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Connecting Columbia - making going places easier, greener and more fun
By Kelly Cooper
On the evenings of January 10 and 11, CA will host the first public meetings for the Connecting Columbia project. The goal of the Connecting Columbia project is to create an Active Transportation Action Agenda that will result in a more interconnected and comprehensive bicycling and walking circulation system for health, recreation and transportation purposes.
CA's Director of Community Planning Jane Dembner believes the timing on this project couldn't be better. "There's a lot of momentum and community support here in Columbia, and across the nation, for enhancing walking and biking networks. We have an excellent base with our current pathways and we're looking to move it forward," says Dembner.
The meetings will be set up like an open house from 7:30-9 p.m. Community members are encouraged to stop by any time during the meeting to learn about the project and to suggest ideas to improve walking and biking in Columbia, especially improvements to CA's 93.5-mile pathway system. A brief presentation introducing the project team and describing the project, goals and objectives will occur at approximately 8 p.m. Before and after the presentation, there will be several stations for residents to make suggestions and recommendations.
Meeting Details: (Both meetings will feature the same content)
• Tuesday, January 10, from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Owen Brown Community Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way in Columbia
• Wednesday, January 11, from 7:30-9 p.m. at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane in Columbia
In October, CA awarded the contract for this project to Toole Design Group, a nationally recognized planning and engineering firm specializing in bicycle and pedestrian planning and design. A 16-member citizens' task force has also been formed to provide guidance to CA and consultants as they work to create an Active Transportation Action Agenda. The project is anticipated to be completed by June. For more information on this project, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/ConnectingColumbia.
For more information about the meeting, or to register, please visit connecting-columbia-public-meetings.eventbrite.com. Registrations are appreciated, but not required.
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