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…