At 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, Public Input meeting #1 will be held by the City of Columbia in City Hall to gather public input for future development in the city’s Central Neighborhoods surrounding the Downtown and the Mizzou campus. A second public input meeting is set for 6-8 p.m. on April 24.

In its notice, the City invited the public to share its “experiences of Columbia’s central neighborhoods, concerns and ideas about the neighborhoods’ future.” You may also provide input via BeHeard, an online portal that includes information on the project and ways to provide feedback.

The City held the project’s kickoff meeting on Dec. 14, 2023. (The video recording of this forum can be viewed at this link: https://www.como.gov/link/cauc-meeting/(External link))

This event is city-sponsored and is not affiliated with CoMo Preservation. CoMo Preservation is publicizing this event because provides an opportunity to speak up about historic preservation.

CoMo Preservation is devoted to increasing awareness about the importance of historic preservation and providing information to help homeowners, landlords, and institutions preserve historic architecture. We believe the preservation of historic places and spaces provides Columbia residents, students, and visitors with a sense of place and contributes to our city’s continued economic success.

CoMo Preservation events & announcements

— CoMo Preservation memberships are $20. Sign up for membership here. Membership dues fund our mission of helping people and organizations preserve the places and spaces they love.

— 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. Greg Olson will talk about the Indigenous people who live in Missouri. The presentation will be held in the Friends Room of the Columbia Public Library. An independent researcher and author, Greg is the author of seven books and several articles about Native American history in Missouri and the Midwest. His most recent book, Indigenous Missourians: Ancient Societies to the Present, was published in 2023.

— 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 : Verna Laboy will portray the famous caterer African-American Annie Fisher. Born in 1867, Annie Fisher died in 1938 and during her lifetime amassed an estate that would be valued at nearly $2 million today. She made much of her fortune from selling beaten biscuits, her restaurants and real estate. Her holdings included two mansions both of which were demolished, one in the 1960s and the other in 2011. Without the preservation of her homes, the story of her success and life was nearly lost. Laboy will bring her to life at this meeting of CoMo Preservation.

CoMo Preservation is devoted to helping homeowners, landlords, and institutions preserve historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic places and spaces gives people a sense of place and boosts Columbia’s economy. You can get involved by volunteering, signing up for our mailing list, attending an event, or donating funds.

Questions? Suggestions for speakers or events? Email CoMoPreservation@gmail.com.