Letter to the Editor: Veteran planners of North Central neighborhood deserved recognition

As a property owner and long-time former resident of north central Columbia, I read with interest Mike Martin’s column, “Reviving north central Columbia: The decade’s sleeper story” (12/23/09).
I completely agree with Martin’s praise of the Otts, Timberlakes, Atkins and Papes for their efforts and investment in the north central area. These folks’ willingness to take a chance on the central city will benefit this area for years to come and, with luck, will encourage other investors to look there as well.
Surprisingly missing from Martin’s column, however, was any mention of the efforts of the North Central Columbia Neighborhood Association. The NCCNA has worked for years on neighborhood issues of all kinds, including chronic nuisance properties, community policing, crime prevention, tire and trash collection, parks, Columbia College’s master plan, block grants, neighborhood planning and more.
CBT readers might recall the relatively recent defeat of the NCCNA’s proposed urban conservation overlay district. What they might not know is that the ill-fated overlay was not the association’s first attempt at neighborhood planning. In fact, the City commissioned a plan for the area back in 1993. This plan (“The North Central Columbia Neighborhood Planning Process”) was prepared by MU’s Community Development program, with active participation by the NCCNA and Douglass Park Neighborhood Association. Plan elements included housing, crime, home ownership, infrastructure, community facilities, land use, business development and aesthetics; many of the recommendations have since been adopted by the City (Wabash railroad walkway, home ownership assistance programs, pocket parks, street improvements, encouragement of arts-related uses).
Although not everyone agrees with John Clark or Linda Rootes, their tireless efforts through the years (along with those of folks such as Dan Cullimore, Donna Kessel, Jeannie Wyble, Kim Parker, Paul Hinshaw and many others) to promote and protect the north central neighborhood can’t be dismissed. Most of these people actually live in the neighborhood (unlike Martin) and are affected by neighborhood issues at a personal, immediate level.
Finally, a word about naming. Martin continues to use the incorrect and confusing name “North Central Village” for the entire area. This name was once used as a marketing tool by a neighborhood arts group but is no longer used by anyone except Martin. It’s unfortunate because there is an existing neighborhood called “North Village” (known by that name for 50 years or more) with an identity distinct from that of the larger area. North Village, in fact, is home to the very sort of thriving arts-centered community that the Village Art Team was trying to promote. Referring to all of north central Columbia as the “Village” is historically dishonest and hurts the efforts of those promoting North Village.
Glenn Rice ([email protected]) is a member of the Columbia Planning & Zoning Commission and internet administrator, University of Missouri Division of IT.