Creekside partners honored for helping an entire community

Bird Houk Collaborative and public-private partners Stonehenge Co. and the city of Gahanna recently were awarded the Planning for All Award for Creekside.

The award, presented by the Ohio Planning Conference (the state chapter of the American Planning Association), honors a built project in central Ohio that has enhanced an entire community by improving its existing urban fabric and improving the quality of life.

Stonehenge president Mo Dioun said although the company is sure of the Creekside project's future success, it is nice to get outside recognition.

"I think that kind of reaffirms that we have been correct about the project," he said. "It is an attribute to the collaborative work of the city, us and the architectural firm."

Gahanna development director Sadicka White said she was honored that Gahanna received two top awards from the Ohio Planning Conference. The city also received an award for the Central Park project. She said criteria for the planning award includes parking solutions, density, urban design, revitalization of a downtown, architectural integrity and natural environment.

"I think it talks about how a local community capitalizes on its assets and natural resources, not mimic necessarily another community but focuses on what that community's strengths are," she said.

In other Creekside news, Casabella Accents and Design, T-Bears Florist and Gifts and Euans Art Gallery have opened their doors at the new development.

Casabella's owner wanted the store to be open for Holiday Lights!

"It was a wonderful time," owner Lori Graff said.

Graff said Casabella offers unusual home accessories, art, furniture and difficult-to-find accents for the home.

"I just fell in love with Creekside," Graff said. "I felt the development itself is in such a great spot; with all of the other surrounding business around me, it was a perfect fit."

She said she doesn't think Casabella would be a direct competitor with Findley Koehler Interiors, adding that she is thrilled the other store is open down the street. There might be some crossover of clients, but for the most part the two stores offer completely different items.

"We will complement each other," she said.

Jewelry and More replaces Koulian Jewelers. Regarding the closure of Jewelry and More, Dioun said it is not uncommon with a new development to see stores come and go. Even strip centers are having a difficult time in this environment, he said.

"This (Jewelry and More) is a totally new line of jewelry," Dioun said.

The first business to close at Creekside was Seekers Coffee House. Dioun said two prospects currently are looking at the space and Stonehenge looks to finish negotiations soon. Currently, T-Bears occupies the space.

"It will be sooner than the first quarter of next year," he said.

tstubbs@thisweeknews.com