Columbus City Council Weighs WestBend Redevelopment and Infrastructure Contracts
Columbus City Council considers WestBend redevelopment financing, public utility contracts, youth violence prevention, and tax reserve legislation.
Columbus City Council convenes Monday at 5:00 p.m. for Regular Meeting No. 47 in council chambers.
Columbus City Hall at 90 West Broad Street, where Columbus City Council meets.
Credit: General Ization / Wikimedia Commons Image source
Previously, Pique reported proposals for 318 apartments on North Cassady Avenue on Oct. 16, and on Oct. 23 reported council deliberations over tax reserve rules and software funding.
WestBend Redevelopment Financing
Emergency legislation creates the WestBend TIF encompassing property at the intersection of Fisher Road and McKinley Avenue. Developer WestBend QOZB, LLC, an affiliate of Thrive Companies LLC, plans to privately invest nearly $200 million to develop approximately 895 apartment units and up to 8,000 square feet of retail on the 50.28-acre site.
Emergency action is requested because the developer's lender requires the company to close on apartment financing before the end of the month, without which the apartments may be delayed.
The legislation establishes a 30-year, 100% tax increment financing district that directs annual payments in lieu of taxes to Columbus City Schools in the full amount the school district would have received without the exemption. To finance site improvements, the city authorizes an agreement to repay infrastructure bonds issued by the WestBend Community Authority for public improvements. A companion resolution declares the WestBend Community Authority to be organized as a body politic and corporate within the new community district.
Public Utilities and Grid Infrastructure
Public utilities measures include an ordinance authorizing a $4.6 million engineering services contract with Black and Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 2 project, expending up to $4,595,036.43 contingent upon loan approval from the Ohio Water Development Authority.
An emergency ordinance also authorizes Columbus Water & Power to approve a $3 million contract modification with New River Electrical Corporation for electric transmission, distribution, and street lighting systems, authorizing a $3,000,000.00 transfer and expenditure within the Electricity Operating Fund.
Violence Prevention and Economic Development
Under public safety, the Office of Violence Prevention seeks approval for an emergency $249,012 violence prevention contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate youth gun violence reduction.
In administration business, council is considering a $1 million grant agreement with One Columbus from the Neighborhood Economic Development Fund to support business attraction, expansion, and retention.
Software Spending and Reserve Fund Rules
In technology legislation, an ordinance authorizes an enterprise agreement with Dell Marketing LP, appropriating $3,932,230.79 from the Income Tax Set-Aside subfund alongside $143,226.07 from the Municipal Court Judges General Fund for a total expenditure of $4,075,456.86.
Council President Shannon Hardin introduced legislation under the Rules and Policy Committee to amend Chapter 362 of Columbus City Codes on the use of the Income Tax Set-Aside subfund.
Ackley Place Zoning Hearing
The Columbus City Council Zoning Committee has scheduled a regular meeting for Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Under Ordinance 2915-2026, the committee will review a request to rezone 30.17 acres at 2125 Ackley Place on the west side of North Cassady Avenue from Commercial Planned Development to Apartment Residential. Companion Ordinance 2916-2026 seeks a council variance from height and yard standards to allow applicant Dominium to construct a 318-unit apartment complex on the site.
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The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Columbus City Council · 2026-10-26
Supporting evidence (6)
Columbus City Council convenes Monday at 5:00 p.m. for Regular Meeting No. 47 in council chambers.
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REGULAR MEETING NO. 47 OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL, MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
Public utilities measures include an ordinance authorizing a $4.6 million engineering services contract with Black and Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 2 project, expending up to $4,595,036.43 contingent upon loan approval from the Ohio Water Development Authority.
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To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a professional engineering services contract with Black and Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 2 project; to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund; to authorize this contract to be funded with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $4,595,036.43 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund for the contract.
An emergency ordinance also authorizes Columbus Water & Power to approve a $3 million contract modification with New River Electrical Corporation for electric transmission, distribution, and street lighting systems, authorizing a $3,000,000.00 transfer and expenditure within the Electricity Operating Fund.
