Ask City Hall: Why can’t the City time the lights to all turn green at the same time?

The Gahanna City Engineer’s office is often asked questions regarding traffic signal timing and coordination.  Here are a few facts that may help you understand this complex system.

Traffic signals in Gahanna operate on a time-of-day schedule.  The timing and sequence of each light varies throughout the day.  Many of Gahanna’s signals operate in coordination.  Signal coordination is when signals in a corridor communicate with one another to operate in a sequence providing the motorist a greater opportunity to travel through the next adjacent signal.  Coordination is usually provided in a specific direction depending on volume of traffic.  For instance, during the AM Peak hour, Hamilton Road signals will favor the southbound direction and should change on a sequence which provides a motorist traveling southbound a greater opportunity to travel through multiple green lights while exiting town.

City Park Holds Special Meaning To One City Employee

John Pizzurro

When most people who live or work in Gahanna think of the name Pizzurro, they may think of a redeveloped park or the dog park.  But for one employee of the City of Gahanna’s Department of Parks & Recreation, Pizzurro Park is a reminder of his childhood and his family.  It’s no wonder that John Pizzurro is proud to talk about Gahanna and his family’s donation of the land where the park is located.

In 1943, during the same week that John was born, his father bought 216 acres of farmland in the area of what is now Claycraft and Morrison Road.  He said his dad’s intention was to retire there and run a farm and in 1949 that is just what he did. 

City of Gahanna To Host Groundbreaking Ceremony to Kick Off the Tech Center Drive Extension and Bridge Project

Residents and business will benefit from greater access as well as potential development.
Click here to see a map and drawing of this project

When:             Friday, April 1^st, 2011 2:30 pm

Where:           Entrance of the Tech center Drive Extension, intersection of S. Hamilton Road  and Pizzuro Park Dr.

Who:               Local and regional government and business leaders will make comments about the immediate and potential economic impact of the project followed by a ceremonial ground breaking.

This project will connect the Hamilton Road and I-270 interchange with Gahanna’s industrial and commerce area. With benefits as follows:

·         Relieve congestion of the 270,000 daily car count at the Morrison and Hamilton Intersection by diverting traffic. This will be a positive impact to 295 Businesses and 5,053 Employees

·         Provide better and shorter access to the current commerce area from I-270 and the airport

·         Provide access to Prime location for commercial and office development.

o   120 Acres in Central Park of Gahanna and 78 Acres of vacant land within I-270 Loop

·         Provide a link in the bicycle trail system.

·         Improved Drive Sequence

·         Direct Visibility to I-270

·         270,000 daily car count

Gahanna News: State of the City: Stinchcomb keeps goals in sight

Read the whole story here.

Gahanna Mayor Becky Stinchcomb and her staff have developed a five-pronged strategic plan to "take Gahanna to the next level."

More than 150 Gahanna Area Chamber of Commerce members and city leaders gathered Thursday, March 10, at the Creekside Conference and Event Center to hear Stinchcomb give her State of the City address. The mayor spent the bulk of her time at the podium pointing out how Gahanna's new approach moved the city through tough economic times in 2010 -- and will continue to do so this year.

Read the whole story here

Gahanna Police Name Officer Phillip J. Stacy Officer of the Year

Police Chief Dennis Murphy

Congratulates Officer Phillip Stacy 

During a presentation at the Gahanna Police Department today, Gahanna Police Officer Phillip Stacy was announced as Gahanna’s Officer of the year. 

The ceremony was attended by Mayor Becky Stinchcomb, Safety Director Robert Keyes, Police Chief Dennis Murphy, Deputy Police Chief Ken Bell, fellow police and City staff as well as members of Officer Stacy’s family.

Operations Bureau Commander Lieutenant Dan Williams presented Officer Stacy to the audience stating, “Officer Stacy is the embodiment of the pro-active professional police officer that we seek for the City of Gahanna. We are pleased to have him as a member of our agency and I’m particularly pleased to have him in the patrol bureau. It is an honor to present him with the 2010 Officer of the Year Award.”

Some of Stacy’s accomplishments, including a recent lifesaving award, were highlighted for those in attendance.

“Officer Stacy has only been a member of the Gahanna Police Department since July of 2007,” said Williams. “He performs his duties with enthusiasm, integrity and a maturity well beyond his actual years of service.”

Stacy was presented with a plaque and a certificate on behalf of the City by Mayor Becky Stinchcomb, Safety Director Robert Keyes and Police Chief Dennis Murphy.

“Officer Stacy is a fine representation of the great work and service of the Gahanna police Department,” said Mayor Becky Stinchcomb. “We appreciate all that you do for the City.”

Safety Director Robert Keyes said he was proud of Officer Stacy stating, “I appreciate the positive attitude and professionalism that you bring to work every day.”

Officer Stacy thanked those in attendance and said that he appreciates the recognition, but commented, “So many [fellow] officers are deserving of this award, so I appreciate being selected.”

(l-r) Safety Director Robert Keyes, Mayor Becky Stinchcomb,

Lieutenant Dan Williams, Officer Phillip Stacy, Police Chief Dennis Murphy 



Gahanna Youth Council Collecting for Prom Dress Sale Fundraiser

UPDATE: Some kids from the Youth Council appeared on WBNS 10TV to talk about their project.  Video is below.

The Gahanna Youth Council, a teen volunteer and service club, is collecting gently used formal dresses and accessories on Sunday, March 6^th from 1-3pm at the Gahanna Golf Course Clubhouse, 220 Olde Ridenour Rd. Collected items will be resold at affordable prices to help make prom more accessible to girls in Central Ohio. Proceeds of the sale will be used to support Youth Council programs. 

Gently used long and short formal dresses, dress shoes, jewelry, bags, clutches and other formal wear accessories will be accepted.  Prom Dress Sale dates are March 19^th and 26^th from 12 noon—4pm at the Gahanna Golf Course Clubhouse.  Proceeds will help support Youth Council programs such as TeenFest, their signature teen event traditionally held in August. 

Need more information? Contact Shannon Clonch, Gahanna Youth Council Coordinator, at 342-4250 or Shannon.clonch@gahanna.gov

Rain Garden Initiative

The City of Gahanna along with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District want to help you plant a rain garden.

Right now you’re probably asking yourself “What is a rain garden?” Well, a rain garden is simply a flower garden that incorporates shallow depressions or channels that intercept rainwater on its way to stream and river beds. These gardens help eliminate pollutants, control erosion and prevent flooding, and does all of this while adding the beauty of plants and flowers to your landscape. You can place rain gardens near downspouts, driveways, sump pump outlets, or in the path of storm water flow through your yard.

The Rain Garden Initiative is a cost share program that will offer you up to $250 to install a rain garden on your property. Nevertheless, don’t delay. This program is only available to six residents, so if you want an environmentally friendly way to improve poor drainage in your yard and community contact the City of Gahanna Service Department at (614)342-4005.