Columbus council approves Uptown 9 p.m. curfew after debate over citywide proposal

The Columbus City Council on June 16 voted to adopt an Uptown-specific curfew ordinance that will restrict unsupervised youth in the downtown Uptown area after 9 p.m. on specified evenings. The ordinance, as amended, gives judges discretion on penalties: a written warning for a first offense, up to $500 for a second offense, and up to $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. It becomes effective 10 days after the mayor signs it and will sunset Sept. 30, 2026.

Mayor Pro Tim introduced the amended language establishing graduated sanctions after discussions with stakeholders and law enforcement that framed the tool as a temporary public-safety measure. ‘‘After meeting with quite a few stakeholders over several days…this is the amendment I would like to ask council to agree to,’’ Mayor Pro Tim said when moving the amendment.

Council debate, however, quickly split over scope. Councilor Chambers offered a substitute motion to make the curfew citywide, arguing a localized curfew ‘‘simply moves’’ young people into other neighborhoods and creates inequity. ‘‘If this council decides that a curfew is necessary…we must have the courage to apply it equally,’’ he said. The council defeated the substitute motion by voice vote.

Other council members and the mayor emphasized Uptown’s distinct zoning and nightlife pattern as justification for a geographically targeted ordinance. The mayor said Uptown was designed as a central riverfront district with many businesses that operate in the evening, and that the mix of alcohol-serving venues and young people creates particular safety concerns.

Public commenters offered competing views. Gregory Foster urged council to ‘‘give Chief Matthysse what he asked for’’ in Uptown and said the area’s repeated social-media-driven gatherings can escalate into dangerous stunts. Danny, representing Columbus Collaborative, argued curfew alone is insufficient and urged city investment in supervised youth alternatives such as a multipurpose youth center for music, arts, mentoring and recreation.

Council members later amended the motion to clarify that fines are ‘‘up to’’ the stated amounts so judges retain discretion. With that language in place, council approved the Uptown curfew. The ordinance includes criminal penalties; for that reason the city attorney noted a 10-day post-signing delay before it takes effect. The council characterized the measure as temporary and comparable to a ‘‘beta test’’ through September, giving staff time to collect data on displacement or other unintended effects.

Next steps: the ordinance will be signed by the mayor, go into effect 10 days afterward, and staff will report back if problems arise or if the city should broaden or rescind the tool before the sunset date.