12/16/24 Columbia City Council Meeting
At Monday evening’s Columbia City Council meeting, several topics of interest to Local Motion were discussed, including pedestrian safety, the Ash Street Improvement Project, and recommendations from the Boone County and City of Columbia Housing Study.
Pedestrian Safety Report
City staff presented a report addressing concerns about individuals standing in medians, including crash data and insights from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While informative, the recommendations leaned toward criminalizing pedestrians instead of prioritizing infrastructure improvements. Local Motion urges the City to focus on building safer streets through traffic calming, accessible crosswalks, and protected walkways to ensure pedestrian safety for all road users.
Ash Street Improvement Project
City Council reviewed updates on the Ash Street Improvement Project. In response to concerns from neighborhood residents, staff were directed to reengage the public in the planning process to ensure the project meets the needs of both local residents and the broader community.
Housing Study Recommendations
The Council also discussed findings from the Boone County Housing Study, including recommendations to improve the city’s transit system. Enhancing Go COMO Transit to reduce wait times and better connect low-income families to jobs and essential services was a key focus.