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Council approves amended NWSL package after heated debate over McCoy Park; owners to contribute $3M toward replacement park
Summary
After public outcry over plans to use McCoy Park for an NWSL training site, council approved an amended development agreement that ties team approval to community commitments: formation of a working group within 15 days of award, a plan to council within 60 days, and an ownership pledge of $3 million toward a replacement park and programming.
Columbus City Council on Wednesday narrowly approved Ordinance 1112‑2026 — a development agreement enabling a proposed National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise and related training facilities — after agreeing to amendments designed to protect a Southwest Columbus park the administration had previously advanced for redevelopment.
The ordinance, as amended, requires the city and the ownership group to convene a working group that includes the Southwest Area Commission within 15 days of the city being awarded the franchise. The working group must return to council within 60 days with a plan that identifies alternate sites or steps to deliver the therapeutic recreation park elements that neighborhood residents were promised. The ownership group agreed to an additional $3 million donation to support the replacement park and related amenities.
The vote capped weeks of public hearings and an intense council debate over process and community engagement.…
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