Restaurant Inspections – Columbia Borough – October 3, 2025

Starview Brews, 224 Locust St., Columbia, Sept. 25. Pass. Facility offering for sale two bags of Woodland All American Beef Jerky, which is not approved for wholesale. Product was removed from sale.

Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, complaint, Sept. 23. Pass. No violations.

Columbia Borough Council takes out $5 million mortgage on former McGinness property

The former McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street [File photo]

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Borough Council voted unanimously to take out a $5 million mortgage on the former McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street at its September 23 meeting. 

The details
Council voted to approve two key ordinances at the meeting to finalize a loan package worth over $5 million from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Council passed Ordinance No. 963 of 2025, granting the Commonwealth Financing Authority a mortgage on the former McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street as collateral for a $5,028,030 loan through the state's Business in Our Sites (BIOS) Program. The mortgage will serve as security for the funding.

Council also approved Ordinance No. 964 of 2025, which amends Ordinance No. 962 from July 15, 2025 that had authorized the issuance of a general obligation note for the same $5,028,030 amount. The amendment removes language that referenced the anticipated sale of $1 million worth of the subject property by December 31, 2025.

The loan carries a 3% annual interest rate, with a penalty rate of 12.5% per annum on overdue amounts. The borough retains the right to make early payments on the loan without penalty.

Council hopes to pay back the loan by selling the property, although no potential buyers have been announced.

It's unclear whether council plans to sell the property as one tract or as individual lots when a $2.2 million soil stabilization project is completed in November.

Ordinance No. 963 of 2025

Ordinance No. 964 of 2025

Columbia Borough breaks ground on Makle Park renovation project

State and local officials attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Makle Park Tuesday afternoon. 

[Photo: Submitted] 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

State and local officials helped kick off a major improvement project for Makle Park at a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday afternoon. 

The project is Phase 1 of improvements that include resurfacing the park's basketball courts, resurfacing the parking lot with new pavement and striping, constructing a picnic pavilion, and installing a prefabricated restroom. Also included are new benches, trash receptacles, picnic tables, and bike racks.

The improvements are primarily funded through a state Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant, with a matching contribution from the borough.