Powell City Council took up a bond package of up to $5.7 million Aug. 18, that would fund the long-planned Scioto Street extension and a new downtown public parking lot.
The bond ordinance (Ordinance 2026-18) was introduced on first reading at the council's regular meeting, according to the city's meeting agenda. The measure would authorize up to $5.7 million in limited tax general obligation notes to cover the street extension, land acquisition, curbs, sidewalks, drainage, landscaping, lighting and a bridge or culvert over Bartholomew Run. A companion measure, Ordinance 2026-19, would create a dedicated Capital Improvement Notes fund to hold the debt.
The project, first adopted in a city plan in 2016, is expected to add roughly 130 new public parking spaces in the northeast quadrant of downtown, behind CoHatch. Downtown Powell currently has about 1,788 total parking spaces, but only 241 are public. City Manager Andrew White said Aug. 5 that construction would likely begin in mid-2027.
Council on July 21 unanimously endorsed a single-cell precast concrete arch bridge design (Alternative B) for the crossing over Bartholomew Run, estimated at $2,391,000. Finance Director Samantha Borchers told the Finance Committee on July 14 that land acquisition costs were the main variable in the bond amount, while construction figures were relatively firm.
Vice Mayor Tom Counts said at the July 21 meeting that there are more needs than dollars available, and that from his perspective the goal is to stretch the bond as far as possible so council can accomplish more than originally planned.
The ordinance declares an emergency, meaning council could pass it in a single night if members vote to suspend the rules. As of Aug. 19, meeting minutes had not been published, so final vote tallies are not yet confirmed.
Dutch Bros. annexation advances
Council also took up Resolution 2026-45, which would declare what city services Powell will provide to approximately 0.7 acres at 3296 Home Road in Liberty Township if the parcel is annexed. The resolution is a required step under Ohio law before the Delaware County Board of Commissioners can act on Dutch Bros. Coffee's annexation petition, filed Aug. 13.
As we reported Aug. 14, the drive-thru coffee chain, which operates more than 1,225 locations nationally, has not publicly announced the Powell site. No hearing date before the county commissioners has been set.
Lechler Building gets $100K contingency
Resolution 2026-44 would authorize City Manager White to amend the contract with 2K General Contracting for the Lechler Building Addition Project, adding a contingency of up to $100,000. Council awarded the contract April 21 on a 6-0 vote after 2K General submitted the lowest of four bids. The original engineer's estimate was $1.3 million.
White reported in May that construction began May 27 and was expected to wrap within six months. The building sits at Powell's southern gateway.
What's next
Council scheduled September committee meetings: Development Committee on Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m., Finance Committee on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. and Operations Committee on Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Council also entered executive session Tuesday to discuss a property purchase, imminent court action and a confidential economic development applicant.
