Frequently Asked Questions

Residents have continually expressed, through public surveys and through direct engagement, a strong desire to ensure Creekside is a thriving destination that positions Gahanna as an ideal place to live, work, and play. Gahanna residents deserve a vibrant city center that meets the evolving needs of our growing community, while addressing critical improvements to enhance safety and flood mitigation.

The City began conversations with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2020 to discuss required flood hazard mitigation improvements. These improvements require extensive work, along the creekbank and within the City parking structure. Dry flood proofing of the plaza would require removing all the brick pavers. The plaza, which was built nearly 20 years ago, is starting to show its age. The flood mitigation work is an excellent opportunity to consider refreshing the plaza to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our growing community.

Data shows that from 2019 to 2024, total visits to the district have decreased by 400,000, and the average time spent at Creekside has decreased by 14 minutes. The plaza revitalization will add new amenities and accessibility features that encourage people to visit and stay longer.

For over a year, the City of Gahanna has been engaging residents to gather feedback on the future of Creekside. Hundreds of community members have shared their perspectives through surveys, events, and conversations, offering valuable insights into how they want to see Creekside to evolve.

The city is focused on making critical infrastructure updates that are necessary to ensure ongoing safety and functionality of the Creekside Garage. Essential flood mitigation projects in the parking structure and along the creeks embankment, coordinated with FEMA, are designed to protect the facility from the Big Walnut Creek flood waters and strengthen its resilience, long-term. Additional improvements planned include new park and plaza features, such as an amphitheater and interactive water feature, along with improved lighting and signage in the garage, updated wayfinding, while incorporating both newly designed hard and softscapes will enhance the attractiveness and comfort of the plaza. 

There are many improvements that are needed to mitigate the impact of flood waters on the Creekside Garage and Plaza.  First, a clay cap of the creekbank will be installed to prevent water from infiltrating into the garage structure.  Critical infrastructure will be reconstructed in areas within the garage that sit outside of the impacted flood area.  Temporary flood wall systems would be deployed in advance of flood waters impacting the lower plaza, restroom facilities and the garage.  These temporary structures would be put in place prior to a flood event and be sized for a 100-year flood event.  These flood mitigation measures are being coordinated and required by FEMA.

The City will use available resources to pay for the public redevelopment project.  An additional tax levy will not be sought to fund this project. A full funding strategy will be presented to Council in the early part of 2026.

This public redevelopment project is in its preliminary design phase and as is customary, construction estimates are being developed and refined as this process takes shape.  A full funding strategy will be presented to Council in the early part of 2026.  In tandem, a construction schedule that takes into consideration mitigation to the small businesses located on the plaza and within the district is in development.  The City anticipates the required elements related to the flood mitigation to begin in the fall of 2026.

During construction of the public redevelopment project the existing Creekside parking garage will remain open.  While there is flood mitigation work taking place in the garage only smaller areas inside of the facility will be impacted. Overall the facility remains fully operational for both Creekside residents and visitors. 

Improvements to the existing Creekside parking garage emphasizing safety and security are a top priority. Additional updates being considered include AED lighting enhancements, new signage and painting (wayfinding), and the potential to add electric vehicle facilities.

The City is actively studying how businesses on the plaza and along Mill Street would be impacted by construction. The logistics surround construction will mitigate these impacts. The City will clearly communicate to businesses and the public any anticipated disruptions and how customers can access businesses during the time of construction.  

Once the construction schedule and logistics are determined we will have a better understanding of which events will be impacted.  

The preliminary designs for the plaza includes exciting new park and plaza features such as an amphitheater and interactive water feature along with improved lighting throughout the space. The primary event space will be moved from the rear of the property and to the lower lagoon and be connected to the upper plaza through a central stair.  This creates approximately thirteen-thousand square feet of interconnect space for programing in addition to the private patio seating areas and secondary plaza between buildings B and C.  The lower lagoon will be resized and the area transformed into an amphitheater to host reimagined community events. Enhancements are being made to connect the lower trail with the upper plaza while improving ADA access throughout the facility.  The lower trail area is being reconfigured to make greater connection with the Big Walnut Creek and trail system west of the plaza.  Through the mix of hard and softscapes the updated plaza will be more comfortable to visitors while offering more shaded opportunities with friends and family.

You can submit feedback by visiting the Contact Us page of this website or you can email the City directly at Creekside@Gahanna.gov. In addition, you can stay informed by subscribing the the City's Newsletter and social media channels.