As the year comes to a close, we recap some of the stories that made headlines over the past 12 months, and take a look ahead into what 2013 might bring. | Panelists: Scott Swafford, senior city editor, Columbia Missourian Lora Wegman, city editor, Columbia Daily Tribune David Lieb, correspondent, The Associated Press (joining by phone) |
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A spate of new development has taken off in downtown Columbia, in particular the construction of several multi-story student housing developments. Amid the current building boom, we take a look at the vision for Columbia's downtown and consider what it might mean to have hundreds of students living in the area. Panelists:
Carrie Gartner, executive director, Downtown Community Improvement District. John Ott, developer and owner of Alley A Realty and several downtown properties, including the Stephens Building at Broadway and Hitt. Debbie Sheals, historic preservation consultant and founding member of the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission Plans for a new terminal at Columbia Regional Airport are already under way. The question now is how to pay for it. Today we discuss the latest proposal for funding an airport expansion, as well as the connection between the airport and economic growth in mid-Missouri. Panelists: Michael Kelly, general manager of the Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center in Columbia and board member of the Missouri Hotel & Lodging Association Mike Matthes, Columbia city manager For more details about options for an expanded airport terminal, click here to download the full PDF file sumbitted to the City Council from the City's website.
Despite the success of flights to Memphis, mid-Missouri's main commercial airport still has been cited as a hindrance to the region's economic development. What might be done to increase airport traffic and better connect mid-Missouri to the world? Panelists:
Mike Brooks, president, Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) Bob McDavid, mayor of Columbia Andrew Schneider, manager, Columbia Regional Airport |