Hilliard Council Moves to Cancel Purdy Bowl CRA Tax Abatement

Hilliard City Council took initial action to rescind a commercial tax incentive on Monday, Oct. 12, introducing legislation to terminate a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement with local commercial property owner Purdy Bowl, LLC.

The measure, introduced as Ordinance 26-25 on first reading, formally authorizes the cancellation of the tax exemption and directs City Manager Joshua Rauch to take all administrative steps necessary to execute the contract termination Ordinance 26-25. The ordinance was received by Council during its regular meeting at the Hilliard Municipal Building and will advance to second reading and public hearing on Oct. 26.

TIRC Review and Accountability Mechanism

The legislative action follows the annual evaluation conducted by the Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC), an intergovernmental body mandated under Ohio law to audit local economic development incentives. The council monitors private compliance with performance benchmarks, evaluating whether commercial property owners have met pledged capital investments, job creation targets, and payroll obligations.

On Sept. 28, City Council formally adopted Resolution 26-R-91, which approved the 2026 recommendations of the TIRC for Community Reinvestment Area and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects across Hilliard Resolution 26-R-91. Under municipal economic development policies, when the review council finds that a business has failed to fulfill its statutory commitments or when project terms require adjustment, the committee can recommend modifying or dissolving the incentive agreement. Council's vote on Sept. 28 placed those administrative determinations into legal effect Sept. 28 Resolution Adoption.

Background of Purdy Bowl in Old Hilliard

Purdy Bowl, LLC operates the Ten Pin Alley bowling and entertainment center at 5499 Ten Pin Alley in Old Hilliard. The site has hosted a bowling center since 1960 and underwent a substantial multi-million dollar modernization and expansion project in recent years, adding entertainment amenities, dining, and event spaces to the historic commercial corridor.

Under Ohio's Community Reinvestment Area program, municipalities may grant real property tax abatements on the assessed value of new construction or building improvements to encourage commercial revitalization in designated districts. In exchange for the exemption, recipients agree to specified performance milestones, including investment values and ongoing employment levels. When a property owner ceases to satisfy those standards, the governing municipality retains the contractual authority to repeal the abatement.

Impact on Local Tax Rolls and Next Steps

The termination of a CRA abatement returns the full taxable value of the subject real estate improvements to the local property tax duplicate. Rather than remaining partially or entirely exempt, the property becomes fully taxable at regular assessed rates. The resulting tax revenue flows directly to local taxing jurisdictions, including the Hilliard City School District, Norwich Township fire and emergency services, Franklin County agencies, and the City of Hilliard's municipal funds.

Previously, Pique reported on Oct. 13 that Hilliard City Council introduced the city's proposed 2027 operating budget and companion pay grade revisions during the same meeting Hilliard Introduces Proposed 2027 Operating Budget and Pay Grade Overhaul.

City Council is scheduled to convene for its next regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Hilliard Municipal Building, 3800 Municipal Way Upcoming Council Meeting. Ordinance 26-25 is scheduled for second reading and a formal public hearing at that time, where members of the public and property representatives may offer comments before council members take a final vote.