Keep reading to learn more about how these changes will affect the community.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball provided a comprehensive update on the implementation of the Downtown Columbia Plan. As part of this update, Ball announced that he has submitted two pieces of legislation to the County Council, intending to advance affordable housing and a new Central Library in Downtown Columbia. Keep reading to learn more about how these changes will affect the community.
About the Plan
The Downtown Columbia Plan Amendment is an amendment to Plan Howard 2030, the County’s previous General Plan, and creates a 30-year master plan for the revitalization and redevelopment of Downtown Columbia. Specific land use, transportation, environmental, community conservation, and housing policies are presented.
The Central Library Project
The existing Central Library was designed in 1978 and opened in 1981, nearly 50 years ago. At approximately 50,000 square feet in size, the Central Library is no longer the most extensive library in the County. It is undersized to meet the service demands and growing population, particularly as the flagship central branch of the Howard County Library System (HCLS).
The County is advancing plans for a new Central Library, which has been in the works for nearly 20 years. In Spring 2023, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced plans to fund a new Central Library branch in Downtown Columbia. That same year, the State of Maryland contributed $10 million in restricted grant funding to advance planning and design of a new Central Library. The new Central Library will be situated on the Columbia Lakefront, creating new public spaces and educational resources for all.
Affordable Housing in Downtown Columbia
The Downtown Columbia Affordable Housing Plan calls for 900 affordable housing units serving various income ranges and utilizing different funding sources to be built throughout Downtown Columbia. Of these, 417 affordable units will be constructed by the Howard County Housing Commission across five other sites.
The Performing Arts Center and Artists Flats mixed-use project is currently under construction at the site of Toby’s Dinner Theater. The Artists Flats portion of the building comprises 174 apartments, of which 87 are designated as affordable for households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The next site planned for affordable housing by the Housing Commission is located in the southwest quadrant of the Merriweather District, adjacent to the new Marlow apartment building and Color Burst Park. The Merriweather Affordable Housing project will consist of more than 120 total units of housing, of which 50% will be affordable for households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Photos from the event can be found on the County’s Flickr website, and video on the County Executive’s Facebook page.
THRIVE at Columbia Town Center
Town Center is one of the ten villages of Columbia, Maryland. Our Village offices are located in Historic Oakland, one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Howard County. In the heart of Columbia, Town Center’s residents enjoy living in an urban community in a suburban setting with close proximity to all Columbia amenities, attractions, and cultural activities. Visit us to learn more about our community at 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD 21044. Call us at 410-730-4744 or visit our website https://www.columbiatowncenter.org/