Vision Quest
Imagine Columbia’s Future project formulates citizen topic group goals
What are your expectations and dreams for Columbia? The city wants to know.
With Imagine Columbia’s Future, a community-wide discussion, citizens can create a shared vision of the city for the coming decades.
In the fall, more than 420 people came to Big Idea Gathering meetings, and many others completed questionnaires to share their 1,500 main ideas about what should be done to make the area the best that it can be. In January, a series of 13 citizen topic groups of approximately 350 volunteer community members were organized around the key concerns that emerged from these ideas. Over the past few months, these citizen topic groups have been meeting to review ideas collected and translate them into goals and strategies that define the community’s collective vision for the future.
Later this summer, a “Community Choices” public workshop will be held for attendees to comment on the results of the topic groups’ work and to suggest priorities. The final vision will then become a tool for planning development, programs and policies.
A full list of goals and strategies is available on the city’s Web site, gocolumbiamo.com.
Visioning Committees and Goals
Economic Development
Robert Bailey, 882-6891, [email protected]
Al Price, 886-8944, [email protected]
Columbia will attract, retain and encourage business growth by establishing a business-friendly climate, enhancing regional economic partnerships and fostering a digital infrastructure to create a more positive attitude toward business among the city organizations.
For the airport in the future, it will be possible to efficiently and cost-effectively fly into and out of Columbia to save time and money. We need to increase connectivity by flying to other major airline hubs, such as Chicago, and increase reliability for customer rights. A name change to better reflect the regional hub could help establish support and subsidies from other communities, such as Lake of the Ozarks and Jefferson City, as well as state government and businesses.
The city will have an employment base that is trained and qualified to work in a variety of industries and businesses. Employers will offer competitive wages with benefits that provide opportunities for professional development, further education, good health and quality of life. We need to identify resources for data on expense and income needs for various family sizes and demographics.
By 2020, Columbia / Boone County will be recognized internationally as a leader of science and technology innovation, having produced more than 25 successful technology-driven business start-ups in Boone County. A regional science and technology network needs to be created with access to the distinctive business and technical competencies to attract, develop and launch environmentally sensitive entrepreneurial technology businesses and jobs to our area.
Furthermore, Columbia will develop the necessary infrastructure and public support for the emerging technology business, including a technology park, community-wide Internet access and a skilled workforce.
Transportation
Kevin Brown, 356-4208, [email protected]
B. Daniel Simon, 442-3181, [email protected]
Steve Spellman, 234-1844,
[email protected]
Columbia is a growing city, both in population and in geography, putting more strain on city resources to provide adequate city services and basic infrastructure. In the future, Columbia will enjoy a safe, interconnected, non-motorized transportation network. It will be culturally supported by the citizens, as it will encourage social interaction and healthy lifestyles. The roadway, sidewalk, public transit and trail systems will all tie together into an effective, integrated transportation network. To increase pedestrian and biker safety, the city will run public education programs on road rules and safety.
In the future, there will be diverse travel options that allow for safe and efficient travel to and through destination points, which are compatible with adjacent land uses and are coordinated with the transportation timing needs of the community. A network of safe roadways in and around the city will provide sustainable, efficient mobility to vehicular travel and other modes of transportation in a complementary manner.
An efficient, innovative, accessible public and human services transportation system will be fully integrated with all other forms of transportation in Columbia and surrounding communities. It will be possible for any resident to live easily in Columbia without a vehicle. We will appoint a committee to represent the public and better represent the city and expand public transit.
Downtown
Lynda Baumgartner, 449-0140
[email protected]
In the future, downtown Columbia will have a variety of safe housing options, including new and revitalized units, for all age groups and income levels with easy access to desirable amenities, with development and design guidelines. To facilitate the development of new housing downtown, we need to follow up on the implementation strategies of the Sasaki Campus – Downtown District Study, particularly creating the implementation entity MODESA.
Significant investments in the physical environment will bring vibrancy and diversity of cultures, professions and businesses, leading to major attractions and exciting destinations. A new management organization will be created through public-private partnerships whose core purpose is to make downtown a compelling city center in which to live, work, play, shop, dine and invest. People and vehicles will have easy access to downtown businesses and services and enhanced movement within and through the downtown area through the establishment of a baseline of traffic information, including the mobility of vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, buses and delivery trucks and the use of existing parking assets.
Arts and Culture
Bill Costello, 875-7917, bcostello@woodruffsweitzer
Columbia will both sustain and creatively expand its foundation for arts and culture in our community. The strategies developed to accomplish this goal include: creating an alliance for the arts that serves and advocates for artists, art professionals and art-related organizations by fostering an environment of collaboration and by providing ongoing training (i.e. grant writing, promotion, media relations, etc.). Also needed are: to identify and expand funding opportunities for the art community and to cultivate and implement cross-generational outreach programs that increase participation and reflect the city’s rich diversity.
Arts and culture also will be central to daily life and accessible to all equally in Columbia. We need to create an appetite and appreciation for the arts through educational programs, apply best-practice community design, engage in aesthetically and environmentally friendly planning, and expand arts programming and venues.
Education
Sally Beth Lyon, 214-3930, [email protected]
Our citizens of all ages will have access to educational opportunities designed to meet their individual needs and learning styles that will ultimately improve their quality of life. We will establish neighborhood-based centers that provide access for all to coordinate educational opportunities and will conduct annual assessments to identify gaps and emerging educational needs.
In the future, educational facilities in Columbia will be of high-quality construction, will include the latest technology and will be of such size and number to provide for comfortable learning for people of all ages, provide for all educational programs in the community, be effectively utilized through shared community activities and completely meet the educational and community needs of Columbia. The governing bodies of the City of Columbia and County of Boone shall appoint a Community Educational Facilities Commission made up of representatives from the public and private sector.
