Big changes are coming to Gahanna’s Creekside District. City Council has approved a development agreement that will kick-start a $100 million private redevelopment—paired with a separate public improvement project—that together aim to completely reimagine one of the city’s most iconic destinations.
On Nov. 17, council voted 6–1 to move forward with the agreement with Connect Real Estate and Benson Capital, clearing the way for a two-phase overhaul of long-vacant properties along Mill and North High streets. While most councilmembers said the project is necessary to revive Creekside’s declining foot traffic, Councilmember Nancy McGregor cast the lone vote against it, citing concerns about the loss of existing parking.
A Two-Phase Private Redevelopment
Phase one focuses on acquiring 10 parcels—currently owned by the Gahanna Community Improvement Corporation (CIC)—and replacing outdated buildings with two new seven-story mixed-use structures on either side of Mill Street. Together, they’re planned to include:
- 263 apartments
- A 55–70 room boutique hotel
- Two restaurants (including one rooftop spot)
- A structured parking garage
- A pedestrian bridge connecting the two buildings
Phase two would follow with 24 townhomes north of Town Street. This portion has raised the most concern, as it would replace a city-owned surface lot frequently used by visitors and employees.
Developers must begin phase one once all financing and approvals are secured, with a target completion timeline of about three years. Phase two would begin afterward.
Public Improvements Also Coming to Creekside
While the private project garners most of the attention, it’s only half the transformation. The City of Gahanna is also advancing a public redevelopment initiative designed to address long-standing infrastructure issues—particularly flood mitigation needs connected to Big Walnut Creek.
Those improvements include:
- Structural work in the Creekside parking garage
- Upgrades to the plaza and creek embankment
- Safer pedestrian access and improved wayfinding
- New lighting, signage, and interactive water features
- A potential plaza renovation that could include an amphitheater, a splash pad, and a redesigned fountain
- A formal proposal for the plaza redesign is expected no earlier than spring 2026.
City officials say the public and private projects are separate but complementary—both designed to deliver what residents repeatedly said they wanted during years of surveys, pop-up events, and community feedback: a more vibrant, livable, and activity-filled Creekside.
A Vision Years in the Making
The CIC began acquiring Creekside properties in 2022 after a community-led visioning process identified a mixed-use, residential-anchored development as the district’s best path forward.
The selected developer team—two Columbus-area firms with experience in large-scale urban projects—was chosen for its ability to deliver that vision.
When it’s complete, city leaders say Creekside could offer the kind of dense, walkable, riverfront hub residents have long pushed for. A district where people live, dine, gather, and stay, without losing the character that makes the area one of Gahanna’s most beloved spaces.
To learn more about the project, head over to gahanna.gov.
