Central Columbia residents looking forward to planned street improvements

Residents who live in the central city are working to move forward with plans to improve their neighborhoods.

“It’s very necessary. It’s all about a change,” said Diedrea Freelon, who lives in central Columbia and owns a hair salon off the Business Loop.

Freelon attended Thursday evening’s monthly neighborhood meeting to get feedback from other residents about moving her business to a new location at Jackson and Orange streets.

“We’re trying to get a little closer and more convenient for people in the area,” she said.

Freelon’s possible new business location was one of many topics discussed Thursday evening. Residents also talked about the next steps in the process of getting artwork on traffic boxes and storm drains.

“It will show that people care in the neighborhood and that people are actually wanting to make the area better,” said Eric Williams, president of the Ridgeway Neighborhood Association.

Williams and other residents are also looking forward to a planned $75,000 traffic calming project on Sexton Road. The city is looking to install six speed humps along the road to slow down traffic.

“We have a problem with people driving down Sexton,” Williams said. “It’s a 25 mph road and people like to drive down it 45 mph sometimes, it seems like.”

“I think it will stop a little traffic that’s coming through there, especially people driving fast,” Freelong said. “There’s kids riding their bikes and outside playing after school. It is very important that they do that. I think that will help the neighborhood.”

The city is finalizing design plans for the project, which need to be approved by the City Council. If the plans are approved, construction is expected to start later in the year.

Residents will meet again on May 17.