITY OF POWELL
Above, a rendering shows the conceptual design for the new Powell branch of the Delaware County District Library. Below, Officer Jason Latiolais and K9 Axel visit with guests during one of the city’s annual special events. Right, A stilt-walker entertains during the annual Powell Festival.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Case Study
CRISIS MANAGEMENT Powell’s new city manager arrived just as the COVID-19 crisis hit Central Ohio.
PHOTO: PAUL VERNON/THISWEEK
BY BROOKE PRESTON
AT SOME POINT between Andy White’s last day as city manager of Huron, Ohio, on March 7 and his first day as Powell’s new city manager on April 1, the entire world shut down. As the COVID-19 crisis first made itself known in Central Ohio, schools hastily closed, businesses shuttered, and travel all but stopped. Starting a city manager’s job during a global pandemic on April Fools’ Day? The irony is not lost on White. “Honestly, it was surreal,” he says. “In those few weeks, the world changed.” After a socially distanced swearing-in ceremony, he got down to the strange work that is city management in 2020, navigating “weekly crises” ranging from the pandemic to racial and social justice issues and beyond. There are unique challenges to onboarding during a pandemic, especially for a role that usually necessitates exploring the community one is managing. “Trying to get acclimated to Powell and the greater Columbus region was a top priority and then almost an impossibility. I enjoy meeting people and learning about the community from individuals personally; that was hard not to be able to experience. You had to figure out another way, and we did,” says White, who notes that the disruption to normal business proved to have at least one benefit: plenty of time to study and learn much about Powell and its operation in a short period of time. “It feels like I’ve been part of this [city] far longer than just the few months I’ve actually been [here],” he adds. As cities across the globe lurch unevenly back to some semblance of life as we knew it before, challenges as well as early lessons emerge. “From the city’s operational perspective, the quick transition to an online meeting format has generated more access to the public process,” White says. “As things roll into a new normal routine, I think we can build on that public participation and comprehension of city policies and objectives.” City leaders appreciate how White hit the ground running to serve the people of
“Powell is a great community and an inclusive place ... I am really optimistic for Powell’s future based, in large part, on what it has already become. It’s a great city with something for everyone. I really want to build on that and keep pushing progress.” —ANDY WHITE
Powell in a crisis. “Andy is excelling in his role as our new city manager,” says Mayor Frank Bertone. “He is leading our team well,
especially during this unprecedented time. We’re continuing to proactively respond to the pandemic and its impact on our community while also establishing the strategic framework that will guide our future.” How will that future look for Powell? As a community in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, issues range from downtown congestion and managing smart growth to stabilizing and growing the tax base needed to support infrastructure maintenance. White indicates that partnership with public and private stakeholders, implementation of new communications tools with council, and a focus on longer-term planning will be key. “Powell is a great community and an inclusive place, well-positioned to address these and other issues. I am really optimistic for Powell’s future based, in large part, on what it has already become,” he says. “It’s a great city with something for everyone. I really want to build on that and keep pushing progress. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve in Powell and fortunate for the group peers I’m able to work with each day.”
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
7
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Downtown Powell
Business
GROWING TOGETHER The city’s support of local businesses keeps Powell’s small-town charm strong.
THIS AUTUMN, KARLA WOOLLEY will do something she’s never done before: The Powell resident will open her own restaurant. Woolley, who worked as a restaurant manager after graduating from Ohio State University, could have chosen any number of Central Ohio locales for her new farm-totable restaurant, Locust Table. Yet, as she tells it, staying close to home was pretty much the only option. “I think that Powell has boundless potential, and I love the quaintness of it,” Woolley says. “I love that me and many of my neighbors can walk to that downtown area, and I’d really like to see it thrive. That was the only place that I was going to look.”
8
Locust Table—which, Woolley hopes, will source some ingredients from her family’s farm in Bellevue—will be among the latest additions to Powell Crossing, a new development on West Olentangy Street encompassing residential options (including one- and two-bedroom apartments) as well as commercial tenets. “They did a really nice job with the design,” Woolley says. “The location—I feel like I can’t beat it.” While some suburbs boast larger downtowns or a greater number of corporate campuses, Powell has thrived thanks to its abundance of small, locally owned businesses like Woolley’s. Downtown Powell remains a bustling hub for shops, restaurants
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
and bars, while new developments—including Powell Crossing and the mixed-retail site Armita Plaza—are serving as magnets to draw businesses into the city. “I think some [businesses] come here because they think, ‘Well, there’s money in Powell’—but there’s money in a lot of places,” says Pam Miller, the executive director of the Powell Area Chamber of Commerce. Instead, the biggest asset the city has to offer is a community that takes seriously that nowubiquitous saying: “shop local.” “If there were someone new to come to Powell, the community will greet them with open arms,” Miller says. “They’re here to purchase whatever they have to sell.”
