Tree removal marks first phase of 5-home Habitat for Humanity Project across from Turkey Hill Experience

Tree removal began this morning at North 4th & Linden.

Tree removal began this morning at the site of a new Habitat for Humanity project, signaling the beginning of construction of five townhomes at North 4th and Linden Streets.

[Photo: Howard Stevens] 

The project, led by Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity, will transform the grassy lot across from the Turkey Hill Experience into a five-family structure. Hammel Associates Architects designed the homes to sit side by side, similar to the organization's previous project on Columbia's South 5th Street.

All five homes have already been matched with future Habitat families who are ready to start the construction process. In July, dedicated construction volunteers will begin work on the site.

Before that, however, subcontractors will handle the initial phases of development, including lot excavation and construction of the foundation and exterior shell of the structure.

The Linden Street Build project held its groundbreaking ceremony on May 1, 2025.

Columbia Borough awards contract for Makle Park improvements

Makle Park

Columbia Borough has awarded a construction contract for Phase 1 improvements at Makle Park, marking a major step forward for the project. 

Yost, Strodoski, and Mears (YSM) Landscape Architects, the contractor overseeing the project, conducted a public bidding process in May 2025. The borough received competitive bids for two separate contracts, but only one - for site improvements - was awarded:

Contract 1: Site Improvement Contract 

At the June 10 borough council meeting, council voted to award the contract for site improvements to H&P Construction. H&P had submitted a base bid of $272,224.13, emerging as the lowest bidder among five companies.

Contract 2: Electric Contract 

Council voted to table the electric contract decision, despite Delaware Environmental Construction submitting the lowest bid of three at $116,000. YSM requested additional time to conduct research on the company's experience before moving forward. Engineer Derek Rinaldo said, "There were some mixed reviews and some concern over experience."

Makle Park Phase 1 Improvements Bid Tabulation 

Planned enhancements include resurfacing the existing basketball courts, renovating and restriping the 19-space parking lot, and constructing new restrooms and a picnic pavilion. Additional improvements will feature the installation of various amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, picnic tables, and bike racks, along with associated landscaping and stormwater management systems.

Financial Impact

The project is being funded through a $478,300 Recreation Development grant awarded to the borough in 2022 under the C2P2 program, with Columbia Borough providing a required match of $119,575.

According to a Columbia Borough "Executive Brief," the total project cost of $538,224.13 includes funds for the precast bathroom that was previously approved. The borough has allocated $597,875 for the Makle Park improvements, leaving a remaining balance of approximately $59,651 after the contract awards.

The project is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2025, with no ongoing operational expenses listed for subsequent years.

The project is an outgrowth of an initial $67,000 study conducted by YSM in 2018, which looked at Makle Park, Rotary Park, and Janson Park. Columbia Spy reported on the study HERE.

Agenda - Columbia Borough Planning Commission Meeting - June 17, 2025

 

Will the Locust Street bus stop be relocated?

Officials are considering relocating the Locust Street bus stop.

The Locust Street bus stop is back on the borough's radar, and officials are considering relocating it, noting several concerns. 

Mayor Leo Lutz addressed the concerns at the June 10th borough council meeting. Lutz said he recently stood under the awning at the front of the municipal building with two men waiting for the bus during “pouring down rain.” He said he watched as the men boarded without difficulty when the bus arrived at the bus stop. Lutz noted there had been a concern that bus patrons waiting at the building wouldn't be able to reach the bus in time when it arrived.

"The issue of not being able to leave from here and get on the bus to me don't hold water," Lutz said, noting that passengers had adequate time to approach and board the vehicle. [Some bus patrons wait under the awning during rain, especially since the canopied bus shelter was removed due to "vagrancy, safety, and hygiene issues" on March 26, 2025 by the South Central Transit Authority, as Columbia Spy reported HERE.]

Lutz also claimed that the current bus stop location creates traffic and safety problems. When buses stop to pick up passengers, they block Market Street, impeding police vehicles that need to access the street to reach the police station for parking, according to Lutz. 

On Saturdays, pedestrians leaving the bus stop or Market House must navigate around stopped buses, sometimes stepping into traffic to check for oncoming vehicles before crossing, Lutz said. "They're going around the bus and stepping out, sticking their head out in back of the bus to see if there's any cars coming." The buses also block access to the Market House parking lot, compounding traffic issues, Lutz noted.

Problems increase when the Rabbit Transit bus queues behind the regular RRTA bus, creating more congestion. "The chief and I stood and watched that, so there is a problem there, and it's a safety problem," Lutz said.

To address these issues, borough officials are considering relocating the bus stop up at the next corner where there's an intersection with a traffic light.

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - June 16, 2025

Christina L. Reese conveyed 319 N. Fifth St. to Reese Duane M, Reese Nancy for $243,000.

Lampeter Homes LLC conveyed 247 N. Second St. to Amir George for $141,000.

About Town - June 15, 2025

 This week's photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

Passing through 

Two more from Wednesday's arrests...

Men at work 

Down by the riverside 

Upcoming 

A lone petunia in a beauty strip

Does that work?

Only vehicles with trailers are permitted in this section. 

A little later, the WGAL van had moved over to the side parking lot.

A disconnected hydrant at 3rd & Maple

A little later, it looked like this. 

Art from a featured artist

The featured artist is Dee Zimmerman, who was at the town square on Saturday. 

Leftovers 

A visitor to River Park

Saint James Lutheran at 10th & Manor 

The Candy Man's here!

It's time for this dancer to come down off the pole.

Yep, more rain

Get a tattoo on Locust. 

Destination: DC?

Sons of Theocracy 

A common sight around town 

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Juneteenth celebration draws a crowd at Lancaster Distilleries in Columbia

 

About 150 people gathered at Lancaster Distilleries on North 4th Street in Columbia on Sunday to commemorate Juneteenth.

About 150 people gathered at Lancaster Distilleries on North 4th Street on Sunday afternoon to commemorate Juneteenth, the federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States.

Columbia's Brad Chambers organized and emceed the event.

Columbia resident Brad Chambers, who previously ran for Pennsylvania State House in the 41st district, organized Sunday's event and served as master of ceremonies. The celebration featured a series of speakers who addressed the historical significance of the black experience in America, covering topics from slavery through modern civil rights legislation.

Mekkai Williams is a 20-year-old Democratic candidate for the Hempfield School District school board.

Among the featured speakers was Mekkai Williams, a 20-year-old Democratic candidate for the Hempfield School District school board. Williams, who graduated from Hempfield High School in 2022, represents a new generation of political engagement.

Izzy Smith-Wade-El spoke off-the-cuff about the end of slavery, and civil rights during the period of 1965-75.

The event also featured remarks from Izzy Smith-Wade-El, who currently serves as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 49th district. Wade-El was elected in November 2022 and assumed office on December 1 of that year.

Ahmed, who has served on the Lancaster City Council since December 2022, spoke of his experiences as a former refugee from Chad, Africa. 

Lancaster City Councilman Ahmed Ahmed also addressed the crowd. Ahmed has served on the Lancaster City Council since December 2022, with his current term extending through January 2026.

Music was provided by "Mama Tried."

The gathering at Lancaster Distilleries represents part of a broader national observance of Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021 and commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in Texas.