Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) in an amount up to $900,000.00 using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide enhanced health and safety improvements at the Greater Columbus Convention Center with the installation and improvement of ventilation systems in the public facility. FCCFA will be a “beneficiary” of ARPA funds.
Ordinance 1201-2021 authorized the City of Columbus to accept and appropriate approximately $187,030,138.00 of federal ARPA funds as signed into law by the President of the United States on March 11, 2021.
The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) operates the Greater Columbus Convention Center, a facility that is closely linked to the region’s travel and tourism industry and which is a key component of the City’s economic recovery. Annually, visitors make 43 million trips to Greater Columbus for conventions, trade shows, sporting events, and leisure visits, spending $7.6 billion and supporting 78,600 jobs.
FCCFA’s proposed investment in indoor air quality improvements are required as part of a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The improvements will enhance indoor air quality throughout the Greater Columbus Convention Center which will protect visitors’ health and safety while exceeding guidelines mandated or recommended by the CDC and local health officials.
Airborne transmission was a key factor in SARS-CoV-2 spread. The Greater Columbus Convention Center has taken significant initial steps to protect visitors and guests by upgrading HVAC filters and providing a clean indoor environment. However, additional investment in air-handling systems and technologies will boost the pace of the convention center’s recovery, protect against the spread of airborne viruses and pathogens, and assure visitors and guests that the Greater Columbus Convention Cente...
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