PHOTO: COURTESY CITY OF POWELL
BY PETER TONGUETTE
PHOTO: COURTESY CITY OF POWELL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Powell business owner Anne Vagasky experienced firsthand the welcoming vibe of the community when she opened her home décor shop, Peachtree Street, in early 2019. Taking a cue from a famous commercial district in her home state of Georgia, the Delaware resident liked the idea of setting up shop in a downtown that was vibrant but not overwhelming. “You might not know each other’s names, but you recognize each other,” Vagasky says. “I cannot get over the community support. The amount of love that I get from other business owners and patrons of the store has been astounding.” When individual businesses do well, so does the city, which can maintain its muchnoted services and sought-after quality of life through income tax revenue. “The largest component of our revenue to support all of our operations is the income tax, and we have a very low rate,” says city manager Andy White. “We’ve got to be careful and keep our mind’s eye on how those businesses are doing, because a lot of money to provide for our parks is driven by these small businesses.” Of course, that is easier said than done during a pandemic, but as the coronavirus inflicted damage on the global economy, Powell residents and leaders alike did what they could to buoy their businesses. Even though restaurants had to limit themselves to takeout service, Miller says, “I had one particular restaurant say, ‘You know, we were only down a few hundred dollars [from] last year.’ ” Meanwhile, city leaders decided to fasttrack the implementation of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), which, for set times on Fridays through Sundays until the end of September 2020, permitting alcoholic drinks to be purchased and carried freely within a defined geographic area—including in establishments that do not sell alcohol. The DORA had been a business-led petition, but when it became clear in the summer that businesses were imperiled and major events (such as the Powell Festival) were canceled, the city council took up the issue. “Instead of the DORA being a business petition, city council directed staff to go ahead and ... sponsor one,” White says. “We turned the tables and became the applicants to the DORA, and in doing so essentially activated the entire 138-acre footprint of the DORA map.” The DORA sparked the economy without inundating the area with crowds during
The City of Powell extended its DORA through the end of 2020 in part to support small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
a pandemic. “Just having it [as] a rolling 72-hour period each weekend has been very effective at seeing a lot of numbers come in, but the crowds are consistent as opposed to overwhelming,” White says. Vagasky, whose store participated in the DORA, appreciated the city’s efforts. “When the shutdown happened, there were so many questions out there,” she says. “Anybody I reached out to went above and beyond to make themselves available to me.” As Powell looks beyond the pandemic, city leaders contemplate further enhancements to downtown life, including infrastructure investments to improve walkability. “We seek to make some of these connection points in that downtown four-corner area that would ... create new public connections to enhance the pedestrians’ availability and access to these different areas,” White says, pointing to a portion of Depot Street that could be extended to provide better connections to Adventure Park. White is bullish about opportunities for development beyond downtown. “The city has very abnormal borders,” White says. “If you’ve seen the growth in the southeast and northwest corner, it’s almost at an angle, and then it tapers in at the middle. But, between all those areas is a lot of land.” One example of the city’s careful balancing of civic and commercial priorities is the new Middlebury Crossing development,
which will include a new public library and apartments, as well as space set aside for commercial use near the front. The development is set to break ground in 2021. Also expected to have a significant positive ripple effect on the local economy is the opening of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Facility at Home Road and Sawmill Parkway. “It’s a huge investment, bringing in the brand of Ohio State and that type of medical component,” White says. “There’s so much to follow that type of development [with] the ancillary businesses.” Ironically, such carefully chosen largescale projects help preserve the small-scale appeal of Powell. “One way you can lose the charm is not having the resources to maintain it,” White says. “A responsible balance between the existing small businesses and the very nice residential components of the city of Powell, with some of those larger employment sectors on the perimeter, goes hand-in-hand.” Miller can personally attest to the open arms the community extends to newcomers: When she started her job a year ago, she found herself embraced—literally. “When we could hug, they were hugging, and I didn’t know these people,” she says. “That’s the way it is with the businesses. They welcome a business, they welcome a new person. It’s family.”
