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Openings, closings, and what changed this week, in town and about 45 minutes out.
City
Council Sets Nov. 9 Hearing on Municipal Courthouse Plans
Shannon Hardin and Emmanuel Remy will hear testimony on renovating the High Street court building after earlier plans for a new one. Status: Hearing Nov. 9, 1 p.m.
New List: Best Bike Shops in Columbus
Seven shops ranked on repair work, e-bike know-how and help for new riders, with Johnny Velo Bikes in Clintonville on top. Status: Live on site.
Upper Arlington Issue 34 Asks for a Larger Safety Pension Levy
The city wants voters to renew its 0.89-mill police and fire pension levy and add 0.24 mills, raising about $2.2 million a year. Status: On the Nov. 3 ballot.
Grove City Opens Pumpkin Drop-Off at Fryer Park Nov. 1
Residents can leave undecorated jack-o'-lanterns in a marked dumpster through Dec. 1, and a November food drive collects for veterans and their pets. Status: Starts Nov. 1.
New List: Best Ice Skating Rinks in Columbus
Five rinks ranked for public skate time, price and setting, with OhioHealth Chiller on top and two outdoor sheets opening in late November. Status: Live on site.
New List: Best Youth Sports Programs in Columbus
Seven leagues, clubs and camps for beginners, from T-ball at age 3 to junior golf, led by i9 Sports. Status: Live on site.
Council Hearing Nov. 5 Recaps Zone In Phase II Comments
The city will summarize what residents said about rezoning mixed-use corridors, industrial land and campuses before the 60-day comment window closed Oct. 24. Status: Hearing Nov. 5.
Council Endorses Plant Based Treaty and a Vegan Dining Week
The resolution passed 8-0 Monday, and by its own count makes Columbus the first Ohio city to back the treaty. It asks the city to promote plant-based food. Status: Adopted.
Grandview Heights Council Fills Two Open Seats
Members picked Craig Diaz and Rick Kinsinger from 21 applicants on Oct. 26 to replace Michelle Kozak and Melanie Houston, who resigned this fall. Status: Sworn in Nov. 9.
Worthington Returns to E-Bike and Scooter Rules on Nov. 2
Council tabled a traffic code rewrite in October that would cap sidewalk speeds at 8 mph, set riding ages and let the city post no-ride zones. Status: Public hearing Nov. 2.
New Albany Picks Columbus Development Chief as City Manager
Council voted Oct. 20 to negotiate a contract with Michael Stevens, who would succeed Joseph Stefanov after 27 years. Status: Council approved.
Gahanna Opens New Ashburnham Park Playground, Twice the Size
The city spent about $237,000 replacing the play area in the Villages of Gahanna, using a survey of nearby households to pick the equipment. Status: Open.
New Albany Adds a Winter Ice Rink at Hinson Amphitheater
A new outdoor rink opens Nov. 22 in the village center and runs four days a week through Feb. 28. Status: Opens Nov. 22.
What we're reading, week of October 26
Six tips from other Columbus food writers that stay here until an owner page, permit or city record backs them up. Status: Roundup.
Columbus Pond Safety Draft Adds a 15-Foot No-Mow Strip
Minutes from Thursday's council hearing outline draft retention pond rules with notice requirements and a mowing ban near the water. Status: Draft, no ordinance filed.
North Market Grant on Council Agenda as Merchant Building Slips
Council votes Monday on up to $125,000 for the city-owned market after the building on its old parking lot slid to a May 2027 finish. Status: On the agenda.
Upper Arlington Warns of Fake City Invoices and Wire Requests
Scammers are lifting property and project details from agendas and online records to make bogus bills look real. The city says it never asks for a wire. Status: Active warning.
Columbus Council to Review Five Liquor Permit Objections Nov. 5
The City Attorney wants the state to take a hard look at permit renewals at five addresses, from North 20th Street to West Broad Street.
Worthington Adopts Its First New Comprehensive Plan Since 2005
The unanimous vote sets six opportunity areas, a new way to classify every city street, and a zoning code rewrite as the next big step.
Worthington Approves Curbside Food Scrap Pickup on 4-3 Vote
A five-year Compost Exchange deal covering every household is cleared to start in January, though staff warned the 2027 budget has no money for it yet.
Council OKs Community and Daycare Center at Mound and Champion
A former church building on the Near East Side can now host after-school, youth and family programs in addition to child care.
Grove City Curbside Leaf Pickup Runs Oct. 19 Through Dec. 18
Crews cover one of four areas each week and pass through every area twice, so leaves need to be at the curb by 7 a.m. that Monday.
Worthington Opens New Playground at Wilson Hill Park
The $350,000 replacement and the resurfaced tennis courts are finished, and city leaders cut the ribbon Monday evening.
What we're reading, week of October 19
Five tips from other Columbus newsrooms that wait here until an owner page, permit or city record backs them up. Status: Roundup.
