SHORT NORTH COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT PROGRAM
The Short North is investing in what matters, not just for today, but for the future of a neighborhood that defines how Columbus shows up to the world.
In June 2025, Columbus City Council authorized the formation of the Short North New Community Authority (NCA). This allowed for the creation of the Short North Community Reinvestment Program to help us achieve a cleaner, safer, more vibrant Short North.
Every dollar collected in the Short North Community Reinvestment Program stays in the neighborhood to support the people and places that define the Short North as the creative backbone of Columbus.
frequently asked questions
What is a New Community Authority?
A New Community Authority, or NCA, is a commonplace public/private partnership tool that has historically been used in the financing of development but is now increasingly being used in place keeping. The Short North New Community Authority enables tools to support the ongoing needs most critical in the community through a new Short North Community Reinvestment Program.
Shaped by local business operators, property owners, and community leaders, the initiative will allow for reinvestment in a cleaner, safer, more creative Short North where a small percentage of some purchases helps do good for all in our community.
Every dollar collected stays in the neighborhood to support the people and places that define the Short North as the creative backbone of Columbus.
It’s a way for the people who enjoy the Short North to help do good through their purchases by sustaining the very things that make it so special, from safety and cleanliness to creativity and community.
What can the Short North Community Reinvestment Program do?
The Short North Community Reinvestment Program can make enhanced programs and services possible, such as:
- Enhanced public safety programming + services
- More clean + beautification programming + services
- More customer experience programming + services
- Vital placemaking programming + services
- Additional maintenance of community facilities programming + services
It also can determine the methods of financing these services through eligible community reinvestments on business, parking, or hotel activities under Chapter 349 of the Ohio Revised Code, a designation that differs from a tax in several key ways:
- It is consented to by participating property owners unlike property taxes which a government imposes regardless of consent
- It is not uniform, as taxes are legally required to be
- It is used for specific neighborhood-level improvements, not for general governmental purposes
- It is not enacted under Ohio’s tax laws
How is the NCA managed?
The Short North Alliance is the lead place keeping organization for the Short North community offering cleanliness, safety, and other programming that supports the economic and cultural vibrancy of the Short North. It administers programs and services enabled through the Short North New Community Authority. Read more about the Short North Alliance.
The Short North New Community is governed by an appointed Board of Trustees tasked with determining and administering the community reinvestment programs, services, and methods of financing them.
2025 Short North New Community Authority Board of Trustees
Mary Jo Hudson, Chairperson
Short North Alliance Appointee | Short North Resident | Squire, Patton, Boggs
Tyler Puhl, Vice Chairperson
City of Columbus Citizen Appointee | Short North Business + Property Owner | The Wood Companies
Sheila Trautner, Treasurer
Short North Alliance Appointee | Short North Business + Property Owner | Taste Hospitality Group
Ryan Aiello, Member
City of Columbus Appointee | Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Jane Grote Abell, Member
City of Columbus Citizen Appointee | Short North Business + Property Owner | Donatos
Adam Okuley, Member
Short North Alliance Appointee | Short North Business + Property Owner | The Pizzuti Companies
Stephen Sayre, Member
City of Columbus Appointee | Local Government Representative | Office of Mayor Andrew J. Ginther
Meetings and records of the Short North New Community Authority are open to the public. Email snnca@shortnorth.org to request meeting attendance details or make a records request.
2025 Meetings Schedule, Agenda, and Minutes
Board Meeting: July 9, 2025 at 3pm | Agenda | Minutes
Board Meeting: September 9, 2025 at 3pm
Board Meeting: November 25, 2025 at 3pm
Public Input
The community is encouraged to share feedback and questions regarding the program’s services and methods of financing them. Comments can be submitted to snnca@shortnorth.org.
The Short North Community Reinvestment Program will be active as of November 1, 2025. Updates regarding the anticipated implementation of related programs and services will be shared in early 2026.