In a collaborative effort between the community and its educational entities, resources will be allocated to ensure that teachers are well trained and well compensated, that administration is effective and efficient, that students have equal access to resources, that there are increased opportunities for early childhood programs, as well as English language learners and students with low socio-economic status, and that there is increased awareness and utilization of adult education, higher education programs and scholarship opportunities.
Columbia will provide a continuum of high-quality educational opportunities (validated by meaningful measures of outcomes) that enables students of all ages and abilities to achieve learning and training goals.
Parks, Recreation and Greenways
Kim Stonecipher-Fisher, 446-1707
[email protected]
A variety of beautiful, well-maintained parks throughout Columbia – including neighborhood parks, regional parks, nature parks and urban parks – to ensure all residents have access to a full range of outdoor and indoor recreational opportunities.
Columbia’s recreational needs and desires will be met through effective public and private partnerships that provide outstanding, exciting and diverse recreational facilities such as, but not limited to, an ice skating rink, golf courses, tennis courts, soccer fields, ball fields, ball parks and swimming pools. These facilities should be placed appropriately throughout the city to allow easily accessible use for everyone.
An extensive network of greenways will play a significant role in providing transportation options and protecting wildlife corridors, watersheds and floodplains, and these greenways will increase public access to natural and open spaces. A system of trails to accommodate a variety of users, from pedestrians to bicyclists, will connect parks, neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Environment
Tina Ehrhardt, 443-9098,
[email protected]
Nick Peckham, 449-2683,
[email protected]
Columbia—with its neighboring communities—will be a place where the air, water, land and natural aesthetic qualities of our environment shall be protected by a combination of conservation strategies including, but not limited to, regulations and ordinances, conservation incentives, education programs and smart-growth planning.
Columbia will be a model community that approaches zero waste of all primary and secondary forms of energy and goods used by people—a community that implements best management practices to that end in order to protect and conserve its natural resources and intrinsic beauty for the enjoyment of future generations. The city will work toward achieving maximum energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy sources.
Development
Dee Dokken, 442-4224, [email protected]
Dan Goldstein, 256-1011, [email protected]
Dave Overfelt, 268-6290, [email protected]
Sarah Read, 447-0499,
[email protected]
We envision a community with an open, transparent, inclusive planning process that values and manages growth, that protects the environment and the city character, and that is beneficial and equitable to all. Land will be preserved throughout Columbia and Boone County to protect farmland, scenic views, rural atmosphere and other environmentally sensitive qualities, thereby enhancing quality of life.
Columbia neighborhoods will be located in diverse, mixed-used, sustainable and self-sufficient areas, demonstrating pride of ownership and supported by citywide bicycle, pedestrian and transit systems.
Last, we envision a community with a well-planned, proactive growth strategy that addresses the manner in which infrastructure is developed and maintained. The plan offers a fair and balanced approach regarding how payment for infrastructure is shared, offers flexibility to accommodate change, and provides coordination among all potential stakeholders.
Health, Social Services and Affordable Housing
Kay J. Callison, 449-7075,
[email protected]
Becky Wagner, 449-7969,
[email protected]
There will be a single point of entry to access information for high-quality and affordable social services to support children, youth, adults, seniors, persons with disabilities and people with cultural barriers. All social services will be sufficiently funded to work toward the elimination of poverty.
Columbia will be a healthy community. All residents will have timely access to appropriate, affordable health care. Effective prevention initiatives will contribute to a healthy community. A diversity of housing choices dispersed through the community to achieve an adequate supply of affordable and accessible housing.
Community Character
Toney Lowery, 256-7369, [email protected]
Susan Williams, 875-7040,
[email protected]
Columbia will preserve its existing character and enhance the city’s natural and man-made aesthetics with distinct neighborhood looks and elements. Historic areas will be identified, valued and preserved through education, enforcement and incentives.
In the future, Columbia will utilize and enforce urban planning designs to promote walking, screen for noise and lights and increase a spirit of community, and will provide and advertise incentives for restoring neighborhoods with abandoned substandard structures.
Community Facilities and Services
Louesa Runge Fine
499-3288
[email protected]
Community members will be safe and secure as the result of reduction in crime and substance abuse, as well as increase in traffic law enforcement. Access to library services, facilities and community meeting spaces will be increased. City services will be efficient, effective and expanded, and emergency planning will be enhanced. Finally, the police will be held accountable for law enforcement being administered fairly to all citizens, and police staffing and presence will be allocated equitably.
Community Pride and Human Relations
Pieter Van Waarde
445-1131, ext. 2816
[email protected]
2201 W. Nifong Boulevard, 65203
Columbia is an active community, with many different kinds of initiatives taking place across the board. The city will promote/develop a central place and create environments that will cultivate responsible citizenship and inclusive behavior among young people. Columbia will be an inclusive community where people from all walks of life hear, appreciate, understand, respect and trust each other, and where positive relationships are fostered and human rights are advanced.
Regarding a sense of community, we want to facilitate more effective communication among Columbia’s various community groups through events, communication and interactive community challenges.
Governance/Decision-Making
Tim Klocko
876-7209
[email protected]
Jo Sapp
443-8964
[email protected]
The city process will be reformed with the goal of hearing the voices of people through citizen boards, commissions and neighborhood associations that better represent the neighborhoods of Columbia, minorities and people of all walks of life.
The city government shall adopt a transparent structure that is so responsive, accountable, inclusive, equitable and effective that other cities in the nation will seek to emulate our model. The community will also have confidence in city government because there will be clear and open communication between elected officials, city staff and the public.