COLUMBIA SPY

Borough officials claim that the borough has outgrown its current headquarters at 308 Locust Street and operations are being hampered due to lack of space.  Two other locations are currently being considered that will allow for expansion: 200 North 5th Street and 430 Walnut Street.  200 North 5th Street Columbia Borough Council recently voted to commission a $12,900 feasibility study to determine the specifics of relocating the borough offices and police station. RLPS Architects, a Lancaster firm, has been tapped to undertake the study. In a proposal letter to the borough dated October 16, 2017, the company states that it will provide "professional services as indicated for a lump sum fee of $12,900 plus reimbursable expenses." The letter also states that RLPS has obtained floor plans of 200 North 5th Street and is working to obtain those of 430 Walnut. If those are not available, the firm says it will digitally scan the property for an additional $2,000 in ...

The Columbia Market House will close Dec. 23 as the borough tries to find a new use for the circa-1869 building in the center of town. Columbia Borough, which owns the building at 15 S. 3rd St., has been operating the three-days-a-week market there but will now be soliciting bids from developers to lease the property and possibly do something else with it. MORE: http://lancasteronline.com/insider/columbia-market-house-closing-dec-bids-to-be-taken-for/article_7b4d00ca-ca4f-11e7-98c1-a79f4333a894.html

Columbia Spy received this updated information from Columbia Borough: Effective December 1, 2017 CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS NOTICE Parking Tickets and Quick Tickets will no longer be accepted at the window at the Borough Office located at 308 Locust Street, Columbia Pa. All tickets must be mailed or put in the drop box located outside the Borough Office to the right of the entrance door. Should you wish to contest a parking ticket, wait for a citation in the mail, then you may plead not guilty and request a hearing at the Magisterial District Judge's Office. Should you wish to contest a quick ticket, submit your request in writing to the Borough Manager along with the required $100 appeal fee within 15 days of ticket date.

Following their $770,000 purchase, Don and Becky Murphy are turning their attention to expanding the restaurant as well as reopening and enlarging the Hinkle's gift shop. MORE: http://lancasteronline.com/insider/buyers-complete-purchase-of-hinkle-s-building-in-columbia-eye/article_205196d8-c96c-11e7-abb7-7b550442f904.html

Mayor Lutz said the $55 million Veterans Memorial Bridge restoration/rehabilitation project is on track for 2019. Designated bicycle lanes will be added to both sides due to an increase in bike traffic from riders using the bridge to "join" the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail with the Mason Dixon Trail. Council voted 6-1 to provide funding in the amount of $70,000 to the Land Bank to assist "Brookline Builders" with necessary improvements that will make 208-210 Locust Street usable as a commercial space.  Brookline's sister company, a limestone/masonry enterprise, is planning a showroom at this property. ( Columbia Spy has reported extensively on this property. Search "208-210" on this site.) A resident questioning the "Street-Scape" program asked why simple fixes like the torn awning at Hotel Locust have been let go for so long.  Councilor Marilyn Kress Hartman said the awning will be repaired in about a week. ...