from Aaron Portzline of Puck-Rakers,

The city- and county-financed agency that bought Nationwide Arena has not made a single payment on the loans that paid for the purchase.

But public officials said yesterday that under the terms of the purchase deal, there is no risk of default.

The executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority confirmed to The Dispatch that the agency has not made $240,000 in loan payments. That’s because the share of casino tax revenue that the city and county pledged toward the purchase and operation of the arena has come in grossly lower than what was predicted when the pact was signed in spring 2012.

continued