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
9
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Housing
CREATING THE CONTINUUM Diversified housing options give Powell residents more staying power. BY NANCY BYRON
POWELL WAS LITTLE MORE than farm fields with a handful of shops when Amy Nutter bought her first home there 26 years ago. “There were really only a couple subdivisions,” says Nutter, who was drawn to the area’s small-town charm. “It was a village at the time; the population wasn’t large enough to be a city. But we liked the small, community feel. The Sawmill Road/Powell Road intersection was fields. There was a Wendy’s, but there was not much else at all. Just a lot of fields.” Oh, how times have changed. Since reaching the threshold of 5,000 residents required to become a city in 2000, Powell has more than doubled in population
and expanded well beyond the scattered patches of single-family homes that comprised its housing roots. “We’ve seen an increase in patio homes, condos, senior living and apartments,” says Shaun Simpson, a Realtor with Cutler Real Estate in Powell and a member of the Powell Planning and Zoning Commission. “Previously, we had nothing to bring in people who were younger or were divorcees or who may not want the maintenance of a single-family home. We had nothing for the people who wanted to move down because they didn’t want to live in a big house anymore, but were looking to stay in the area.”
Some developments—like Verona, where the BIA Parade of Homes was held in 2016—now offer both single-family and patio homes, yet the demand for the latter has far outstripped the former. “They sold 50 or so of the [54] patio homes immediately,” Simpson says. “Now it’s sold out. The single-family is still selling.” An additional 145 patio homes are scattered throughout Powell these days, along with roughly 440 apartments and two large senior living facilities. Another 23-unit residential development by 3 Pillar Homes is also in the works and expected to be aimed at empty nesters. “The emphasis is on simplifying and maximizing living with less maintaining,” says
PHOTO: COURTESY CITY OF POWELL
An aerial view of Powell's idyllic neighborhoods
10
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
PHOTOS: TOP, JONATHAN QUILTER/ THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH; BOTTOM, COURTESY CITY OF POWELL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Zenios Michael Zenios, president and CEO of 3 Pillar Homes, which has been building in Powell for roughly 20 years. “You’ve got to have the ability for people to grow and move up in a community and really stay,” says Simpson. “You want them to have the opportunity to move in when they’re younger, have a family and then stay here after they’re moving down. You don’t want them forced out because there’s no housing stock for them to continue living here.” That concept is not lost on Nutter, who also owns Beehive Bread Co. in downtown Powell and whose three children are in the midst of leaving the nest. “It’s been interesting to see the condos and townhomes being built because we wonder, if we downsized, would we stay here?” she says. “There’s a good list of options in different locations we would look at if we decided to do that. It’s always good to have a mix of options in case you want something different but want to stay in the same town.” As the Central Ohio population ages, having senior housing nearby is becoming more vital. Powell Senior Living and its sister facility, Powell Assisted Living & Memory Care, located a few blocks apart along Sawmill Parkway, fit that bill nicely for Powell residents. “At the time of development, there wasn’t a high-value senior living option at an affordable price,” says William Swearingen, senior vice president of sales, marketing, entertainment and programming for Spectrum Retirement Communities, which owns both facilities. Powell Senior Living, which opened in 2017, offers independent apartments and activities for those age 55 and older. Powell Assisted Living & Memory Care, which opened in 2018, provides housing and care
A home from the 2016 Parade of Homes in the Verona subdivision
for seniors who need some extra assistance with daily tasks or who are experiencing some level of dementia. “The local community has been overwhelmingly supportive from the beginning of construction through our openings, growing stronger with each passing month,” Swearingen says, noting that having localized senior housing “can keep families closer together by having loved ones nearby and in the best community for their needs. We believe where you live can change how you live.” Offering housing for a variety of life phases, as well as for diverse economic levels, is important for attracting and keeping businesses in Powell, too, adds Simpson. “Businesses are the lifeblood of financing in the city,” he says. “We are kind of land-locked, but we do have the Ohio State medical center coming in, which will be the largest employer in Powell. It’s not all doc-
Newer senior living options allow Powell residents to age in place.
