Westerville at a Crossroads: Growth, Identity, and the Future of the City Council

As Westerville approaches a pivotal city council election on November 4, the city finds itself in the midst of real change—demographic, economic, and political. Once defined by its conservative values and quiet agricultural character, Westerville is now a growing, diversifying community whose future direction is up for debate.

This isn’t the first time Westerville has faced a moment of reinvention. In 1847, the founding of Otterbein University set the tone for a city willing to challenge the norms of its time. Otterbein admitted women, welcomed people of color, and opposed slavery—all in an era when such positions were anything but safe. That progressive current ran deep, helping make Westerville a key stop on the Underground Railroad, where residents risked legal consequences to shelter freedom seekers.

By the early 20th century, the city had taken on a more conservative, moralistic identity as the national headquarters of the Anti-Saloon League. Westerville became known as the “Dry Capital of the World,” playing a central role in the push for Prohibition. The city leaned into a reputation built on religious conviction, law, and order—an identity that lasted well into the postwar era.

But as Columbus expanded and suburbs pushed outward, Westerville began to change. The population grew, and with it came more diversity, new expectations, and a slow but steady shift away from its rural roots.

A major turning point came in the mid-1990s, when the city annexed 941 acres of farmland on its northern edge. That move set the stage for large-scale commercial development, leading to the creation of Westar, now the city’s largest business corridor. What was once open farmland became home to tech firms, corporate offices, and professional campuses—marking a new phase in the city’s evolution.

That transformation continues today. The East of Africa project, a new 88-acre development on former farmland, is set to become a business hub that rivals Westar in scale and scope. It’s the latest sign that Westerville is prioritizing growth, economic competitiveness, and long-term development over the preservation of its agricultural past.

These shifts are showing up in politics as well. While Westerville’s city council is officially non-partisan, recent elections and policy debates have reflected the city’s increasingly diverse and divided population. Progressive candidates are gaining ground, and the council’s composition now more closely mirrors the range of views held by its residents.

With Westerville’s identity once again in motion, the November 4 election could further reshape the city's direction on issues ranging from land use and housing to inclusivity and sustainability.

What do the candidates think the city should become? What should be preserved—and what needs to change?

Meet the Candidates: Their Vision for Westerville’s Next Chapter

To understand how each candidate sees Westerville’s future—and their role in shaping it—The Westerville News sent the same set of questions to all candidates for city council.

The questionnaire asked what motivated them to run, what they’re hearing from residents, and how they plan to approach some of the city’s most pressing challenges: balancing growth, preserving neighborhood identity, managing development, and expanding civic participation.

Candidates also shared their thoughts on the East of Africa project, the future of housing in Westerville, and what success would look like for them in office.

Their full responses are available under each candidate’s name at [link to be supplied later].

Here are the questions The Westerville News asked:

1. What motivated you to run at this moment in Westerville’s development?

2. What have you heard from residents that’s challenged or reshaped how you view the city’s priorities?

3. What do you believe Westerville needs to hold onto as it continues to grow?

4. How do you approach decisions that create winners and losers, like development projects that benefit one part of the city over another?

5. What does a balanced approach to growth look like to you?

6. When you think about the East of Africa project, what’s your biggest hope—and your biggest concern?

7. How do you respond to residents who feel that older neighborhoods are being left behind?

8. What’s one way you would bring more public insight or influence into large-scale planning decisions?

9. How do you see the city’s current zoning code affecting the range of housing types available, including for first-time buyers and renters?

10. How should city leaders weigh resident identity and neighborhood character against financial returns?

11. What kind of partnership should exist between council and residents—not just legally, but in spirit?

12. What would success look like for you as a council member, in both policy and relationships?

13. What do you want future residents to thank this council for?

14. What was not asked in this questionnaire that needs to be answered?