Infrastructure Investments Continue in District One
In 2024, the City of Columbia continued investing in community revitalization allocating an additional $600,000 to demolish rundown properties citywide. Demolishing dilapidated houses helps improve community safety and aesthetics. Additionally, the City allocated $270,000 for Phase One of Randall Park in the Belmont Community, which has been completed, and over $6 Million for water main upgrades in Riverview Terrace and Willow Run Apartments, along with the construction of an additional waterline in Cottontown.

Addressing Food Scarcity with a Mobile Food Market
The City launched its Mobile Food Market initiative, allowing businesses to apply for funding to cover start-up costs for serving the 29203 and 29204 zip codes with fresh produce, protein, dairy, and fresh baked goods. Tom’s Creek received the funding and now has a trailer equipped with freezers, coolers, produce racks, and grocery shelves. The market operates three days a week, serving an average of 25 customers with daily sales of $260.

Getting Our Children “Positively Activated”
The Office of Neighborhood Engagement (formerly the Office of Gun Violence Prevention) has developed quickly since hiring its initial staff. The Offi ce has launched several initiatives, including the “4 Block” Promise, which collaborates with churches and other places of worship. The “Choose Peace, Create Change” initiative aims to reduce violent crime by working directly with families, offering training sessions, educational materials, activities, community meetings, and other avenues for resident involvement. The new offi ce is already focused on sustainability, having applied for and received two grants totaling $578,093 in 2024 to address violent crime and community safety.

We’ve continued investing in our youth by providing the Annual Youth Services Guide, helping parents find summer activities for school-aged children. We have increased activities at our city parks and I began hosting game nights for young adults, offering a safe space for fun and socializing.

Columbia College Welcomed a New Leader
In 2024, Columbia College held a presidential inauguration for Dr. John Dozier as its 21st president. Founded in 1854, Columbia College was one of the oldest women only colleges. However, the school began accepting male students in 2020. The institution continues its commitment to impact, service, and academic excellence.

Lots of Historical and Cultural Activity
We unveiled the Lincoln Park historical marker, commemorating the unbreakable spirit and sense of community it brought to many African-American citizens 125 years ago. We dedicated honorary street names for Columbia’s Historic Black Business District (Washington Street) and Zion Baptist Church. The Nickelodeon Theatre was packed on Juneteenth for the premiere of a documentary highlighting some of Columbia’s historic black businesses. A new kiosk chronicling the history of the Eau Claire region of North Columbia was dedicated at Hyatt Park.

Historic Columbia and Columbia Green created the Columbia
Canopy Project, planting trees in honor of community members who positively impacted their neighborhoods. This initiative addresses one impact of structural racism in some communities—little or no trees to provide shade from the sun. Participating communities in District One include Belmont, College Place, Greenview, Harlem Heights/Fairwold Acres, Hyatt Park/Keenan Terrace, Northwood Hills, Prescott Manor, Seminary Ridge, and Windermere Springs.

Let’s Build Together...Part 2!
Following up on the Let’s Build Together initiative with churches, a session was developed specifi cally to address options for constructing single-family homes.

Let’s CONTINUE to Build Together!