In February, District One kicked off the year with a public meeting reviewing the Update of the Master Plan for North Columbia. The update is the first update of a regional plan in the City’s History. As a result of this meeting, we are developing a strategy to decrease vacant commercial properties along the North Main Corridor. It also helps that the North Main Streetscape was FINALLY completed in 2023!

Home ownership is the most traditional way to grow wealth. However, the purchase price of homes in Columbia is steadily increasing. There is a critical need for more affordable homes that will allow both a single young professional or a family of four to become homeowners. The City is partnering with developers to build affordable single family homes on city owned property in District One to help meet this need.

In October, we kicked off the first session of “Let’s Build Together”. We invited churches in District One to learn about various ways that they can get involved with residential development and the revitalization of historical communities.

Finally, Rapid Shelter Columbia assisted 201 individuals and has successfully moved 44 unhoused individuals into permanent housing between November 2022 and January 2024!

Council adopted a grocery store business license rebate. New grocery stores opening in needed areas can receive a 100% rebate on their annual business license fees, and existing businesses can receive a 50% rebate.

We awarded funding to Tom’s Creek Family Farms to operate a mobile food market that will carry produce, protein, dairy, and fresh baked goods to areas in 29203 and 29204. Special thanks for the Food Policy Council for all of its hard work with both of these initiatives!

The Office of Violence Prevention was established to promote effective efforts to reduce violent crime in Columbia. Trevon Fordham was named the first director and comes with a rich background of working with youth, law enforcement, and acquiring grant funding. Columbia is leading the way as the only city in the State to have a stand-alone office to specifically address violence prevention.

• Completed water main upgrades at Riverview Terrace Subdivision
• CPD installed 60 cameras in District One for the Real Time Crime Center
• Funded the revitalization of Finley Par
• Funded upgrades for Earlewood Park and Hyatt Park
• Funded a new park on Randall Avenue
• Added a new landscape design for our corridors to enhance curb appeal
• Held grand openings for A.A. Dicks Funeral Home, Just Jonesin’ Commissary Kitchen, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, and (my personal favorite if I’m allowed to say) Hot Headz!!

In 2024, we expect to have highlights from the Office of Violence Prevention, successes of the mobile market, and outcomes from Disparity Study. The Disparity Study analyzes how the City spends funds with small, minority, and women owned business.