Gahanna city officials said the city saw more than $100 million in business investment and created over 500 new jobs in 2024, and outlined a new Civic Center that will co-locate the Gahanna Division of Police, the senior center and City Hall at 825 Tech Center Drive.

City officials said the investment has enabled stepped-up public-safety spending, the rollout of the citys first capital improvement plan, and new resident programs. "We look forward to welcoming our Gahanna into our brand new facility at about this time next year," the presenter said during a narrated tour of the new facility.

Why it matters: officials described the Civic Center as a consolidated, cost-saving move that they say addresses long-identified space needs while putting police, senior services and city administration under one roof. The presentation tied economic growth to the city's ability to invest in infrastructure, public safety and community programs.

Officials detailed several program-level investments. The city said it used federal funds to award roughly $100,000 in grants to 15 local nonprofit organizations to support food, clothing and mental health services. City leaders also highlighted a local energy program called Gahanna Energy Plus and said the city received a grant from Swayco to support energy-related initiatives. Park upgrades included the installation of more than 35 recycling containers across 17 parks, including the Creekside District and core boundaries.

The city said it launched its first Gahanna Citizens Academy, providing 20 residents with an inside look at local government operations, and began a strategic planning process described as "Gahanna," intended to gather resident input in 2025 on the city's vision and priorities.

During a narrated walkthrough of the Civic Center, senior director of operations Kevin Schultz described interior layouts planned for the building, including the main public entrance, a corridor that will connect the main lobby with the police department and access points for Mayor's Court and city council chambers. Chief of Police Jeff Spence discussed operational spaces in the building; officials said the communications center will handle 911 calls and noted the city currently maintains a call-answer delay of two seconds or less.

City officials said the new senior center will be 116% larger than the current senior program space and will include a new art room, a demonstration kitchen and a large multipurpose room intended for community events, weddings and meetings.

The presentation framed these items as part of the city's first-ever capital improvement plan, which officials said includes streets and sidewalk work, new playgrounds and water-line repairs. Officials described these as investments meant to improve service delivery and long-term efficiency.

No formal votes or motions were recorded in the transcript provided; the content was presented as a State of the City address and narrated facility tour. Officials referenced anticipated timelines for the Civic Center and said public access to the facility is expected "about this time next year."