LEWIS CENTER — Delaware County Commissioner Barb Lewis delivered her final State of the County address Monday, highlighting the county’s rapid growth and reflecting on nearly a decade in office.
“At a time when many communities are shrinking, people are choosing to live and move here. This success is no accident,” Lewis said in her opening remarks.
Lewis’ ninth State of the County address marked her last before a new commissioner takes office in 2027.
She was recognized throughout the event, which concluded with a surprise video honoring her tenure and a standing ovation from a room of state, county, city and township officials.
Each commissioner then focused on different areas of county operations, from public safety to infrastructure and partnerships.
Lewis highlights courts, reentry programs and major projects
Juvenile court
Lewis began by highlighting the traffic diversion program launched by Juvenile Court Judge David Hejmanowski last summer.
The program allows first-time teen traffic offenders to avoid a formal court record by completing educational programs focused on driving skills and safety.
Lewis shared feedback from one parent who said the program saved her daughter’s life when she encountered a patch of ice that nearly caused an accident with a semi truck.
Stepping Up initiative
She also pointed to the county’s involvement in the Stepping Up Initiative, which commissioners supported in 2015 to reduce the number of people with mental illness and substance use disorders in jail.
The program, led by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, partners with local agencies and the reentry coalition to help people transition out of jail.
Lewis said participants are more likely to remain in treatment and far less likely to return to jail.
“People who once cycled among jail, hospitals and homelessness now have stability, housing and treatment,” she said.
Lewis said participants remain in treatment for an average of 25 days after release, and about 16% return to jail, compared to 52% of the general jail population.
Since the program began, she said:
- the jail population has decreased by 35%
- bookings have dropped 42%
- about 17% of participants experience homelessness, compared to a typical 45%
Coming projects
Lewis also highlighted several major upcoming county projects.
Commissioners plan to break ground May 18 on a new shared social services building at the Byxbe Campus. The $35.8 million project will house Jobs and Family Services, the Board of Developmental Disabilities, Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & Recovery Services and Veterans Services, with completion expected in late 2027.
“Many residents who are clients of one of these agencies are also clients of the others, so having all these services available under one roof will be an enormous help,” Lewis said.
The county is also investing $7.8 million in renovations to the Willis Building, which houses the Board of Elections and other offices. The first phase will expand space previously occupied by Big Lots and update the records center ahead of the November general election. Additional office renovations are expected to wrap up by April 2027.
Lewis said neither project will require the county to take on debt.
She also noted the $47 million expansion of the Olentangy Environmental Control Center wastewater treatment facility is nearing completion.
Merrell outlines major road projects and county investments
Commissioner Gary Merrell focused much of his address on road and bridge projects planned across the county through 2027.
He highlighted 20 major projects, including two of the largest: the $18 million Home Road grade separation over the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads, and the $40 million Orange Road grade separation under the same rail lines.
Both projects involve crossing railroad tracks, which requires unique planning.
The Home Road project involves building a bridge over the railroads and will connect to the new roundabout on Lewis Center Road near Evans Farm. Construction begins in 2027 and finished in 2029, Merrell said.
The Orange Road project will create an underpass beneath the rail line using a combination of federal, state and county funding. The design includes a sidewalk and shared-use path, with construction expected to begin in 2028 and conclude by 2030.
Roundabouts and Byxbe Parkway extension
Merrell also highlighted the county’s continued investment in roundabouts.
Under County Engineer Chris Bauserman, the county has installed 24 roundabouts. Four more are scheduled for construction in 2026 at:
- Peachblow and Piatt roads
- Big Walnut Road and Tussic Street
- Hyatts and Section Line roads
- Two locations on County Line Road
Those projects are expected to cost $11.3 million, with six additional roundabouts planned for 2027.
He also pointed to the planned extension of Byxbe Parkway, a new four-lane road that will run north from U.S. Routes 36/37 at Glen Road and connect to the existing roadway.
The $5 million project, funded by the city and county, is expected to begin next year.
Tourism and broadband expansion
Beyond infrastructure, Merrell highlighted growth in tourism.
He credited Tim Wilson, executive director of Destination Delaware, with increasing tourism revenue by 367% since 2019. The growth has helped the county rank 10th in Ohio for tourism-related income, according to TourismOhio data.
Merrell also addressed broadband expansion in rural parts of the county.
“To no one’s surprise, there were numerous internet deserts in our county, where people do not have reliable or affordable access,” he said, referencing a 2024 survey.
Using federal funding from the COVID-19 pandemic, the county partnered with Consolidated Cooperative and Brightspeed to expand fiber internet service in underserved areas.
Benton highlights economic growth fueled by past investments
Commissioner Jeff Benton focused on economic growth, emphasizing how past infrastructure investments are driving development today.
He pointed to projects completed over the past decade, including the Sawmill Parkway extension in the western part of the county, the Wilson Road extension in the east and the Home Road extension running across the county.
“Those investments that we made in road and sewer infrastructure in the last decade are now attracting smart growth in terms of commercial, industrial and residential development,” Benton said.
“Those investments that we made in road and sewer infrastructure in the last decade are now attracting smart growth in terms of commercial, industrial and residential development,” Benton said.
He pointed to the coming arrival of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League affiliate, which will build a 127,000-square-foot sports and performance complex — the Performance Impact Arena — on the Maridel Campus near Sawmill Parkway.
“This major expansion will result in the creation of 100 new jobs,” Benton said.
He also noted the recent opening of the Camping World RV dealership and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz of Columbus dealership, both of which he said stem from infrastructure investments made more than a decade ago, including the Wilson Road extension that helped make Tanger Outlets possible.
Benton also highlighted the work of the county’s land bank.
To date, the land bank has secured more than $1.3 million for 12 demolition projects and nearly $1.6 million for four brownfield remediation projects.
One additional demolition project and three brownfield projects are currently under consideration.
