New Albany: 5 top stories from 2020

As with all communities in central Ohio, the COVID-19 coronavirus left its mark on New Albany in 2020, but plenty of other newsworthy headlines were generated, too.
Here’s a brief recap of five significant stories published in the ThisWeek New Albany News during the past 12 months.
Rose Run Park is part of the Rose Run stream corridor that runs mostly parallel to Dublin-Granville Road through New Albany, and it previously had been accessible only by leisure trails.
During the pandemic, the park gave residents and civic groups a place for socially distanced activities, such as symphony concerts, Healthy New Albany yoga classes and simply walking or exercising.
Related story:Rose Run Park opens for New Albany residents
Related story:Rose Run Park a staple during pandemic
New businesses continue to arrive – Development always plays a starring role in New Albany, and 2020 was no different.
Two examples of projects revealed during the year included a complex of high-end private garages for storing and displaying vehicles and a social hall with food vendors.
Related story:Motor Enclave expected to open in late 2021
Related story:Social hall with food vendors introduced to New Albany community
After the company, which got its start in Altoona, Pennsylvania, broke ground on its first central Ohio facilities in Delaware and Obetz, its leaders revealed they intend to open a dozen locations each year through 2025 in central Ohio.
Some other known sites Sheetz has targeted are at Johnstown Road and Walton Parkway in the New Albany International Business Park, on Cemetery Road in Hilliard, on Bethel Road in northwest Columbus, on Hilliard-Rome Road in west Columbus and at Grandview Avenue and Dublin Road in Grandview Heights.
Related story:Sheetz breaks ground in Delaware and Obetz, plans about 50 stores in central Ohio
Related story:Sheetz gains initial approval for Hilliard site
Related story:Sheetz planning another location just south of Hilliard
Related story:Sheetz update: Plans taking shape for store in northwest Columbus
Related story:Sheetz plans location in New Albany
Related story:Planning commission begins consideration of Sheetz application
Strategic planning leads to IDEA – One of the fruits of the Engage New Albany strategic-plan update, which took about 18 months of work and gathered feedback from more than 1,300 people, was the establishment of the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Committee, or the IDEA Committee, for short, in September.
Its purpose is to ensure everyone in the community feels welcomed and included.
Related story:New Albany leaders expect to finish strategic-plan draft by spring
Related story:IDEA Committee on track to meet in December
Instead of a traditional parade, the New Albany Community Events Board worked with the city to develop a 15-mile parade that went to 19 New Albany neighborhoods over the course of three hours.
Related story:New Albany plans neighborhood parade for Fourth of July
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