tors who will work there though, so having apartments and other housing options will give a lot of people an opportunity to live in the community where they work.” A study conducted in 2019 for the City of Powell included a housing and commercial needs assessment that showed demographic support for up to 800 conventional, market-rate apartments in the city during the next five years. “Successful communities such as Powell require and demand diversity in home ownership and diversity within rental living,” Zenios says. “You cannot have a successful community long-term without having all price points and product mix. The only practical way to get more affordable is to gain density.” That said, the vast majority—upwards of 80 percent—of Powell residents still live in single-family homes, and the market for them is extremely hot right now. “Anything that goes on the market is immediately off the market,” Simpson notes, adding that most homes are selling at 99 percent or more of list price; the average price has increased from just under $400,000 in 2017 to around $445,000 this year. “New inventory, new homes are simply very limited, and demand is high,” Zenios says. “If Powell wants to continue to be a successful and robust suburb, and not a sleepy, affluent suburb, then we need to continue promoting diversity and home ownership at all price points, including affordable options.” Still, the city’s continued growth makes it highly desirable despite the challenges of a hot seller’s market. “Powell has so much more to offer today,” adds Simpson. “We’re more of an attractive community now—and we still have a community feel.”
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
11
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Students at Olentangy Orange High School
Education
ONE OLENTANGY Six brand pillars support learning in this school district.
IN THE HEART OF OHIO lies Olentangy Schools, quite possibly one of the country’s most successful school districts. Year after year, this high-performing school district is recognized nationally for its strong academic ranking and student achievements. Dating back to when educational systems consisted of one-room schoolhouses, Powell was home to one of the original school houses, which opened in 1911. Since that time, the district has experienced a tremendous increase in student enrollment and has grown to 26 schools: four high schools, five middle schools, 15 elementary schools and additional specialized programs. With
12
the passing of the spring 2020 levy, two additional elementary schools and a middle school will open by the year 2023. But something even more special than exponential growth and academic achievements happens within Olentangy Schools. It’s something that goes beyond a great education. Olentangy Schools is a tight-knit district that offers a personalized student experience, intimate environments and a community whose members lift one another up with their “One Olentangy” district-wide spirit. “One Olentangy” is the embodiment of a community spread across two counties, four cities and seven townships that works
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
together to create a positive, friendly, nurturing, open, safe and cohesive environment where excellence is an established tradition. If one were to describe the personality of the district, adjectives such as exuberant, ambitious, curious, caring and self-improving might come to mind, all of which exemplify excitement and determination. The district’s brand pillars—opportunity, pride, personal achievements, exceptional value, educational excellence and community—reflect this incredible energy and serve as the foundation for the reasons to believe in the value, impact and key benefits Olentangy provides to the community.
PHOTO: COURTESY OLENTANGY SCHOOLS
BY KRISTA DAVIS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR INVESTMENTS Growth comes from opportunity, and every Olentangy student is encouraged to discover and follow their own path. They have access to an unparalleled wealth of academic, athletic, arts and performance programs designed to develop their personal interests and advance their individual learning and life experiences. Additionally, Olentangy Schools puts forth effort to help students develop strong social-emotional skills like resiliency, empathy and self-expression. Students are given opportunities to explore, dream, learn from life’s inevitable challenges, grow and ultimately, flourish. Hard work and dedication yield a sense of pride at Olentangy Schools and allow the district to celebrate victories, learn from defeats and strive to make every opportunity count. Its mission is to facilitate maximum learning for every student. The district does this by being thoughtful in action, resilient in approach and kind in demeanor. There is a deep appreciation in knowing that being part of the “One Olentangy” community is being part of a winning and dedicated team. Olentangy Schools provides a nurturing environment that inspires everyone to flourish in their own personal achievements. As teachers grow, students grow. This is why Olentangy Schools continually invests in professional development, enabling teachers and staff to perform at their highest levels. Through an extensive, inhouse professional development program, Olentangy educators and leaders learn from each other and hone skills to help staff and students alike to grow and develop. Together, as “One Olentangy,” teachers and staff help students to succeed based on their individual skills and abilities. An investment in education is an investment in the future of the community, and Olentangy delivers an exceptional value and high return. Olentangy earns the support of its community by being financially responsible, extremely efficient and deliberate, without sacrificing academic excellence. The district’s costs per pupil are consistently less when compared to similar districts, despite the lack of state funding, making Olentangy a locally funded school district. The Olentangy students of today are the leaders of tomorrow, which is why the district considers the needs of the whole child in pursuit of educational excellence and strives to reduce non-academic barriers that could hinder achievement. Olentangy Schools has increased mental health support within its schools: In addition to school social work-
YOUR Y LUXURY AUTHORITY FOR 10 YEARS.. Sell or Exchange 50-90% of value - CHANEL - LOUIS VUITTON - GUCCI and otherss ShopAtSoho.com Sho
Subscribe to
Subscribe or renew your annual subscription to Columbus Monthly for $18. Go to columbusmonthly.com or call 877-688-8009.
