Meetings look to tap residents’ ideas in shaping city’s vision

Imagine Columbia’s Future, the city’s visioning project, will host two Big Idea Gathering Meetings this week. Anyone who “lives, works, studies or plays in Columbia” is invited to attend the meeting most convenient with their schedule. Those in attendance can expect a large group assembly and small group breakout sessions led by trained discussion leaders.

After the BIG Meetings, Citizen Topic Groups will be organized in January. The groups will form goals and strategies intended to represent the aspirations of those who attend the BIG Meetings.

Public transportation will be available to the BIG Meetings courtesy of First Student and Services for Independent Living.

“Some people can’t come because they can’t find transportation,” city spokeswoman Toni Messina said. “Rather than leave them out of the loop, we will help them get there.”

First Student will run two buses today and Thursday.

The first bus will depart at 5:30 p.m. from West Junior High School, 401 Clinkscales Road, and travel to Douglass High School, 310 N. Providence Road. It will depart at 5:55 p.m. from Douglass to the meeting destination.

The second bus will depart at 5:25 p.m. from Hanover Community Center, in Hanover Estates off Clark Lane, at 1601 Hanover Blvd., and travel to Field Elementary School, 1010 Rangeline St. It will leave Field at 5:55 p.m. for the meeting destination.

For more information or to arrange Services for Independent Living bus service, call 874-7214 or Missouri Relay Service at 800-735-2966.