Columbia residents give feedback on Orr street park developments

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia residents voiced their opinions on proposed developments to a new park on Orr Street during a public meeting held by Columbia Parks and Recreation Saturday evening.

The public hearing was held to give residents the opportunity to give their input about these improvements. The meeting took place at the park property, 210 Orr Street from 5 to 7 p.m. A second meeting will be held on August 4 at the same time and place.

Columbia resident Rhett Hartman said he thinks the park will help to bring the community together, and connect the area.

"So people don't naturally flow that way, and I think for pedestrian sake and for that connectivity... this could be the beginning of something that might connect the two in a pedestrian way,"  Hartman said.

The site was previously owned by Ameren, before being deemed a "contaminated superfund," a term used by the EPA meaning it was polluted with hazardous waste. This led to clean-up of the site beginning in 2014.

Columbia Parks and Recreation Superintendent Mike Snyder said the city is looking to turn the current unappealing lot into a more versatile area.

"It could be a live music venue, it could be a festival space but it can also be a green space for people that live in downtown to come and walk their dog or throw a frisbee," Snyder said.

Proposed improvements to the park could include a green space, playground, a performance area, permanent public art installations, a seating area and sidewalk and parking improvements. 

Businesses in the North Village Arts District have asked for a park to be built. The city broke ground on the park last month. Hartman said he is unsure of if a stage should be added to the area, as Rose Music Hall is close-by to the area. He also said he has a few ideas he would like the city to consider, including adding a water feature to the park.

"Here is an opportunity to uncover a waterway, so maybe in addition to green space they could have blue space," Hartman said. "I love the sound of water. So it seems like they're open to it, but this is just how the parks work, they gotta start with something." 

The city is planning to build the park on Orr Street with $1.25 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, as well as an additional $1.25 million from the recently passed park sales tax. Hartman said despite this sounding like a large amount of money, he sees it as an investment for the future of the city.

"So this is an investment, and I think every penny is gonna be worth 10 in the future," Hartman said.

Snyder said the city is still seeking more public input, has to present the idea to the park commission and has to work with utility divisions across the city. The proposal will also need to be approved by the city council before a date for when the park will be complete can be set. According to Snyder, this could take months.