Cities Civil and Municipal December 2024

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

January 2, 2025

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

A ‘Taste’ of a Beloved Destination

On a Path to Continued Progress and Transformation

Known as the “Birthplace of the Tomato,” Reynoldsburg is proud to carry a legacy that dates back to the 19th century and has put the city on the map as a historic destination for this beloved fruit.

Today, the story lives on in annual celebrations like the Tomato Festival, where enthusiasts can indulge in every culinary variation, and the “Taste of Reynoldsburg,” an expo of local flavors hosted by the Reynoldsburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

The city is also a haven for outdoor lovers, with parks that are second to none, while the deep-rooted sense of community blends tradition with fun, making Reynoldsburg a go to place for businesses, residents, and visitors. A clear vision for the future that includes thoughtful planning, infrastructure investments, and community-centered initiatives, is transforming Reynoldsburg into a more connected and accessible place to live, work, and play.

Streamlining Development for a Thriving Community

The city’s journey of growth began with a comprehensive master plan in 2018, shaped by substantial community feedback on what residents hoped to see in Reynoldsburg’s future.

Mayor Joe Begeny details, “Based on those responses we developed a new comprehensive zoning plan that gets rid of a lot of red tape. It speeds up the process while still respecting the ideas of what zoning is intended to do, which is to provide quick and easy answers for developers to come in and know what they can and cannot build. I think that sets us apart.”

Revitalizing Downtown

With a nearly $10 million investment over three years, the city is improving its downtown infrastructure, expanding sidewalks and narrowing roads to make the area more pedestrian-friendly. “That way some of our restaurants that are in the area and some of our shops can have sidewalk sales and more pedestrian access all the way throughout,” the mayor expands.

“That was combined with some forward thinking opportunities for the city. We actually purchased a couple of pieces of property in the area, one of which is going to be opening in the next month or so.” This new mixed-use building will house financial offices, restaurants, and co-working spaces. The hope is that these additions will further enhance downtown Reynoldsburg’s charm. “It’s a great place for people to wind down, listen to some music, have some good food,” Begeny touts. The presence of local breweries and historic attractions further add to the appeal.

by Robb McCormick Photography (https://robbmccormick.com)

Welcoming Economic Growth and Development

Reynoldsburg is also embracing business growth and expansion, including the development of a section along its eastern corridor. The area offers parcels as large as 120 acres, which have attracted interest from logistics and research and development companies.

“Our eastern corridor is probably the most user friendly area. We’re endeavoring to put utilities in to make it more attractive for businesses,” Begeny describes. “We’re also focused on the redevelopment of some of our older corridors, our Brice Road Corridor is technically our innovation zone. That is specifically designed to benefit any of those logistics and warehouse services out there. So, we are trying to be a little bit more transformative in that area.”

Eric Meyer, Development Director for the city, points out that Reynoldsburg’s growth strategy encompasses both “green field” developments and the revitalization of existing properties. Reynoldsburg is strategically positioned in Central Ohio, offering a significant advantage with its location.

“We’re within a day’s drive to something like 50 to 60% of the country’s population, which is fantastic,” says Meyer. “ We also are within 10 miles of the new Intel semiconductor factory, which is under construction, and we’ve got a lot of medical, both research and providers in the Central Ohio area.”

Meyer notes that Ohio Health and Central Ohio Primary Care contribute both to the well being of the community and the local economy. “Everybody needs health care, but also those folks come into the office every day, typically,” he says. “When you’re in the office, you’re walking around spending money in the community, and things like that.”

Workforce Training and Attraction

Benefiting from its proximity to Ohio State University and other institutions, Reynoldsburg is also making sure that its workforce matches the needs of local industries. “Part of that is what you have that makes people want to stay,” emphasizes Meyer.

“You’ve got certain skills that folks need to have, so that’s one part. The other part is attracting people that have those skills to your area.” In an effort to retain new talent, the city is developing amenities such as a new sports facility, bringing in additional shopping and services and introducing a range of housing options that appeal to various income levels.

Expanding Parks and Recreation

Reynoldsburg boasts extensive green spaces designed for recreation, relaxation, and community engagement. “We actually have an incredible park system. We’re about 275 acres just with Reynoldsburg parks alone, which includes anything from your traditional soccer field and playground equipment to more passive areas,” boasts Mayor Begeny. One highlight is Pine Quarry Park, which he likens to “a miniature version of Hocking Hills,” featuring a scenic landscape that includes a limestone quarry and idyllic bridges.

“We also realize that people don’t want just the existing green space. They want to see what we can do about expanding that somewhat,” he acknowledges. In a partnership deal with the City of Columbus, Reynoldsburg is refurbishing a stormwater facility into a park, with walking trails, a scenic overlook and some playground equipment.

Recently, Blacklick Woods Metro Park introduced a canopy walk that reaches a 40-foot elevation. This new feature offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding forest and wetlands, making it a popular attraction for tourists and a treasured part of the city’s natural offerings.

“That put us all over the map, and that brought people in to look at some of our other trails, and take advantage of those opportunities,” relays Mayor Begeny. Looking ahead, he envisions a regional trail network connecting the city with nearby areas, making it an appealing destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Anna McDonough Photography

Planning for Sustainable Growth

As Reynoldsburg continues to grow, city leaders remain focused on maintaining and enhancing infrastructure to support future needs. “We’ve done everything we possibly can to utilize all the tools in the toolbox, whether it’s TIF funding to help improve some of the infrastructure, or private public partnerships. The amount of time that I spend looking for grants on a regular basis is pretty extensive, because it helps us fill in some of those gaps. But we also are looking for some preventative measures as well,” outlines Mayor Begeny.

One of Reynoldsburg’s most ambitious projects is the LinkUS rapid transit system, an initiative with the Central Ohio Transit Authority, which could play a significant role in reducing traffic and connecting residents to major job centers. The system’s potential extension into nearby areas, including Intel and its supporting businesses, holds promise for regional economic growth, while also offering advantages to the city.

Begeny recounts, “We want to get the most people to where the jobs are and get them there efficiently. With the number of buses, we are reducing the number of cars, which reduces traffic, which then helps me save some wear and tear on the roads in general.”

A Diverse and Growing Housing Landscape

Sharing insights into the city’s housing strategy, Begeny says Reynoldsburg has authorized over 4,000 housing units since he took office. This includes a broad range of options, from affordable housing and private acquisitions to multi-family homes, single-family residences, attached townhomes, and apartment complexes.

“The reality of the situation is, when you look at the increase in property taxes, the average amount of rent, the ability to upkeep older facilities, and the ability to kind of get people moving from starter homes, and then having the option to live in place here in Reynoldsburg, a lot of different things have to be done,” he adds. “I think that Reynoldsburg and a few other communities are definitely right out on the front of addressing this issue head on.”

Planning for the Future

Looking ahead, Reynoldsburg is committed to enhancing its quality of life by focusing on projects like affordable housing, recreational facilities, and attracting desirable businesses and amenities, ensuring the city remains a vibrant and attractive place to live and work.

Mayor Begeny concludes, “When a potential opportunity calls, we have to be ready and willing to work with whomever is coming to the door to become part of our community, be it residential, commercial or those wonderful quality of life items.”

*featured image at top – Photo by Schlagheck Photography www.schlagheckphoto.com for Robb McCormick Photography www.robbmccormick.com