Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Sidewalk construction begins at Howard Municipal Building

The City of Columbia Public Works Department announces that on Wednesday, June 30, work will begin on the sidewalk in front of the Howard Municipal Building, 600 E. Broadway.

Sidewalk demolition and replacement directly in front of the Howard Building will affect access to the building. Access to the front of the Howard Building will be by way of the east stairs to the patio. The handicap access to the building will not be impacted by this construction. The sidewalk project is expected to be completed by late summer.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Downtown Planning Charrette

A public meeting will be held Friday, June 25, from 4-6 p.m. at Dulany Hall, on the Columbia College campus, providing an opportunity for citizens to review results of community input received during the charrette planning process and comment on preferred choices.

Hosted by Columbia’s Downtown Leadership Council (DLC) and St. Louis-based H3 Studio Inc., the charrette process is designed to transform marginal areas of downtown while maintaining its existing strengths. Work will focus on two general areas: 1) the Broadway – Providence Road intersection, including currently vacant and under-used sites; and 2) the North Village arts district, already experiencing redevelopment and revival.

H3 Studio set up a charrette studio June 10 in the recently renovated Berry Building, 1025 East Walnut. The community was invited to "drop in" June 21-25 to comment on the concept plans. These results will be reviewed and discussed at the meeting Friday.

For more information, visit the city's website at GoColumbiaMo.com or follow the Downtown Charrette Planning Process on Facebook.

Water Main Work on Broadway

Beginning next week, the city will be fixing a water main on the south side of Broadway between 8th and 9th so parking along this block will be limited.

Columbia Water and Light will be installing a new 12 inch water main on the south side of East Broadway. The project will start on Monday, June 28 and will take approximately three weeks to complete. The new water main will be installed in the parking area on Broadway, between Eighth and Ninth streets. The project will require the parking areas on Broadway, Eighth and Ninth streets to be closed. Traffic lanes on both Broadway, Eighth and Ninth streets will be open in both directions.

The water main is being installed to provide more water for fire fighting purposes.

We suggest trying a parking garage instead.  There's one right around the corner at 8th and Cherry or just up the street at 8th and Walnut.

Thanks for your patience as we work on this project.

Disabled Access to City Hall

Beginning Tuesday, June 22 at 6:30 a.m. the building contractor will be working on the exterior ceiling at the front entry of the new addition and on the disabled ramp. 

While work is in progress, there will be disabled access only at the north entry to the Daniel Boone Building.  There will be no disabled access the plaza at 8th and Broadway until Monday, June 28.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Roots 'n Blues - Important Dates

July 6 Council meeting
Staff Report to Council.

Report will address:  
  • Street closure request (beginning at 9am Friday until 4am Sunday) 
  • Basic festival layout 
  • Alcohol area and waiver of open container ordinance 
  • Ticketing procedures
No public comment on reports but may offer comment at the very end of the Council meeting.


July 16, 5pm
Deadline for submitting caterer’s permit to Business License Office


August 2 Council meeting
Resolution on Council agenda

Requesting Council approval of:
  • Street closure
  • Caterer’s permits
  • Open container/ticketed area 
There will be an opportunity for public comment.


August 16 Council meeting
Resolution on Council agenda 

Requesting Council approval of:
  • Final layout plan 
  • Written operations agreement.  
Separate resolution on Council agenda authorizing agreement for trash removal and recycling. 

There will be an opportunity for public comment.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Downtown Public Meeting

Description: Part of Downtown Charrette Planning Process - H3 Studio Consultants and others will discuss draft preferred plan for downtown development - public participation invited

Location: Dulany Hall, Columbia College

URL: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Commissions/DLC/charrette.php

Date: Friday, June 25, 2010

Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm CDT

Downtown Open House

Description:  Part of Downtown Charrette Planning Process - H3 Studio Consultants and others will discuss a preliminary preferred plan for downtown development - public participation invited.

Location:  Berry Building, 1025 E. Walnut

URL: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Commissions/DLC/charrette.php

Date: Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Fifth & Walnut Parking Garage Percent for Art

A major Percent for Art we have underway right now is being planned for the city's Fifth and Walnut Parking Garage downtown. Artist Stuart Keeler is already under contract and just recently submitted his basic design concept. The City's Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) is gathering public comment on it now and invite you to be a part of that process.
draft image of exterior of parking garage stair tower with general view of colored glass panels
A summation of the proposed design concept can be found here:
www.gocolumbiamo.com/Arts/Percent_For_Art/index.php

You'll see the electronic "comment card" link about mid-way down the main page. You may use it to provide feedback, if you are so inclined. One comment is allowed per computer to avoid repeats. And so that you know, the process is very anonymous.

Key to this aspect of the process is receiving constructive commentary...so if you can, take a little time to read Keeler's statement and look at all the supporting images and then let the City know what you think, good, bad or indifferent. The comments received by Monday will be provided to tge Standing Committee on Public Art as they finalize this project and move it forward.



Roots 'n Blues Informational Meeting


The Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Festival will be held on October 1-2, 2010.  

The City is hosting an informational meeting for all liquor licensees in the downtown area to review City and State regulations, and answer questions relevant to alcohol sales/consumption at downtown bars and restaurants during this two-day event. 

Representatives from the City Business License office and the Columbia Police Department will be in attendance to provide a detailed explanation concerning what is required of the licensed establishment in order to remain in compliance with State laws and City ordinances, and to provide a clear understanding of what is and is not allowed with regard to alcohol sales/consumption during the Festival. 

Detailed information will also be presented in reference to licensees wanting to apply for a temporary extension of their existing liquor license to an area adjoining their existing licensed premise (caterers permit) as well as sidewalk cafĂ© licenses. 

The informational meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m., June 23, 2010, in the City Council Chambers, 8th & Broadway. It is imperative for you (or your designee) to attend this very important meeting.

Small Business Workshop

Join Commerce Bank for their first session in the 2010-2011 Small Business Leadership Series,
”Recent Changes in Business and Healthcare Law and How They May Affect Your Business."

Thursday, July 15, 2010, 7:30 a.m. –9:00 a.m. Columbia Country Club (breakfast provided) 2210 N. Country Club Drive (off Old Highway 63)

Learn about the changes in Business and Healthcare laws and how those changes may or may not affect a small business in Missouri.

There is no charge, but you must register by calling 573/882-7096.

Presenter:

Adam J. Kliethermes earned a Masters of Accounting from the University of Missouri Columbia in 2006, earned a JurisDoctorate from the University of Missouri Columbia in 2009, and passed the Missouri Bar in July 2009. Adam has worked with Cripps & Simmons, L.L.C. since 2007. In addition to his experience in Tax Accounting, Adam focuses on working with a wide variety of small business owners to help them better understand the opportunities available to them, and the responsibilities they have. His practice areas include: Agribusiness, Farm Law, Farm Rental Agreements, Landlord Tenant, Real Estate, Health Care Law, Construction Contracts, Administrative Appeals, and Veterans Benefits. Adam is a member of the Sunrise Southwest Rotary Club, a member of the Chamber of Commerce Emerging Professionals in Columbia Executive Committee, and a member of the Downtown Optimist Club.