New visitor fee coming to Short North; Get the details here
Last month, Columbus City Council approved the formation of the Short North New Community Authority (NCA) – a public body that can collect a community development charge of 1 percent on select purchases at participating businesses with an optional additional 1 percent on late-night transactions between midnight and 3 a.m.
The fee is not a tax and property owners must opt in to the program.
The Short North Alliance, which proposed the NCA and will administer it, said the new charges will help fund neighborhood initiatives related to public safety, cleanliness and creative programming. The Alliance said these funds will support areas like special duty police, homeless outreach, late-night cleaning crews, public art, free open street events and landscaping improvements.
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The Alliance cited significant growth and increased foot traffic in recent years as the driving force. Representatives described the NCA as a reinvestment strategy intended to meet rising demand for services, while also positioning the neighborhood for long-term sustainability.
The development charge would apply to purchases like food, beverages, hotel stays, event services, retail items and parking. Essential items such as groceries would be excluded, and residential properties within mixed-use buildings would not be impacted.
At a public hearing in June, city officials emphasized that the program is voluntary and participation is limited to property owners who consent to join the designated NCA territory. They said additional properties could be added over time with council approval and owner consent.
The NCA will be governed by a board of trustees with appointments from both the City of Columbus and the Short North Alliance.
Alliance representatives noted that signage and receipt disclosures would help inform customers. They said existing systems used by other NCAs can support fee collection and reporting.
Supporters of the initiative, including several local businesses, have said the model offers a way to generate neighborhood-specific funding for services without relying on citywide tax increases. Critics have raised questions about how the fees will be perceived by customers and whether voluntary participation could limit the program’s effectiveness.
Columbus City Council is expected to finalize board appointments and begin formalizing additional participating parcels later this year.
Similar models have been used in other Ohio communities including Bridge Park in Dublin and The Banks in Cincinnati. The Short North Alliance representatives said this will be one of the largest initiatives of its kind in the state.
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