Columbus City Council Approves Emergency Funding for Nationwide Arena Upgrades and Updates Admissions Tax Code
City Council pulled Ordinance 2270-2026 for immediate adoption, disbursing an estimated $870,000 from an extra 2% arena ticket charge while revamping code Chapter 375.
Columbus City Council voted to approve Ordinance 2270-2026 under emergency rules during its September 14, 2026 meeting, appropriating an estimated $870,000 from the Facility Stabilization Fund for infrastructure upgrades at Nationwide Arena [source:council_minutes_2270]. The measure authorizes the director of the Department of Finance and Management to contract with the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) to disburse proceeds from an additional 2% admissions tax levied on events held at the arena [source:council_minutes_2270].
Earlier in the evening, council members removed the ordinance from the consent agenda to consider and vote on it individually later in the meeting [source:council_minutes_consent]. In the same legislative session, the council also approved Ordinance 1883-2026, revamping Chapter 375 of the Columbus City Code to strengthen the levying, collection, and distribution of admissions taxes dedicated to facility stabilization [source:council_minutes_1883].
Emergency Procedure and Legislative Action
Under Columbus City Council procedures, routine measures placed on the consent agenda are adopted as a single collective vote without floor debate. Pulling Ordinance 2270-2026 off the consent list placed the spending decision under the council's emergency and second-reading calendar, requiring independent consideration [source:council_minutes_consent] [source:council_minutes_2270].
By invoking emergency rules, the council bypassed the standard 30-day waiting period that typically applies before non-emergency city ordinances take effect. Under municipal statute, an emergency enactment takes effect immediately upon signature by the mayor, or within 10 days if neither signed nor vetoed [source:emergency_clause]. City finance documents indicate that emergency passage allows municipal officials to transfer admissions tax revenue to the FCCFA without administrative delay, ensuring scheduled capital repairs and infrastructure projects at the sports complex continue without disruption [source:baseline_stabilization].
Backing the Modernization Plan
The $870,000 appropriation represents the initial flow of dedicated revenue from a 2% admissions tax increase that city council approved in December 2025 to support a comprehensive $400 million renovation of Nationwide Arena [source:fccfa_framework].
Nationwide Arena, which opened in 2000 and serves as the home ice for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, is publicly owned by the FCCFA [source:fccfa_ownership]. The public authority also owns the Greater Columbus Convention Center and the Hilton Columbus Downtown [source:fccfa_ownership].
In December 2025, council authorized a local government financing structure that raised the arena's admissions tax rate from 5% to 7%, with the entire 2% increment dedicated to the modernization project [source:fccfa_framework]. Council also scheduled a gradual adjustment of the city’s state casino tax revenue share for the arena from 32% to 50% over four years [source:fccfa_framework]. Together, the two revenue streams are designed to back approximately $100 million in public bonds that the FCCFA intends to issue [source:fccfa_framework].
The authority's total funding model relies on layering private investment alongside municipal, county, and state contributions:
- Up to $100 million from a State of Ohio fund dedicated to sports-facility improvements [source:fccfa_funding_model].
- More than $100 million in public bonds issued by the FCCFA [source:fccfa_funding_model].
- $25 million in direct capital contributions requested from the City of Columbus [source:fccfa_funding_model].
- $25 million in direct capital contributions requested from Franklin County [source:fccfa_funding_model].
- Private funding to cover the remaining project balance, not to exceed $400 million [source:fccfa_funding_model].
The 2% tax increase applies solely to admissions at Nationwide Arena, leaving ticket taxes at other city venues unchanged to maintain existing revenue dedicated to cultural arts organizations [source:fccfa_framework].
"We can reinvest in the building with no new taxes and with minimal impact on funding for other community priorities by increasing the cap on casino tax allocations and raising the admission tax at the Arena," said Ken Paul, FCCFA executive director, when the framework was adopted [source:fccfa_bonds_quote]. "It also allows those who benefit most from the improvements to help pay for them while giving fans the world-class experience they deserve."
Admissions Tax Restructuring and Fiscal Breakdown
Prior to the 2% increase, the city's baseline 5% admissions tax under Chapter 376 was estimated to generate roughly $5.55 million annually [source:baseline_stabilization]. Under established city agreements, 80% of that baseline—estimated at $4,435,000 in 2025—was designated for FCCFA capital maintenance, while the city withheld a 0.5% administrative fee from gross receipts [source:baseline_stabilization].
The passage of Ordinance 2270-2026 establishes a distinct funding mechanism to disburse the new 2% revenue increment directly to the FCCFA, projecting $870,000 in 2026 proceeds [source:council_minutes_2270].
