city anager potlight 1 · city’s implementation of the walk bike columbia master plan. • the...

CITY MANAGER SPOTLIGHT 1

CITY MANAGER SPOTLIGHT2

HIGHTLIGHTS:City Celebrated National Preservation

Month in May

Office of Business Opportunities Welcomed Nearly 200 Local Business Owners to 5th Annual Small Business

Week Conference

City and CEZ Announced Plans for Busby Street Community Resource and

Training Complex

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The City of Columbia was designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the Bronze level by the League of American Bi-cyclists. The Bicycle Friendly Community program is a nation-al recognition program administered by the League of Amer-ican Bicyclists. Receiving a designation as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” is a designation with real meaning because it is difficult to earn and important to renew. There are cur-rently 416 Bicycle Friendly Communities in the United States.

The Bicycle Friendly Community program provides a roadmap to improving conditions for bicycling and guidance to help make your community’s vision for a better, bikeable community a reality. The BFC designations of honorable mention, bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond are awarded to applicant communities that have demonstrated how they welcome bi-cyclists by providing safe accommodations for bicycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation.

As we strive to become a more bicycle friend-ly community, the City has had a number of no-table successes. These successes include:

• The development and adoption of the Walk Bike Columbia Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan and Bike Share Plan in 2015

• Partnerships with the Richland Penny Tax for Transporta-tion program which resulted in the completion of the Vista Greenway, Phase II and Foundation Square, which includes the first pedestrian-oriented tabletop intersection and the

first green bike boxes and advance stop bars in South Carolina

• The City’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) has been active on a number of fronts, recently hosting Open Streets Columbia in April, and providing meaningful support to the City’s implementation of the Walk Bike Columbia Master Plan.

• The celebration of bicycling city-wide occurs each May through National Bike Month events.

Columbia has been designated as a bronze-level community since 2008; the designation is a four-year designation. The University of South Carolina is also designated a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Campus, and in recent months, two businesses have been designated as Bicycle Friendly Businesses in Columbia (Cycle Center and the Bank of America building). Bicycle Friendly designations within South Carolina can be accessed at http://bikeleague.org/bfa/awards#community. The City of Columbia is one of five designated communities in the state. Greenville, Spartanburg and Rock Hill are also bronze-level designees, and Hilton Head Island is a gold-level designee.

For more information, visit http://bikeleague.org/community or contact the Planning and Development Services Department at 803-545-3222. For more information about the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC), visit https://www.columbiasc.net/planning-preservation/bpac.

BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY


BIKE MONTHCELEBRATION

The City of Columbia celebrates Bike Month each May with a series of events that promote the joy of cycling. Since 1956, May has been recognized as National Bike Month. There are many reasons to ride a bike – whether it is for work, school, to save money or time, to preserve your health or the environment or to explore your community. This year’s Bike Month activities includ-ed the Mayor’s Bike & Walk Summit, Bike to the Ballpark, Ride of Silence, Bike to Work Day and a Bike Movie Night.

For more information, visit https://www.columbiasc.net/plan-ning-preservation/bpac/bike-month or contact the Planning and Development Services Department at (803)-545-3222.


NATIONAL PRESERVATION MONTH

National Historic Preservation Month was started in the 1970s by the National Trust for Historic Pres-ervation as a way to promote historic places and it has been going strong ever since. Throughout May, events and activities are scheduled across the country to celebrate the history and architecture of communities. Colum-bia has lots of history and we offered a few free ways to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month in the City of Columbia during May.

Parks and Recreation held a Historic Wood Siding Repair and Painting workshop, where citizens learned how to repair old wood siding, remove paint and install and paint siding. The free workshop was on Saturday, May 20 at the Little Red Schoolhouse (312 Laurel St.) at Riverfront Park South.

Parks and Recreation also offered two history tours related to the historic Columbia Canal. One City, Two Canals, which was about the history of Columbia’s waterways, the 2015 flood and the future of the Three Rivers Greenway/Three Rivers, was on Sunday, May 21. During the Canal History Tour on Saturday, May 27, the history and impact of the canal over the past 200 years was discussed.

