The Cincinnati City Council will consider a resolution to commit $8 million in capital resources by the end of fiscal year 2027 to support the construction of the Farmer Music Center on Wednesday.
Councilmember Anna Albi is leading the charge alongside co-sponsors including councilmembers Ryan James, Evan Nolan, Meeka Owens and Seth Walsh.
The Farmer Music Center will be a $160 million state-of-the-art amphitheater designed to host up to 20,000 guests and is set to open in spring 2027. It is currently being built on the former site of Coney Island. Once open, the Farmer Music Center is projected to yield a $100 million economic impact annually and $15 million in additional city tax revenue over the next ten years.
The name recognizes a $60 million gift from the Farmer Family Foundation, according to a joint press release from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Music and Event Management, Inc.
“Cincinnati is an arts city, and this allocation will be a major investment into the long-term health and vibrancy of our city,” said Councilmember Anna Albi.
The new venue, per the press release, is designed to complement nearby Riverbend, with fewer concerts held there and a greater focus on hosting special events and music festivals within the entertainment complex.
“This venue is a once-in-a-generation investment in Cincinnati’s cultural future. With the leadership of Music and Event Management Inc. and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Farmer Music Center will bring world-class performances to our city and reaffirm that supporting the arts is essential to fostering a thriving Cincinnati. I am so grateful to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and MEMI for their leadership bringing this vision to life.”
The resolution will appear before all of City Council on Wednesday. If passed, the $8 million allocation will be incorporated into the fiscal year 2027 budget, which council must approve before June 30, 2026.
CSO President and CEO Robert McGrath expressed his gratitude to the city council for their support and investment.
“The City’s strategic support for the Farmer Music Center would be a catalytic investment that leverages majority private philanthropy to realize significant cultural and economic returns for Cincinnati for decades to come,” McGrath said. “Creating a brighter, more vibrant tomorrow requires vision and support now to ensure Cincinnati remains relevant in an increasingly competitive regional and national market. We are grateful to City leadership for the consideration.”
The Farmer Music Center will be located on the former Coney Island site, next to Riverbend Music Center along Kellogg Avenue in Cincinnati’s California neighborhood and Anderson Township.