Shaping the Future of the FCCFA Campus

For nearly four decades, the FCCFA has served as a thoughtful steward of the public assets that support Columbus’ visitor economy and downtown vitality. As the city continues to grow, the FCCFA is preparing to launch a comprehensive master planning effort to guide the next chapter of the FCCFA campus.

As Columbus continues to grow and evolve, so must the way those assets function together. That is why the FCCFA is preparing to take an important next step by initiating a comprehensive master plan for the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Campus (FCCFA Campus), including the Greater Columbus Convention Center and nearby FCCFA-owned and adjacent sites that support its operation and connection to downtown Columbus. Later this quarter, the FCCFA will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), available on our website, to engage a qualified planning team to lead this effort.

The Convention Center has grown alongside the city. Since its original construction in 1980, the facility has expanded multiple times to meet demand, most recently with a major expansion and renovation completed in 2017. Today, the Convention Center encompasses 1.8 million square feet and plays a central role within the FCCFA Campus in attracting meetings, conventions and events that generate significant economic activity for Columbus and the region.

This master plan is not about a single project or predetermined outcome. It is about creating a long-range roadmap to help guide future decisions with intention, discipline and transparency. The planning process will evaluate current conditions, forecast future needs and identify opportunities to enhance the guest experience, improve connectivity across the FCCFA Campus, strengthen sustainability and better integrate these assets with the surrounding community.

The effort builds on recent due diligence. In 2025, the FCCFA commissioned a comprehensive facility condition assessment (link to executive summary) that identified long-term capital needs of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. While many of these investments focus on essential infrastructure, such as roofs, mechanical systems and back-of-house operations, the master plan allows the FCCFA to look beyond near-term repairs and consider how the campus can function more cohesively over the next 10, 15 and 20 years.

Community and collaboration will be central to this work. The selected planning team will engage a broad range of stakeholders, including public partners, operators, hospitality leaders, and neighboring institutions. Their input will help ensure that future concepts reflect shared goals, local context, and economic realities. This is not planning in isolation; it is planning alongside the community we serve.

Issuing an RFQ allows the FCCFA to bring forward best-in-class expertise and fresh perspectives while remaining disciplined about feasibility and public value. The outcome will be a flexible framework, one that helps the FCCFA prioritize investments, align partners and make informed decisions as opportunities emerge.

Columbus continues to grow and evolve, and the public assets that support its visitor economy must evolve with it. This master planning effort reflects a commitment to thoughtful collaboration, long-term planning, and responsible stewardship as the FCCFA prepares its campus for the next chapter of the region’s growth.

We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to engaging partners and the community as we work together to continue serving Columbus for years to come.

Photo credit Ghost Label Video.

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