In 2014, ColumbiaSC63 and its local partners in-stalled nine historic markers in the City of Columbia

to highlight the local people, events and places integral to the Civil Rights

movement here. Seven of these panels are located along the

west side of Main Street from Gervais to Laurel Street. You can always take a stroll down Main Street to learn about Columbia’s con-nection to the Civil Rights movement.

The City of Columbia has over 160 buildings or sites

that have been designated as Individual Landmarks based on

their architecture or their associa-tion with people or events significant

to the history of Columbia and the state of South Carolina. The City offers a web tour of

its Landmark Buildings that also highlights specific Landmarks related to African American history and modern architecture.

People were able to participate in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s This Place Matters campaign. This Place Matters uses social media to highlight special places in local communities. From the National Trust website: “This Place Matters” is a national campaign that encourages people to celebrate the places that are meaningful to them and to their communities. Since 2015, participants have shared more than 10,000 photographs of themselves and their favorite places on social media using the hashtag #ThisPlaceMatters.”


Nearly 200 small business owners gathered for the Office of Business Opportunities’ 5th Annual Small Business Week Conference on May 4 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Through workshops, guest speakers and networking, entrepreneurs got a chance to connect with innovative business leaders, who shared their insights, best practices and tricks of the trade.“We want to give them [small business owners] the tools that they need to be sustainable,” OBO Director Tina Herbert said. “The City of Columbia really wants to make sure that our small, minority, women and local businesses understand how important they are to our economy. So, we are going to continue to do all that we can do to make sure that we are

creating a supportive environment.”The Small Business Week Conference helped small business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. This annual conference covered the minor details that help small businesses grow.“The event has been very helpful to me and my company because it’s educational; it tells us where we are and if there are certain places that we need to grow,” Kimberly Price, President and CEO of Clean Metro, Inc. said. “Events like this are what we need to build our confidence.”

This year’s workshops included:• Six Ways to Build Your Business Pipeline• Protect Your Business and Other Assets• Strategies for Growing Your Profit

• Marketing Don’ts for Small Businesses• Small Business Ownership and FranchisingThe Small Business Week Conference also included the InnovateHER pitch challenge. InnovateHER provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. to showcase products and services that have a measurable impact on the lives of women and families, have the potential for commercialization and fill a need in the marketplace.

SMALL BUSINESS WEEKOFFICE OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (OBO) WELCOMED NEARLY 200 LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS


LEADERSHIPINSTITUTECity leaders attended Allen University’s Community Leaders Institute on May 19 and 20. City Manager Teresa Wilson spoke during the event’s first session, which was about the role of federal, state and local governments. Mayor Steve Benjamin was the keynote speaker on Saturday, May 20.

The institute brought together community leaders from across the state of South Carolina with an emphasis on community development and revitalization. Through collaboration and networking, leaders from various locations were able to share information and identify best practices for their agencies and organizations.


The Busby Street Community Resource & Training Complex is an 8+ acre site that will provide a perfect venue for community residents to gather for meetings and activities, and for training and educational opportunities. The City prides itself on providing facilities that empower, educate and train our residents, and connect our communities. This building will provide a place for countless engagement opportunities by residents, entrepreneurs, workforce agencies, educational entities, the police and the public. It will be a place where our entire community can connect inside the facility or outside in open space or on the walking trail.

The City envisions a site where the facilities directly articulate community, safety, education, youth/senior engagement, training and economic development opportunities and will help “bridge the gap” between business, community and police.

“This is not just to announce plans for the building, but this is to dedicate the mission of carrying out our responsibilities to those who for the most part have lived very productive lives and who have made it possible for all of us to be here today and I think it is biblical for us to do what is necessary to give them pleasing, pleasant, and secure golden years.” – Congressman James E. Clyburn

The City envisions a site that will house numerous community/resident/business-focused programs and services that address the many needs of the community.

