Fountain District Businesses Partner to Close Gap on Convention Headquarters Hotel Funding

CINCINNATI (December 1, 2025) – A coalition of restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in Downtown Cincinnati’s Fountain District is stepping up to support the revitalization of the city’s urban core by helping close the final funding gap for the new Marriott convention headquarters hotel. Through the formation of the Fountain District Community Authority (FDCA), these businesses will implement a modest fee — just one penny per dollar spent — at participating locations to contribute to the project’s completion.

This community-driven effort is a vital component of the complex financing plan for the $536 million Marriott convention headquarters hotel. Every dollar from the FDCA will be dedicated exclusively to the hotel’s construction. Without the participation of these businesses, this transformative project simply would not be possible.

A total of 28 businesses will be participating in the FDCA, with more businesses to be added as they open. While the participating businesses would prefer to avoid passing any additional fees onto customers – even one penny of every dollar – they understand the importance of the funding and transformative impact a new convention headquarters hotel will have on the region. Hotel operators have already supported a 1% increase in the transit occupancy tax (TOT) to help fund the new hotel – a fee that has been passed on to all hotel guests in Hamilton County for the past year. These business owners viewed this as a natural next step, wanting to support the project and joining with a broad coalition of public and private stakeholders already committed to the project.

The City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, the State of Ohio, and Visit Cincy have all made significant financial contributions to the convention headquarters hotel. Additionally, over the past two decades, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) has partnered with the City of Cincinnati to invest $429 million in the Fountain District, leading transformative projects such as 84.51°, 4th & Race, The Foundry, Paycor Headquarters, and the revitalization of Fountain Square.

Modeled after successful NCA efforts in other regional entertainment districts like The Banks and Liberty Center, the FDCA reflects a growing belief in the power of collective investment. Participating businesses are demonstrating their commitment to the community and their confidence in the increased traffic and economic activity that a modernized convention center and new hotel will bring. In short, they believe that those will benefit from the extra foot traffic should reinvest in the community.

“This is a generational opportunity to reshape the southwest corner of our urban core and drive long-term growth for the entire region,” said Christy Samad, Executive Vice President of Civic & Commercial Space Activation at 3CDC. “We’re incredibly grateful to the business owners who have stepped up to be part of this effort. Their participation in the FDCA shows true civic leadership and a shared vision for a vibrant, thriving downtown.”

With larger national conventions and events on the horizon, the $828 million Convention District revitalization – which includes the $264 million modernization of Cincinnati’s convention center, $536 million construction of the new Marriott convention headquarters hotel and $28 million upgrade of the Convention Center Garage – is expected to deliver a lasting economic boost — bringing thousands of new visitors and patrons to the heart of Cincinnati each year. Tens of thousands of patrons are expected to visit the reimagined convention center once it reopens, with RedsFest, the Travel Sports and Boat Show, Home & Garden Show and Cavalcade of Customs all scheduled in the first quarter of 2026. Several large conventions have also already been booked for the coming year, including the Omega Psi Phi International Leadership Conference, International Association of Operative Millers Conference, and Snow and Ice Management Association 2026 Symposium.

QUOTES FROM SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

“This initiative will allow our urban core to create the kinds of programming that drives attendance and increases dwell time downtown, activity that boosts our local economy while also helping us build a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone.”

Josh Heuser, Owner, Prim

“At Thunderdome we have always had a mission of providing value for our teams, our communities and our guests. The NCA and its one penny per dollar spent will play a crucial role in finalizing the financing for this project. I can’t think of many more valuable things for this community than having a world class convention center hotel in the heart of our city.”

Joe Lanni, President/Co-founder, Thunderdome Restaurant Group

“Adding fees has never been part of Crown Restaurants Group’s business ethos, but intentionality always has. Every dollar collected through the NCA will go directly toward hotel construction, which will ultimately bring thousands of visitors to Cincinnati to experience downtown and support businesses like ours. Participating in the NCA is an intentional investment in a stronger, more vibrant future for our team and our community.”

Anthony Sitek, Owner, Crown Restaurant Group

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