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To authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to modify the contract with New River Electrical Corporation for Emergency and Non-Emergency Services for Electric Transmission, Distribution & Street Lighting Systems; to authorize the transfer of $3,000,000.00 within the Electricity Operating Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $3,000,000.00 from within the Electricity Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($3,000,000.00)
Under public safety, the Office of Violence Prevention seeks approval for an emergency $249,012 violence prevention contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate youth gun violence reduction.
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To authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate efforts to reduce gun violence and violence prevention amongst youth in the community; to authorize the expenditure of $249,012.38 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($249,012.38)
In administration business, council is considering a $1 million grant agreement with One Columbus from the Neighborhood Economic Development Fund to support business attraction, expansion, and retention.
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To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with One Columbus in an amount up to $1,000,000.00 to provide support for economic development activities associated with business attraction, expansion, and retention as well as other activities related to the City of Columbus’ continued interest in workforce development, marketing, and entrepreneurship; to authorized the appropriation in an amount up to $1,000,000.00 within the Neighborhood Economic Development fund; to authorize the expenditure of $1,000,000.00 within the Neighborhood Economic Development Fund and; and to authorize the advancement of funds to the agency on a predetermined schedule. ($1,000,000.00)
In technology legislation, an ordinance authorizes an enterprise agreement with Dell Marketing LP, appropriating $3,932,230.79 from the Income Tax Set-Aside subfund alongside $143,226.07 from the Municipal Court Judges General Fund for a total expenditure of $4,075,456.86.
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To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to enter an agreement with Dell Marketing LP, utilizing a State of Ohio State Term Schedule contract for Microsoft Enterprise software licensing and professional services; to appropriate $3,932,230.79 from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund Income Tax Set-Aside subfund to the Department of Technology; to authorize the expenditure of $143,226.07 from the Municipal Court Judges General Fund, and to authorize the expenditure of $3,932,230.79 from the General Fund Income Tax Set-Aside subfund. ($4,075,456.86)
Dominium Proposes 318 Apartments on North Cassady Avenue
Supporting evidence (3)
Previously, Pique reported proposals for 318 apartments on North Cassady Avenue on Oct. 16, and on Oct. 23 reported council deliberations over tax reserve rules and software funding.
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Dominium Proposes 318 Apartments on North Cassady Avenue
The Columbus City Council Zoning Committee has scheduled a regular meeting for Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Companion Ordinance 2916-2026 seeks a council variance from height and yard standards to allow applicant Dominium to construct a 318-unit apartment complex on the site.
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The requested Council variance proposes a 318-unit apartment complex with increased building height, a reduced building setback line along North Cassady Avenue, reduced perimeter yards, and a bus shelter encroaching within the building setback line.
Columbus City Council Weighs Tax Reserve Changes and $3.93 Million Software Transfer
Supporting evidence (2)
Previously, Pique reported proposals for 318 apartments on North Cassady Avenue on Oct. 16, and on Oct. 23 reported council deliberations over tax reserve rules and software funding.
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Columbus City Council Weighs Tax Reserve Changes and $3.93 Million Software Transfer
Council President Shannon Hardin introduced legislation under the Rules and Policy Committee to amend Chapter 362 of Columbus City Codes on the use of the Income Tax Set-Aside subfund.
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Council President Shannon Hardin introduced legislation under the council's Rules and Policy Committee to amend Chapter 362 of Columbus City Codes on the use of the Income Tax Set-Aside subfund, according to the Oct. 19 meeting agenda.
Supporting evidence (4)
Emergency legislation creates the WestBend TIF encompassing property at the intersection of Fisher Road and McKinley Avenue.
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To create the WestBend TIF encompassing property at the southwest, southeast, and northeast, corners of the intersection of Fisher Road and McKinley Avenue and between the New York Central Railroad to the west and the Scioto River to the east; to declare improvements to those parcel(s) to be a public purpose and exempt from real property taxation; to require the owner(s) of those parcel(s) to make service payments in lieu of taxes; to require the distribution of the applicable portion of those service payments to the Columbus City Schools; to establish a municipal public improvement tax increment equivalent fund for the deposit of the remainder of those non-school service payments; and to declare an emergency.
Developer WestBend QOZB, LLC, an affiliate of Thrive Companies LLC, plans to privately invest nearly $200 million to develop approximately 895 apartment units and up to 8,000 square feet of retail on the 50.28-acre site.
