John Bailey for State Delegate

It is a good day for Columbia and Howard County.  As I am sure most have heard by now the Howard County Council voted unanimously last night to pass Council Bills 58 and 59 changing the master plan of Columbia and allowing for the redevelopment of Columbia to begin.  While dirt won’t be moved and nothing will be springing up from the ground for another few years, this is a good first step towards insuring the Columbia has a prosperous future.  I have been a proponent of this plan for a number of different reasons.  I believe that currently downtown Columbia is not a destination spot.  People work there and then go home.  There is nothing drawing people to spend their time or money in the heart of Columbia.  On a beautiful spring day (of which this is not) the lake front is empty, Symphony Woods is vacant, and the only real option in Columbia is an enclosed mall. 

I also support the downtown plan because of the job opportunities it will generate for the county and region.  We know that Howard County is a growing county.  It is a desirable place to live because of the wonderful schools and safe communities.  A new downtown will create jobs and opportunities for people to live, work, and recreate all in Columbia.  Part of the traffic problems that face Howard County each day are due to people from out of the county passing through in order to work in Washington or Baltimore.  Creating more jobs in Howard County will allow for more opportunities to capture those works and keep them right here in the county.   

A new Columbia will also bring an added tax base to the county.  With an increase in residential and commercial property, the county will expand the amount of taxes collected.  This will mean more revenues to pay for current services.  Obviously, with increased density comes the increased need for county services.  Since the largest increase in this plan is commercial property there is going to be an increase in tax revenue but not necessarily an increased need for certain services.  For example with new businesses come more taxes, but not the need to build a new school or library.

There are critics that oppose this plan and feel that it will bring unmanageable traffic and turn Columbia into a less desirable place to live.  I contend that if this plan is done correctly, the traffic will be no worse then it currently is, and maybe even improved.  Currently all roads in Columbia lead to the mall.  There are very few auxiliary roads that allow you to get some place without passing through the center of Columbia.  This plan will divert traffic by providing alternatives as well as creating a more walker and public transportation friendly environment.  Along with the new transportation is the opportunity to create a more environmentally friendly place to live.  Currently our storm water management in Columbia is leading to sink holes and runoff into the streams flowing directly to the Bay.  Columbia was originally designed in the 1960’s with 1960’s ideas about the environment and sustainability.  With new environmental ideas and mechanisms to protect the environment, Columbia can become a model city for environmentally friendly practices.

As you can see, I choose to focus on the positives of this plan, rather then dwell on the possible drawbacks.  These drawbacks can and will be taken care of as the project moves forward.  The different steps in the plan ensure that the developer provides the public services promised before being able to move on to the next phase.  This ensures that the citizens get the services promised while at the same time enjoying the new opportunities created by the influx of new residents and business.  In order to achieve this we must be vigilant in keeping an eye on what is taking place with regard to county plans and developer actions.  Columbia can become a prosperous destination full of cultural, economic, and recreational opportunities, but it will only happen if we work together to ensure that the dream we have been promised turns into a reality.