The City of Worthington has been able to provide our community with a high level of city services. The cost of those services is funded primarily through income tax revenue (68% of the 2025 budget was covered by income tax and the next highest was property tax which covered only 11% of the cost of services). Who pays income tax to Worthington? Worthington businesses and people who work in Worthington. Without having a strong income tax base, we risk losing Worthington's high level of city services.  As a community we need to make sure that we prioritize creating economic opportunities, recruiting and retaining businesses, and supporting businesses so that they can grow and stay in Worthington.

Recently, Worthington Steel announced its planned move out of Worthington, causing a loss of 400 jobs in Worthington, and with the loss of Worthington Steel, Worthington will lose an important source of tax revenue. In 2018, Worthington lost another major employer when Anthem left Worthington, taking 400 jobs with them. In 2025, the old Anthem building continues to sit empty. We need to act now to meet the needs of our businesses, recruit new businesses, and make sure Worthington is welcoming to the economic development our community needs to be a vital and thriving community.

Worthington is facing the challenges caused by changes in office use patterns that developed during COVID, and an outdated office infrastructure built mostly in the 1970’s that does not meet the needs of the current market. Without addressing these challenges, Worthington, despite its strengths like its attractive location and easy driving access, will continue to struggle to compete to support and retain businesses. As a community, we need to prioritize the revitalization of our business corridors, and we need to reconsider our zoning to encourage mixed use redevelopment that supports a vibrant street life and greater sustainability.

Worthington has extremely limited housing types available, with the majority of the city zoned for single family housing. There are limited options for renters, for young people who are just starting out, for people looking to downsize, and few options available at a variety of price points. Many people who work in Worthington find it difficult or impossible to live in Worthington, and the limited housing choice is an issue for businesses looking to recruit and maintain their workforce. We need a range of housing options in order to support business development.  Employers know that they will be more successful with a workforce that is able to have a good quality of life, and this includes having housing options in proximity to their workplace.  It also includes having housing options that are affordable to people who are at a variety of price points. More housing diversity would meet the changing needs of community members, and welcome new residents that are currently unable to make Worthington their home.

I experienced the challenges of looking for an apartment in Worthington first hand when my mom decided to move to Worthington about a year ago. My mom was adamant that she wanted to rent, she was no longer interested in the work of maintaining a home. We found a very limited apartment stock, waitlists for apartments, and the search took months. Fortunately, after much searching my mom found a place, and she loves being a part of the Worthington community. Apartments are an important housing option and we need more of them in Worthington. 

Apartments near transportation corridors are also important from the standpoint of sustainability. Encouraging and improving public transportation, and providing more public transportation options, are critical as we look to become a more climate resilient community. Mixed use developments are also important from a sustainability perspective because they encourage more walking and reduce car dependency.

Zoning is more than just a land use policy; it is an expression of a community’s values. Worthington’s zoning is mostly rooted in the 1970’s, and frankly, it is outdated and no longer meets our community’s needs. Reconsidering our zoning could permit the introduction of "missing middle housing.”  Missing middle housing refers to middle density options that can fit in the footprint of a single family home, like accessory dwelling units, duplexes, fourplexes, courtyard housing, and townhomes, to name some examples. Many of these housing types exist in Worthington in small numbers because they predate our zoning restrictions.  These are not new housing types, but instead they hark back to a time when neighborhoods consisted of a mix of housing types which met diverse housing needs in neighborhoods.  In this housing crisis, suburban communities like ours can be a part of the solution by welcoming a diversity of housing options. More housing options would create a more vibrant environment, and meet the changing needs of our community members and welcoming new residents.

I want to respect the character of our community and improve the quality of our streetscapes to extend beyond Old Worthington. Strengthening the design of our streetscapes, supporting quality placemaking, and including opportunities like the introduction of public art could create the vibrant spaces to be enjoyed by our community and those visiting Worthington. 

In my day job, I work as the Public Art Coordinator for the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and my work has been focused on supporting the development and implementation of the first public art plan for Columbus and Franklin County. I will advocate for Worthington to develop a public art plan. Public art is a powerful tool to engage communities, tell stories and reveal history, add beauty, and even support economic development. Worthington has many wonderful arts organizations and assets, let’s build on that tradition and bring more art to public spaces.

Developing dynamic, asset rich spaces encourages walking and supports increased foot traffic, which is associated with increased spending at local businesses.  We can expand the best of Old Worthington and extend the streetscape north on High St., as is suggested in the “Worthington Mile” concept. We could improve the quality of our streetscapes along our other commercial corridors, creating other destinations in our community, and helping support the development of more vibrant streetscapes throughout Worthington.