“I want to tell the wonderful people of this community of 29203, the folks from Guernsey Street, the folks of North Columbia and Farrow Road, that this is a great day on Busby Street.” – Mayor Steve Benjamin

Additional Quotes from the Speakers

“This building and this property and the amenities here will address the quality of life in this part of the city.” – Councilman Sam Davis

“From a dead end street to an oasis of possibilities and opportunity, from chaos to development, from politics to people understanding that it’s not lines, it’s lives, we come to this place, this hallowed

piece of soil to develop this place of hope, resources, and training.” – Councilman Edward McDowell Jr.

“This will be a state of the art facility, an opportunity for other cities to look at what we do in our communities to help empower our residents. I will tell you that there is nothing more important than a project that will be able to hit all of our focus areas and continue to move us forward as a city.” –Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine

“The Busby Street Community Resource and Training Center will be a valuable asset to the community; it will be a hub of activities for children to play, explore and grow as well as for adults.” - Randy Davis , Director of Parks and Recreation

“It has been a long struggle. We have been to meetings. We have been to onsite visitations. We have been to architectural plannings and we have had ground breakings. It is really a beautiful day today and we are thankful.” – Burton Heights-Standish Acres Neighborhood President, Mrs. Edna Harrison

“We are so thankful that Congressman Clyburn, Mayor Benjamin, City Council, the Columbia Empowerment Zone, Eau Claire Development Corporation and many others, have had the patience and foresight to work with staff as we’ve tried to come up with resources in addition to federal dollars to really make this happen. We really couldn’t be more proud.” –City Manager Teresa Wilson

“He (Clyburn) not only does what he needs to do in South Carolina, he does it all over the world. Wherever he’s called upon, he goes.” – Judge Mildred Weathers McDuffie

“Busby Street was once a dead end street with challenges of blight. There were vacant lots, structures of disrepair and outdated infrastructure including drainage, water and inadequate lighting. However, today we are excited to announce a new beginning for Busby Street and look forward to all the wonderful opportunities envisioned for this site. ”– Felicia Maloney, Executive Director of CEZ, Inc.

CITY & CEZ ANNOUNCED BUSBY STREETCOMMUNITY RESOURCE AND TRAINING COMPLEX


The City of Columbia celebrated Public Service Recognition Week May 7 – May 13, 2017. The City honored the public servants from all departments who have contributed to the improvement of the City. The Public and Media Relations Department launched a social media campaign using photos and video footage that focused on the roles of City employees in various city departments. All men and women of these departments share a vital role in ensuring that Columbia is at its best, both as a city and as a community.

Public Service Recognition Week is a week that is celebrated every year across the nation in dedication to those who serve the public in various ways. It was first celebrated in 1985 to pay tribute to federal, state, county and local government employees who made immense contributions to both their community and the country. It is to recognize and bring awareness to the importance of what it means to be a public servant and the impact public service has on the community.

Hard work and sacrifice are made by public servants every day in order to better the quality of life for all citizens. That is why we wanted to say thank you to all of our City of Columbia employees who have chosen the selfless path of public servitude.

“I am proud to lead our dedicated employees as we work daily to make Columbia a better community for our citizens. As public servants, we are committed to providing quality municipal services and moving our city to new levels in the future.” – City Manager Teresa Wilson

PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK


National non-profit KaBOOM! honored the City of Columbia with a 2017 Playful City USA designation for the fourth consecutive year. Playful City USA honors cities and towns across the country for putting the needs of families first so kids can learn, grow and develop important life skills. These communities are transforming ordinary places into playful spaces and using play as a solution to the challenges facing their residents.

“We are so thrilled to be named a Playful City for the fourth consecutive year,” Mayor Steve Benjamin said. “Our incredible staff at Parks and Recreation has truly set the bar high and made play possible for all of Columbia’s families and our children.”

