Title:
To honor and recognize Bill Jennison for his many years of service to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority on the occasion of his retirement.
Body
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) was created in 1988 to receive "bed tax" revenue,
is empowered to issue bonds backed by bed-tax receipts, and to date, has issued more than $621 million in tax and lease revenue bonds; and
WHEREAS, Bill Jennison was hired as the Authority's first finance director in 1989, and assumed the role of executive director in 1995; and
WHEREAS, as executive director, Bill was responsible for overseeing the $85 million expansion, renovation and parking development project of
the Greater Columbus Convention Center completed in 2001, and the $40 million renovation and expansion of Battelle Hall completed in December, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, during his tenure with the Authority, Bill also launched the Hilton hotel project to greatly expand the number of hotel beds near the convention
center, placing Columbus in a more competitive position to secure large-scale conventions and meetings; and
WHEREAS, Bill also led the Authority and oversaw the sale of Nationwide Arena from private owners to public ownership by the Authority,
assuring the viability of the arena and surrounding area as an important jobs center and entertainment district for decades to come; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, Bill helped to launch a $125 million convention center renovation, modernization and expansion project which reflects the
ongoing growth in the convention and meetings business; and
WHEREAS, prior to his service to the FCCFA, Bill also worked for the City of Columbus Office of Management and Budget as a financial management
administrator and as assistant director; and
WHEREAS, Bill's careful financial stewardship has spanned multiple decades and has contributed to an unprecedented period of economic growth in Columbus,
for which, Bill should be commended; and
WHEREAS, Council wishes Bill, his wife Liz and their adult children the best in retirement as he will now have more time to cheer on his beloved Cleveland Indians
and Columbus Blue Jackets; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor and recognize Bill Jennison for his many years of public service on the occasion of his retirement from the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority.