City of Columbia Utilities and the Columbia Police Department are holding an interested parties meeting regarding the new street lights for the downtown Columbia area. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway.
The public is invited to attend and provide their input on the six new street lights that have been installed and are being tested. After the meeting, the public is then invited to view the new lights from 7:55 to 8:20 p.m. The new street lights are designed to better light the downtown area in the evenings. The project goal is to eventually have 100 street lights installed downtown. Sgt. Chad Gooch, of the Columbia Police Department, has been very involved in the process of replacing current street lights with new lights to help prevent crime in the downtown area.
"Involvement from our community members is an important part of this process and any process that could potentially help lower crime. The feedback we receive helps us to have a better understanding of what our community needs," Gooch said.
City staff will be available at the meeting with more information regarding the new lights and will answer questions and take comments.
The public is encouraged to take the time to view the six already installed street lights, placed on East Broadway between Hitt Street and Waugh Street, that are currently being tested and then provide feedback. The testing period will begin Jan. 16, the same evening at the interested parties meeting, and will run through Jan. 30 from 7:55 to 8:20 p.m. nightly. An online survey will be available at CoMo.gov for those who would like to offer feedback.