A photo of Council President Shannon G. Hardin speaking to media with the following quote below: We are more reliant on data centers as we move into this digital era. What we don't want to do is sleepwalk ourselves into a reality or a future where folks are less healthy, where water infrastructure has been impacted in a negative way, where our electric payers are paying more.

Thank you to everyone who came out to take part in our hearing on data centers and their impact. As Columbus continues to grow, it’s critical that we hear from residents, experts and stakeholders about how data centers impact our energy, water and communities.

Saluting Women Who Serve. A special women's history month event. Thursday, March 19. 5-7 p.m. National Veterans Memorial and Museum. 300 West Broad Street. Keynote speaker: Kathryn Sullivan. U.S. Navy Veteran. Former Astronaut. Past COSI President and CEO. Admission is free, advanced tickets required. Order at nationalvmm.org. Free parking available.

Join Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer for a special #WomensHistoryMonth event honoring the voices and experiences of women veterans. The evening will feature a keynote from Kathryn D. Sullivan. Admission is free but advanced tickets required: tinyurl.com/3s6hhbba

Keeping young people safe is a shared responsibility across our community. On April 2, Council will host a public hearing focused on juvenile safety, with discussion centered on issues impacting youth and families, including curfew, parental responsibility and truancy.

Informational hearing. Data Centers and Community Impacts. Wednesday, March 11. 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers. 90 West Broad Street. Watch live Facebook Youtube. Presenters. Columbus Water & Power. Policy Matters. Vista Site Selections. Central Ohio Building Trades. AEP Ohio. Data Center Coalition. Ohio Environmental Council. State Rep. Tristan Rader. To provide testimony, email clgolterman@columbus.gov with the subject "March 11 Testimony" and specify in person or written with a copy of your remarks by noon on Tuesday, March 10. In person testimony will be limited to 3 minutes.

Council’s hearing on the rapid growth of data centers in Central Ohio is this week. Hear from experts and industry leaders — and there is still time to sign up to speak or submit written testimony.

A little music, a little dance and a lot of Irish pride. City Council joined the Shamrock Club of Columbus to celebrate Irish Proclamation Day with awards, performances and the annual shamrock painting outside City Hall.

Informational hearing. Data Centers and Community Impacts. Wednesday, March 11. 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers. 90 West Broad Street. To provide testimony, email clgolterman@columbus.gov with the subject "March 11 Testimony" and specify in person or written with a copy of your remarks by noon on Tuesday, March 10. In person testimony will be limited to 3 minutes. Swipe for more information.

What are data centers? A data center is a centralized facility that houses the computer systems and other related equipment necessary for managing and processing data. Nearly all digital activity, such as online shopping, streaming, email and artificial intelligence (AI), utilize these data centers. There are over 130 data centers across Central Ohio, with more being built every day. Below this information is a map, provided by datacentermap.com, of the data centers in Central Ohio. Data centers are utilized by us all everyday but consume water and energy to operate. Join us to learn more about their effects on the region and tell us how they impact you.

What does the rapid growth of data centers mean for Central Ohio? On March 11, Council will hold a public hearing to discuss the environmental, economic and community impacts of this expanding industry. Join the hearing to learn more and share your input.

Tonight, @cbuscitycouncil.bsky.social sent a letter to Ohio’s Congressional Delegation demanding immediate action to extend Temporary Protective Status (TPS) designation for all vulnerable immigrant populations.

Check out a copy of the letter on my Council website.

🔗 Link in bio

A picture of the four women serving on Columbus City Council across the bottom with text above reading: Women's History Month. March 2026. Honoring trailblazers. Celebrating leaders. Inspiring the future.

Women have always shaped this city — through leadership, service and action. This #WomensHistoryMonth, we honor those who came before, those leading today, and those who will shape what comes next.

Data centers power our daily lives — but their rapid expansion raises big questions for Central Ohio. On March 11, Council will explore the environmental, economic and community impacts and hear directly from stakeholders. Join us in person or watch live online and be part of the conversation.

Celebrating Black History Month February 2026. Extraordinary leaders: Carl L. Brown. Information provided by Shelbi Toone, Shel10, LLC.

Carl L. Brown was a pioneering educator, civic leader and entrepreneur who expanded access to arts and education and built a thriving business on Mount Vernon Avenue—strengthening opportunity and economic mobility for Columbus’ Black community.

This evening was more than a celebration. It was a charge: to keep building, fighting, and leading with the courage and vision that will carry Columbus forward for the next century.

Thank you to everyone who joined us tonight and who are part of this ongoing story. Tonight, we celebrated the blueprint that built Columbus—and recommitted to shaping the next 100 years.

We were inspired by a bold, powerful keynote from Columbus native and author Wil Haygood.

Black History Month Celebration and Poindexter Award Ceremony. February 24. 6 p.m. Columbus City Hall. Parking Map.