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
13
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
ers, mental health clinicians are available at all grade levels; one full-time clinician from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is at each high school, and a lead clinician oversees all support staff and helps with overflow. Syntero counseling service supports elementary and middle school students, as well as students in the OASIS program. Olentangy’s rankings, test scores and graduation rates are among the best in the state and nation. This can only be accomplished when all aspects of a child are considered. (See “Portrait of a Learner,” below, for more on how Olentangy prepares its graduates for the future.) Throughout the past few decades of district growth and multiplying student enrollment, the district remains steadfast in the “One Olentangy” mantra. Strong schools are essential to community well-being. The district’s commitment, community pride and support to Powell and other areas within district boundaries is resolute and unwavering. Using size to its advantage, the “One Olentangy” community works together to pave the way for a successful future. Krista Davis is the chief communications officer for Olentangy Schools.
Students at Cheshire Elementary
Olentangy Schools’ mission is grounded in its pursuit to facilitate maximum learning for every student. That mission drives all behaviors and decisions. It’s a place that focuses on the needs of the whole child and strives to produce aware global citizens who will be successful after graduation. Olentangy’s curriculum team developed a guide to navigate Olentangy’s roles and responsibilities to its students: Portrait of a Learner. It is their lighthouse, guiding the district through both calm and rough waters, and a constant reminder of what is truly important. It asks everyone to show up as a learner. When the Olentangy community shows up as a learner, it models the attributes embodied in a Portrait of a Learner.
14
PU R POSE FU L
R E S I LI E N T
CU R IOUS
KIND
Learners know what matters to them. They are aware of what motivates them and have a clear sense of who they are. Their actions are intentional.
Learners can bounce back from adversity. They create meaningful goals and understand that failure is part of the process. They see challenges as opportunities for growth.
Learners will seek solutions to problems. They ask questions. They utilize critical and creative thinking to tackle challenging tasks. They are lifelong students.
Learners bring out the best in others. They respect different points of view and demonstrate empathy for people both inside and outside their community.
LEARNERS WILL... ++ Explore their interests and passions ++ Engage in authentic and relevant learning opportunities ++ Develop a network to nurture their interests ++ Create work for a specific audience
LEARNERS WILL... ++ Fail and try again ++ Set goals outside of their comfort zone ++ Reflect on their weaknesses and make adjustments ++ Use strategies to effectively manage their behavior, emotions and thinking
LEARNERS WILL... ++ Engage in and produce meaningful work ++ Be presented with complex problems ++ Evaluate a variety of solutions ++ Develop new ideas that impact the local, regional and global community
LEARNERS WILL... ++ Explore diverse perspectives ++ Become increasingly open-minded ++ Solve problems alongside people who are different from themselves ++ Make decisions that benefit society as a whole
POWELL A COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUBURBAN SECTION NOVEMBER 2020
PHOTO: COURTESY OLENTANGY SCHOOLS
PORTRAIT OF A LEARNER
it starts with a
J
6 1 4 -3 8 9 - 2054 • s tu d i o J h o me . co m The Shoppes at River Ridge • 4505 W. Dublin Granville Rd. • Dublin, OH 43017 Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm (Thursday until 8pm) • Sunday: 12pm - 5pm Evening hours available upon request • Free delivery within 60 miles
@StudioJHome
@JuneStudioJ
FEATURING: STICKLEY • SHERRILL • CENTURY • AMERICAN LEATHER • HANCOCK & MOORE BDI • STRESSLESS • JOHN RICHARD • CHARLESTON FORGE • AND MANY OTHER FINE LINES
Bring your business home to Powell
Powell is the center of opportunity in Central Ohio. Learn more about the Powell Community Improvement Corporation at businessinpowell.org
Powell Community Improvement Corporation