To support that expanded fiscal architecture, council passed Ordinance 1883-2026 under the Rules & Policy Committee, which was introduced by Council President Shannon Hardin [source:council_minutes_1883]. The legislation amends Columbus City Code Chapter 375, modernizing legal definitions and regulatory enforcement to ensure that arena facility stabilization receipts are systematically assessed, collected, and distributed [source:council_minutes_1883].
Councilmember Nicholas J. Bankston, who chairs the Finance & Governance Committee, previously sponsored the arena framework ordinances while establishing protective conditions for city funds [source:bankston_amendments]. Those legislative amendments require that a formal Community Benefits Agreement addressing local workforce participation, public art, and youth engagement be established before construction begins, while conditioning the release of city funds on secured state funding support [source:bankston_amendments].
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES WERE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT PORTION OF THE AGENDA AND VOTED ON LATER IN THE MEETING:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES WERE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT PORTION OF THE AGENDA AND VOTED ON LATER IN THE MEETING:
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2270-2026 · To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) for the purpose of distributing an additional two percent (2%) to the 2026 Admissions Tax proceeds from the Facility Stabilization Fund for the purpose of infrastructure investment in Nationwide Arena; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of an estimated $870,000.00 from the Facility Stabilization Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($870,000.00)
2270-2026 · To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) for the purpose of distributing an additional two percent (2%) to the 2026 Admissions Tax proceeds from the Facility Stabilization
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1883-2026 · To amend and enact various provisions of Chapter 375 of the Columbus City Codes in order to strengthen the levying, collection, and allocation of admissions tax for facility stabilization receipts. ($0.00)
1883-2026 · To amend and enact various provisions of Chapter 375 of the Columbus City Codes in order to strengthen the levying, collection, and allocation of admissions tax for facility stabilization receipts. ($0.00)
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this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.
this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.
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Proceeds were made possible via the enactment of a 5% tax on admissions to events occurring at Nationwide Arena. This tax is estimated to yield approximately $5,545,000.00 per year in revenue. Of that revenue, 80%, or an estimated $4,435,000.00, will be contracted with the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority for long-term capital improvements and building infrastructure at Nationwide Arena.
Proceeds were made possible via the enactment of a 5% tax on admissions to events occurring at Nationwide Arena. This tax is estimated to yield approximately $5,545,000.00 per year in revenue. Of that revenue, 80%, or an estimated $4,435,000.00, will be contracted with the Franklin County Convention
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The first ordinance increases the admissions tax on Nationwide Arena events from 5% to 7% with the increase dedicated to the project. The admissions tax would remain the same at all other venues, and the existing arena ticket tax supporting cultural arts remains unchanged. The second ordinance adjusts the allocation of City casino tax receipts from 32% to 50% over four years.
The first ordinance increases the admissions tax on Nationwide Arena events from 5% to 7% with the increase dedicated to the project. The admissions tax would remain the same at all other venues, and the existing arena ticket tax supporting cultural arts remains unchanged. The second ordinance adjus
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The FCCFA is the public authority that owns Nationwide Arena, the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Hilton Columbus Downtown.
The FCCFA is the public authority that owns Nationwide Arena, the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Hilton Columbus Downtown.
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The funding model proposed by the FCCFA includes new private investment combined with additional public support from the State of Ohio, Franklin County, and the City of Columbus. The FCCFA will apply for up to $100 million from the state fund dedicated to sports-facility improvements and plans to issue more than $100 million in public bonds for the project. The Authority is also requesting $25 million each from the City of Columbus and Franklin County. The remaining balance of the project cost, not to exceed $400 million, will be privately funded.
The funding model proposed by the FCCFA includes new private investment combined with additional public support from the State of Ohio, Franklin County, and the City of Columbus. The FCCFA will apply for up to $100 million from the state fund dedicated to sports-facility improvements and plans to is
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“We can reinvest in the building with no new taxes and with minimal impact on funding for other community priorities by increasing the cap on casino tax allocations and raising the admission tax at the Arena,” said Ken Paul, FCCFA Executive Director. “It also allows those who benefit most from the improvements to help pay for them while giving fans the world-class experience they deserve.”
“We can reinvest in the building with no new taxes and with minimal impact on funding for other community priorities by increasing the cap on casino tax allocations and raising the admission tax at the Arena,” said Ken Paul, FCCFA Executive Director. “It also allows those who benefit most from the i
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Councilmember Nicholas J. Bankston, chair of the Economic Development & Small and Minority Business Committee, championed the ordinances while advancing amendments to safeguard the City’s investment and incorporate additional Council priorities. The amendments tie the release of city funds to state funding support and require that a Community Benefits Agreement be in place prior to construction.
Councilmember Nicholas J. Bankston, chair of the Economic Development & Small and Minority Business Committee, championed the ordinances while advancing amendments to safeguard the City’s investment and incorporate additional Council priorities. The amendments tie the release of city funds to state