Our annual Black History Month Celebration is tonight! Doors will open at 5 p.m. where we'll have networking and refreshments before our program begins at 6 p.m. Attendees are able to park at the parking garage located at 141 N. Front St. The entrance is in the rear of the building on Ludlow St.

Detention Facility Moratorium. Ordinance 0520-2026. Creates a special-use permit requirement for detention facilities, effectively preventing the construction of new centers and restricting the use of facilities deemed unsuitable for humane detention. The policy is intended to prevent expansion of immigration detention in Columbus.

Limits Use of City Property by Federal Agents. Ordinance 0566-2026. Requires a judicial warrant before federal immigration officials may use City-controlled parking lots, garages or non-public spaces for operations. It also requires signage, allows physical barriers where needed and directs city employees to report prohibited collaboration.

Urges clearer identification and accountability. Resolution 0047X-2026. A resolution from the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs urging federal immigration enforcement officers to display badges and names, avoid face coverings that obscure identity and meet training standards comparable to Ohio police certification.

The goal is simple: Families should feel safe going to school, work and public places without fear that city resources are being used against them.

Council acts to protect schools, workers and city spaces from federal immigration overreach. Columbus City Council approved a package of legislation in response to increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Columbus. The measures are intended to protect workers and families, clarify how city resources may be used and strengthen safeguards at schools and child care centers. Swipe to see what’s included.

Limits formal partnerships with ICE. Ordinance 0515-2026. Bars the City from entering immigration enforcement agreements — including 287(g) agreements — with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without Council approval. The change is intended to prevent local law enforcement from carrying out federal immigration enforcement duties without public review.

Secondary Employment Ban. Ordinance 0518-2026. Prohibits City employees from holding secondary jobs with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The measure is designed to avoid conflicts of interest and separate city services from federal immigration enforcement.

Protecting Schools and Daycares. Ordinance 0519-2026. Makes harassment, stalking or obstruction at schools and daycare centers a first-degree misdemeanor and increases penalties for targeting employees. The ordinance aims to protect children, families and staff from intimidation or interference at sensitive locations.

Council has passed new legislation to establish clearer boundaries between our city and federal immigration enforcement. These actions reflect a commitment to fairness, accountability and community stability.

Celebrating Black History Month February 2026. A portrait of Ezekiel Fields above the caption: Extraordinary leaders: Ezekiel Fields. Information provided by Shelbi Toone, Shel10, LLC.

Ezekiel Fields helped shape Columbus’ Black neighborhoods through faith, business and community leadership. As the first pastor of Second Baptist Church, he advanced Black economic independence and built lasting institutions. #BlackHistoryMonth

Applications close this week. Summer 2026 Internship Program. Program details. May 11-July 17. 15-20 hours per week. $17 per hour. Open positions: Councilmember offices. Communications. Community Engagement. Legislative Research Office. City Clerk's Office. Deadline: February 25, 2026. Apply now: columbus.gov/councilinternship.

Applications for our Summer 2026 internship cohort close this week. This paid opportunity is open to college juniors, seniors and first-year graduate students interested in city government. Apply by Feb. 25: columbus.gov/councilinternship

West Side Coffee and Conversation Series. Utility Discounts: Know Your Options. March 4, 2026. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.1888 Fairmont Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43223. Light refreshments to be provided. Do you have any questions about your bill? Utility discount programs? Is your bill in your name? Join us for an informative conversation with professionals from Columbus Water and Power, AEP and Columbia Gas! Planning to Attend? Let us know by scanning the QR code or visit: https://forms.gle/HMQfqKsANG597JFY8 Questions? Contact Lisa Snyder at lmsnyder@columbus.gov or by phone 614-813-7999.

We’re back on the calendar. Join us for the rescheduled West Side Coffee & Conversation Series: Utility Discounts — Know Your Options. Learn about utility assistance and discount programs and get your questions answered by the experts. Register: tinyurl.com/2k3uh5bj

Traffic 101. Prairie Township Community Center. 5955 West Broad Street. Galloway, Ohio 43119. February 25. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join us for a panel discussion regarding infrastructure as our community grows. RSVP preferred. Scan/link below. https://forms.gle/5oEJB7mnNmP1dh7U9

Join us for a multijurisdictional panel on all things traffic, hosted by Department of Neighborhoods and Columbus City Council. Learn and ask questions about traffic as it relates to development, special projects and advocacy.

Black History Month Celebration and Poindexter Award Ceremony. Wil Haygood book signing. Immediately following the Black History Month event. Meet our keynote speaker and have your book signed by Wil Haygood. Books will be available for purchase onsite from Gramercy Books, including The War Within a War, Tigerland and The Butler. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own copies to be signed. February 24. 6 p.m. Columbus City Hall. rsvp at columbus.gov/bhmawards.

Join us for our Black History Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony — and stay after for a book signing with keynote speaker Wil Haygood.
Books will be available for purchase onsite from Gramercy Books, and guests are welcome to bring their own copies to be signed.

