Residents express views on downtown Columbia development plans

COLUMBIA — Columbia residents expressed their views concerning the final development plans for downtown Columbia on Tuesday evening at the Downtown Leadership Commission informational session.

Urbanizing College Avenue, extending Elm Street and building a new hotel are a few parts of the finished development plan, which will be presented to the City Council for approval early next month, said Assistant City Manager Tony St. Romaine.

The plan, created by H3 Studio Inc., has gone through a series of public discussions and charrettes since last year.

St. Romaine said they're hoping to solicit more ideas and suggestions, but added that the plan is final.

Janet Hammen, a retiree who lives at 1844 Cliff Drive, said her property is not included in the plan, "but I'm quite excited to see it," she said. "I spend a lot of time downtown."