The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains 60 city parks and green spaces, 600 acres of city-maintained park land, 55 tennis courts and multiple city pools, spray pads and ponds. All city parks are open year-round, from dawn to dusk with no entrance fees.

New additions to the park system include an outdoor basketball court at the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, a bocce ball court at Sims Park, a playground at Greenview Park and a new Miracle League ball field and boundless playground (under construction) at Owens Field Park.

The department also offers a variety of programming for both youth and adults to play through its athletics and outdoor adventure programs to special events such as the Mayor’s Drills & Skills Clinics, Kids Day, golf and tennis clinics, nature and wildlife walks and more.

“We are honored to receive this wonderful designation from KaBOOM!” City Manager Teresa Wilson said. “Our parks system is at the core of our most important public services and helps sustain the quality of life in our community.”The 2017 Playful City USA recognition includes 258 communities across the country that makes it as easy as possible for kids to play. In total, these communities feature more than 14,000 safe and engaging playspaces that serve more than 4 million kids.

“We are honored to be designated as a Playful City USA community for the fourth year in a row,” Randy Davis, Director of Parks and Recreation, said. “We know that play contributes to a child’s social, physical and emotional development, so we are committed to providing opportunities for all children to play.”

“We are thrilled to recognize the City of Columbia for putting kids first,” KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal said. “The well-being of our communities starts with the well-being of our kids, and play is critical for them to thrive. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all kids get the childhood they deserve filled with play.”

To see the full list of Playful City USA communities and to learn more about making play the easy choice for kids, visit kaboom.org/playfulcityusa.

For more information about the City of Columbia’s parks, recreation centers and programs, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (803)-545-3100 or visit www.columbiasc.net/parks-recreation.

CITY OF COLUMBIA HONORED AS PLAYFUL CITY USA COMMUNITY


Black Expo began on Thursday, May 18 with the Black Expo Sponsors’ and Exhibitors’ Kick-Off Reception at the Lace House.

Friday, May 19 included a Charity Golf Tournament at Cob-blestone Park Golf Club, where a portion of the proceeds went to help Dr. Kerry White Brown and the Brown fam-ily purchase a VGo Robot. This VGo robot will allow their son GregAnthony to remain connected with his classmates and peers, enabling him to attend class from home or the hospital as he undergoes treatment for Leukemia. Friday evening, the 7th Annual Taste of Black Columbia was held at the SC State Museum with a performance by Grammy Nominated R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn. This cocktail reception included a competition of more than 20 chefs who competed to win Best Savory, Best Dessert, Best Display, The People’s Choice and the Certified SC Grown Award. The Certified SC Grown Award is a new award that

allots the winning chef a cash prize of $500. As the chefs competed to win the cash prize, they were required to use at least two Certified SC Grown products as ingredi-ents in their dishes.

Saturday, May 20 wrapped up the events with the annual Black Expo. The official press conference and ribbon cut-ting began at 9:30 a.m., announcing the newest partners and efforts. The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Cen-ter was full of small businesses, food vendors, seminars, kid zone, Greek village, a health and wellness fair and a beauty spa catering to male and female grooming needs. Celebrity guests included Kofi Siriboe of Oprah Winfrey’s Queen Sugar, Skai Jackson of Disney Channel’s Bunk’d, 10-time Grammy nominee Marvin Sapp and Charlamagne tha god, New York Times Best Selling Author.

BLACK EXPO


Columbia Animal Services held a Cinco de Meow pet adoption special on May 5 and 6. All dogs and cats were available for adoption for a $5 fee that included spay/neuter, micro-chip, feline leukemia/heartworm test, initial vaccines and deworming. Forty-two animals were adopted during the two-day special.

CINCO DE MEOW


Teresa Wilson is the City Manager for the City of Columbia, SC. For more details on the City Manager, visit Co-lumbiaSC.net/City-Manager. For more information about the City of Colum-bia, visit ColumbiaSC.net.

ABOUT TERESA WILSON

city anager potlight 1 · city’s implementation of the walk bike columbia master plan. • the...

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