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WESTBEND QOZB, LLC (the “Developer”), an affiliate of Thrive Companies LLC, and the City entered into the Economic Development Agreement dated April 19, 2024, as amended by the First Amendment to Economic Development Agreement dated August 19, 2026 (together, the “EDA”), pursuant to Ordinance No. 1866-2023 passed by City Council on July 31, 2023 and Ordinance No. 1511-2026 passed by City Council on June 22, 2026. The EDA provides for the mutual commitments and obligations made towards the former Buckeye Auto Parts brownfield site consisting of approximately 50.28 acres of the real property at the southwest, southeast, and northeast, corners of the intersection of Fisher Road and McKinley Avenue and between the New York Central Railroad to the west and the Scioto River to the east (the “Site”). The Developer intends to privately invest nearly $200 million to develop in multiple phases approximately 895 apartment units (including affordable housing units), up to 8,000 square feet of retail, off-street surface parking, and appropriate associated amenities.
Emergency action is requested because the developer's lender requires the company to close on apartment financing before the end of the month, without which the apartments may be delayed.
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Emergency action is requested to immediately establish the WestBend TIF as the Developer’s lender is requiring the Developer to close on the apartment financing before the end of the month but the lender will not close unless the City first establishes the WestBend TIF and without such financing the apartments may be delayed beyond the deadline in the EDA causing a loss of new housing units and construction jobs.
The legislation establishes a 30-year, 100% tax increment financing district that directs annual payments in lieu of taxes to Columbus City Schools in the full amount the school district would have received without the exemption.
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The WestBend TIF provides for a one hundred percent (100%) exemption from real property taxation on improvements to the parcels within the WestBend TIF for a not more than a thirty-year period for all parcels in each of three separate phases (or any other phases designated by ordinance) within the WestBend TIF. Columbus City Schools will receive, in the same manner as usual, all amounts that they would have received in real property taxes had the tax exemption not been granted. Annual service payments in lieu of taxes will be made by the owner(s) of each parcel with respect to the exempted improvements of the WestBend TIF parcels. The applicable portion of those service payments will be distributed directly to Columbus City Schools.
Supporting evidence (1)
To finance site improvements, the city authorizes an agreement to repay infrastructure bonds issued by the WestBend Community Authority for public improvements.
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to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into the Tax Increment Financing and Cooperative Agreement between the City, WestBend Community Authority, and WestBend QOZB, LLC to reimburse bonds issued by the WestBend Community Authority for the costs of public infrastructure improvements described thereunder benefiting WestBend QOZB, LLC’s development at the intersection of Fisher Road and McKinley Avenue
Supporting evidence (1)
A companion resolution declares the WestBend Community Authority to be organized as a body politic and corporate within the new community district.
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To declare that the establishment of the WestBend Community Authority will be conducive to the public safety, convenience, and welfare and is intended to result in the development of a new community; to declare the WestBend Community Authority to be organized as a body politic and corporate within the new community district
Supporting evidence (2)
Under Ordinance 2915-2026, the committee will review a request to rezone 30.17 acres at 2125 Ackley Place on the west side of North Cassady Avenue from Commercial Planned Development to Apartment Residential.
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2915-2026 · To rezone 2125 ACKLEY PL. (43219), being 30.17± acres located on the west side of North Cassady Avenue, 1,238± feet north of Airport Drive, From: CPD, Commercial Planned Development District, To: AR-1, Apartment Residential District (Rezoning #Z26-015).
Companion Ordinance 2916-2026 seeks a council variance from height and yard standards to allow applicant Dominium to construct a 318-unit apartment complex on the site.
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2916-2026 · To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3309.14, Height districts; 3333.18, Building lines; 3333.255, Perimeter yard; and 3333.26, Height district, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 2125 ACKLEY PL. (43219), to allow reduced development standards for an apartment complex in the AR-1, Apartment Residential District (Council Variance #CV26-040).
Supporting evidence (1)
Companion Ordinance 2916-2026 seeks a council variance from height and yard standards to allow applicant Dominium to construct a 318-unit apartment complex on the site.
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APPLICANT: Dominium; c/o David Hodge, Atty.; 8000 Walton Parkway, Suite 120, New Albany, OH 43054.