Gahanna will officially dedicate its new $59 million Civic Center on Aug. 25, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony open to all residents from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 825 Tech Center Drive.
The building, which quietly opened to the public on Aug. 13, consolidates City Hall, the Gahanna Division of Police headquarters and the Senior Center under one roof for the first time. At nearly 100,000 square feet, it is the largest facilities project in the city's history.
The city purchased the existing Tech Center Drive building for $8.75 million in 2022 and spent roughly $59 million total on the renovation, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Repurposing an existing structure rather than building new helped reduce construction costs, according to city project communications.
Senior Director of Operations Kevin Schultz managed the project alongside assistant project manager Miranda Vollmer, senior director of administrative services. Elford served as construction manager. The original completion target was November 2025, but the project was delayed after the electrical subcontractor failed and was terminated. Elford accepted sole responsibility for the additional costs, according to city council records.
The new Senior Center offers 116% more programmable space than the old facility, allowing five or six activities to run simultaneously instead of one or two. A rentable multipurpose room, new to the city's inventory, is available for birthday parties, business meetings and other private events.
For police, the upgrades are substantial. Dedicated private rooms for crime victims, a 24/7 monitored safe room in the lobby for residents fleeing immediate danger, a prescription drug drop-off bin and virtual reality training systems for officers are all part of the new headquarters.
Keith Hall, managing principal and owner of MSA Design, the project's lead architectural firm, described the design philosophy in an Aug. 19 CityScene Magazine feature: "When you see the building, you'll see a lot of glass on the outside … The reasoning behind all the glass was that we want the government to be transparent."
The city has not released a detailed program for Tuesday's ceremony. Its official Facebook page noted on Aug. 22 that more details were coming soon.
What's next
- Aug. 26–28: Senior Center Open House, 9–11 a.m. and 1–3 p.m. daily, with tours and new membership badges.
- Tuesday, Sept. 8: First City Council meeting at the Civic Center.
