(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring Jeffrey Mansion, appeared in This Week in Bexley on March 25, 2004)

Survey about Jeffrey Mansion’s priorities expected to be mailed
Thursday, March 25, 2004

INA HORWITZ- WHITMORE
This Week Staff Writer

Jeffrey Mansion needs more than $1-million in renovations to keep the facility in good operational shape, according to Bexley recreation director Doug Jackson.

Jackson said needed improvements include roof replacements, tuck pointing, heating infrastructure and converting the third floor into usable space.

The mansion is the heart of Bexley community activities. The recreation offices are housed there. A range of programs offered to toddlers through senior citizens are conducted at the mansion, as are public community events and private functions.

Jeffrey Mansion is considered to be a “British tradition” home that was given to the city in 1941 by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jeffrey for “... public park, athletic, recreational, instructional and educational purposes, including meetings and other gatherings …”

It was built shortly after Jeffrey was elected mayor of Columbus in 1903. The park consists of nearly 40 acres at the northwest corner of Clifton and Parkview avenues, including the two Commonwealth Parks east of Parkview.

Chris Masoner, chair of the Bexley recreation board, called the mansion a ‘‘community jewel.’’

He said the building is in bad need of renovation.

‘Being an older facility, it needs work, and it needs to be done through financial venues that do not cost the taxpayers and the city of Bexley,” Jackson said. “I love Bexley and the facility and understand the city’s and community’s limitations. We’re looking seriously at other private-funding opportunities.”

As part of the plan by Jeffrey supporters who include the recreation department, the recreation board and the Bexley Heritage Fund, a three-step process has been instituted to gather future options and priorities about the uses of the mansion and park.

Phase 1 was a series of interviews with community leaders, which was used as a basis for the survey that is expected to be sent this week for residents to complete. Phase 1 involved a phone outreach to people who used Jeffrey Mansion: 10 calls to north Bexley, 10 to central Bexley and 10 to south Bexley.

From phone results, a written survey (Phase 2) then was created as part of the process to gather residents’ views about the uses, operations, upkeep and financial sustainability of the mansion and park. The survey, consisting of 49 questions, will receive public input to questions and comments that came from the interviewees.


Copies of the questionnaire can be found at Jeffrey Mansion, City Hall Bexley Public Library, Cup 0’ Joe at 2418 E. Main St., and by downloading the survey on the Bexley Web site at www.bexley.org. Photos of areas showing where the mansion needs improvement are on view on the Internet site.

The survey includes 31 questions dealing with a citizen’s participation at the mansion and grounds within the past two years. Other questions deal with priorities for current and potential uses for the mansion, such as expanded capacity for parties; providing more parking, even if it means losing some green space; permitting use of alcohol under controlled circumstances (as through licensed caterers) -- currently, the mansion is allowed two alcoholic events a year; and making rental and program fees high enough to provide funds for all needed maintenance.

Completed surveys can be returned to City Hall, Jeffrey Mansion or the Bexley Public Library. They also can be mailed to Lorz Communications Inc., 1331 S. High St., Columbus 43207.

Following the survey completion, Phase 3 will include town meetings where survey results can be presented and residents can discuss future options.

The three-part study cost $14,380 and is being conducted by Lorz Communications, according to Jackson.

The study is being paid for by the Bexley Heritage Fund, which was established to fund projects that improve environmental and aesthetic aspects of Bexley. To date, these projects include six gateways to Bexley, beautification of the Broad Street bridge, Main Street Pump House Par, and a review of business opportunities for the Main Street-City Hall area.

Steering committee members include council member Rick Weber and
Heritage Fund members Judy Brachman, Pete Halliday, Julie Johnson and
Masoner.

Jackson said the ultimate goal is for Jeffrey Mansion to be a self-sufficient entity and to create an endowment fund for future needs.
 

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