Columbus City Council Hears Heated Debate Over NWSL Stadium Plan

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus City Council on Monday held the first reading of a contentious proposal to bring a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team to the city, drawing hours of public testimony and sharp criticism from residents and some council members over the use of a public park for a training facility.

Ordinance 1112-2026 would authorize $25 million in taxpayer funding and designate McCoy Park as the site for a team training complex. The park had previously been promised as a therapeutic recreation space for children with disabilities, a commitment several speakers said the city was now breaking.

Council President Shannon Harden expressed frustration with the administration’s handling of the proposal, saying the council had been given little time to review the plan and that community engagement had been insufficient.

“We need to have a real conversation about what this means for the residents who were promised that park,” Harden said. She vowed to seek amendments before the ordinance returns for a second reading.

Public testimony included allegations from speaker Rachel Wenning, who claimed that major investors in the NWSL project had donated more than $295,000 to campaigns of city officials. No formal response to the allegation was given during the meeting.

No vote was taken on the ordinance, which will come back for a second reading at a future meeting.

In other business, the council referred a $2 million contract with the Franklin County jail system back to committee after members raised concerns about the sheriff’s policies regarding notification of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ordinance 860-2026 would have authorized housing city prisoners in county facilities, but council members said they needed more information before proceeding.

The council also approved a grant agreement with Ohio State University for the 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging, which will survey older adults to inform city services. Ordinance 0943-2026 passed without opposition.

Council Member Rob Bankston announced a hearing set for April 29 to unveil recommendations from a steering committee on the city’s first participatory budgeting pilot. The program is funded with $9 million, with $1 million allocated per council district. Residents must email testimony by 10 a.m. that day to participate.

Council Member Emmanuel Remy announced a separate public hearing on April 28 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the structure of the Columbus City Council, including its history and potential alternative models. Residents can request to speak by contacting Annie McDonald before 3 p.m. on April 28.

The meeting adjourned after the zoning committee session.

Key moments

Contentious

NWSL public testimony against McCoy Park loss

For nearly a decade, children and families have been told this park would become a therapeutic recreation space... and now, because the Department of Development failed to do sufficient due diligence, you have been asked to rip that promise away.

Significant Columbus City Council Meeting (4/13/26) · 1:06:55

Council President frustration over lack of community engagement

I did not know that there was another part of the bad deal that the city had promised a park for young people who have disabilities to be built and to break ground this year. I did not know that and I think that's absurd.

Contentious

Public speaker alleges campaign finance ties

Given that the major investors in this project have given at least $295,000 in campaign donations in the last five years, I think it would be really unfair to not give them whatever they want.

Significant

Franklin County Jail contract referred back

There are still important questions we need answered regarding the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and its policies involving foreign-born residents and notifications to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Public interest

Participatory budgeting pilot announcement

We're able to secure $9 million, a million dollars for each of our districts to go through a process by which residents will lead us through an exercise of collecting ideas for their neighborhoods and also voting directly on what they want to see in those capital projects.

Full analysis

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Meeting Analysis

City of Columbus — 2026-04-13

Meeting Information

Title: Columbus City Council Meeting (4/13/26)

Parish: City of Columbus

Date: 2026-04-13

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 3889

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
NWSL Expansion Team Ordinance 1112-2026	First reading of ordinance to bring a National Women's Soccer League expansion team to Columbus, including $25 million in taxpayer funding and use of McCoy Park for a training facility.	First reading held; council heard public testimony for and against; council president expressed frustration over lack of community engagement and promised further discussions; ordinance will return for second reading.	First reading; no final vote taken.
Participatory Budgeting Pilot Announcement	Council Member Bankston announced a hearing on April 29 to unveil steering committee recommendations for the city's first participatory budgeting pilot, funded with $9 million ($1 million per district).	Hearing scheduled for April 29; residents must email to speak or submit written testimony by 10 a.m. that day.	No action required.
Public Hearing on Council Structure	Council Member Remy announced a public hearing on April 28 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the structure of Columbus City Council, including history and alternative models.	Hearing scheduled; residents can submit testimony or request to speak by emailing Annie McDonald before 3 p.m. on April 28.	No action required.
Franklin County Jail Contract Referred Back to Committee	Ordinance 860-2026 to authorize $2 million for housing city prisoners in Franklin County jails was referred back to committee due to concerns about the sheriff's ICE notification policies.	Referred back to committee for further review.	Motion to refer carried.
Age-Friendly Innovation Center Grant	Ordinance 0943-2026 authorizes a grant agreement with Ohio State University for the 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging to survey older adults.	Passed.	Motion carried.

$9 million allocated for participatory budgeting pilot ($1 million per district).
$25 million in taxpayer funding proposed for NWSL team, plus use of McCoy Park.
$2.9 million for GenTax revenue management system renewal.
$3.45 million for nine dump trucks with snow equipment.
$75 million for wholesale electric power and renewable energy credits for 2026-2027.

Loss of McCoy Park and broken promise of therapeutic recreation space for disabled children.
Lack of community engagement and transparency in the NWSL deal.
Campaign finance influence on city decisions.
ICE collaboration at Franklin County Jail leading to deportations of non-criminal immigrants.
Need for affordable housing and senior services.

NWSL team proposal: use of McCoy Park, a public park with planned therapeutic recreation space for disabled children, sparked strong opposition from community members and some council members.
Franklin County Jail contract: concerns over sheriff's ICE notification policies led to referral back to committee.
Campaign finance allegations: public speaker Rachel Wenning claimed major investors in the NWSL project donated over $295,000 to city officials' campaigns.

Department of Development

Jobs growth incentive for Copper Run Capital LLC: 30 new jobs, $6M payroll, 25% income tax rebate for 5 years.
Jobs growth incentive for AAA Cooper Transportation: 55 new jobs, $3.85M payroll, 25% rebate for 5 years.

Department of Public Utilities

Fire hydrant replacement project: $1.85M contract with JLD Construction.
Kenowick Road water line improvements: $5.17M construction contract and $967k inspection services.
Lexington area water line improvements: $5.29M construction contract.
Tree trimming and vegetation management: $1.45M contract modification with Aspalundy Tree Expert.
Power supply agreement: $75M for wholesale electric power and renewable energy credits.

Department of Public Safety

Sale of Bell MD530 helicopter via broker Airflight Inc.
Towing management services contract modification: $1.3M with Proto Inc.

Department of Recreation and Parks

Contract with Dynamic Agility Sports LLC for summer camps at Carriage Place Community Center: $110,000.

Department of Finance and Management

GenTax revenue management system renewal: $2.92M.
Purchase of Rizzo printer: $85,000 from Wells Fargo Financial Leasing.

Council to work with administration and area commission to find alternative park site or amend NWSL legislation.
Franklin County Jail contract to be reviewed in committee; further discussions with sheriff's office on ICE policies.
Participatory budgeting hearing on April 29; residents to submit testimony by 10 a.m. that day.
Council structure public hearing on April 28; testimony deadline 3 p.m. that day.
Short-term rental regulations second hearing on April 21.