The Borough of Columbia will act on an ordinance authorizing the issuance of a $5,028,030.00, principal amount, general obligation Note, to fund the development of the McGinness Innovation Park, according to a public notice published by LNP Media Group, Inc. on July 9, 2025.
Borough council will act on the proposed ordinance at the next meeting at 7 p.m., July 15, 2025, at Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street. The vote will determine whether Columbia moves forward with substantial borrowing from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, a state agency that provides financing for local government projects.
According to the notice, “If enacted, the ordinance will award the Note to the Commonwealth Financing Authority, approve the form of the Note, fix the rate of interest to be paid, pledge the full faith and credit of the local government unit for the payment thereof, create a sinking fund and authorize the proper officers to take the necessary steps to issue the Note.” The funds are earmarked for development and construction costs associated with the McGinness Innovation Park project.
Citizens interested in reviewing the full text of the proposed ordinance can do so at Borough Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Carson Stahl mowed, weeded, and cleaned up the Veterans Memorial Bridge Plaza recently.
Carson Stahl, a student at York Catholic Middle & High School, recently completed volunteer service hours by maintaining the Veterans Memorial Bridge Plaza grounds as part of his school's mandatory community service requirement.
The work included mowing and bagging grass throughout the plaza area, removing weeds, and cleaning walkways. Jake Graham, Columbia Borough Public Works Director, and administrative assistant Lisa helped coordinate the project.
Stahl will continue maintaining the plaza with regular mowing, trimming, weeding, and removing litter.
At Tuesday's workshop, council plans to discuss a zoning ordinance to determine if signs such as these (currently on the fence along the River Trail) are in compliance.
"Archaeological digs in Columbia have unearthed Native American artifacts that date back thousands of years. Tribes such as the Shawanese and the Susquehannocks inhabited the area. Numerous locations including the Susquehanna River, still bear their tribal names.
European influence arrived in the area in the 1720s when Robert Barber, John Wright, and Samuel Blunston settled in Shawannah, a Native American town. Founding families had close ties to William Penn and Benjamin Franklin. 14 SUSQUEHANNA RIVER TOWNS
By 1730, the area was renamed Wright's Ferry after John Wright's lucrative Ferrying business. Columbia became known as the Gateway to the West due to this access to the western banks of the Susquehanna.
A land lottery was set up in 1788 to establish the town of Columbia, which was named in honor of Christopher Columbus. The town came only a few votes short of being named the capital for the new nation of the United States of America.
Canals helped the area prosper as a trade center. Railroads provided transportation for goods purchased in Columbia's tanneries, foundries, and numerous mills."
*****************
4 police cars responded to a traffic stop at the Linden Street exit of Route 30 Saturday night. [Video: Howard Stevens]
*****************
Todd Stahl took these photos of the bridge plaza. He comments:
"The Columbia Bridge Plaza is looking fresh! The entire Plaza is weed/grass free on all the sidewalks including all military bricks.
If you had seen my pictures of this area last week there should have been several “quick tickets” issued (just kidding). Seriously it looked bad, a disgrace and ashamed!
The Columbia Borough Public Works, Carson Stahl and I tackled this project just in time for July 4th. 🇺🇸 it looks fantastic. Grass was mowed twice and bagged, all sidewalks and bricks and the perimeter of the north and south plazas were sprayed. Good bye weeds! Entire area was blowed and swept. Stop by and look around at our friends and family members who served.
Carson and I will assisting with mowing the grass and keeping this area weeded. Volunteer time for Carson and I. Wishing all a Happy July 4th Weekend! 🎇"
.jpg)
.JPG)