A photo of Council President Shannon G. Hardin above a quote attributed to him: What I heard clearly during last year’s election—while talking with voters, community members and even candidates for office, including the colleague seated next to me today—is that residents want to see a more open and transparent process for how these bond dollars are spent. They want sharper strategies, more public input and a willingness to think big about how we address our housing challenges.

Transparency, public input and accountability will guide how these funds are used to strengthen housing opportunities across the city. More updates to come.

Ahead of our hearing last week, Columbus City Council opened a survey asking for anonymous feedback on how the Affordable Housing Bond dollars should be directed. The survey received 532 responses from residents (63%), nonprofit and community leaders (23%) and housing development professionals (14%). Their voices represented all sides of the city: north side (45%), east side (22%), west side (12%), south side (12%) and downtown (8%). Swipe to see survey results.

Respondents view the high cost of housing and barriers to homeownership as the top housing issues facing Columbus. 48% Lack of affordable rental housing. 39% Increasing cost of rent. 38% Lack of affordable housing to purchase. 35% Homes being purchased by out-of-state investors. 31% Increased property taxes. There was a strong preference to support deeper affordability, even if it leads to fewer units produced. A pie chart split 32% to 68% with the information: 68% Prefer the bond dollars support housing units for people with lower incomes even if that means fewer units are built, for example, housing for a family of 4 who make 30% of the area median income, or $32,700 – a monthly rent of $817. 32% • Prefer the bond dollars support more units, but with higher rents that people in the middle-class can afford. For example, housing for a family of 4 who make 80% of the area median income, or $87,200/year – a monthly rent of $2,180.

People focused on prioritizing housing close to amenities, nonprofit or local management and missing middle housing. 70% prioritize housing close to transit lines, jobs, and amenities. 53% prioritize housing that is built or managed by nonprofits, churches or public partners. 50% prioritize medium-scale projects (i.e. duplexes, triplexes) instead of large multifamily buildings or single-family houses.

One idea is to require that organizations who receive bond funding should have to meet additional requirements. More than half of respondents would support requirements for greater tenant protections, higher expectations for affordability and registering in a database to help people search listing. 60% Commit to providing renter protections. 49% Commit to registering units in a rental search tool. 51% At least half of units should be affordable to residents earning lower incomes. 54% At least half of units should be affordable to residents earning lower incomes.

$500 million is a significant investment approved by Columbus voters—and it comes with a responsibility to make every dollar count. Following last week's affordable housing bond hearing, where community members shared their feedback, we’re sharing insights from our recent housing survey.

Public Hearing Notice. 2026 Operating Budget: Council Amendments. Hosted By Councilmember Nick Bankston. Wednesday, February 25. 4 p.m. Council Chambers. 90 West Broad Street. Testimony: To provide written or public testimony please email jbbrown@columbus.gov with the subject: “February 25 Testimony” with your name and address by 10 a.m. on February 25.

Our next budget hearing is scheduled for next week, where Councilmember Nick Bankston will share and discuss anticipated Council amendments to the Mayor’s proposed 2026 Operating Budget.

Black History Month 2026 Poindexter Award Recipients. Dr. Gene Harris. LC Johnson. Sen. Ray Miller. Dan Moncrief. Alex Shumate. February 24. 6 p.m. Columbus City Hall. Rsvp at columbus.gov/bhmawards.

Our Black History Month Celebration is just one week away. Today, we’re proud to announce the winners of this year’s Poindexter Awards, honoring leaders who continue to shape our city and community. Join us as we celebrate their legacy and impact. RSVP: columbus.gov/bhmawards

A photo of Rev. Jesse Jackson with the caption reading: Rev. Jess Jackson 1941-2026.

Today we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering civil rights leader who advanced justice and opened doors for generations of Black Americans. His courage helped shape movements and the fight for equality far beyond this #BlackHistoryMonth.

Born on 2/14 and celebrating 214 years today — the numbers line up for Columbus’ birthday. Here’s to more than two centuries of growth, grit and community and to the future we’re building together.

Grounds for Connection. Have questions about snow removal? Dealing with a water main leak? Experiencing troubles with trash collection? Confused about the 311 process? Want to talk about deer in your neighborhood? Council representatives and Department of Neighborhoods community liaisons will host open office hours to connect with residents one-on-one. Friday, February 20. 1-3 p.m. Columbus Metropolitan Library Northside Branch. 1423 North High Street. RSVP by email to symchao@columbus.gov. Walk-ins are welcome.

Stop by at this month’s Grounds For Connections to ask questions about City processes, check in on requests and connect with your City liaisons.

The hearing will start at 5:15 p.m.

To provide written or public testimony please email abmcdonald@columbus.gov with the subject: “February 17 Testimony” with your name and address by 3 p.m. on February 17.

Council will host a public hearing on legislation to protect residents’ safety and dignity amid increased ICE activity. The goal is simple: ensure families can live, work and seek help without fear — and keep city resources focused on serving residents.