Scott Franklin

Don't freak out, but starting in March, anytime you eat or drink at some downtown Cincinnati restaurants or bars, you might pay a little extra to help finance the construction of the city's $536 million convention hotel.

Cincinnati City Council on Dec. 3 unanimously approved legislation that could lead to a 1% fee on gross sales to bills for some businesses to help pay for the construction of a $536 million convention hotel. Six Downtown property owners and 28 of their tenants have agreed to impose the fee to pay for the hotel.

Only restaurants and bars that want to participate will be part of what city documents called the "Convention District Community Authority," but any within the district's boundaries can opt in later. Council on Dec. 3 created the community authority with the boundaries of Central Avenue to Main Street and Third Street to Seventh Street.

During this week's episode of the "That's So Cincinnati" podcast, City Hall reporter Scott Wartman and Real Estate Enterprise reporter Sydney Franklin discussed the upcoming fee and how it could impact diners in downtown Cincinnati.

That’s So Cincinnati, The Enquirer’s weekly podcast on what's making news in our community, features a who’s who of special guests. Find it at Audioboom, Apple or your favorite podcast platform.