Powell voters passed a 1.8-mill bond levy to fund a portion of the capital improvements needed in the City for the next 10 years during the Nov. 2012 election. The bond levy took effect on Jan. 1, 2014 after an existing 1.8-mill park levy expired.
As the population continues to grow in Powell, so do the needs for roadway improvements and solutions.
Funding to begin the extension of the long-awaited Murphy Parkway extension was approved in April, 2013 by Powell City Council. This project extends the existing Murphy Parkway to Liberty Street and serves as another downtown Powell bypass, improving traffic flow along Olentangy Street.
The City’s Development Committee comprised of members of City Council, staff and residents presented the proposed Murphy Parkway extension design to the community in the fourth quarter of 2014 and construction was completed in the fall 2016.
Powell is home to nearly 29 miles of bike paths, providing connectivity to residents throughout the City. A key component in the City’s Capital Improvement Projects Program is completing bike paths and improving existing bike paths throughout Powell.
The community will find new stretches of bike path on the north side of Rutherford Road from Sawmill Parkway west to Tricia Price Drive and along the west side of North Liberty Street (north of Brookhill Drive to Seldom Seen Road).
As properties develop, bike paths are incorporated into their development plans in an effort to add to the City’s existing network and provide additional connectivity in line with the Keep Powell Moving initiative.
Another significant Capital Improvement Project are traffic signals. A traffic signal typically costs communities more than $400,000 to install. The City embarked on this costly but needed traffic signal project during the fall with light activation in the first quarter of 2015. As you drive along Sawmill Parkway, you will see two new traffic signals at the Galloway Drive and Village Club Drive intersections. Additionally, a new pedestrian signal was placed at the Rutherford Road and Sawmill Parkway intersection. Studies indicated these areas as high priorities for traffic signals.
Various park improvements are planned as part of the City’s Capital Improvement Project Program. These include a new pickleball court in Library Park, repairs and updates to the tennis courts in Arbor Ridge Park and renovated basketball courts in Adventure Park.
The Park at Seldom Seen is a 23-acre park site along the north side of Seldom Seen Road west of the railroad tracks. This park will feature several athletic fields, multiuse paths and an extensive nature preserve. The Park at Seldom Seen also will be home to the City’s Public Service Department and an indoor athletic facility.
Traffic Signals | Completed Summer 2015
Street Maintenance | Completed Fall 2015
Murphy Parkway Extension | Completed Fall 2016
Bike Path Network & Connectors | Completed Spring 2017
Splash Pad/Other Existing Park Improvements | Completed Spring 2017
Drainage/Culverts/Storm Sewer Improvements | Completed Fall 2017
Park at Seldom Seen Phase 1 | Spring 2020
