Columbia Borough clears path to $1.75M state grant after years of delays

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Borough Council has voted on a long-delayed resolution authorizing a $1.75 million grant application to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). RACP is a Commonwealth program that funds the construction of economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects across the state. 

Resolution No. 2026-13, passed unanimously by council at Tuesday's regular meeting, authorizes the borough to submit the application to the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget on behalf of the Columbia Economic Development Initiative. The original resolution authorizing the application was never formally approved, requiring a retroactive vote to bring the borough into compliance. The resolution designates Interim Borough Manager Jack Brommer and Council President Eric Kauffman to execute all documents and agreements related to the application. 

Resolution No. 2026-13

The current resolution comes after a series of hurdles that kept the borough from collecting on the grant, including a $26,000 discrepancy and a missing Market House deed. 

According to a 2019 LNP/LancasterOnline article, Columbia Borough was approved to receive a $1.75 million matching grant from the state for renovations to the Columbia Market House and the creation of additional downtown parking. Borough officials submitted information several times, but state officials repeatedly requested more details. In the meantime, council voted to spend an additional $1.75 million, required to match the grant.

The grant itself underwent a significant restructuring last year. At council's May 27, 2025 meeting, members voted to reorganize the two-phase RACP package after state officials said that reimbursement for Phase 1 work was contingent on the borough moving forward with Phase 2. “If we do not do RACP Phase 2, we do not get paid for RACP Phase 1,” Steven Kaufhold, then borough manager, said. “This is really one big grant. It's just in two separate sections.”

The restructuring reduced the Phase 1 request to $1 million — covering work that was already completed on the Market House — while rolling about $300,000 into Phase 2. The move was designed to speed the state's reimbursement by simplifying the documentation. 

Phase 1 was originally assembled as a collection of several smaller projects — most pertaining to the Market House — under one “umbrella,” a structure that had slowed the reimbursement process. Phase 2 is expected to center on a single capital project — possibly a new public works facility — rather than several downtown initiatives originally considered. 

Agenda — Columbia Borough HARB Meeting — March 11, 2026

Agenda — Columbia Borough Council Meeting — March 10, 2026

The meeting packet is HERE.

Columbia school board appoints new member Jasmine Preston | Community News | lancasteronline.com

MORGAN HUBER | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE

When: Columbia school board committee meeting, March 3.

What happened: The board unanimously approved the appointment of Jasmine Preston as a new school board member. Preston, who was the only candidate to apply and be interviewed for the position, replaces Nathan Roach, who resigned at the Feb. 19 meeting due to moving out of the district.

Background: A safety manager and human resources coordinator, Preston currently serves on Columbia Zoning Hearing Board and last year ran for mayor against longtime incumbent Leo Lutz, losing out by less than 100 votes.

Quote: "I'm passionate about assuring that all students receive a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment," Preston said in her statement to the board. "I believe strong schools are formed through the collaboration of families, executive leaders, administrators, and the community. Serving on the school board would allow me to continue to support the community in a meaningful way while helping guide decisions that support academic excellence and long-term district success."

What's next: Preston will serve through Dec. 6, 2027, the remainder of Roach's two-year term, after which she will be on the ballot for the 2027 school board elections, should she choose to run.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-school-board-appoints-new-member-jasmine-preston/article_8d25b5fd-5951-4c5b-9725-be6ecabed74a.html 

Deeds Recorded — Columbia Borough — March 9, 2026

Valley View Capital LLC conveyed 244 S. Fifth St. to Rosado Santiago Luis Francisco, Santiago Luis Francisco Rosado, Mercado Muniz Yamilet Milagros, Muniz Yamilet Milagros Mercado for $222,000.

JDW Property Solutions Inc. conveyed 552 Union St. to Hopkins Benjamin Thomas for $244,000.

Deptula Michael A, Deptula Michael, Deptula Amy conveyed 20 S. Fifth St. to Jessica James for $189,900.

Snyder Robert W, Snyder Gale L. conveyed 1040 Hilmar Circle to Nabilco Management LLC for $171,000.

The estate of Dennis L. Kemmick Jr. conveyed 804 Plane St. to G. Fisher Properties LLC for $165,000.

Valley View Capital LLC conveyed 238 S. Second St. to Christ S. Smucker for $155,000.

Neuman Michael W, Hostetter Kevin, Montano Demetrius conveyed property on South Third Street to One Stop Properties LLC for $1.

Valley View Capital LLC conveyed property on South Second Street to Smucker Christ Stoltzfus for $155,000.

Elizabeth R. Smedley conveyed 258 N. Third St. to Julie Sprenkle for $234,536.

Mount Joy Holdings LP conveyed property on Locust Street to Mount Joy Holdings LP for $1.

About Town — March 8, 2026

This week's photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

At the Re-Uzit Shop: Uncle Sam costume 

Some patriotic accessories 

And some advice

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West Hempfield Township Police responded to a report of a gunfight in the vicinity of Oak Hollow Drive and Oswego Drive. At least two people involved in a gunfight there fled the scene. Police cordoned off the area. 

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Workers from Lewis Environmental and a member of the US Coast Guard were at Columbia River Park for two days to check for contamination from a recent spill on the York County side of the Susquehanna River.

According to LNP/LancasterOnline, federal, state and local agencies are undertaking clean-up operations after a February 25 fire at J&K Salvage released thousands of gallons of oils from containers into Codorus Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna. The oils have seeped into the Susquehanna watershed, according to officials. Members of the response team are testing water samples from the river near Columbia and Wrightsville.

An oil containment boom (along with two buoys) was placed near the water intake at the Columbia Water Company. 

The boom and buoys were tethered to a nearby tree.

Debris collected over the next few days.

On Sunday morning, the boom was no longer visible. 

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Authentic driftwood 

This is all that was left of the river ice the other day.

Life jacket zone

A bench for watching the fog

Witch hazel blooming at Columbia River Park 

The bushes were an Arbor Day planting dedicated to the late Fred Abendschein.

Keep your hands off government property. 

Especially this stream gaging station

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Board (and shovel) leaning against the siding

Sideways, it's an accurate representation of the current world situation, cracks and all.

On the way back home 

This is all that's left of the McGinness remediation project. 

Onward to Middle Creek!

"Sticker shock"

For want of a nail

Window cleaning on Locust 

Wood you look at that: lumber for sale at Tollbooth 

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Still life with cart and bridge

Detail

Looking kind of like an amusement park, the Von Hess project continues. 

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Frogs on the march at Clover Tattoo 

The snowdrops are blooming. 

High water levels lifted this boat off the shore, where it's been tethered for three weeks. PA Fish & Game said they're working with the owner to resolve the situation. 

A fast-moving train about to surge past the COLA building 

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