City Manager’s Spotlight – April 2019

The City Manager’s Spotlight provides details about what is happening in the City of Columbia in an effort to keep citizens informed about City operations. The City Manager’s Spotlight on April 2019 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia as well as events and upcoming meetings. Here is a snapshot of the April Spotlight.

 

16 April, 2019

City of Columbia to host Lunch with a Planner

The City of Columbia is hosting “lunch with a planner” discussions throughout the year as part of Columbia Compass, the ten-year update to the City of Columbia’s comprehensive plan. This 12 to 18-month effort will result in a plan that the City’s citizens and policy makers can use as a blueprint to help navigate our future. Your input is vital as we seek to define a vision for Columbia, and identify the policies, programs and infrastructure investments necessary to make that vision a reality.

Please bring a bag lunch and join us on Tuesday, April 16, from 12 – 1pm at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater, Three Rivers Greenway, Columbia, SC 29201 to discuss Natural Resources within the City of Columbia.

*In case of inclement weather, the lunch will be relocated to the Planning Division conference room, 1136 Washington Street, 3rd floor.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

WHAT: Lunch with a Planner – Natural Resources

WHEN: Tuesday, April 16, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm

WHERE: Riverfront Park Amphitheater, Three Rivers Greenway, Columbia, SC 29201

WHO: Open to the public – bring a bag lunch or coffee, and come prepared to chat!

 

17 April, 2019

Office of Business Opportunities to host Government Contract Readiness Workshop

City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities will host a government contract readiness workshop in collaboration with the SC Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), a part of the SC Small Business Development Center. The workshop will focus on identifying opportunities, navigating the bidding process and working with prime contractors. The featured speaker will be Scott Bellows, PTAC Consultant and expert in the procurement process of every level of government. The workshop will be held at Earlewood Park Community Center, 1111 Recreation Drive Columbia, SC 29201 at 6 p.m.

• Wednesday, April 17, 2019, topic – “Working with Primes: How to Identify Prime Contractors for Subcontract Work”

The Government Contract Readiness Workshop is free to attend, but registration is encouraged. Please register at https://obocontractorseries.eventbrite.com/.

For additional information, please contact the office of Business Opportunities department at (803) 545-3950.

 

19 April, 2019

City Offices to Close in Observance of Good Friday

City of Columbia offices will be closed on Friday, April 19, 2019, in observance of Good Friday.

Emergency police, fire and rescue services may be reached by calling 9-1-1.

Recycling, garbage and yard waste will remain on regular schedule for Good Friday.

 

20 April, 2019

Columbia Water Earth Day

 

 

 22-26 April, 2019

City to Celebrate National Community Development Week: April 22 – April 26

Community Development will celebrate National Community Development Week from April 22 – April 26, 2019. During the week the Community Development department will be hosting different activities to recognize all of the programs and projects that were made possible by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, as well as provide information on current programs that the City has to offer.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the CDBG program. The CDBG program provides grants to over 1,200 local governments to create neighborhood approaches that improve the physical, economic and social conditions in communities. The HOME program, now in its 28th year, provides grants to over 600 local participating jurisdictions to create safe, sanitary and affordable housing in communities nationwide. Every $1.00 of CDBG leverages another $4.07 in other funding; bringing additional vital resources to communities and every $1.00 of HOME leverages an additional $4.06 in other funding. Both programs are administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Almost every neighborhood has been touched by our CDBG programs. When you look at the Vista, Earlewood Park, Elmwood Park, Lyon Street through our fantastic support that we received through the CDBG relief funding now every neighborhood in Southeast Columbia and across the city will benefit from it,” said Mayor Steve Benjamin. “It has been a life blood, the renaissance, the revitalization that the City has gone through over the last two decades and we are so proud to come together as one great community to celebrate 45 years of the CDBG program.”

Below is a list of activities Community Development will be hosting to celebrate National Community Development Week: April 22 – April 26:

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Community Development Week Luncheon

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St.

11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

 

Friday, April 26, 2019

Community Block Party

Community Development office, 1225 Lady St. (Parking lot)

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

 

For more information, please contact Community Development at (803) 545-3373.

 

 

Upcoming Meetings

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will take place on April 9, 2019, at 10 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

Design and Development Review Commission 

The Design and Development Review Commission meeting will take place on April 11, 2019, at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall