by Aaron Butts
It’s a common adage in Ohio that there are only four seasons: Almost winter, winter, almost not winter, and construction. But for the past few months, construction has been going strong right outside the gates of the university.
Students may notice as they drive through the intersection of Main Street and Drexel Avenue that there is now a large Capital seal planted in the middle. Rumors flew during its installation, with stories circulating about a possible roundabout, a statue of Bexley Mayor, Ben Kessler, or Capital President, Denvy Bowman, at the center of the intersection.
The placement of the seal is the culmination of a long process of beautification that Bexley has been striving toward for the past few years known as the “Bexley Mile.” This includes the new medians on Main Street as well as the trees that were planted in the medians. All of this hoping to make Bexley more appealing, as well as Capital.
“The Bexley Mile serves numerous purposes,” Capital Provost, Richard Ashbrook, said, “mostly to make Main Street more vital and vibrant and also to improve safety for pedestrians.”
“The Bexley Mile project has been in the works for years,” President Bowman’s Chief of Staff, Susan Merryman, said. She explained that the idea for placing the seal at the center of the intersection came from a surprising place. “The mayor had an idea for this and thought it was a perfect place for it, and so we agreed.”
The administration is hopeful that this gesture on part of the Bexley community marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the two entities.
“We’ve been having ongoing conversations about partnership between Capital and the city of Bexley,” Merryman said. “We’re constantly looking for ways to demonstrate that cooperation. It’s a symbol of our closer work together.”
“I think it recognizes the continuing great relationship that we have had with Mayor Kessler and his administration from the very beginning,” Ashbrook said, explaining that Kessler has been a true ally to Capital and has worked tirelessly to improve relations and cooperation between Capital and Bexley.
The placement of the seal is also significant, placed at the literal heart of Bexley, marking the epicenter of the community.
“Drexel and Main is the most prominent intersection on our campus,” Ashbrook said. “It dead ends into Capital because Capital was here before Bexley.”
What’s not clear is what superstitions surround the new seal. Although it resembles the seal that sits at the entrance to the library, Dr. Ashbrook suggests it doesn’t carry the same traditions such as kissing it. Perhaps instead of failing your next test if you walk on it, driving on it means that you’ll be late to class.
abutts@capital.edu