Columbus Council Eyes Lease Exit for Domestic Violence Victims
After a three-hour committee hearing, Councilmember Tiara Ross says draft legislation on penalty-free lease exits is coming.
Columbus Council Hearing on Retention Pond Safety Set Oct. 22
Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans wants feedback on new rules that would build on the 2024 pond ordinance.
Gahanna Warns of Fake Permit Payment Emails
City says scammers are impersonating staff and asking for planning, zoning, or permit fees.
What we're reading, week of October 12
Eight tips from other Columbus newsrooms that stay here until an owner post, permit or city page confirms them. Status: Roundup.
Worthington Weighs Citywide Food Scrap Pickup on Oct. 19
Council holds a hearing on a five-year Compost Exchange contract priced at $3.28 per household each month.
Worthington Sets Oct. 19 Hearing on 20-Year Plan
City Council will take public comment on the Worthington Together comprehensive plan covering land use, housing, roads, and parks.
Upper Arlington Shows New Fancyburg Park Playground Plans
Renderings for the replacement playground are posted, and the city wants feedback before the design is locked. Status: Survey open through Oct. 25; construction set for early 2027.
What we're reading, week of October 9
Tips from other Columbus outlets that we are tracking until a permit, city record or owner post backs them up. Status: Roundup.
Upper Arlington Weighs a DORA for Tremont Center
City Council is considering open-container zones in some commercial districts, and residents get a first look Oct. 14. Status: Community meeting; no legislation filed yet.
Trick-or-Treat Splits: Worthington, Grandview Go Oct 31
Columbus and most suburbs trick-or-treat Thursday, Oct. 29, while Worthington and Grandview Heights wait for Halloween night. New Albany moved to Thursday. Status: Dates set.
Council OKs $409,600 Energy Repair Program for Columbus Homes
MORPC will run an income-restricted repair program focused on weatherization, with seniors and veterans first in line. Status: Approved October 5; awaiting the mayor's signature; applications not yet posted.
FEMA Aid Opens for Franklin County August Storm Losses
A federal disaster declaration covers storm and flood damage from August 10 to 22 in seven Ohio counties. Status: Applications open; deadline December 1.
Council Approves $2.5M Storm Repairs at Barack, Berliner
An emergency ordinance passed October 5 pays for August 11 storm work at four city rec sites. Status: Approved by council; Barack reopening targeted late spring 2027.
New Guide: How to Do Fall in Columbus
Apple picking, Halloween, Halloweekends, pumpkin patches, and practical October weekends in and near the 614. Status: Live on site.
Wanderlights Returns Nov. 20 After Council OKs Park Lighting
A $0 agreement with Downtown Columbus Inc. covers the riverfront lights at Bicentennial Park, and DCI has posted the season dates. Status: Approved October 5; lights on November 20.
New List: Best Pest Control Companies
Twelve Columbus-area crews ranked for local trucks, termites, wildlife, and yard barriers. Status: Live on site.
What we're reading, week of October 2
Outlet tips we are watching, not building as standalone pages. Status: Roundup.
New List: Best Outdoor Activities for Toddlers
Zoo play, Metro Parks gardens, and short paved loops sized for little legs outdoors. Status: Live on site.
New List: Best Winter Activities for Toddlers
Warm indoor rooms, free storytimes, and toddler-scaled play when sidewalks ice over. Status: Live on site.
New Guide: Bethel Road Food Crawl
Ten Northwest Columbus stops for Korean, Xi'an noodles, pho, ramen, Sichuan, tacos, and more along Bethel. Status: Live on site.
New Guide: Arena District Pre-Game Dinner
Seven walkable dinner stops timed for Nationwide, Huntington Park, and KEMBA Live nights. Status: Live on site.
What we're reading, week of September 27
Outlet tips we are watching, not building as standalone pages. Status: Roundup.
What we're reading, week of September 22
Outlet tips we are watching, not building as standalone pages. Status: Roundup.
Mt. Vernon Avenue Phase 1 Construction Underway
City Engage page marks Vision Zero rebuild on MLK Blvd and Mt. Vernon as in construction through summer 2027.
Columbus Moves to Make Data Centers Pay Their Own Water Bill
Ordinance 2560-2026 would order Columbus Water and Power to design peak rates for large-load users, including data centers.
Columbus Puts Record Cash Toward Fire Trucks. What Happens After 2026?
The city capital page posts Ginther's 2026 plan with a record apparatus year, while later CIP lines still look thinner.
Hilliard Drops Amazon Fuel-Cell Appeal, Keeps Air Tests
Hilliard withdrew its ERAC appeal of the Ohio EPA fuel-cell permit and pledged post-startup air monitoring instead.
Columbus Keeps Flock Cameras Dark After Alleged Misuse
Ginther paused city Flock ALPR use after alleged officer misuse; covered cameras and an open contract decision remain the next fights.
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