Bexley's Decade in Review: 2000-2009

The past decade saw tremendous change in Bexley. I would argue that it is certainly the most dynamic period of change in Bexley during my lifetime, and in the spirit of the new year and in remembrance of the passing decade I have compiled a retrospective of Bexley's top achievements over the past decade.

A Main Street Renaissance
Bexley's Main Street has always been the retail and cultural focal point of the community, but the past 10 years have seen a dramatic evolution of the corridor. Condominium housing, new retail, and the rise of the Bexley art gallery culture are all new to the past decade. Most of the progress can be attributed to the creation of the Main Street plan, the creation of a CRA on East Main Street, and the work of the Main Street Redevelopment Commission.

Notable new development along Main Street includes the Bexley Gateway development, One Dawson, and the Torat Emet Synagogue, and the decade also saw the addition of several new small shopping centers and the redevelopment of the Bexley CVS. In the past 10 years, Bexley's restaurant culture has exploded, with a greater number and greater selection of restaurants than ever before in the city's history. Looking back, this past decade can be viewed as the decade during which Main Street matured and developed to become more dynamic, walkable, and diverse than at any other point in recent history.

A New Bexley Pool
In the middle of the decade it became apparent that Bexley's aging pool facility was a problem. The pool was leaking and losing water quickly, and the whole facility was in need of significant investment. The city decided to invest in a new pool facility after looking at pool facility's at other communities, and in 2006 city council voted to demolish the existing pool and construct a new facility.


The new pool was completed in time for the 2007 summer season, and has an eight-lane competitive pool, a small diving board, water slides, a zero entry main pool, a water playground, a toddler pool, and a splash pad.

A New Police Station
Prior to the beginning of the decade, it had become apparent that Bexley was in need of a new police station. Bexley's original police station was a converted firehouse. The detectives' offices were in the old firehouse garage, with one wall consisting of the bricked-over former garage door bay. The roof was perennially leaking, and quarters were cramped in a facility that had not been designed for a co-ed officer environment, for modern communications equipment, or for an expanded police force. After nearly 10 years of planning and replanning, the city broke ground on the new police station in 2008.


The project was completed in late 2009, and the Bexley police department actually moved into the station on the last day of the decade - December 31, 2009. The new LEED-certified (certification pending) facility has been designed to meet the needs of the department into perpetuity - flexible office spaces, men's and women's locker rooms, a large meeting room for educational and departmental meetings, a modern firing range, and a flexible communications infrastructure, as well as numerous safety features, all combine to make the new station a functional facility which should serve the city for decades to come.

Changing of the Guards
In 2007, Mayor David H. Madison retired after 32 years of outstanding service to the residents of Bexley, succeeded by Mayor John Brennan, resident of Bexley and former Bexley Parks and Rec Director. Mayor Madison's term saw Bexley thrive through a time when old-ring historic suburbs increasingly had to compete with the newer suburbs lining Columbus' outerbelt.

Bexley flourished during Mayor Madison's term, and his accomplishments continued right up until the day he retired, leaving Bexley more vibrant than ever, and leaving a long lasting legacy that will not be forgotten.

The Bexley Tree Commission
Few residents of Bexley understand the outstanding contribution made by the members and leadership of the Bexley Tree and Public Gardens Commission. The Tree and Public Gardens Commission has spearheaded the movement to define Bexley's gateways with attractive landmarks, to rejuvenate the North Cassady Avenue corridor, and more recently to designate the entire City of Bexley as an arboretum. Since its formation in the late 90's, this commission has worked tirelessly and accomplished an exceptional amount.

The past decade has been a busy one, and there are innumerable events and shifts that I'm sure I've failed to mention. The movement of the Bexley fireworks show to Capital's lawn, the ongoing renovation of Jeffrey Mansion - the list goes on. Anything in particular come to mind? Post below!